At ISO 80 it looks terrible. But I'm used to ultra smooth 5D files at that rez. What's the point of such a huge file if the lows and mids are so dad burn noisy? They should use the same size sensor at 6MP. I bet it would be killer with the new processor and algorithms.
The samples in the dpreview link earlier are RAW images converted with no sharpening or noise reduction. I think if you processed them normally, they would look good. But, the is no doubt that the G9 is really limited to lower ISO for quality shots.
One question for you folks:
I am quite tempted to buy the G9 as a second, walkaround camera especially as I hate lugging my DSLR and heavy lenses around all the time (the equipment is also much more expensive). I also plan to buy the G9 lens adaptor to put a UV filter (mainly for dust protection and to occasionally use a polariser). With the adaptor, the G9 will not remain as compact. So the question is: I am getting a brand new D40 with kit lens for the same price as a G9, should I go for the D40 instead? I gather that if I shoot in Adobe RGB mode and in RAW and even upto ISO 800, my pictures may have enough punch for large prints. Also, I think 6mp DSLR RAW will still have more strength than a 12mp compact image. Would appreciate your point of view. Thanks! Mayank
Well the D40 will no doubt result in better images, but it will be bigger. I fail to see the use of putting a filter on a compact for protection, thus defying one of the main reasons (if not THE main reason) for having a compact.
When you shoot raw it doesn't matter if you use sRGB or AdobeRGB, btw.
I too have downloaded several G9 sample images (in fact have about 16 G9 downloaded images so far :-) To tell the truth, only one of them impressed me, the jpeg converted from RAW at dcresource.com Yes, pixel peeping is not the best thing to do and I'm sure they would print pretty good, and in large sizes too, but somehow seeing them seems to be driving me towards a D40 as my second, walkaround camera especially as good image quality at affordable rates and without too much bulk is my requirement of a second cam.
Mayank ... you might want to add the Fuji F31fd to you list of possible cameras. It has 6.3 MP sensor and can shoot with very little noise at higher ISO settings. You can use it without worrying about noise at ISO400 and below. ISO800 and ISO1600 are usable. It has a two or three stop noise advantage over the G9. Plus it is very affordable.
Hi Bill, Many thanks for the sensible suggestion. Yes, I did consider that but the feature set did not appeal to me too much. I am looking at upgrading my Canon A640 (it gives amazing results but at the 6mp and not 10mp setting). I'm not too uncomfortable about noise especially as after applying noise reduction to even 200 iso images, Epson 8800 prints (12"x15") from my 640 still look stunning. I believe a D40 with even a cheapo / second hand zoom lens would yield better results than a G9. And I might be able to sell some of my better D40 images to a stock agency, can't say that for G9 images. cheers Mayank
UCSB wrote:
Mayank ... you might want to add the Fuji F31fd to you list of possible cameras. It has 6.3 MP sensor and can shoot with very little noise at higher ISO settings. You can use it without worrying about noise at ISO400 and below. ISO800 and ISO1600 are usable. It has a two or three stop noise advantage over the G9. Plus it is very affordable.
I have owned the F31 and I can't agree. First, it doesn't do raw, which is a big handicap if you ever want to actually do something else with the images than view them straight from the camera. Also, if you shoot in good light then the whole ISO 800 becomes a non-issue. But I have found the high ISO behavior to be over hyped. YMMV, obviously.
G9 owners might want to try processing their files using Photoshop CS3 4.2 or LR 1.2 (just released). Even though the G9 is not listed, Adobe is supporting the G9.
Mayank B wrote:
One question for you folks:
I am quite tempted to buy the G9 as a second, walkaround camera especially as I hate lugging my DSLR and heavy lenses around all the time (the equipment is also much more expensive). I also plan to buy the G9 lens adaptor to put a UV filter (mainly for dust protection and to occasionally use a polariser). With the adaptor, the G9 will not remain as compact. So the question is: I am getting a brand new D40 with kit lens for the same price as a G9, should I go for the D40 instead? I gather that if I shoot in Adobe RGB mode and in RAW and even upto ISO 800, my pictures may have enough punch for large prints. Also, I think 6mp DSLR RAW will still have more strength than a 12mp compact image. Would appreciate your point of view. Thanks! Mayank...Show more →
I totally agree with you. I bought a G9 at a store and played with it for one week. It's a nice camera and all, lots of options and nice low ISO images. But, and this is a big one - it is not a compact camera, which is the main reason i gave it a try.
