Canon G10 – Get Your Can-ON!

The Canon G10, descendant of the G9 adds on where its daddy left off. Canon added two new dials; namely the mode dial which is inside the ISO dial, and a very nifty exposure compensation on the left side. This allows you to… well, compensate for different exposure settings. You can tell this camera is something any real enthusiast will like; it’s even got the bayonet mount which is for all those adapter lenses. A great addition is the neutral density filter, which is great for those who like shooting at slow shutters speeds. The most notable improvement is the resolution upgrade to 14.7 MP, and the lens is now wide angled; it goes to 28 MM equivalent. It’s smaller than most DSLR cameras. And without a loss in picture quality, provides a great backup to a DSLR.

Needless to say, this is one that most point-and-shooters will go for. Whip out your new G10 and snap away, and you’ll get nods of approval from your fellow shooters, as well as the occasional, “Wow, you GOT a Canon G 10!” Coolness factor, check.

It has a solid feel to it, though I personally would like the grip a little tighter. The knobs, buttons, and springloads are all fast and responsive. It also has a very user-friendly interface that even first time photographers will notice. Cycling through options like Auto and Manual, Shutter or Aperture, and shooting modes are a snap (no pun intended). It’s uniqueness and it’s number of innovative features make it nearly competition-free among other digital cameras in the same category. It’s 5X optical range is obviously shorter than that of the G9, but gives it wider angle coverage. Great when you’re shooting wide landscapes, buildings, and groups of people.

Okay, so the Canon Power Shot G10 may not have the F2.0 Lens of earlier members of the G-series, and it only shoots video in 32 VGA; but with a flash hotshoe, high resolution, RAW recording, and full manual control, it’s still a must have for all photographers. It’s not often a camera will leave photographers with a satisfied sigh after an outing through expansive forests, and deep urban landscapes. It’s a lot to handle, and its intuitiveness will also appeal to those just starting. Although the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 provides slightly higher image quality, in terms of overall accessibility and bang-for-your buck, the Canon Powershot G10 wins out at about $400.00.

This camera does it all for a great price. It’s flexible, it’s easy to use, and it makes you look cool (remember the nod?). I’d totally recommend this for photographers already out there who are looking for a DSLR backup, and for those just starting out as it gives newbies a lot to play with. The G10 camera is great even for people looking to take everyday photos. So regardless of your photography skill level, this is an excellent way to spend money for a new camera. I’ve had a blast writing this Canon G10 review, and I think you will too after you’ve gotten your hands on one.