Value (6.75)
The Canon PowerShot G9 is priced at $499, $100 less than the introductory price of last year’s G7. Currently, the G7’s price is hovering around $450, but we predict it will drop. The price drop from $599 to $499 probably occurred because of the price drop of entry-level DSLRs. Consumers can now purchase an entry-level DSLR and a kit lens for $599. DSLRs offer a little more flexibility but also take up more space. The portable body is a luxury the G9 offers, while still toting a hot shoe, RAW file format, and compatibility with accessory lenses. The Canon PowerShot G9 isn’t a steal; Nikon’s version, the P5100, costs $100 less. However, the G9 is packed with great features and high-quality components. It’s a nice camera that produces high quality images – and it’s worth it.
Comparisons
Canon PowerShot G7 – Last year’s model has 10 megapixels in almost the exact same body. The back of the camera has a different design that accommodates a smaller 2.5-inch LCD screen, which has less resolution at 207,000 pixels. The G7 has the same 6x optical zoom lens, optical image stabilization, hot shoe, and Manual to Automatic exposure modes. It has face detection, but it’s an older version that can recognize only nine faces at a time and does not include the interesting image inspection tool found on the newer G9. The PowerShot G7 does not shoot RAW files and originally retailed for $599, although its price is around $450 now.
Canon PowerShot S5 IS – The S5 has less resolution at 8 megapixels, but more zoom with its 12x lens. The S5 is the better hybrid camera-camcorder; its 12x optical zoom lens is functional while recording videos. The S5 also has stereo audio and allows users to control the quality of the audio and even add a wind filter. The S5 and G9 share many similarities, including their range of Manual and Automatic modes, hot shoes, and optical image stabilization systems. They share the same price tag too; $499. The trade-off is between picture resolution and video quality. The S5 takes better videos but the G9 has more detailed pictures.
Kodak EasyShare P880 – This digital camera has a similar SLR shape but is even chunkier with a more comfortable hand grip. It has less resolution at 8 megapixels and a little less zoom with its 5.8x lens. The LCD is also subpar at 2.5 inches and 115,000 pixels. The P880 sells for much less, though, at less than $400. The Kodak P880 has its advantages. It shoots RAW files, has full manual and automatic functionality, and has a Help guide on the mode dial. It also allows the optical zoom lens to function while recording movies, something the G9 can’t do. But the P880 has disadvantages, too; the ISO range is capped at 400 and noise creeps into images more than it should.
Nikon Coolpix P5100 – The G7’s nemesis was the P5000, and now Nikon has released the P5100 to counter Canon’s G9. The Nikon Coolpix P5100 has a similarly chunky body with a hot shoe on top, although it is not vertically aligned with the lens. It has the same resolution at 12.1 megapixels and Manual, Priority, Program, Automatic, and Movie modes. With a shorter 3.5x optical zoom lens and image stabilization system, the P5100 doesn’t have the same zooming capability as the 6x G9. The Nikon camera has a smaller 2.5-inch LCD screen with 230,000 pixels, but packs in a whopping 52 MB of internal memory and accepts SD/SDHC media. The P5100 takes a few shortcuts in its specs, but also has a shortcut in price; it retails for $100 less at $399.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1 – The R1 was released in late 2005 but is still a contender with its 10-megapixel CMOS sensor and 24-120mm lens. It doesn’t have optical image stabilization, so the G9 beats it there. It has a 2-inch rotating LCD screen with 134,000 pixels. It produces accurate colors and little noise. The Sony R1 originally retailed for $999 but now sells for about $599.
Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters – The G9 isn’t designed for beginners, although it does include Scene and Auto modes in case a point-and-shooter picks it up.
Budget Consumers – At $499, this digital camera has one of the highest priced point-and-shoots. Consumers on a budget could consider the older version, the G7, although its price is still holding at about $450.
Gadget Freaks – The Canon PowerShot G7 has optical image stabilization, a hot shoe for accessory flashes, and face detection that can recognize up to 35 faces. Gadget freaks will lust after this camera.
Manual Control Freaks – These consumers may miss the jog dial access offered on DSLRs, but the manual controls are still here and healthy with Manual, Priority, and Program modes on the list.
Pros/Serious Hobbyists – The Canon G9 is tailored for these photographers who own Canon Speedlite flashes and DSLRs, but don’t want to carry the bulk of a DSLR around on some occasions.
