Trying to keep my kit as light as possible for assignments is a never ending challenge. Especially when I know a job will require lugging everything in a backpack. For video work I use the Sony HVR Z1 which is quite bulky and that sadly means there's little room for packing a decent DSLR camera. In recent years I've relied on compact point and shoot cameras to take photos for web stories. The problem is of course that most point and shoot cameras offer little in the way of manual controls and working in low light is always going to present problems. So, enter the Canon PowerShot G10 - a camera that goes some way to bridge the gap between DSLR's and compacts.
(Compact big brother: Canon PowerShot G10 beside an IXUS 950)
Much more than just point and shoot
The G10 is the successor to the well regarded
G9. Just by its design it should grab the attention of professional snappers or videographers who are looking for a compact digital camera that means business. Either as an everyday camera in the backpack or as second camera that could get you out of jam if your DSLR has a problem on a job.
Pick up the G10 and it feels like you're picking up a real camera. It's larger than the average compact and surprisingly quite heavy (400g). I'm still getting used to how I work with the camera in the field - finding the right spot to stow it so I can have it close at hand when I need it. On recent trips I've used a small hip-bag attached to my belt. But the G10 is comfortable for a large coat pocket too.
Getting down to the technical nitty gritty the G10 offers:
- 28-140 mm lens, f 2.8-4.5 and 5 x optical zoom;
- 14.7 mega pixels;
- image stabilisation;
- and, RAW format.
The mega pixels race has never really got me excited. That shouldn't be a reason to buy this camera. However the wide-angle lens gives pleasing results particularly for landscapes - as does the image stabilisation if you zoom in or are on the move. The G10 has an exposure compensation wheel well positioned on the top left hand side. This is handy if you like having more manual control. Speaking of which, the thumb wheel controls on the rear are easy to use and similar in function to Canon DSLR's.
Under good light conditions you can expect the G10 to perform well at ISO 80, 100 and 200 with the aperture wide open. Images will start to get noisy when using ISO 400 and above.
As for formats, the G10 does have the option for shooting in
RAW format. This will be good news for pros though most of the time I'm happy saving some card space and shooting in Normal JPG mode.
The power of the flash can also be adjusted and there's a hotshoe to add a flash unit.
One of the most eye catching points of the G10 is also the large LCD. It's bright and provides plenty of resolution for fine details. Admittedly the display does gets a little busy with functions flying around while you're composing a shot using manual settings. I'd also be keen to hear how other users find the accuracy of the LCD compared to prints.
Battery-wise on a full charge you can shoot all day - a major plus.
Make a movie
YouTube et al has ensured that video on compact cameras has come a long way from just being a gimmick. The G10 shoots video in H.264 mov files at 30 fps and in (4:3) 640 x 480 and 320 x 240 frame size. OK, it's not HD, and don't expect anything like the beautiful video produced by the new
Canon 5D Mk II, but the G10 has good video options if you're looking for an all-round camera for multimedia work.
To my ears, the audio recorded on the G10's internal microphone does have a very faint hiss but not as pronounced as some other compact cameras I've used in the past. You can also manually adjust the mic level and use the camera just as an audio recorder. I wonder too what the video possibilities on the camera could be if it had an input for an external mic? Just wishful thinking I know, but the G10 would surely have the room among the AV ports for an external mic socket.
If you are using the video function and really need clean audio then take care in windy conditions. The internal microphone is located on the top of the camera and is quite sensitive.
On the down side, one feature many G9 owners have moaned about is the loss of video time-tapse on the G10. Again, for someone thinking about the G10 for multimedia work, this would have been a great video option for Canon to retain.
The big picture
I'm now onto my second G10 having had my first one stolen recently in Costa Rica. I can honestly say it's a camera that has really brought photography back as a priority for me. I used it extensively during a trip to Tanzania late last year and its smaller profile is also very useful if you don't want to attract too much attention. This is a camera that is rapidly shaping up to be a multimedia workhorse for me.
Under good conditions the G10 will take shots that should surprise most sceptics. In poor light, I rate its performance as better than the average compact but this is also as one of its drawbacks. It just hasn't got the sensor firepower to match a DSLR. And that's also the point. The G10 is a compact camera. The G10 will however make a big difference for anyone currently using a low end point and shoot camera and easily complement the kit of professionals.
At a little over US$400.00, it's a camera that will give you quite a bit of bang for your buck.
I'll be updating my Flickr account with photos I've shot from the G10. I'd also be keen to hear from other G10-ers how they find working with the camera.
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