Canon PowerShot G9 Digital Camera - Black (12.1MP, 6x Optical Zoom) 3.0" LCD

Canon PowerShot G9 Digital Camera - Black (12.1MP, 6x Optical Zoom) 3.0" LCD Reviews

A Really Good Camera
This is my first compact digital camera, and to my surprise it does almost everything you can expect from a DSLR...and the best part is it's not a DSLR it's a compact. So far I could only think of two things that it can't do: 1. low sync flash shots and 2. multiple exposure. My only problem with it is that 35mm is not wide enough for me, as I shoot landscape most of the time. And also I'd like to have a say on its 6x optical zoom. 6x is quite enough for stage photos, but if you want to shoot some wildlife, I can tell you 6x is not enough. For shooting wildlife, Canon SX10 or SX1 would be a a lot better idea as they have 20x optical zoom, long enough for not being spotted by most wild animals. Before I bought G9 I was thinking of shooting wildlife so I chose G9 over LX3 and GX200, and it turned out a terrible mistake. Now I need to add a tele converter to it in order to shoot wildlife. Whoever interested in G9 (and is interested in shooting landscape) I would also advise you to consider Ricoh GX200 (24-72mm) and Panasonic LX3 (24-60mm, and it's almost the same as Leica D-LUX 4, only differs in its firmware, and only half the price of it's Leica counterpart) or maybe Ricoh GR Digital II (28mm fixed-focus lens, if you don't really need a zoom lens then you should definitely buy this one, a real classic!). G9's successor G10 is also an option as it now has a 28mm wide angle. If you have a big budget, go get a Sigma DP1, you won't be disappointed with the image quality that Foveon X3 sensor is able to offer.

Great Camera but a bit of shutter lag
I have owned 3 cameras in this series (G5, G7, G9) and they are great. I have used them trekking in some very extreme environments including jungles,deserts and the top of kilimajaro in sub zero temperatures. Battery life is long, built quality excellent and the quality of the final printed image even at A3 size is excellent. The camera is relatively light, rugged , unobtrusive and far easier to handle than a DSLR in these conditions. The only issue I have with the G9, which I dont remember in previous incarnations is slight shutter lag - which can be very annoying in certain circumstances. Otherwise a great camera and highly recomended.

The perfect balance between a compact digital and a DSLR
I've been using this for almost a year now and feel able to thoroughly recommend it. Produces fantastic photos and video in auto or manual modes. Plenty of manual overrides to keep enthusiasts happy. Really well built magnesium body, yet fairly light. Good battery life. Superb screen. Compact enough that you'll be happy to take it most places, unlike a DSLR. Seems to find favour with everyone who's seen / used it. Highly recommended.

Fantastic G9
Had this for about a year now and it's been an excellent camera and it's still amazing me. Family holiday pics now look briliant and the 6x zoom a real bonus. I have recently been using the video mode (which I have only just discovered) to shot some off roading and the quality of the video was superb. Certainly the best camera I've used. It's so easy to use in auto mode and gives great results.

Minor niggle
Have just received my G9 and first impressions are very good. However, the 'get your started' manual is totally inadequate because of its brevity. This means that you have to print out the full manual on the supplied pdf file if you want to use the camera properly. And it is about 270 pages! I would rather pay £5 more for the camera if it was complete with a bound and printed manual.