Digital camera, Canon G9

windmlv · Since 08 Jun 2008 11 Posts pacific northwest New Member

I know that there are a lot of great photographers on this site that probably all use digital slr's.
I am way behind in technology and ability so don't want to go that route yet.
Any thoughts on the Canon G9? Is 6X zoom okay for most pics?
Or the Canon S5IS which goes to 12X and is now quite cheap.
Thanks.
martin

tonski · Since 11 Jun 2005 332 Posts NW Portland Obsessed

If you get the G9, definitely order the optional lens doubler. We did this with our G7 and it makes a big difference!

stringer · Since 31 Jul 2007 694 Posts Chucktown Flying Tomato

Where will you be shooting mostly?
If you're shooting somewhere where you can get closer to the action, you don't really need the huge zoom.
When I was getting started last year I bought a Panasonic FZ20 (12x zoom)
Mostly shooting at Stevenson, I very rarely used the zoom.
If you're shooting at the coast however, the longer zoom can help.
Also, the G9 shoots faster than the S5.
Good continuous shooting is a must for shooting kiteboarding.
If you're considering buying the G9 for $450-500 ( http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=canon+g9&oe=UTF-8&cid=8559274535469140313#ps-sellers ), consider getting a Nikon D40 kit. These are pretty cheap now.

tautologies · Since 24 Aug 2006 602 Posts Oahu Addicted

I've used my g9 quite a lot. Got it with a water housing, and the camera has a lot of options. It is basically the same processor and image chip as in the Canon Rebel XTI, so the biggest difference is the lense. Unless you want to sink a lot more into a water housing go for the G9, it also shoots raw, which is so nice as you can adjust the white balance later.

The camera will not hold you back very much.

The S -series is not as good IMO.

a.

windmlv · Since 08 Jun 2008 11 Posts pacific northwest New Member

Wow, thanks for the quick info!
I was thinking along the lines of standing on the beach and taking pics of someone throwing stuff close to shore. I once had a video camera with lots of zoom but it is easy to overdo the zoom bit.
The G9 has 6X which I think is close to 180mm in the old lens system.
The G9 is still about $460 and the SI5S is now down to $320.

railgrab · Since 29 Mar 2005 177 Posts Seattle, WA Stoked

No substitue for SLR, but I love my G9 for its portability. Cout fatwallet.com and search for deals. Thanks to fatwallet, I picked mine up from Circuit City for much less than $400 and they threw in a free printer, too. The G9 has also proven to be a sturdy camera, too, as I dropped it and cracked the casing, but it still works great.

Ethan