Will the G9 be suitable for me?

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I am looking for a camera to take pictures of my toddler and my baby. I LOVE the "shallow DOF" image quality of the dSLRs. However, my husband and I have decided that would be tough for us to carry around, along with the double stroller, diaper bags etc.

So I am wondering if something like a higher end compact (i.e. G9) would work for us? I understand the IQ on these cameras will still be inferior to dSLRs, but I was hoping that it would still be better than the other sleek compacts?

The other quality that I'm also looking for is speed. Not necessarily the speed in the continuous shooting mode, but the time it takes to focus and take a picture, since I want to take pictures of my ever fast moving toddler. I did try out the Sony DSC-H50 and found it kind of slow (actually the start up & shut down time was just painfully slow).

So given those priorities, is a G9 suitable for my needs? If not, would there be other suggestions (e.g. S5IS)?

I really think the G9 or any A6xx will suit your needs.

As you know, you won't get that wonderful shallow DOF, but they're all great cameras.

Greetings
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http://www.fotolog.com/pitquim

I own a G9, and have not been able to take adequate photos of fast moving children. For that I use my DSLR. With the G9, it is a hit or miss thing.

A shallow DOF would work against you on the G9 when taking pictures of a toddler. I shouldn't have to explain much after providing the following link.

http://lightdescription.blogspot.com/2008/05/g9-hyperfocal-chart.html

The G9 is a great camera, but for shallow depth of field and speed when talking shots of children you really need a DSLR, there's no escaping that. If size is an issue, why not check out Olympus e-420 ?

I'm going against the grain here and saying that the G9 does take great kids shots. As with "any" camera learn how to use it and it will serve you well, kids and all......

I'll dig out some kid shots and post later to show you.......

Yes, but the OP said she loves the shallow DOF look. That's always somewhat tricky to achieve with a compact in anything other than macro shots.

Trevor Kloeden said:

I'm going against the grain here and saying that the G9 does take
great kids shots. As with "any" camera learn how to use it and it
will serve you well, kids and all......

I'll dig out some kid shots and post later to show you.......
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Click to expand...

Got to this link to see some kid pics I took in a recent trip to western China. Pics are as they came out the G9 and reduced to 30% using "resizeit" on the iMac.....

These kids were constantly moving so all in all the pics came out pretty good....

As I said earlier, learn how to use your equipment and it will serve you well....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26503291@N03/sets/72157607354317570/

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Very vibrant colours! Thanks for posting!

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Or even the "to be released" Panasonic G1, as I've read?

I understand that a dSLR would mostly fit my needs for the IQ I want and the speed I desire. But my husband is quite against that. So that's why I'm resorting to something smaller.

Like I said, I have tried the Sony DSC-H50 and the IQ achieved with that (along with the DOF) is just all I need for my inexperienced eye. All I do is zoom up very close to my toddler and focus on his face. That is why speed is also very important to me since my toddler will not stand still and wait for me to zoom in and focus. I just have to take like 20 pics to get 1 good pic (thank goodness for digital). I'm sure that there are other ways to do it (aperture etc.) but I'm just not good enough yet. I'll have to play around after I decide and get the camera I want.

I'm just wondering, say comparing between the G9 and and the S5-IS, which camera would achieve a better DOF? I am not a pro photographer, so my initial thoughts were just that maybe the S5-IS, given the longer zoom range, could help me achieve it better (since I try to achieve DOF by zooming in)? Or would it be pretty much the same (i.e. the 6X zoom on the G9 would be sufficient)?

And speed wise, looking at the specs from the website, looks like the S5 is faster with focusing and also with cycle time. But realisticly, how much of a difference will I notice?

S5-IS ( http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/S5IS/S5ISA6.HTM )
Focus times: 0.4 (W), 0.39 (T)
Cycle time: 1.6

G9 ( http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/G9/G9A6.HTM )
Focus times: 0.57 (W), 0.69 (T)
Cycle time: 2.12

I would prefer the G9 over the S5 based on its size. But if I can better achieve the IQ with the S5 than the G9 (and given the price difference), I may get an S5 instead. Hopefully, my husband won't find that too bulky (we're moving up from a Canon Digital Elph).

awc930 said:

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Or even the "to be released" Panasonic G1, as I've read?

Click to expand...

That would be good, but not for a first camera IMO.

awc930 said:

I understand that a dSLR would mostly fit my needs for the IQ I want
and the speed I desire. But my husband is quite against that. So
that's why I'm resorting to something smaller.

Click to expand...

Understand that.

awc930 said:

All I do is zoom up very close to my toddler and focus on his
face. That is why speed is also very important to me since my
toddler will not stand still and wait for me to zoom in and focus. I
just have to take like 20 pics to get 1 good pic

Click to expand...

20 for 1 is not bad for most people. I would easily bet that many folks take 100 for 1 good one.

On any P&S you have to get focus lock before you want to capture the shot and then get your childs attention/smile for the capture. In example, I shoot my kids running and jumping in the pool by pre-focusing where they will be when I want the shot, then release the shutter for a nice mid-air jump shot at the right time.

awc930 said:

I'm just wondering, say comparing between the G9 and and the S5-IS,
which camera would achieve a better DOF? I am not a pro
photographer, so my initial thoughts were just that maybe the S5-IS,
given the longer zoom range, could help me achieve it better (since I
try to achieve DOF by zooming in)? Or would it be pretty much the
same (i.e. the 6X zoom on the G9 would be sufficient)?

Click to expand...

You totally have the idea. Either will get what you want, just by differing extents.

awc930 said:

And speed wise, looking at the specs from the website, looks like the
S5 is faster with focusing and also with cycle time. But
realisticly, how much of a difference will I notice?

Click to expand...

Very little, you just have to adapt to P&S speeds.

awc930 said:

I would prefer the G9 over the S5 based on its size. But if I can
better achieve the IQ with the S5 than the G9 (and given the price
difference), I may get an S5 instead. Hopefully, my husband won't
find that too bulky (we're moving up from a Canon Digital Elph).

Click to expand...

Don't forget you need to get a flash and diffuser when you get the camera. For good indoor shots, this is easily just as important as the camera. I would certainly get both at the same time.

The price of the Canon G9 are falling. I am seeing it listed for 289 USD. Canon has a refurb web site and is selling the G9 for 299 USD which is a good price. If they have them in stock. If cost is not a problem, then I would suggest take a close look at the Panasonic G1.

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I have ordered my G9 on-line. Anxiously waiting for it to arrive.

Given the limited quantity out there now, I thought I'd give the G9 a shot. If I end up not liking it (hopefully not), I can always return it and try other ones (S5, G1 etc.) since I see lots of S5s around.

You will be happy. It's a great camera.

awc930 said:

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I have ordered my G9 on-line. Anxiously waiting for it to arrive.

Given the limited quantity out there now, I thought I'd give the G9 a
shot. If I end up not liking it (hopefully not), I can always return
it and try other ones (S5, G1 etc.) since I see lots of S5s around.

Click to expand...

Enjoy your G9. Learn how to use its functions and you will get the great (kids & other) pics you want...... Fantastic cam....