Canon PowerShot G9 12.1MP with the introduction of the PowerShot G9. In image quality and functionality, the G9 stands above the competition with 12.1 megapixels of resolution, 6x optical zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer, and RAW mode for the ultimate in creative control. Sophisticated design and high-quality construction complement the technology and make the G9 a camera to be reckoned with.
For those who want more than just a point and shoot experience without the complexity or bulk of a Digital SLR, the Canon Powershot G9 stands above the competition with 12.1 megapixels of resolution, a 6x optical zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer, and RAW mode for the ultimate in creative control. Sophisticated design and high-quality construction in a relatively small package complement the technology and make the G9 a camera to be reckoned with. Built-in Flash modes – Auto, Auto w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off; FE lock, Safety FE, Slow Synchro, Second-curtain synchro White Balance Controls – Auto, Preset (Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Underwater), Custom1, Custom2 ISO Sensitivity – Auto, High ISO Auto, ISO 80/100/200/400/800/1600 equivalent Memory card slot supports SD/SDHC, MultiMediaCard (MMC), MMC Plus, and HC MMC Plus Cards A 32MB MMC Plus Card is included, however we suggest purchasing an Optional 2GB memory card. It will allow you to store a lot more video and images, as well as take advantage of the camera’s high Resolution abilities. Interfaces – USB 2.0, NTSC/PAL RCA Video and Audio Out Print directly to Canon CP/SELPHY Compact and PIXMA Photo Printers as well as PictBridge compatible printers via the included USB 2.0 cable without the need for a computer! Approximate Unit Dimensions – (WxHxD) 4.19 x 2.83 x 1.67; Unit Weight – 11.29 oz. (Body without Battery and memory card)
Helpful consumer’s review
If you’re a photographer who cares about image quality, and can’t always lug around a DSLR, buy this camera. You will have no regrets.
I’ve had its predecessor, the G7, for about a year. It has been my normal always-in-the-bag camera. The G7 was limited at ISO 400; the G9 isn’t. My normal workflow with the G9 is to use CS3 to import RAW images (fixing chromatic abberation on the way into CS3 in 16-bit mode), and then to use Noise Ninja to clean up image noise. With this workflow, ISO 400 and ISO 800 are completely usable. (You can also play with some other settings in Adobe Camera Raw, like Recovery.)
And for everyone: you really should never, ever use a built-in strobe on a camera. The G9 (like the G7) has a hot shoe. Use it!
Canon fixed a bunch of the G7’s problems in the G9, the most glaring of which is the G9 now has a battery meter! (I can’t tell you how much that lapse bugged me.) The new LCD monitor is much, much bigger — and gorgeous. And best of all, the camera body is the exact same size and shape, and fits in my underwater housing. (Update: not all the buttons work. The most glaring problem is possibly the zoom can’t be changed, and that you can’t change to macro mode underwater. I’ll probably get the new housing, but the existing one is functional.)
Nits: the new cover for the USB connector is a downgrade, but one that I can put up with. The lens is unchanged, and has a fair bit of barrel distortion at its widest angle. You can clean up the barrel distortion somewhat in CS3, but straight horizontal lines become slightly wavy. I’m being hyper-picky here, but please know that you’re not replacing a DSLR with a prime wide angle lens. You’re just buying a small camera that you can take anywhere.
Buy it. Shoot lots of pictures with it. Be happy!
