G7 dead - what to get next??

Our G7 has finally given up and its time to replace it. It was used mostly by my wife as i tend to carry my 50D around as well but sometimes the G7 was our sole camera on small trips.

My wife did not really use all the functions but really likes the images it produces so my question is what options have we for replacement?

Cheers

Nev

Canon loyalty program for a G9?

Nick

If your wife did not use all the functions of the G7 then why would she need anything similar other than for size and handling? The G’s are mostly about having control features like a DLSR and raw wouldn’t be missed since the G7 didn’t have it. Maybe the SX line of Canons?

G10 /G11 or S90 ?

I say G11, most definitely. I'll admit, I am a BIT prejudice, but my friend has a G10 and he always wants to use my G11. If you're looking for a small camera, then S90, no doubt.

I greatly prefer a G10 to a G11. Neither is good in poor light - the G11 is better but still not adequate - but the G10 simply blows the G11 away in good light. You'll also find the build quality of the G11 and the S90 doesn't compare with the G7 (and the G10 - the G11 is the first of the plasticky G's).

That said, why should your G7 "finally give up"? I expect many years of service from my cameras and I have never so far been disappointed. What's gone wrong with it? Why not send it to Canon to be repaired? Assuming you haven't dropped it under a bus, that is.

But I agree - if your wife doesn't use the facilities of the G7, then if it can't be economically repaired (I'd establish that first) I'd look at one of the smaller cameras. Most produce superb images nowadays. The SX20 is a possibility, but it's getting up to Rebel size and that probably isn't what's wanted.

I miss features of my G9 (traded for my G11). One is build quality--plasticy as said above. My need is image quality. Saying that, I shoot jpeg and want good quality images out of the camera. Perhaps I should have bought a G10.
When I buy I seem to compare the G's to a Pany LX3 (soon to be replaced.) The Pany makes the short list for me, but the lens is a little short for my needs. I "think" that has changed with the LX5 that is coming.
Will you consider shooting RAW with the new camera?

I really like the articulating screen on the '11. That's why I bought it. I don't like the feel, and I particularly don't like the buttons just right of the screen's edge, high on the camera. I hit those regularly, and then need to restore the camera. My first G11 failed; internal battery wouldn't charge--the one that holds date and time; without it the camera prompts for date/time to be reset. That's a pain in the tnder spot. Second one is fine so far; took so long to get this fixed I bought a Pany ZS3 as my every-day-carry camera. 25-300 lens is so enticing! No manual control with the ZS3 and no raw....

S90? Not an owner. For me? small, slippery (fixed by franiec grip I suppose); has it's own ergonomic treat--the dial on the back slips and changes settings. The jpegs I understand are digitally corrected to magically resolve distortion. Wonderful feature! f/2.0 lens at some focal lengths.

My wife has been into a shop and had a good look att he G11 and 'I Think' that is what she will get now. I will however, point out to her the build quality issue, especially considering the cost of it!

I was initially going to get the G7 sent for a repair but the cost has put us off.

Cheers for all the opinions.

I think the G11 is a great choice for your wife....picture quality is excellent & your wife may not use all the features yet but I'm sure with a good play she will start to discover its delights. My husband has a G10 as his small camera. You cannot fault either camera for its image quality .... and I don't seem to have a problem with hitting the buttons whilst shooting and its swivel screen is brilliant so the G11 swings it for me!

Wait on the G12.

I agree, now that the S95 has been announced. The S90 was contemporary with the G11.

Canon will likely offer you a G11 through the Loyalty program for $250. This is how I got my G11 when my G9 died. I can't say I particularly like the G11. It has a plastic build and the ergonomics are simply atrocious. However, the low-light image capability is better than the G9, ISO 400 images are usable.

One thing I never liked in the G series is how bulky they are. I want a P&S so I can stick it in my pocket. The G11 is most definitely not pocketable. If you are going to go full price, I will get the S90 or S95 without any hesitation.