Canon Powershot G9 Review

Review Date: October 8th 2007
Author: Mark Goldstein

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Conclusion

Ratings (out of 5)
Design	4.5
Features	5
Ease-of-Use	4
Image Quality	4.5
Value for Money	4.5

The Canon Powershot G9 is both a worthy upgrade to the previous G7 model and a real alternative or backup to an entry-level DSLR camera, thanks largely to the return of RAW mode. It offers the ultimate control over image quality for those prepared to spend the time refining their images post-capture, and a wealth of advanced features that will satisfy most photographers needs. At the same time, the less experienced shooter can choose Auto mode and JPEG and still get excellent results, with the camera ready to explore when you get more adventurous. The Canon Powershot G9 is the kind of camera that not only makes you feel like a better photographer, but helps you become one too, mixing both comprehensive and happily reliable hand-holding features with a plethora of real photographic controls that, along with build quality, at times exceeds that offered by many – if not most – budget DSLRs. This model handles well, and feels like its built to last more than six months – indeed it's one of the weightiest, most brick-like compacts out there for the amateur market. Yet you can still slot it comfortably into an inside coat pocket, meaning, unlike a DSLR, it's also a carry anywhere camera.

The new 3 inch, PureColor LCD screen is a great addition that almost makes it possible to ignore the small optical viewfinder, although it's reassuring to have that on standby for really bright conditions, or if you prefer composing a picture with the camera at eye-level. Less satisfactory is the new 12.1 megapixel sensor. Although this offers 4000 pixel wide/high images that can easily be printed up to A3 size and beyond, or to make severe crops, it comes at the notable cost of noisy images at ISO 400, and virtually unusable ISO 800 and 1600 modes. The excellent image stabilisation system does help to ensure that the G9 can handle most common shooting situations, but don't expect stellar results when using the camera handheld in very low-light. In all other respects image quality is excellent, so you may want to overlook the noise issue. So overall, and even more so than the previous G7 model, the Canon Powershot G9 is an excellent back-up compact for an SLR owner, and a great camera in its own right.

PhotographyBLOG is a member of the DIWA organisation. Our test results for the Canon Powershot G9 have been submitted to DIWA for comparison with test results for different samples of the same camera model supplied by other DIWA member sites.

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