Is a G10 too much?

Currently I have a Nikon D70 with a few lenses - I'm heading over to London this summer with the family and would really like a more compact camera to take with me - I've searched and really like the Canon G10 - used Canon P&S cameras before and really like them. But I wonder if the G10 is going to be just too much.

What I like about it:
Great reviews
IQ
I'm already familiar with the Canon Menu system
28mm Wide Angle
Manual Controls

But - if I'm honest I'm probably going to end up keeping it in Auto a majority of the time.

Would I be better served with a Sd880 (I'm sold on the 28mm wide angle) or even a Panasonic TZ5.

Any advice?

Cheers,

David

Can you get to a store that has all 3? The ergonomics are very different. I ordered a TZ5 to try at the same time as the G10 and felt that the TZ5 was just too small for comfort & sent it back. I also preferred the slightly larger SX110 IS over the TZ5 in that regard.

I'm heading to Best Buy this weekend to take a closer look - I really want something pocketable and I think the G10 is, physically, about as big as I want to go, the SX10 looks way to large. That said the G10 is probably on the large side too.

If the PowerShot SX110 started at 28mm I think my search would be over - though I wonder if I'll really notice the difference since all my P&S cameras in the past have been 35mm

David,

I think the decision ought to be based upon different factors. As long time (40 years) Nikon SLR and DSLR guy I found myself wanting a P&S. I id a lot of checking and selected the G10.

My reasons for that decision are here: http://www.g10shooters.info/rwcomm1.html
If you go to the site you might also want to check out the Reviews page.

--
Weisgrau

The best camera to shoot with is the one you have with you.

http://www.gallery.me.com/weisgrau

I had a TZ5, and I think that, considering the zoom range and all its features, it's an excellent camera for the price. However, the G10, which I have now, is capable of producing better image quality, one that more closely approaches the DSLR level. And while on a vacation most of the time you may decide to shoot jpegs in the Auto mode (which the G10 does well), on the occasions when there's tricky lighting or you want a further improvement in IQ, you can switch to RAW.

Bob

BloodyBrilliant said:

I'm heading to Best Buy this weekend to take a closer look - I really
want something pocketable and I think the G10 is, physically, about
as big as I want to go, the SX10 looks way to large. That said the
G10 is probably on the large side too.
If the PowerShot SX110 started at 28mm I think my search would be
over - though I wonder if I'll really notice the difference since all
my P&S cameras in the past have been 35mm

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Click to expand...

The G10 is large, but it's flat and I find it remarkably comfortable to carry. My old camera was shaped like the SX10 and felt much more bulky. It wasn't really comfortable under a jacket, and didn't fit in a handbag or fannypack very well.

I would have settled on the SX110 if only it had a more powerful lithium battery and faster flash cycle. Should have been named the SX110-If-Only. )))

The G10 is an outstanding camera for such a trip. You will not be sorry one bit with the G10.

You better opt for a "too much" camera than a "too little".

G10 is an excellent camera that offers almost everything a serious photographer wants, all in a compact package. It can be used as an easy fully auto P&S or as an advanced creativity tool when necessary. Build quality is another good reason to get it; I wish other "serious" compacts and most prosumer dSLRs had the same construction as G10.

I'm a Nikon dslr user and chose the G10 as a point and shoot. Wonderful little camera, you won't regret.

My wife that already had the Canon 970 which she loves, bought a G10 as she lusted after mne ...
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http://www.pbase.com/peter55/galleries

BloodyBrilliant said:

Would I be better served with a Sd880

Click to expand...

yes. ken rockwell is rarely wrong. nor am i. check it out:



P.S. I call this "Driving Japanese SUV to Work on Rainy Day".

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To be honest, if you don't think you'd be doing much more than the auto modes, I'm not sure it's worth paying extra for the G10. It's a lovely camera (I really like mine) but one which rewards fiddling! It's also not all that compact, which may be an issue if you just want something to stick in your pocket in the city.

If however you think you may use it frequently in modes like Av or Tv, then I'[d highly recommend it. The control layout and handling is as good as it gets with a compact.

And you're right - the wide angle is great in the city.

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http://jonschick.smugmug.com/

BorisBB's mention of Ken Rockwell reminded me of my confusion on first reading his reviews of the G10 and SD880. KR likes both cameras, but reading one review after the other sounded a bit schizophrenic. On a careful re-read I realized he likes each for slightly different reasons. This distinction may be important to the OP. KR thinks both give excellent IQ when used correctly. The G10 is being used as a 28-135 standard range replacement for an SLR so the SLR body can be dedicated to a super wide angle lens. The SD880 is being used as an easy handling, small, quality P&S. When deciding between these two cameras one has to choose which direction their use will take them. I chose the G10 for my use and an SD880 for my (adult) daughters use. We're both happy with our cameras.

