As I’ve bemoaned any number of times, when Canon set about to upgrade the very popular G9, the first thing they did was bump the resolution up to 14.7 megapixels up from 12. In my opinion the G9 had some noise issues and it seems that even with DIGIC IV doing clean up duty, the G10 is bound to have some noise issues as well. On the other hand Canon did make some other improvements, such as improving the build and ergonomics, a higher resolution LCD, and a somewhat wider 28-140mm lens. How does it all add up and will it be as popular with photographers as the G9? Well, there hasn’t been a whole lot of reviews yet, but photographer Bill Lockhart recently made the upgrade from the G9 to the G10 and posted his thoughts on it at his blog.
From the outset, I liked the ergonomics of the G10 much better than the G9. One improvement I especially like is the move of the ISO dial underneath the mode dial and the creation of a exposure compensation dial here shown on the top right. When I used the G9, I had a tendency to accidentally change the ISO settings when holding the camera. I also like the new grip on the G10, it is easier to hold and fits my hand much better than the G9.
-Bill Lockhart
Lockhart goes on to say that he likes the increased resolution on the LCD, the interface, the wider lens, and the improved resolution. Image quality is excellent with the annoying (annoying that this is never addressed) caveat:
Let me not forget to say that there are limitations to using either the G9 or the G10. If you shoot at anything higher than ISO 100 you will be disappointed with the noise that results in your images. ISO 400 is useless on the G10. This does not matter to me, since my primary interest in the camera is for landscape and street photography. I have no need for high ISOs.
-Bill Lockhart
The G10 I’m sure is a fine camera, but probably not a necessary upgrade for a G9 owner. But to me the most glaringly obvious issue yet to be fully addressed by compact camera manufacturers is higher ISO/noise management. If you aren’t going to put bigger sensors in the camera, stop adding megapixels, or better yet, reduce megapixels and give us a camera with excellent IQ above ISO 100. Since this probably won’t happen, I continue to look forward to what micro 4/3 might bring us in a compact.
Read Bill Lockhart’s review of the Canon G10
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Migs
10.21.08 at 1:44 am
I’d have to 100% disagree with your comment in regards to using iso 400. I’ve have fantastic results at those settings.
Patrick
10.21.08 at 8:47 am
Actually the reviewer said ISO 400 is useless, which I’m sure is an exaggeration.
I noticed you had both the G10 and the LX3, which do you like better and why?
Migs
10.21.08 at 11:21 am
I was actually going to keep both because I liked the LX3’s fast lens and wider range (plus HD capabilities). But having the G10 for a few weeks, I leave the LX3 at home. Ultimately, I like using the G10 a lot more and the images I get from it are more to my taste (less processed and more DSLR like).
Letting go of the LX3 is tough, but I just like using the G10 more.
shawn
10.24.08 at 12:48 am
i too have Both the Lx3 and G10 I am keeping one of them, it’s probably the G10 The controls are so intuitive and quick, the stacked dials are superb, the screen is awesome.. the ergos are stellar! picture taking with the G10 is more Fun. the Zoom is just too shallow (60MM) for the Lx3.. side by side .. and photos taken at the same settings indoors and out the G10 colors are more realistic, and saturation is perfect . Plus the add on Tele converter for the G10 is nice.. I have the adaptor and tele and it rocks!.. Neither camera is “pocketable” if the Lx3 was truely Pocketable I would have to give it points.. but it is just big enough where it is NOT pocketable.. (pants)
The Lx3 is a nice Indooor Party type camera with its lighter weight, faster lens and 4 mm wider angle, not to say the 28mm G10 is a slouch.. but..
outdoors.. I opt for the G10.. its 28mm vs 24mm is not that much of a diff, but the zoom is a HUGE diff
I compared extreme aperatures on each at max zoom, at 80, 100 and 200 iso.. the G10 wins.. in my opinion..
Web Surf
10.28.08 at 12:18 am
Nice to know some of you got good results at ISO 400 on a G10. I suppose that would be on days/pics when there is bright and even lighting.
My experience with my G10 versus 10D was : Low ISO 80/100 outdoors : G10 is great !!!
High ISO 200/400, Indoor : I rather carry that extra weight of my 5 year old 10D dSLR as that gives better pics than the newly released G10.
I though 5 years of technical march forward would put 10D performance into a compact camera. Boy, was I wrong !!!
ISO 800 and above : Why are they even there on the G10 ? Who are they kidding !!!
Sylvia Vargas
10.30.08 at 10:32 pm
Can someone please explain how to use the exposure compensation on the G10,
I just bought it last Sunday.
Thanks a lot.
W
10.31.08 at 6:25 am
comparing shutter lag, GR200/G10/P6000 which one is the fastest?
Android
11.05.08 at 3:44 pm
Great writeup. Thanks.
watje
11.07.08 at 10:45 am
Have
ordered the G10
Maybe a stupid question,
but when I set a smaller resolution,
lets say about 10 MP, would it be possible to get less noise?
Carl H
11.11.08 at 8:09 pm
I have the same question:
If I set a smaller resolution,
lets say about 10 MP, would it be possible to get less noise?
Thanks
Patrick
11.11.08 at 8:34 pm
I’m not sure how that would work, I’m thinking no you wouldn’t get less noise. Also the increased resolution means that artifacts are smaller. The lower the resolution, the more block noise artifacts become. Interesting question though…