I agree, for almost the same money one can get an XT or D40 which are much, much better, and almost of the same size. If it doesn't fit in the pocket - it's not a take everywhere, walkaround camera - one still needs a bag, a purse, a satchel - something. Then one would be better off with a small DSLR.
Gosh, this is a long thread LOL. I've had my G9 for 2 weeks. Its no 5D but I didn't expect anything even close. My last G was the original G1 where I started shooting in RAW and I would only consider a pocket cam with RAW.
I find it close to what I'd like--I'd prefer wider--since I'm a WA shooter primarly. I would have been happy with the 10MP but others who have both the G7 and the new G9 have shown that the G9 is at least as good for noise and perhaps a bit better than the G7. I will never shoot over ISO400--and that rarely. This is a camera suited to ISO200 and below.
I like the look and form--I wouldn't want to shoot with a smaller or lighter cam--and my husband has the F30 which I hate shooting with--and don't like the NR either--and the little size, no VF drive me crazy. I have not used a small camera for years---but thought perhaps I might shoot in situations where I don't normally carry my 5D/lenses--and its not 'serious' shooting. Seems that this one will fit the bill.
I'm on the board for a regional environmental/greenway nonprofit and we put on our annual Riverfest--and needed photos for future use on web pages, posters, newspaper, etc. so, since I had other responsibilities and wouldn't/couldn't carry my normal gear I took a chance on the G9. Worked great even though it was terrible shooting conditions--overhead strong daylight and deep shadows, events taking place on the river with lots of glare, bright saturated colors with the kayaks, action--geez LOL. But--it actually held its own and shooting in RAW and using ACR 4.2 (could have used LR also), I got decent shots. I also took photos last weekend at an outdoor sculpture exhibition/competition in a heavily shaded but with bright sunlight peaking through park.
So--my assessment after using it for 2 weeks under a variety of conditions is--its very good for what it is--a supplement to my 5D. I'll never use a flash on it, never use it on a tripod--but it fits in a fairly small hip pack, the IS works pretty well, it has RAW (and I did consider 3 other cameras--the Leica and Panny and the Ricoh) and it has a usable OVF--and the image quality is quite good. Oh, did I say the LCD is really very nice---and can be seen at an angle so you can, if you are so inclined, raise it over your head or below. And---I can shoot similarly to using my DSLR--in AV or M, and occasionally in Tv with EC and AEL easily accessible--and live histo which is useful to some degree--and the ISO and mode dial are there just like an SLR--with the 4 way rocker, function/set button and dial that are similar to what I'm used to. I normally use Cfn 4 with metering on shutter and focus on * so if I do use AEL with the shutter button here--my thumb and index finger work backwards. I had to think about that LOL.
Addendum for the poster that said it wasn't a pocket cam. I guess it depends upon your pockets LOL. Maybe a man wants to put it in a shirt pocket, but I found that I could put it in some pockets--jeans, some pants and crops. Still--it works best in a quite small Lowepro bag on a belt--or, as I found, in a small hip (probably others call them fanny packs) pack where I can add a comb, lipgloss, change purse--and it still be totally unobtrusive--not like my Domke F3x or Sling 200--the smallest bags I can carry with my 5D/lens. I thought about a Rebel--but if I'm going to carry that--I'd rather carry my 5D.
Question for those who have used an external flash on the G7/G9 -- when I use on-camera ETTL flash with my xxD, the general approach is to set it to full manual, pick a shutter speed and aperature, then let the flash 'figure out the rest' with FEC to compensate as needed.
With a 580 (model 1) on my G9, it looks like the camera's full manual mode only supports manual flash power settings, and that I 'need' a 580-II to get manual camera settings with automatic flash.
Granted, the flash is larger than the camera, but the combo is still smaller than a 1D.
Has anyone tried this?
Thanks!
