PERFECT (realtively speaking) (Canon Powershot G9)

Member Name: dav_dump

Product:	Canon Powershot G9
Date:	19/04/08 (435 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Image Quality, Manual Modes, Ease of Use, Flexibilty to grow with user, Build Quality

Disadvantages: Size/weight, Cost

This really is an enthusiast/Prosumer compact camera.

I had to give this camera full marks as when reviewed as how it is intended to be used it really is unbeatable. some reviews are very negative of this camera but 9 times out of 10 they are comparing it (unfairly) to digital SLR's.
IMO, its a great compromise between a true compact camera and an SLR.

Honestly it isnt really small enough to be classed as true compact, however it is small....ish, I find it easy to fit in my jacket (not my jeans) pocket. So whilst not slim, it is MUCH smaller than an SLR!
The MAnual setting are superb, I was very impressed by the usability of the manual jog wheel on the rear of the camera, It operates the manual focus, along with the shutter speed and aperture size (when in manual mode) all with absolute ease!

However I did find it a little tricky to focus using the manual mode, but that was probably more to do with the LCD screen, which in most other circumstances is great!
A point to remeber if you are deciding between SLR and this compact is that you CANT focus through the optical viewfinder.

The camera has top- of the range build quality, it feels incredibly sturdy and tough, however the screen is rather annoyingly raised, so I dont think it will be long before that gets scratched (a screen protector may be useful)

The average Image Quality IMO is the best you will get on any compact camera, not SLR quality however. There simply is no replacement for an SLR. But this is the best compromise!!

Image noise can be a little tricky in anything over 200 ISO, but the camera is very effective at collecting light so you can normally keep the ISO at 100 or even 80.

Shutter lag is very low, again the best out of almost all Compact Cameras. Press the trigger and away it goes! ready to take another almost imediately (except in RAW which is slower) Start-up time is lighting quick, less than a second.

The big negative here is the price, it is definately falling, but the addon lenses are very expensive (relatively speaking) and so are the add on flash guns.

Talking about flash guns, the built in flash has adjustable modes, so you can set it lower for situations where the subject is close, or you wish to achieve a more natural light.

Sorry for the ramble, its my first review! hope I've helped, let me know if you need any more info!

Summary: Not quite an SLR, but it knocks the socks off any other compact.

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