Should I Buy A G10 ?

The G9 is a better camera, hence selling for more, AND

The G9 is a better camera, hence selling for more, AND

ruben said:
I am cooling myself and stand by. But your argument about price should take into consideration that the G9 is being sold everywhere higher than the G10, and that the A590 carries no proportional price. The common line seems to be that new models are sold cheaper than previous ones, not that the same models lower price with time.

Anyhow, an interesting question.

Cheers,
Ruben
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The G6 was a better camera than the G7, using a faster lens, shootin RAW, good telephoto range, smaller and a good megapixel range for not packing the sensor, thereby compromising ISO Noise.

The G6 can be had for $200 to $250.

Defy that logic. So is a G6 in fact a better choice than a G10....?

Quite likely.
 
Hello Ruben,

Without wishing to muddy waters take a look at the Lumix LX3. I bought one three weeks ago for the same reasons, a camera to always carry with me. I use a Voigtlander 25mm viewfinder on the hot shoe and shoot almost everything at the 24mm wide end of it's admittedly limited zoom range. I think it is a great product.
 
I am reasonably convinced, based on what I have read, that this is THE best all-round pocketable (sorta) digital camera and I would dearly love to own one. Whilst I like the idea of the Sigma D1 this camera is 3 letters ahead in the alphabet and 9 in numbers (HA HA HA) Seriously it is overall more flexible even though the large size foveon chip of the D1 sounds great. I have no idea how they squeeze 14 megabits of data onto a micro sized sensor chip without noise running rampant. But evidently they do!

I very nearly bought a G10 last week. But I already have 4 digital cameras of various types - 3 SLRs and one pocketable and guess I just wanted that Nikkor 105mm f2.8 Micro even more. But I still want the damn thing as it FEELS like a real rangefinder. Last year I bought the Panasonic L1 for the same reason but have to say that due to its large size and handling it does not quite do it in this department for me. Worst of all it really hunts in low light meaning it just lacks the rangefinder responsiveness so maybe I should sell that otherwise fine camera and buy the Canon myself?.
 
Tried it out, nice but only pocketable in the side pockets of cargo pants or a big coat. And sure did not feel like an RF to me. And WHY oh WHY couldn't they make it have 3:2 aspect ratio. OTOH, I love the Lx3 which is also less noisy @ high ISO and has 24mm f2 lens...
 
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Ruben,

While I've watched the Canon line to see what was up, I've been underwhelmed. Are you really in need of the zoom or would you prefer a drop dead great 28mm lens? Perhaps what about two cameras?

First, I think the camera for you is the Ricoh GRD II. KICK A55 lens and pick up a CV 28mm Metal Bright Line finder. You have, IMHO the ultimate digital street camera. Lots of great examples of what the camera can do here and other places.

Now if you need to have a zoom and can only have one camera pick up the Ricoh GX 200 and a 28mm Metal CV and a 75mm or 50mm Bright line (also CV). I have been thinking a lot about adding a GX 100/200 to my GRD and picking up a 75mm BL. The size of these cameras is itsy-bitsy (read really small) and the handling on the GRD quite frankly rocks.

I'm really interested in the OM/PenF next generation but the price on two Ricohs and finders I think would be much lower. Perhaps just the GRD to start with.

I had the first Ricoh R-1 that started the small high quality lens thing and love it. I've found the controls on the GRD well thought through and easy to use/remember.

Besides the size of the Canon, IMHO, it and most of the digital cameras have too many features that just do not add any value.

Think about it, two cameras for just a bit more cash and in about the same size as one Canon. You have backup for the GRD in the GX 100/200. With the my setting switches you can lock in zoom and other settings and you have a step zoom feature.

B2 (;->
 
Hi Ruben,
did you ever think of a Sigma DP2? it costs as much as the Canon, but quality should be much better. No zoom, of course, but it's worth it. Mine is on the way. 🙂

Cheers
dacaccia
 
Getting a camera (any camera, not just a P&S) is purely a personal choice - whilst opinions from others are great input, it still comes down to the user and the finance minister.

Personally, I had the G10. Sent it in for repairs. Got an LX3. Yes, the LX3 is technically a "better" camera and more "desired" my many of us hobbyists when using our Leica/RFs as a reference/comparison point, I sold the LX3 once the G10 came back.

Why? The reason why I got a G10 was not to compete with or to become another Leica or RF. I got it for practical/functional/convenience reason. It was a better all-rounder camera for my intended purposes. I simply like the build quality, handling, and the GUI of the Canon.
 
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The Canon G-series of cameras have had a good following and as Double Negative says the macro shots from them are very good. I have the G7 and find it a decent street camera too. I have the Richard Franiec grip fitted which gives it an even more RF feel. That said, I haven't used it for a while and so it will go up for sale or trade in soon.
 
VladimirV said:
The EVF is dimm if you compare it to a clear and bright external OVF but it is brighter than some of the tiny OVFs you find on compact cameras. It is prefectly usable and since it is an add-on you can remove so it should not really get in the way of you using the add-on OVF.

