40D + G9

Last October we went on a cruise and I brought my G9 and 5D. I used the 5D for WA shots, and for low light shooting. I used the G9 for everything else. I was extremely pleased with that combination.

While the G9 is not a video camera, I found myself using the movie mode more than I thought I would.

The G9 if kept at ISO 100, produces great results. Granted it's no 40D, 5D, etc., but, for me, is a great walkaround/vacation camera that doesn't draw a lot of attention to itself or to the shooter.

As an owner and frequent user of both, here is my 2 cents. (I just used it and 580EX for Christmas Party Photos0

The 40D is a FAR SUPERIOR camera to the G9...period. I would not even attempt to argue this. They are a perfect DSLR to P&S camera combo imho. (as long as you want to stay in the world of Canon)

That being said, in good light, at ISOs under 200, with reasonable PP, it is almost impossible to tell the difference between 40D and G9 8x10 and under printed photos. Same goes for 800x600 web images as well.

The 40D is a full featured DSLR so I won't go into the plus/minus of it.

G9's biggest problem is people expect WAY more from it that it was designed for. (this is why I have a 40D). People forget that this is a P&S camera, albeit a high end expensive one. It still has the same ISO limitation as any P&S sensor does.

It is also WAY TOO MUCH camera for the "happy snappy" crowd. There are too many features, control options and menus. If you don't read and understand the manual you will get confused and have settings you don't want.

PROS:
It is much easier to carry and I carry it a lot more because of this.
It takes fantastic photos ISO 200 and under.
Decent lens range for size (24mm would have been better imho)
Very sharp at f2.8
Handles and feels like a 50's rangefinder
Full manual control (AV/TV/M)
Shoots RAW
Great battery life
Flash Shoe (works very well with 580EX)
Can mount lens adapters
Surprisingly decent for action photos (very little shutter lag)
IS works for a stop or two
Face Detection is nice for Auto Party Shots

CONS:
ISO400 is usable with PShop Noise reduction software
ISO800 is barely usable with above
ISO1600 IS A JOKE
Fat hands/fingers will have issues with buttions
Lens is 35mm equivalent (28 should have been minimum and 24 would have been nice. I would have given up 50mm on the top end for this)
12 meg pixel is too much (8-10 would be fine)
Controls are Canon Confusing (if you get the DSLR's you will get this)
RAWS require a good amount of PP to get the best out of the photo.
Week internal flash (but this is really no different that any P&S camera)

FINALLY:
I suggest you get the aftermarket grip and thumb rest. It makes all the difference.

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Hi

Well, I did get rid of my Leica and my Bronica and my Nikon and accessories before I embarked on the path to doom with ever increasing pixels with digital. Digital is a bit like having a standard motor in a car then getting on the quest for more power that never stops. My present 1200 mini developing something like 280+ bhp - I need the extra power to carry all the pixels in my present range of cameras.
I suppose though Ray is right about the cell phone camera in one respect - mine is capable of quite good resolution but pretty damn useless for making phone calls in the the area around Worthing.

The new Hassleblats are nice Ray - lots of pixels there I could almost swap my mini for one of them, well possibly the carrying strap anyway.

Regards all

Hi Bob

I'm afraid I have become loyal to the brand - or should we say ensneared by the amount of expensive acessories I've collected. But I would not part with my Leica M3 and all it's bits and pieces in spite of the fact I haven't used it for about 30 years. Enjoy your 1200cc Mini, Bob, I'm just off to my garage to try and squeeze another Rolls Royce Merlin under the bonnet of my Jag.

Well, Santa was very good to me and I received a shiny new G9 to complement my 20D. After a ton of fussing over the menus to get everything set up I managed to take some pretty reasonable shots. I still believe it's about as good as it gets for a P&S, but I'm not entirely impressed with Canon's firmware for this camera.

I have these initial impressions:

1. I won't be using the camera above ISO 200. ISO 200 shows much more noise than ISO 400 on my 20D.

2. Whoever developed the code for "M" mode must have been drinking too much. The only choice is to have flash in MANUAL at three power levels? Hopefully someone develops a hack to allow auto flash in the same manner as Av and Tv for Manual mode.

3. Maybe I'm missing something but does Exposure compensation really just change the image "brightness" via software instead of shifting shutterspeed in Av or shifting aperture when in Tv?

It appears that the only choices that I have for indoor flash is to use Tv at the shutterspeed I want (aperture stuck at or close to f/2.8), or use Av at the aperture I want with shutterspeed stuck at 1/60s (with Slow Syncro off).

The camera is nicely built and is capable of producing some very nice images. Considering the price and the target audience the features are a bit disappointing though.

Hi everybody. Lots of interesting stuff, S2000s post was extremely interesting and he has summed up all the points succinctly. You get what you pay for, not necessarily what you would like for your dosh seems to be very clearly stated throughout the theme.
The add on grip would make a big improvement except that the camera would not go in its case.
Working above ISO 400 is a problem too.
But, Ray, more pixels means bigger files and more information to be digested somewhere mate.

Cheers

simmo2006 wrote in post #4577197
The add on grip would make a big improvement except that the camera would not go in its case.

Cheers

The grip fits into the Canon Case PSC-5000 without any issue at all.

Thanks for that I have a lowepro case at the moment and it just about holds the G9 I will investigate your case tomorrow

Cheers Bob

S2000 wrote in post #4578211
The grip fits into the Canon Case PSC-5000 without any issue at all.

I would recommend this case as well

http://www.amazon.com …ics&qid=1198789​405&sr=8-1

I've been eyeing this case. Is it a tight enough fit to the camera that it only add a small amount to its size. If I can still fit the camera in my jacket pocket using this case it's the one for me.

I don't fit the bill perfectly here, but I do own the G9. While it is a fun camera and I enjoy it and also carry it in my inside coat pocket at all times, its picture quality doesn't compare to a good DSLR.

me