Canon Powershot G10 14.7MP Digital Camera with 5x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
by Canon
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Canon Powershot G10 14.7MP Digital Camera with 5x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
Customer Review: Fantastic camera with very nice features
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been playing with technical photography for many years. That is just another way of saying that I have no ability to capture interesting and artistic images naturally but that I can occasionally produce something cool because I understand the science. Since the advent of digital cameras, I've been playing with them (starting with a 1.2m Olympus) and finally sold off the remaining film gear around 2000, making the full transition to digital. Unfortunately, until now, I haven't found the ideal digital camera.
The Canon G10 just might be that perfect little camera, at least for me. Controls, form-factor, resolution, overall image quality... all add up to make a very capable and high quality instrument. The joy of being able to do a long exposure night shot and get immediate gratification by reviewing the image is unmeasurable. Amazing my kids with flashlight painted shots and time-lapse is cool. Having video on-hand is tremendous. Of course, shooting touristy snap-shots and capturing in RAW to enable that 2-stop correction magic is a given. Easily placed controls and menu-less access to most functions make daily use quick and rewarding. No more squinting at menus to try and set shutter priority or ISO, just press the button and turn the knob.
My G10 replaced a bulky Canon D400 (Rebel XTi) that I typically carried around with a 28-135 zoom on it. I travel extensively and found that carrying the D400 was just too much trouble. While the D400 is an awesome camera with similar features (lower resolution and no video capability), it's bulk and traditional compact SLR form-factor were too much for me. The SLR, through the lens shooting method is compensated for on the G10 by a decent and reasonably accurate range-finder though I have found the large LCD to be more useful for framing and even quick shooting.
If what you are looking for is an all around point-and-shoot, this might not be it. The G10 is targeted to a different market segment. If you are looking for that one camera to own if you understand photography, enjoy pushing the limits and having a little extra capability and you don't want to jump into a full SLR configuration, this is the camera for you. Canon Powershot G10 14.7MP Digital Camera with 5x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom.
Customer Review: The happy medium between dSLR's and point and shoot cameras
Summary: 5 Stars
It's important to understand this camera within context: This isn't a digital SLR replacement or a pocket d-SLR. This is an excellent camera for someone who is a dSLR shooter as a backup, or even someone wanting to graduate from a point and shoot to allow them more control over the camera.
The Powershot G10 incorporates a few new features over it's predecessor, the G9. It loses it's 6x optical zoom down to 5x optical zoom, but packs 14.7 megapixels, features a wide-angle zoom compared to the G9, and uses Canon's new Digic IV processing engine.
The Pros:
* RAW capture. RAW photos don't feature any of the conversions that JPGs do, but also takes up a lot more space. Your typical RAW photo out of this camera will be 15MB, versus 4MB for a high quality JPG. It's nice having this flexibility.
* Supports Canon's Speedlite external flash units.
* Manual controls over aperture and shutter speed for additional controls. This is the single biggest advantage to the G10: if you have a SLR of any type, you're used to changing f-stops, shutter speed and other things on the fly to take better and more creative photos.
* Shoots VGA video. I would have like to have seen 720p video myself.
The cons:
* Expensive spare batteries. $70? Seriously, that's insane.
* Early adopters will find out that Adobe products (Lightroom, Photoshop) and Apple Aperture won't support the G10's RAW - yet. *fingers crossed* You can use the included Canon software, which I find unweildy and a pain to deal with.
I do recommend picking up a 4gb SDHC card, such as a Kingston or Sandisk. Class 6 cards are recommended to handle those large files that you'll be shooting. Also, this won't fit in most camera pouches (I couldn't get it to fit in any of the Lowepro pouches without me feeling like I'm smushing it in there) so you're better off going to a camera store and trying them out.
In the few days that I've had this camera, I feel happy for having it, and it definitely feels like a more "adult" camera than my previous Powershots (not to say that they weren't any good, it's just that I've gotten to the point as a photographer where I *need* the flexibility that this camera can provide.) If you're looking at making the jump to something more advanced, then give this camera a try. You won't regret it.
Customer Review: Returned Mine (Updated Review)
Summary: 5 Stars
Have only owned the camera a brief while, however, overall I'm satisfied. The camera is a blast to use. The knobs offer quick access for frequently used settings without endless button pushing and menu drilling. The form factor is great. Others have complained about the weight and size, however, I love it. It gives the camera a nice sturdy feel in my hand. Best of all, I wanted DSLR performance in something that I would be willing to lug around an amusement park all day. This fits the bill just fine. Is it an Elph? No, but if you want a subcompact p&s, go buy one. This is geared more towards people who want advanced features in a reasonable size, without going fully DSLR. The rear LCD is razor sharp. Focusing is fast and acurate. I haven't experienced any missed shots due to focusing issues. I read complaints of poor low light performance, however I got excellent results shooting low light. I might post some samples later. And normal lighting shots are amazing. Details are sharp, colors nice and crisp, and contrast is perfect. My only complaints are with the unnecessary pixel increase and lack of zoom. I also had a dead pixel on my first G10. From my understanding, the dead pixel issue is more common than I am comfortable with. At 14mp, the shots can look a little noisy when displayed at full resolution. It's a good size for editing, but I may jack the resolution down to a less noisy size.
