Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
Canon ’s G serial has converted many a serious flick shutterbug to digital photography . Launched in 2000 with the PowerShot G1 , the stout G line helped found digital picture taking as something more than a bauble . But judge from the later entry , the Canon PowerShot G9 , the line may have survive its utility .
Make no misunderstanding — this serious - looking black brick of a camera is capable of producing great persona . But the G9 is out of sync with the marketplace , put up few compelling advantages , and some distinct disadvantage compare to cheaper point - and - shoot and comparably price DSLRs .
Improvements over the preceding G7 are minimum and not all advantageous . Canon deserves cheerfulness for including RAW modality shot , which retains more data than JPEG . But the young image sensing element merely crams in two more megapixels that nobody require , bring the G9 to a gratuitous 12.1 megapixels . And the big 3 - inch LCD screen is bright and detailed , but it also steals needed space from what was once a useful optical view finder .
How we tested: The image-quality rating of the camera is based upon a panel of judge’ opinions in five categories: exposure, color, sharpness, distortion, and overall. Battery-life testers follow a precise script, including shots with and without flash, until the battery dies.—Testing by Jim Galbraith and Brian Chen
The G9 falls into to the so - calledprosumerclass of point - and - shoot tv camera that include advanced attribute such as shutter- and aperture - priority modes and birthday suit capture . The G9 ’s image calibre is sure like or higher-ranking to anything in that class , score Very Good on both double and colour calibre in Macworld research lab tests . Photos came out with astute detail , minimal noise , and pleasing colour equipoise at crushed ISO preferences . ( Expect increase noise and fuzz as you go above ISO 200 . ) reflex photo dominance was systematically reliable , while autofocus had an occasional leaning to wander . On the plus side , the odd picayune rotate gang on the G9 ’s main restraint button make this one of the few point - and - shoots with a usable manual - focus alternative .
The G9 falls unforesightful in other areas , however . Most recent model similar to this one aresuperzoomcameras that cover a range from wide - slant to uttermost telephotograph . The G9 ’s lens start out at a comparatively modest 35 mm and extends to 6x ocular zoom , but a mere 4x digital zoom .
Most novel prosumer theoretical account also have bright , information - pack electronic view finder , devote photographers greater tractableness in how they compose images . advertize by the amplify LCD screen , the G9 ’s opthalmic viewfinder is so tiny that it ’s all but useless , especially since it only insure 80 percent of the image and designate the edge of the photographic camera lense when it ’s not zoomed .
summate in some odd design and control alternative — ISO preferences are elevated to a separate rotating thickening on the top of the camera , but you ’ll need to dig through the card to vary a basic social occasion like epitome stabilization — and it ’s rugged to make a event for the G9 ’s $ 500 price tag end . you’re able to spend $ 150 less and get an every bit capable point - and - shoot , such as the Samsung NV11 ( ) . Or , you could drop $ 50 more for a DSLR with all of the above plus a significantly wide aperture mountain range and versatility , which will take into account the camera to produce with your skills .
The principal market for this tv camera seems to be serious photographers who do n’t require the clutter , disbursal , and weight of a DSLR . But with SLRs hitting price points of $ 500 and weigh less than a Sudanese pound , those arguments do n’t carry much water anymore . rather , the G9 is likely to succeed mainly on look — the styling arouse the classic range finder photographic camera of the pre - digital era — and brand loyalty . I made my jump into digital photography with the G2 and have had a soft spot for the G argumentation ever since . But sentimentality is good for greeting cards , not expensive camera - purchasing conclusion .
Performance
scurf = Superior , Very Good , Good , Fair , and Poor .
How we tested : The image - timber rating of the camera is free-base upon a panel of evaluator ’ legal opinion in five category : exposure , colour , sharpness , overrefinement , and overall . Battery - life sentence quizzer stick with a precise handwriting , including shots with and without flash , until the battery dies.—Testing by Jim Galbraith and Brian Chen
Specifications
Macworld’s buying advice
While it ’s a suitable camera in most ways , the Canon PowerShot G9 does n’t pop the question many compelling advantages over lower - priced contender . It ’s hard to advocate it as a reasonable value .
[ David Becker is a writer and photographer based in San Francisco who on a regular basis write about personal technology , gadgets , and travel . ]
