First of all, I would like you to observe that you are reading about Canon G9 because other high performance point an shoot cameras from Canon don’t offer RAW file format as a shooting option (Raw shooting is selected via the Recording Pixels sub-menu in the Function menu). Second, you might be intrerested in the flexibility of use that this camera offers: plenty of accessories (including external flash), full manual controls, a large range of settings (Face Detection AF and AE functions, optical stabilization, 6x optical zoom, Safety Zoom function and built-in ND filter) and in-camera adjustments.
On the other side, Canon Powershot G9 is based on the previous G7 model: slightly higher resolution (12.1 megapixels vs 10 megapixels) and a larger, 3.0-inch LCD screen. Also, the G9’s viewfinder, although similar in appearance with the one of G7, is small and rather cramped. It has separate dial controls for shooting modes and ISO settings, which brings it near the look of a SLR.
A special function I like at this camera is the neutral density (ND) filter – this reduces the light intensity by three f-stops, allowing photographers to shoot with a wider lens aperture to achieve differential focusing in bright conditions. It can only be used with the P, Tv, Av and M shooting modes as well as for movie capture and is accessed via the Function button.
The camera can be operated one-handedly but, because of it’s small size, when it’s held comfortably and securely, some controls are covered by your fingers. Pictures taken with this canon model are sharp and colorful as much as it needs to be right and not exagerated. Some purple fringing can be seen when photos are enlarged. White balance performance is above average and the noise was visible in long exposures at ISO 400 and above but only became obvious at the ISO 1600 setting.
It will take up to 1.7 seconds to power up and shooting lag is 0.5 seconds with both JPEG and raw files. As a conclusion, this camera is robustly built, comprehensively feature-packed and small enough to slip into a jacket pocket, having allot in its favor.
Canon Powershot G9 Digital Camera Specifications
Functions:
• Shooting Modes: Auto, Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual and Custom, plus Panoramic mode
• Scene Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, Sports, Foliage, Show, Beach, Fireworks, Aquarium, Underwater, Indoor, Kids and Pets, Night Snapshot, Color Accent, Color Swap (My Colors menu for image saturation and color adjustment)
• Movie Mode: 1024×768, 640×480, 320×240, 160×120; at 15, 30, 30, 15 fps; with sound, avi (motion jpeg)
• Flash Modes: Auto, On, Off, Slow-sync (second-curtain sync not available)
• White balance: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Underwater, Custom
• Metering: Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot (center or linked to active AF point), Face Detect AE
Technical Data:
• 3.0-inch LCD
• 12.1 megapixel
• 6x optical zoom + 4x digital zoom
• Focal Length: 35-210mm
• Aperture: f/2.8 (W) / f/4.8 (T) – f/8
• Shutter speed: 15-1/2500 sec
• ISO Range: 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 + a special ISO 3200 mode
• Flash Range: 9.8 ft (W) / 6.6 ft (T); ISO set to Auto
• Focus Range:
Normal Focus Range: 50 cm to Infinity(19.7 inch to Infinity)
Macro Focus Range: 1 – 50 cm(0.4 – 19.7 inch)
• Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
• Self timer: 2-30 sec
• File Format: JPEG, RAW (CR2)
• SD/MMC/SDHC memory card + 32MB internal memory
• 1 x Proprietary NB-2LH Lithium Ion rechargeable
• Dimensions: 4.2×2.8×1.7in(106x72x43mm)
• Weight:11.2 oz(320 g)
Optimize the various shooting options of your Canon powershot camera by checking out digital SLR camera reviews.
Canon G9. I use Canons professionally and have for 25 years. I had a G7 and loved it but sold it to get the G9. Mistake. Perhaps it is mine, but the images I get outdoors @200 iso are very noisy… more so than those taken under similar circumstances with the G7. I find this to be strange. Any other owners have this issue?
Happy Holidays
I just got this camera last week. I bought it because of the RAW feature, the ability to use a external flash, and also exposure preview.
I found the G9 to be too inconsistent in image quality and totally unsuitable to obtain professional results. Apparen’tly the light sensor is to blame. I would rather invest the money in purchasing an DSLR and get real satisfaction.