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We all have different needs when it comes to getting a new camera, what will suit one won't suit another and as the perfect camera does not exist, one has to bite the bullet and make a decision based on what you feel are your personal needs.
Now I decided some time ago that I needed a compact camera. Carrying round a 1DMk2N plus lens(es) in the heat of the sun whilst on holiday when you are taking mostly snapshots, just doesn't hold the attraction for me anymore
I went on a daytrip to Dundee recently with the camera bag on my back, and even though there was only 4 hrs in Dundee, I vowed I wasn't going to do that again.
The fact is though that I still feel I need the versatility that a dSLR offers and that means exp control, raw, reasonable zoom, viewfinder, good resolution and as a bonus a few of the whistles and bells found on modern compacts.
I studied and was almost seduced by the Panasonic Lumix TZ5. But there is no raw mode, no viewfinder and no manual controls, albeit a wealth of scene modes. Its a good size though and has a great 10x zoom and movie mode, frankly its a sexy little camera though not quite shirt pocket size. There are one or two others in the same class on the market but none seemed to fit my criteria fully.
There is a great site run by Gordon Laing at www.cameralabs.com and he not only gives reviews of new cameras and lenses but also does a down loadable video review of each model too, where he seems to have an uncanny knack of summarising all the key points of a camera and assessing how well it works. TBH it was this that nearly convinced me about the TZ5, but then I put my sensible hat back on and had a look at his review of the Canon G9 It comes out with the same score as the TZ5 though he gives it a Recommended rather than a Highly Recommended, but then he doesn't know my criteria
I have had 2 Canon G series cameras in the past the G2 and G3. Both are excellent cameras, and at the time were rated as the best in their class. I got some great pics with them and loved the articulated screen which at the time was unique to those models though now its been copied by others. They has raw mode too, even though I don't think I appreciated that so much at the time I used them. I still have both cameras, but somehow I grew out of them. The G3 only has 4mp and the screen is quite small by todays standards. The fact is though that they have been sat on a shelf for a long time now unused, but frankly I can't see myself ever returning to them even for holiday snapshots.
Some time after the G4, I think, was released, Canon seemed to lose their way with the G series. They lost the articulating screen and the raw mode, and although still highly specced, Canon eventually discontinued the range after the G6. Then in Sept '06 they appeared again with the G7, then less than a year later the G9 complete with raw mode again. Gordon Laing has a great video review of it, and frankly its what made my mind up. It seems to tick all the boxes for me, though there is still no articulating screen, albeit it does have a 3" one !! Its still a little chunky, but I reckon I can live with that. It has raw, 12mp, all the control you could ever need, even the characteristic Canon wheel found on the Eos range. It has a great video function, which I can see myself using for the first time, and a respectable 6x zoom which is useable in the video mode. Finally you rarley need to use the menu system when shooting as most functions are available on the outside of the body, so in theory all adjustments can be made with the camera up to the eye. Oh and why do I need a viewfinder? Well thats what I'm used to and when looking at the screen with camera at arms length, and composing I need to put glasses on, then peer over them to see the view behind.
Now, here's the thing, the cheapest I could find it was on a site called www.bestpricedbrands.co.uk
Now I decided some time ago that I needed a compact camera. Carrying round a 1DMk2N plus lens(es) in the heat of the sun whilst on holiday when you are taking mostly snapshots, just doesn't hold the attraction for me anymore
I went on a daytrip to Dundee recently with the camera bag on my back, and even though there was only 4 hrs in Dundee, I vowed I wasn't going to do that again.The fact is though that I still feel I need the versatility that a dSLR offers and that means exp control, raw, reasonable zoom, viewfinder, good resolution and as a bonus a few of the whistles and bells found on modern compacts.
I studied and was almost seduced by the Panasonic Lumix TZ5. But there is no raw mode, no viewfinder and no manual controls, albeit a wealth of scene modes. Its a good size though and has a great 10x zoom and movie mode, frankly its a sexy little camera though not quite shirt pocket size. There are one or two others in the same class on the market but none seemed to fit my criteria fully.
There is a great site run by Gordon Laing at www.cameralabs.com and he not only gives reviews of new cameras and lenses but also does a down loadable video review of each model too, where he seems to have an uncanny knack of summarising all the key points of a camera and assessing how well it works. TBH it was this that nearly convinced me about the TZ5, but then I put my sensible hat back on and had a look at his review of the Canon G9 It comes out with the same score as the TZ5 though he gives it a Recommended rather than a Highly Recommended, but then he doesn't know my criteria
I have had 2 Canon G series cameras in the past the G2 and G3. Both are excellent cameras, and at the time were rated as the best in their class. I got some great pics with them and loved the articulated screen which at the time was unique to those models though now its been copied by others. They has raw mode too, even though I don't think I appreciated that so much at the time I used them. I still have both cameras, but somehow I grew out of them. The G3 only has 4mp and the screen is quite small by todays standards. The fact is though that they have been sat on a shelf for a long time now unused, but frankly I can't see myself ever returning to them even for holiday snapshots.
Some time after the G4, I think, was released, Canon seemed to lose their way with the G series. They lost the articulating screen and the raw mode, and although still highly specced, Canon eventually discontinued the range after the G6. Then in Sept '06 they appeared again with the G7, then less than a year later the G9 complete with raw mode again. Gordon Laing has a great video review of it, and frankly its what made my mind up. It seems to tick all the boxes for me, though there is still no articulating screen, albeit it does have a 3" one !! Its still a little chunky, but I reckon I can live with that. It has raw, 12mp, all the control you could ever need, even the characteristic Canon wheel found on the Eos range. It has a great video function, which I can see myself using for the first time, and a respectable 6x zoom which is useable in the video mode. Finally you rarley need to use the menu system when shooting as most functions are available on the outside of the body, so in theory all adjustments can be made with the camera up to the eye. Oh and why do I need a viewfinder? Well thats what I'm used to and when looking at the screen with camera at arms length, and composing I need to put glasses on, then peer over them to see the view behind.
Now, here's the thing, the cheapest I could find it was on a site called www.bestpricedbrands.co.uk
Switzerland eh, very photogenic (I should take the big chappie along as well if I were you 
)
12.15 and its just arrived, inc a 13amp adaptor for use in the UK. OK need to get the battery charged now and have a play etc. Oh the joys of a new gadget 
Don't say that! I'm in the process of uploading a batch from my G3 into Photobox and I've also been busy filling up a load of CF cards with G3 movies.
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