If words could translate better to what real life use of cameras actually reveals, you may see reviews written a bit differently about some other cameras that are all the rage right now. The G16 is a classic example of a camera that may not have been too exciting when it was announced on tech sites and forums alike, but in real life use, small improvements shine.
With the luxury of being a relatively unchanged successor to the G15, an already (and still) excellent compact, the G16 improved upon it in several key ways. Seemingly small changes can sometimes mean big differences, and the G16 is a shining example of this. But before I get into how good the G16 truly is, lets just hit on a subject that most discuss these days first. Big sensors.
There continues to be a strong push by the market for ever larger sensors in compact cameras and for the most part, there is an advantage to this push. Sensor wise, IQ has never been better on compacts of late. However a sensor is just one part of a larger equation when appraising a camera's design. Handling, price, lens quality, ergonomics, and versatility are all equally important considerations to me when making a choice for a compact camera.
For me, making a choice for using a compact camera is complicated. I expect a lot out of a compact even though the use of a compact is inherently a set of compromises compared to larger and more capable gear. That's the nature of a compact, by design. What you trade off for in size, you trade off for in capability- or so the argument goes.
Today, compact cameras have achieved capabilities unheard of just 5 years ago. And while I'm not ready to throw out my DSLR gear, I find that I'm relying on compacts more and more as a tool to get my photography done. Why? They just keep getting better.
The G16 is a shining example of matured tech. The sensor, although smaller than cameras coming out today, is still very capable of making very high quality images. It may get dismissed by some who want larger sensors in a compact, but even they may take back some of the criticism/dismissal if they used the G16 in real life. Fact is, the sensor is quite good, and does a lot more than it ought too for it's size. Image quality is damn fine for both low ISO and up to 5,000 ISO for raw work and all ISO values are usable regardless.
If you factor its class leading handling, excellent sharp and versatile lens, its battery life, its usable viewfinder, its glass protected LCD screen, nearly perfect menu system, and overall value and capability- the G16 is simply a stellar compact solution for serious photographers. This is despite what is being offered today by other manufactures. I find a series of tradeoffs with larger sensor compacts that I'm just not prepared to accept for a smaller camera. And while those cameras have a way to go in many respects (handling, size, price, lens versatility etc..), the G16 has quietly morphed into a mature and capable compact camera.
I've used many of the larger sensor compacts out there and the gains with the larger sensors simply do not outweigh the advantages of the G16. Simply put, I'm not ready to rely on a larger sensor compact when the G16 is more capable and performs better (optical quality for example) than the competition. Not yet at least.
While I do still shoot with my amazing Ricoh GR, its getting a lot less duty these days simply because the IQ on the G16 is plenty for my needs, its versatility as a tool too is much more tempting to bring along than the GR as well. Other cameras either lack the optical range or quality/versatility, handling, price, or overall package that the G16 affords. For the slightly lessor IQ of the G16's sensor output compared to those cameras, I'll take the G16 9/10 times when I walk out the door.
Hype on new cameras is easy to get caught up in, but I find that the cooling off period is a truthsayer. Using the G16 as a photographer should, is quite eye opening. Its a camera that gets a lot more done than you might expect, and at a higher quality than you might expect. Plus, its just damn fun to use! It does NOT get in your way, it works, its like an extension of a photographer's will. That is simply invaluable.
Right now I simply do not see a better option on the market to consider as a one solution compact camera. A camera design is the sum of all of its pros and cons, not the sum of some of its pros. As a reviewer and professional photographer, I'd not recommend any other compact first to friends, family, or colleagues. The G16 gets my vote as the best compact on the market.
My opinion is based on experience using it to other cameras, not comparing cameras on spec sheets.
Compared to the G15- its better sensor, faster auto focus, improved long exposure times, and other new features, the G16 improves on its predecessor and remains a truly unappreciated compact on the market. And while it's not perfect no camera is.
For future firmware or a successor camera, I'd like to see Canon less intrusive on noise reduction, add more adjustments added to Jpeg output (especially when recording a Jpeg alongside a raw file). A 24mm wide angle lens and improved optical finder would be icing on the cake. I don't ask for much improvement, but those are areas I think the G16 successor should accommodate.
A much larger and more comprehensive review with images and more will be published on my blog shortly. For now, I've used the G16 enough to create this review on my favorite tech site.
Cheers photographers!
Carl
http://www.photographic-central.blogspot.com (Gear reviews)
http://www.carlgarrard.blogspot.com/ (Best work compilation)
Also formerly AlphaMountWorld.com (Now off the web)
