Topic: Canon G10

[Gordon]

has anyone used or know anything about the canon g10?  I talked to my buddy earlier who is a professional photographer and this seems like a nice option before jumping all the way into a dslr.  no way to change lens but shoots raw and has many of the options of a dslr.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/583955-REG/Canon_2663B001_PowerShot_G10_Digital_Camera.html#specifications

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Powershot-G10-Digital-Stabilized/dp/B001G5ZTPY/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

What sort of photos are you planning on taking?

If you want to shoot concerts (inside or at night)...I'd spend the extra $$$ and get a DSLR.

[pjdavep]

has anyone used or know anything about the canon g10?  I talked to my buddy earlier who is a professional photographer and this seems like a nice option before jumping all the way into a dslr.  no way to change lens but shoots raw and has many of the options of a dslr.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/583955-REG/Canon_2663B001_PowerShot_G10_Digital_Camera.html#specifications

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Powershot-G10-Digital-Stabilized/dp/B001G5ZTPY/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

FYI, most all of Canon P&S cameras are capable of RAW and can have full manual controls if you use the CHDK program:
http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK

I installed it on my SD700 and it worked very well, but the learning curve is a little steep.

Later,
   pjdavep

[stirinthesauce]

has anyone used or know anything about the canon g10?  I talked to my buddy earlier who is a professional photographer and this seems like a nice option before jumping all the way into a dslr.  no way to change lens but shoots raw and has many of the options of a dslr.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/583955-REG/Canon_2663B001_PowerShot_G10_Digital_Camera.html#specifications

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Powershot-G10-Digital-Stabilized/dp/B001G5ZTPY/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Nice camera.  I want one for backpacking or long day hikes.  If your wanting it for concert shooting however, go with a dslr and fast glass.  If you want it for everything else, then a fine addition it would be.

Good luck, Gordon!

[leehookem]

Gordon, for about 100 more, you can get dslr.

[Gordon]

I know.  really want something smaller and easy to carry on hikes etc.  but I do want it for some shows as well.   

[stevetoney]

If your budget allows, then get both. 

The G10 is an amazing little machine.  Still, there's nothing like being able to change lenses and I find that the creative capabilities provided by my DSLR takes me from being a 'point n shooter' to a 'photo enthusiast'.

My point is, if you're looking to document your life and surroudings, then go with the G10 because you'll get excellent quality photos in a convenient, yet power little package.  But you'll never be more than a point n shooter with it, IMHO.

If you want to create images and enjoy photography as a hobby, then IMHO you should buy a DSLR. 

Having said that, you've mentioned size now a couple of times in your posts.  Size doesn't figure into the above discussion.  So perhaps size is your primary consideration.  In that case, G10 hands down.

[stirinthesauce]

Don't necessarily agree abouth the point n shoot.  Case in point:

I couple three years ago I was taking a 3 day photography workshop.  The photographer leading the class was extremely accomplished photographic artist, having learned the trade as a young man under the tutelage of Ansel Adams.  Anyways, he was showing some of his work to us on a projector screen.  We all ooooohed and awwwweeeed at some of the shots, one being a picture of a whale diving in the foreground of a glacier.  Magnificent shot.  Found out he shot it with a 3mp point n shoot.  It was what he had readily available to capture the shot.  As we were out in the field practicing techniques we were discussing in class, he was using a very old Sony 1mp point n shoot that used a floppy disk to write the image to.

Don't be swayed by a "point n shooter," might just be a pro using what is available.

Gordon, their are small dslr's, the xsi being one.  Go to a camera store and pick a few models up and see what would be practical for your needs.  The g10 shoots in raw, 12mp,  has a hotshoe for external flash, and can shoot full on manual.  The xsi can as well, except, can swap lenses.

[stevetoney]

^ Perhaps I've portrayed myself as a DSLR snob with the previous response.  I totally agree with what you're saying because the technology and quality behind point and shoot cameras (especially the Canon G10 which is one of the best) are such that, in most cases, I don't think one could tell what type camera/lens was used to capture an image.