I have reviewed the GX200 here and posted some images from it if you are interested: http://ricohgrdiary.wordpress.com/2009/02/18/ricoh-gx200-review-part-1/
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I have read that you can actually fix the lens at the 24-35-50-70 focal lengths, and this is a huge advantage I can identify, for external finders being added, instead of the electronic one.

Another is the price of the EVF, around $85.

The prices for the additional wide and tele lenses are absolutely crazy. Assuming the tele is worth the buck, the total price incl EVF raises measurably.

Nevertheless, this camera for my taste does put a challenge to the G10.

In termas of focal length I prefer the G10. But taking into account the viewfinder facilities, the Panasonic counter balances the G10 by the rear door.

Therefore I remain curious what Canon's G series, and Ricoh GX series next move will be. In pure technical grounds, each one doesn't allow you to buy the other.

Cheers,
Ruben
 
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ruben said:
I have read that you can actually fix the lens at the 24-35-50-70 focal lengths, and this is a huge advantage I can identify, for external finders being added, instead of the electronic one.
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You can do this and is one of the unique advantages of the Ricoh cameras, this and the great time lapse mode and Snap focus.

ruben said:
Another is the price of the EVF, around $85.

The prices for the additional wide and tele lenses are absolutely crazy. Assuming the tele is worth the buck, the total price incl EVF raises measurably.
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If you want the EVF you should get it together with the camera in the bundle as it will be a lot cheaper.
The adapter lenses are expensive but of very high quality and worth the money. They are made out of metal and have no problems with vignetting, fringing or any distortion.
 
one oly micro mid june and one late in 2009

one oly micro mid june and one late in 2009

Leigh Youdale said:
I hadn't heard about the second one??????
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the articles I read indicated one compact and one similar to the Panasonic G1. Oly is playing close to the belt on which one comes first.

However, it is also rumored that Panasonic may introduce a Micro 4/3 on a compact scale.

Micro 4/3, Sigma and Samsung have my eye at present.

With that in mind, I sure won't be wasting my dollars on any small sensor cameras.

The rest of 2009 and early 2010 may be interesting for the Micro 4/3 options.
 
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External viewfinder disables flash

External viewfinder disables flash

I think the G10 has the same feature/fault (depends on your point of view..) as other Canon G-series cameras: When an external flash (or anything else that presses down the mechanical lever in the hot shoe) is present, the internal flash is disabled. Thus, you will have difficulties using the external viewfinder and the external flash at the same time. Just FYI 🙂
 
"As you know, the optical tunel viewfinder of both the A590 and the G10 are close to useless, or better than nothing, and certainly any digi without any kind of eye viewfinder is out for me."
Isn't that one of the main reasons for selecting the G10 over cameras without separate viewfinders? Can you live with that viewfinder?
What is the lag time on this camera? If you are shooting landscapes it does not matter but when you are attempting to capture a street scene or an unposed portrait how will this impact the final product?
 
My humble opinion is that the lag time on this camera is unacceptable. In manual mode and set to manual focus I cannot understand how there still needs to be the sort of lag the G10 produces? Especially at this state of the game and for that price point?
Consider RAW capability very seriosuly. You need all the highlight room you can squeeze out of these little sensors.
I am using a G10 currently quite a bit and the images up into iso 800 are perfectly useable for me. It handles well and is functioning well despite appalling conditions.iOf the shutter was more responsive I would be sold hook, line and sinker!
 
External finder in G10 not accurate due to aspect ratio of camera

External finder in G10 not accurate due to aspect ratio of camera

ruben said:
I have read that you can actually fix the lens at the 24-35-50-70 focal lengths, and this is a huge advantage I can identify, for external finders being added, instead of the electronic one.
Ruben
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But external finders are designed for 35mm full frame which has an 3:2 aspect ratio and the G10 cannot be set to shoot in 3:2, only 4:3 and panoramic. So the external finder is not accurate anyway.
 
general info re small sensors and G-10's zoom

general info re small sensors and G-10's zoom

Its a really nice handy small camera. Many features and light as hell. Zoom lens does have steps (re Vladimir's post), 13 of them between 28mm and 140mm, 3 blips on the lever gives you 54mm FL.
But small sensors make throwing things out of focus a challenge, especially when using macro.
(Pentax K-10 user, once owned an M-5!)
 
The G9 and G10 might be the best around, but they're not good cameras.

Focus is painfully slow, meaning there's no point in trying to get action shots, whether cards or people and the barrel distortion is terrible, which rules out buildings. Yes, you can correct the latter, but it's a pain. It irritates me that I paid this much for something that gives photos markedly inferior to an Olympus Stylus. Doesn't half make me miss my R-D1.
 
I really like my G10, and I have to concur with comments regarding build quality and handling/ergonomics. True the LX3 is the better camera, but the G10 handles like an RF, and it's not really slow at all. I set mine up the way it's described here (see the Gary Knight video). It works well. I've been seeing quite a few of them on the street and at functions. (I don't know whether popularity is a good thing.)

Anyway, It is durable and great to stick in a tank bag and chase Roland (ferider) around winding northern California coastal roads, rolling cow roads, and tree-lined twisties. He on his beemer and me on my 'umph (Bonneville). I finally caught him (he had to stop and wait for me, though):

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