Canon Powershot G9 Review

The Canon Powershot G9 sees the welcome return of the RAW image format to the G-series of prosumer compact digital cameras. Controversially dropped from the previous G7 model, Canon have bowed to customer demand and restored RAW, once again making the Powershot G9 a great backup camera for a DSLR owner, or even a viable alternative. Other new features on the Canon G9 include an upgraded 12.1 megapixel sensor, larger 3 inch LCD screen, and improved Face Detection mode. From the outside the G9 looks virtually identical to the G7, so are there enough internal improvements to make the G9 a worthwhile upgrade? Mark Goldstein took the Canon Powershot G9 for a test-drive to find out…

Website: Canon Powershot G9 Review

Published: Thursday, October 11, 2007

Reader Comments

1. Nice backup or first-line camera...except how do you "overlook" noise. Seems like that sensor would be better suited to an 8 megapixel camera.

   Geezer Mike at 09:28pm on Monday, October 08, 2007

2. Thank you for your in-depth review. I believe it to be an excellent camera which I am trying to decide between this model and a Rebel xTi. However, close up, I see an unsettling noise pattern and soft, blurry, noisy edges in many sample photos with the G9 as perhaps too much information for the small CCD to process? Wondering if others see this pattern? Thanks.

   Sean at 10:09pm on Monday, October 08, 2007

3. Thanks for the review very helpful. It is really great that you included those RAW files for download. Now what would be *really* helpful is if you could include some ISO 800 and 1600 RAW files as well.

   Pmatt at 11:21pm on Monday, October 08, 2007

4. Canon's face-saving gesture after the RAW-less one G7 , the G9 . Gee , i can't figure it out at why some folks would fall for this 12.1 megapixel crammed into antiquated, teeny-weeny CCD sensor ploy .

   chencassandra at 05:48pm on Tuesday, October 09, 2007

5. What a pity Canon have not taken the opportunity of widening the long end of the lens. A 6x telephoto really should go wider than 35mm equivalent. I would be very interested in any views on the capability of the .7x wide angle lens attachment please. Can the optical viewfinder still be used with the spacer and lens attached?

   Robin Barker at 12:28pm on Saturday, November 03, 2007

6. Great little camera big on features but why is the viewfinder not fully corrected for parallax? As an SLR user I find this disappointing considering such engineering was perfected over 60 years ago. Otherwise, well done Canon.

   Brian Richards at 07:37am on Thursday, November 08, 2007

7. When you discuss the new ISO Auto Shift function you mention the IXUS 860 IS,is this a typing error?

   W E Gibbs at 09:08pm on Monday, December 17, 2007

8. Yes, that's a typo, well spotted!

   Mark Goldstein at 11:25am on Tuesday, December 18, 2007

9. Didn't want SLR for everyday carry around use because SLR is to big. I have Canon SD850 and it is great compact P&S;camera. I bought the G9 because of the features and size. Pictures are a little better than SD850 in daylight and far superior in dim light. Overall the G9 is a very good and usable. The MACRO capabilitity is fabulous. The features most people want are there to learn. The only person that won't be satisfied is the professional or the person that likes to carry around a big SLR. Someday someone will put in big CMOS sensor in a small camera that rivals SLR pict quality. That is what I am waiting to buy.
   
   Here are the source I gained many informations: <a href"http://www.infoborder.com/Digital_Cameras/Video/CanonPowerShotG9.php">Canon G9 video review</a>
   
   For difficult shots,I set the camera to manual mode and use the display to dial in the picture until it looks like what I want. What you see is what you get. This camera is well worth the money...it will do 95% of most peoples picture requirements...for now anyhow.

   Karl at 04:43pm on Thursday, December 27, 2007

10. I agree Karl that the G9 is an excellent camera of its type although I do regret it does not go wider. In my view, however, it does not matter how much Canon improves the sensor the picture quality could never rival a good SLR as it's still the quality of the lens which dictates the ultimate quality of a photograph. I hope it will always be the case!

    Robin Barker at 06:05pm on Friday, December 28, 2007

11. The review states that manual is an option - I assume aperature and shutter? I want a compact digital to mark my travels, but I am desperate to find something that will allow me to take what I like to term a proper portrait (wide aperature / zero depth of field / focus on the eyes, etc.) Can this camera be rigged to do this? Thank you very much.

    Rob Pace at 07:55am on Friday, January 04, 2008

12. Yes, the G9 has aperture-priority, shutter-priority and full manual shooting modes, so it will definitely suit your needs.

    Mark Goldstein at 10:59am on Friday, January 04, 2008

13. I HAD DIFFICULTY IN CHOOSING BETWEEN NIKON COOLPIX P5100 & CANON POWERSHOT G9 BUT THANK YOU FOR THE GREAT DETAILED REVIEW WHICH MADE ME DECIDE FINALLY TO GO FOR CANON POWERSHOT G9. I HAVE NIKON D70S WHICH IS TOO BIG TO CARRY ALL THE TIME EVERYWHERE, SO I WANTED AN ALL TIME CAMERA WHICH MEANS COMPACT YET CAN DO MUCH MORE THAN A POINT & SHOOT, THAT WAS G9, THANKS YOU.

    MILAD EL MUKAHAL at 08:11pm on Tuesday, January 22, 2008

14. I find myself in agreement with most of this, but I have been very disappointed with the poor performance of the Auto White Balance, wich often delivers a pronounced blue cast. Otherwise, the camera is an excellent complement to my DSLR outfit and will go with me whenever the latter is too bulky to carry.

    Tony Brookes at 02:32pm on Saturday, April 19, 2008