Thanks for your replies - I appreciate your thoughts.

I'm leaning heavily towards the G10 - but out of curiosity - given the size of the G10 - what other options would you recommend as a good travel camera.

I don't want to lose the Wide Angle so 28mm (at least) is a must and though I'll use Auto most of the time I do want manual control.

Shoot - even as I'm typing this I realize that I don't think I'm going to be happy with anything but the G10

Ah well - thanks for talking me off the ledge of compromise!

The Panasonic LX3 is getting good reviews as well and is a little smaller than the G10. I like Canon's IQ better, but the LX3 looks like a great choice as well.

I've been to London a number of times, and always with a camera. So far, my best set up has ben my G7 and my SD870IS as a pair. One backs up the other, and they cover 28-210 mm, which is enouigh for everything. Further I can use the SD870IS separately for places where the weight and bulk of the G7 is a little much.

A G10 would do the same thing in one body, although it is "only" 140 mm equivalent at the long end. However, it has 15 MP, so cropping to effectively extend the focal length is easy and won't sacrifice much in the way of image quality.

I can tell you, right off, the wonderful LX3 is not long enough at only 60 mm as the one camera to take.

I'm seriously considering the G10 for myself, as the G7 is 35 mm at the wide end, and I do wish for 28 mm, quite often.

As an alternative, you might consider the SD880IS and an A720IS (35-210 mm, equivalent) instead of the G10. Total weight is about the same, you have backup, and the IQ of the A720IS rivals my G7. Plus, you can use the SD880IS by itself. My wife has the A710IS and it's also very good and often gets paired with my SD870IS for trips. It also gives each of us a camera to use, although I take most of the pictures. The A720IS is discontinued but NOS is still available if you search.
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Jerry

Since this G10 thread has grown to become a general G10 feature summary. Here are some other considerations if you don't think the G10 is too much. It takes an external flash. Lensmate makes some nice adaptors so you can use a polarizing filter or add a teleconverter. Canon teleconverters come in 1.4x, 1.75x, and 2.0x flavors and are available from amazon. Search on TC-DC58. Here is a thread that discusses the suitability of these converters from previous Gs on the G10.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=30445821

Now, I'm not advocating use of these extras for you P&S minimalists ;-), I'm just saying they are available for the G10 and not the smaller P&Ss like the SD880. The LX3, I believe, takes a flash, but I'm not sure about filter adaptors.

I really cannot believe that you folks are including an SX110 when talking G10 or SX10, it's comparing apples to lemons and is not in even a close class with the 10's. But it all boils down to what ya like. G10 would be a wonderful rig for the trip. About the only thing it would be too much of is probably cost.

David,

We're a G10 (originally a G7) and Panasonic TZ3 family. Assuming the TZ5 matches the TZ3, and you're looking strictly for great picture quality in Auto mode, don't even hesitate, go with the Panasonic. Always remember it's a superzoom camera disguised as a compact digital.

Sure, the Canon G's don't even compete in the same class as the TZ's when it comes to the far superior features the G series offer, but I've yet been able to achieve the picture quality in auto mode with either G that the TZ3 delivers.

In fact, if you can still buy a new TZ3, get it instead of the 5, for me it has a far better grip and tactile feel. One tip with the Panasonic, be sure to set the menu setting to 'Vivid.'

Only downside to the Panasonic, at least in our market (Canada), spare parts are ridiculously overpriced and somewhat difficult to source. You can walk in to Canon's HQ here any day and buy whatever part you need at pretty reasonable prices. The same can't be said for Panasonic who don't/won't sell parts directly to consumers.

Perhaps you might be able to use today's Circuit City announcement to your advantage to find the Panasonic, or even the G10, although I'm not sure they ever carried it, to your advantage.

Good luck, I'd be interested in hearing about your outcome.

Just to add in to the mix - we recently bought my mother in law a TZ5 which she absolutely loves....
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http://jonschick.smugmug.com/

He's is how I decide which camera to carry:

If I think I MIGHT want to shoot some photos I carry a really small Casio. It fits in a pocket and I can hardly feel it there.

If I know I WILL shoot some photos I take the G10. Yes, its bigger and heavier and I have to carry it in a case or around my neck but It's image quality is worth the weight.

Pretty simple choice really and explains in the simplest terms why I bought the G10.