Canon PowerShot G5

Opinion: Boy was this an expensive camera when it came out. But it had a good, fast lens, a tilt screen and a comparatively good build. It also had features that would be lacking in the Rebel's for years such as spot metering (it was absent in the 10D and 20D too).

Opinion: Boy was this an expensive camera when it came out. But it had a good, fast lens, a tilt screen and a comparatively good build. It also had features that would be lacking in the Rebel's for years such as spot metering (it was absent in the 10D and 20D too).

Opinion: I've own this camera for five years. It still takes great pictures. There are better ones in the market now. But I still enjoy using it.
I also have a 30D. When I don't want the weight I carry the G5.

Opinion: Misguided update for controls from previous models. Hate the thumb toggle.
Lens opens up when cap is in place, unlike previous models.

Opinion: Today G5 is almost history, but having used this camera for more than one month (~1800 shots), perhaps some words can help after-market researchers.

Compared with the Nikon 5400, I find this camera to be almost excellent. One of the main things while shooting digital, is, how fast the camera works and feels - G5 feels pretty fast compared with Nikon 5400.

Camera is built very well, LCD is relatively clear and large.

Included wireless remote is a real advantage and works very well.

Placement of the buttons is logical, all necessary stuff (white balance, macro, flash) is a question of one push, not digging in the menus so the bird can fly away.

This is not a pocket camera, so consider that before buying it.

With external flash this camera is a great indoor toy - it sends out cool blue light in dark conditions, and while the focus sometimes goes hunting, it does not happen too often. It can't beat Sony's laser hologram system though (F717 almost never missed the focus even in real darkness).

The battery is top of the line, lasts nicely 256+512mb cards.

Lens are fast (F2.0-2.8), and relatively distortion free.

There's one particular smart design with this camera - if you turn on the camera and zoom can't open, the camera does not damage itsself but asks you to remove lens cap :P

Overall, I do recommend this camera - feels responsive in your hand, image quality is neat.

What I also like, is the black finished design - this just looks better than silver :)

(previously long-time owned cameras: Panasonic FZ10, Sony F717, Pentax IST DS, Nikon 5700, Nikon 5400, Canon A510)

Opinion: Having used a large number of 35mm film SLRs over a 25 year period, the G-5 is my first digital camera. I decided on the G5 over a DSLR since I wanted a compact camera that I could take anywhere and after comparing, the G5 suited my needs.

Positive
-handy size and can be taken anywhere without the bulk and weight of an SLR
-good photo quality
-full features - has same functions (P A S M) as my EOS SLRs
-Hot shoe - most useful as I can use almost any Canon flash and any single contact flash (in manual mode or set in Custom functions)
-Custom function
-movie mode -dslrs don't have this

Negative
-very slow AF in low light or indoors
-can't AF on moving subjects - guess I must buy a DSLR if I want faster af
-AF assist light almost useless -cant' AF in low light unlike my EOS film cameras with AF assist light which can focus in total darkness.
-no filter attachment on lens - must buy a separate adaptor to use filter - once mounted, gets in the way of the optical viewfinder
-lack of viewfinder info - would appreciate EOS like info on the viewfinder

Overall, I am still happy with this camera as I can take it anywhere without the weight and bulk of an SLR. It feels like a film camera and works almost like one.

Opinion: The G5 is one heck of a camera! This has to be one of the best consumer camera out there. Pictures are sharp and beautiful with great colors and clarity. I am truly stunned.

1. Battery life is super and last a long time.

2. What can I say about the flip-out LCD panel? It is the best thing on the camera, other than picture quality.

3. User-friendly menus and layout of the buttons.

4. Macros are the best and can challenge any prosumer camera anytime.

5. 420EX flash works great on this beautiful gem.

6. A very strong body build and excellent ergonomics. Made in Japan of course.

Opinion: Bought this camera in November 2003. I have used it for professional
purposes: images were printed in magazines, booklets, guides etc.
The colour performance, especially skin tones are good. It is a camera
which is easy in use. All functions are well placed on the camera. And
what I appreciate most is the turnable screen. There is always a way to
turn it so that sunbeams don't reflect on it.
Stitch-assistant is wonderful to make large panoramas
Image quality is good on ASA 50 and that is at the same time the
weaker point of this camera: there is too much noise when using higher
ASA-equivalents.
But the advantage is on the other hand the F2 lens which admits lower
ASA rating.

Opinion: I have this camera 10 months. I love it as much now as the day I purchased it. Being left-handed I love the ergonomic feel this camera provides. It allows us 'lefties' get a good robust 'feel' as we take our shots. It is surprising just how very many compact digital cameras fail to provide a comfortable grip on the left hand side. For left-handed people this is important for helping us steady the camera during slow shutter speeds. For this reason I would not swap my Canon G5 for the new G6.

I recently purchased the Speelite X420 external flash. This has brought my Canon G5 camera to a new level of performance.

Things I love about this camera:
Feels really good to hold (especially for left-handers).
A great camera for novice like me to learn the trade.
The all-black coating makes it really stylish to look at.
Performance is a joy.
Battery seems to last forever.

I have heard about the bad reputation this camera has for purple fringing, but out of thousands of photographs I have taken I only experienced this problem once. I took a shot of a bride on her wedding day, in poor lighting. I was left wondering where she got the lovely 'purple diamonds' for her wedding tiara! But that was the only incidence I experienced of purple fringing.