My main point is that, as a hobbist, photographers seem to enjoy the creative options afforded the DSLR and many of these creative options become more limited if you're vested in a point and shoot.  That was my experience anyway prior to getting my DSLR...I didn't get excited about photography again (20 years ago I got out of it) until I had a DSLR and I've owned higher end point and shoot cameras for the last ten years...and obtained fantastic results.

The only reason I mentioned this was to spur Gordon to consider whether his motives lean toward becoming more of a hobbyist or someone that wants a good camera for capturing life experiences.

[sunjan]

FYI, most all of Canon P&S cameras are capable of RAW and can have full manual controls if you use the CHDK program:
http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK

What he said.
I was almost swayed into buying a G9 a few years back, but I realized I could have pretty much all the options, including RAW, on a much cheaper camera using CHDK.

I totally see the benefit of getting a P&S for concerts instead of a DSLR. Where I live, security will stop you from entering the venue with a DSLR 90% of the times, but are instructed to let people with a P&S walk. Naturally, you'd like to bring in the best camera possible without getting bounced.

[notsofast]

I owned the G-9  and found it met 85% of my needs and the quality was very good. Being small I carried it everywhere and if I had an DSLR, I would have missed many great shots. My G-9 was stolen on a vacation and I have not replaced it. I did not care for the changes on the G10, mostly I liked the G9 telephoto. Like the G9's down fall was anything ASA of 400 and up got very grainy so the DLSR wins easily indoor  and under tough lighting conditions.

I have a full 35 mm SLR and am re-thinking buying a new DSLR (Canon TSi with lens is around $800) but I will not have the camera with me as often and do to the bulk may miss a shot or two. Like this hobby of recording shows, it is not always the best equipment that returns the best results.

Tim

[drewloo]

Gordon, if you haven't bought a G10 yet and can wait until it's released Canon just announced that the G11 is due out soon.  Looks like some nice improvements were added compared to the g10, namely a swivel out screen and a "New Dual Anti-Noise System combines a high sensitivity 10.0 Megapixel image sensor with Canon’s enhanced DIGIC 4 image processing technology to increase image quality and greatly improve noise performance by up to 2 stops (compared to PowerShot G10)", so it might be very nice concert camera taboot if the low light performance is as good as they claim.  It's nice to see them reverse the general trend of most all makers and lower the MP and increase sensitivity of the sensor.

(Also of interest Canon announced the successor to the SX10 superzoom, the SX20, which has 720p HD video now, RAW capability, and full manual controls.)

[phanophish]

I totally see the benefit of getting a P&S for concerts instead of a DSLR. Where I live, security will stop you from entering the venue with a DSLR 90% of the times, but are instructed to let people with a P&S walk. Naturally, you'd like to bring in the best camera possible without getting bounced.

For me this is the only reason to get the G10 or any other P&S.  It is a very nice little P&S camera and if that form factor is truly the metric in your decision then go for it.  If you are serious about photography or want to maximize quality for low light shooting the a DSLR is still by far the best option.  Sensor size (not megapixels) is nearly everything in low light photography, and P&S cameras just don't have the sensor size.  DSLRs will beat smaller sensors every time, just like full frame DSLRs trump the crop sensor cameras.  IMO a crop sensor camera is right in the sweet spot as far as price and performance go. 

Actually it looks like Canon just announced the G11 and actually REDUCED the megapixels as they needlessly add file size and inhibit low light performance in this type of camera

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0908/09081908canong11.asp


Solid review of the G10 here....
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canong10/

[Sanjay]

Take a look at the Panasonic DMC-LX3, less zoom but larger sensor and fast F2.0-2.8 lens throughout the zoom range.  Love mine.

[notsofast]

This G-11 looks promising. I have been looking to replace a stolen G-9 and skipped the G-10, mainly because no true performance improvement and loss of the telephoto. If they truely address the low light capabilities, I will be picking one up.

I love the form factor and quality of the pics. I use it mych more than  I would an DSLR.

Tim