05/03/09 Update:
Well, I returned the G10. The shots were good, however I felt the amount of noise was simply unacceptable for a high-end point and shoot of this caliber. I eventually purchased a Canon SD880 Elph instead (I know... I'm laughing myself at the irony of my statement above and subsequent purchase of an Elph). However, the biggest surprise is that the image quality of the Elph seems much better than the G10. At full resolution, there is significantly less noise in shots taken with the SD880. I really wanted to like/keep the G10, and believe me, I tried everything to compensate for the noise. But in the end, image quality is the most important factor of a digicam; and the G10 just doesn't cut it as the supposed flagship of the Canon P&S line, especially for the price. I can't change my star rating, however, I would likely give the G10 2-3 stars highest, and that's only for the wide array of features.
Customer Review: Absolutely stunning results, easy use and feature set
Summary: 5 Stars
I've never written an Amazon review for any product before, but I feel that Canon has done such a superb job with the G10 that they deserve some kind words.
I am the former Color Editor at Popular Photography Magazine. I normally use a digital SLR, but I wanted a smaller, simpler camera for use in taking photos from an aircraft. I needed a camera that I could hold securely in one hand while flying the aircraft with the other. I have a Canon Elf, but it's almost impossible to hold the camera in one hand as it's just too small.
I guess I bought the G10 for its grip-ability. I assumed it would take reasonably good photos because I've always been happy with the digital Elf, but I was unprepared for how good it is. If you're a serious amateur or a pro, you will be more than happy with the photographs the G10 produces. The results are stunning. The feature set is just as good. Your every need has been anticipated and a control positioned closely at hand. Easy ISO setting, exposure compensation, and control of flash output for sync-sun shooting are all easily at hand. There are even two custom settings that allow you to pre-program the features you'll need for special applications. I use one which sets the shutter speed at shutter priority at 1/1000 sec. and the focus pre-set at infinity for air to ground photography. I use a the second custom setting with the shutter priority set at 1/100 sec for taking photos that include the spinning propeller. High shutter speeds freeze the prop making it look as if the engine has stopped. I programmed it so it also kicks in the neutral density filter and again the focus set at infinity.
Frankly, the results from the G10 are so good, that if I didn't have such a large investment in another brand of Digital SLR lenses, I would switch to Canon SLR's because of the G10. It's always the lenses, not the bodies that keep you with a particular brand of camera.
I could go on and on telling you how wonderful the G10 is and how much it's like a digital Leica, but I think you already get the idea. Just go buy one!
Customer Review: BEYOND EXPECTATIONS. EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE!
Summary: 5 Stars
There is a 'MIX' of customer reviews here and I fully understand some of the frustration and yet I can't help but wonder if some of the reviews are also 'PLANTS'.
I've used my Canon G10 for just over two weeks now. Thus, I am not an expert and I certainly do not shoot for or claim such as a profession. I travel for a living and I love photography; especially taken of the adventures I so blessed with.
I have had several of Canon's EOS line SLR's. They are excellent cameras and while I've also had both Nikon and Sony cameras as well, nothing has come close to the Canon line. They simply excel in digital imaging.
The G10 is built like a tank. Ultra rugged and strong. No plastics here.
I found its colors exceeding the quality of my Canon 50D. Even when I used Canon USM IS lenses. I received slight 'BLUR' from my 50D last weekend when my wife and I decided to take some 300-400 pictures of the Napa Valley's Fall colors.
She used the Canon G10 and I used the Canon 50D. Her colors, her sharpness and her black of blur or backlit situations was stunning for what is essentially a POINT & SHOOT camera.
Keep in mind this camera runs a simple $499. With a superior optical system, excessive megapixel range and a shutter as fast as one could ever hope for. The camera is ready always for that next shot.
Battery life was very good. Charging time fast. The entire fit overall for the camera could not be better. I told my wife the Canon G10 was indeed the BMW's of camera performance for that style or type of camera.
Personally I think it's underpriced. More so, this is a POINT & SHOOT. High-end of course but still a POINT & SHOOT.
This was and is an excellent choice. Built in Japan (not China) for quality and small enough to carry around without the weight or size of a SLR.
Doesn't get better...