Canon Powershot G7 - Enthusiasts look here

[fizzy_drink]

I’ve still got my 5D, however I found that I was taking less photos than ever… mainly due to its size.

I decided to purchase a P&S camera (easier to carry around), and opted for the Canon Powershot G7.

I understand that there’s a new G9 model out now (approx £60-£90 more expensive) however there’s an extra 2MP on offer (20% increase in MP) on a sensor that’s only 5% larger – a recepie for extra noise if you ask me.

Furthermore, the addition of RAW to the G9 is a false upgrade – there’s a clever bit of software which enables RAW on the G7 anyhow.

So… for £240 I got a camera that is nearly as good as an entry level SLR + kit lens, which fits in my pocket. First shots (all unedited JPEG apart from cropping):


As to be expected, there’s a lot of noise at ISO 1600. This is where a DSLR is far better

http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=7387563




For party snaps, it does the job. I’ll need to fiddle with the flash settings to make it a bit less bright. This was taken from approx 50cm

http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=7387559




Macro is impressive, taken from approx 1cm

http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=7387560





There’s a bit of distortion though, again, taken from 1cm (or slightly less)

http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=7387561




Long exposure at low ISO – very nice and sharp, with very little noise

http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=7387562



Opinions?

 

[JJ!]

I had a G9 and kept it for a week or so!!!
You must have mahoosive pockets!!

 

[fizzy_drink]

^^

Did you like it or not?

You talking about the size, or the price of the camera? Lol.

 

[Clart]

i can see the appeal, and fair enough if you're not using the 5d, but i'd never go back to a point and shoot

 

[fizzy_drink]

i can see the appeal, and fair enough if you're not using the 5d, but i'd never go back to a point and shoot

Indeed. It's nowhere clost to my 5D, however it's nearly as good as the ol' 300D I used to have.

I suppose this is nice because it fits in the glovebox... easy to get out and snap away when you're least expecting to.

 

[daviebroon]

Camera looks like it is built well (very retro looking), but you are getting MASSIVE noise at ISO1600. Obviously the quality has been reduced for your upload, but even here you can see its quite bad.

Do you find that it is quite crap with regards to 'ease of use'? Ive used a Canon superzoom before and didn't like it.

My camera is a Bridge as well... and i love it... so i can definately see why you would buy one. SLR's aren't everything.

 

[unofficialPete]

wow. If I was to ever buy another p&s for more than drunk pictures on the town I'd deffo look to the G9!

 

[fizzy_drink]

Camera looks like it is built well (very retro looking), but you are getting MASSIVE noise at ISO1600. Obviously the quality has been reduced for your upload, but even here you can see its quite bad.

Do you find that it is quite crap with regards to 'ease of use'? Ive used a Canon superzoom before and didn't like it.

My camera is a Bridge as well... and i love it... so i can definately see why you would buy one. SLR's aren't everything.

It's very much like an SLR in terms of setup. There's also the 'dummy' mode for when you just want party snaps.

Easy to use IMO... and image quality is very good if you consider it to be a pont & shoot - just forget that ISO 800 and 1600 even exist.

It's hardly surprising though... 10MP on a 1/1.7" sensor... you're bound to get noise.



I wanted a carry-everywhere, without going down the route of tiny-wee Fuji F40fd. Both cameras shoot underwater with a housing (one of my plans for next summer), but the G7 allows full manual where the F40fd doesn't.

 

[Rasclart]

I personally would not go back to a point and shoot either. Some of the pictures look good. But that one at ISO 1600 is HORRID. I know as you said its a tiny sensor etc but a camera phone could produce a better picture that that.

I never really used to take a camera when out on the lash because i would no doubt loss or break them or not be assed to take pictures. I just let other people bring theres.