G10 almost perfect P&S

I have had most of the G series cameras. Last month sold my G9 and just bought the G10. After reading the forum for some time I was afraid I was mistaken to sell the G9 so quickly. I am happy to say I have no regrets. It is a superior camera in many ways.

Larger battery - longer time use
Better formed grip- excellent handling - sorry Richard Franiec
Amazing LCD screen
wider angle lens - long awaited and requested
Exp comp and ISO dials- much faster field adjustments. No need to use menu

These above changes make for a much more responsive and intuitive camera than the G9. Image quality, processing and focus speeds have also improved but not dramatically. They were already very good. The G10 really is a big improvement over the G9.

For $500 it is an amazing photographic tool. I recommend it with no hesitations.

Regards
Kerry

OK... Tell us about what really is the bottom line... How does the IQ compare to that of the G9?

yes it is almost a perfect P&S camera for me too but look at my thread

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1010&thread=29789408

I wish the Nikon Coolpix P6000 has a 3 inch LCD-- or even a rotating LCD-- then it would have been perfect for me-- I can use my Nikon Flashes ...

(I own a G9)

--
http://www.johnparas11.zenfolio.com

The IQ apears at LEAST as good, I would dare to say better but I honestly dont have the tools to make an absolute judgement.

But the other improvements are not small by any means. They greatly improve the chance of getting the shot. It is more a photographers camera. Very intuitive. I believe that IQ is not the only factor to make a good camera. I also add the G10 does not make any poor compromises.

Much like an engine is not the only factor that makes a good car. The G10 handles very well indeed. Best of class.

K

I think the battery can go on all day.

Kerry Munroe said:

Larger battery - longer time use
Better formed grip- excellent handling - sorry Richard Franiec
Amazing LCD screen
wider angle lens - long awaited and requested
Exp comp and ISO dials- much faster field adjustments. No need to use
menu

These above changes make for a much more responsive and intuitive
camera than the G9. Image quality, processing and focus speeds have
also improved but not dramatically. They were already very good. The
G10 really is a big improvement over the G9.

Click to expand...

I agree. I have noticed the things you mentioned, plus I like the new exp. comp dial. On my G9, the ISO dial would often get moved, because of the way it was positioned so high. The new exp. comp dial is more protected by being deeper in the body of the camera.

The 28mm lens is really what I needed and I have really been enjoying the wider focal lengths.

Dave

Do you find that you like the 28 wide more than you miss the longer telephoto of the G9? Do you now fiddle with the ISO more because it's easier and quicker to do or are you just enamored with the fact that it IS easier and quicker? Is the LCD that much better? Can you easily shut off the LCD while the camera is on, not have it come back on when you don't want it back on, but you can turn it back on exactly when you DO want it on? Is the zoom a continuous smooth zoom, not the 13 step zoom I've heard is on the G9? How about shutter lag?

In other words, is it the sum total of incremental improvements that makes the G10 "better" or is each change, at least in your eyes, very worthy themselves? I'm asking these questions because I may stumble across a G9 on clearance somewhere and want to know that if, even if the G9 might be steeply discounted, it'd still be worth it to buy the G10. Sort of like my decision to buy an XSi instead of an XT at a steep discount a few months ago.

toomanycanons said:

Do you find that you like the 28 wide more than you miss the longer
telephoto of the G9?

Click to expand...

Yes, definitely for my shooting wide is more useful than tele.

Do you now fiddle with the ISO more because

toomanycanons said:

it's easier and quicker to do or are you just enamored with the fact
that it IS easier and quicker?

Click to expand...

I like the dial in its new position. I tend to always put ISO on 80 for outdoor sunny shots and I put it in Auto when I need a faster shutter speed.

Is the LCD that much better? Can you

toomanycanons said:

easily shut off the LCD while the camera is on, not have it come back
on when you don't want it back on, but you can turn it back on
exactly when you DO want it on?

Click to expand...

Yes the LCD is gorgeous, has twice the resolution, and it shuts on or off with the display button.

Is the zoom a continuous smooth zoom,

toomanycanons said:

not the 13 step zoom I've heard is on the G9?

Click to expand...

The zoom is a 14 stop zoom just like the G7, G9 but it has different focal lengths of course. I posted it at the bottom.

How about shutter lag? About the same or a little slower than the G9.

G10:

lens---f-stop---35mm equivalent

1 - 6.1---2.8---28
2 - 6.8---2.8---31.2
3 - 7.4---2.8---34
4 - 8.1---3.2---37
5 - 8.9---3.2---40.8
6 - 9.8---3.2---45
7 - 10.8---3.2---49.5
8 - 12.1---3.5---55.5
9 - 13.8---3.5---63.3
10 - 15.7---3.5---72
11 - 18.1---4.0---83
12 - 21.5---4.0---98.6
13 - 25.0---4.5---114.7
14 - 30.5---4.5---140

G9/G7

1 - 7.4---2.8 - --35
2 - 8.2---2.8 - --38
3 - 9.0---2.8 --42
4 - 9.9---2.8 -- -46
5 - 10.7--3.2 - -50
6 - 12.7-- 3.2 - -60
7 - 14.8---3.2 --70
8 - 16.8--3.5 -- 79
9 - 18.9--3.5 - -89
10 - 22---3.5 - 104
11 - 25---4.0 - 118
12 - 29---4.0 - 138
13 - 37---4.5 - 174
14 - 44.4-4.8 - 210

Dave

John, I wound up getting both the G10 and the P6000. Now for those that know me, I love 'em all. But in all honesty, the RAW files from the P6000 are superb - showing more dynamic range than the G9 or G10 RAW files. The P6000 is a sleeper - having been announced with not much fanfare and then almost forgotten about. It's a bit larger than the previous P5100 and feels like a small brick. I've been totally impressed with the images coming from that baby.
--
As always - good shooting....

I like mine too Kenny..it s the P&S I was waiting for. The controls are very nice
and the size is just right.

I have to admit that the LCD is getting a lot of "oohs and ahhs" from the few people I've shown it to. It's got to be the prettiest I've ever seen, for whatever that's worth. ;-)

I find that the images I see on the screen look more attractive than those I download from the camera later!
--
http://www.pbase.com/morepix

morepix said:

I find that the images I see on the screen look more attractive than
those I download from the camera later!

Click to expand...

Ha! I'm afraid many of us might be finding the same thing. ;-)

We're all pretty dang good according to the back of the camera.

The LCD makes me want to fix up some popcorn and drinks and sit down for a nice movie. (OK, that might be stretching it...but not by much.)