High end compact?

[jgrover]

I need a camera for capturing life... day trips on the motorcycle, scenic views, maybe even some action shots, occasional videos, etc... I have a D70 but I am not enough of an enthusiast to carry it with me everywhere I go and as a result, I am missing some of lifes memories. So I've decided to invest in the best compact or subcompact I can get.

So far, the G9 is at the top of my list... the PowerShot S5 IS seems very capable as well, but I think it'd suffer the same issue in that I can't just stuff it in a coat pocket on the way out the door.

Am I missing something or is the G9 really the way to go?

Thanks,
Jason

[Rogue]

I like the S5IS. I used an S1IS on a lot of bike trips.
Its bigger and heavier than the G9 with less MP (8 vs. 12) but has a better zoom, slightly faster shutter speed (if you want to shoot other bikes on action shots) and on trips if your rechargeable batteries die you can use regular AA batteries.

[RobertNear]

I was in the same camp as you, typically I am shooting D200 with a bag full of lenses. I ended up getting the G9 the zoom range is fine for my landscape work and senic's. My one wish with G9 is that I would like it a little wider, say 24mm area would be perfect for me. The G9 is powerful little unit with the controls to set it up in many various shooting configurations. Granted it does have some shutter lag and focus speed is not as fast as my D200, but for a small camera that I can have with me in coat pocket it fits the bill.

[JDArt]

The G9 does look like a fine unit.

Anyone have any shots from this bugger?

[Mr. Pickles]

The Canon G9 and S5-IS are usually pretty good recommendations for this. Both offer IS (Image Stabilization, by the way). The G9 cost about $475 vs $325, and is a smaller package. It has more pixels (12mp vs 8mp), but less of a zoom range (6x vs 12x). Both have the ability to let you explore shooting by using Aperture and Shutter priority, and have built-in flashes and allow you to add a hot-shoe flash. The G9 has a bigger LCD screen (3" vs 2.5"), but the S5's LCD can twist and flip (good for odd shooting angles). The S5 weighs about 50% than the G9 too.

For something smaller that still has some unique and interesting features for a "traveling road show" camera, look at the Olympus SW compact cameras. There are (4) of them, with the 850 SW and 1030 SW being the newest. They are waterproof (10 ft or 33 ft), shock-proof (5 to 6 feet, in case you drop them), and can be used in below zero conditions. They have a 3x zoom lens, but that might be all you need in a smaller pocketable travel photo tool.

Olympus 850 SW
Olympus 1030 SW

[jgrover]

Thanks for all the input guys... the G9 seems great, but I can't get over the price difference between it and the S5IS. The S5 really seems to fit the bill, that is, assuming it's still pocketable. I need to hold one in person.

Those Olympus cameras look like a blast, but I'm afraid the 3x would be to little with no way to rectify it if needed.

The G9 samples look pretty close to the S5IS

Canon PowerShot G9 Digital Camera Samples - Review - The Imaging Resource!
Canon PowerShot S5 IS Digital Camera Samples - Full Review - The Imaging Resource!

Neither put out DSLR quality images, but that's the trade off for portability and cost.

The other one I am considering is the Panasonic FZ18
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 Digital Camera - Review - The Imaging Resource!

Looks like image quality is a titch better, and spec for spec, they are very close

Compare Digital Cameras - Camera Prices and Reviews

I don't think I'd go wrong with either...

Jason

[nemo]

Until the G9 comes with a wide lens, I wouldn't consider it. I find many times that a wide-angle lens is needed for the photos that I would like to shoot. I considered getting a G9 for quite awhile, but now am looking at the Canon SD870 for my travel pics (motorcycle). It also has optical stabilization, but not the manual settings that you will see on the G9. It also has no viewfinder, which could be a problem on sunny days. However, it is slim with a large screen. For capturing life's moments with a helmet on, I think it is a good camera to have along.

[Goofup]

Another one to look at is the Canon A720IS. 8 megs, 6X zoom, all the modes, fits in a jacket pocket with no problem.

[microcosmos]

Don't forget:RAW images & external flash (when you need it).And it's pretty compact.
Also you picking up allot of of image quality from the raw files.It is my second camera after my 350d slr.
Check out some samples of the G9, at this gallery:microcosmos Album - PhotoCamel Photo Gallery - Free, Fast, Fun

[Slugo]

OK, my vote goes to the G9. So what else is new!?!

[ulrauko]

buy ypurself small film SLR, like om-1. It's compact, the quality surpasses d-70 (olympus lenses are compared with german classics), and it's full frame, BTW. I chose it for a carry_me_everywhere_camera.

[dbphotos]

I'm Nikon all the way and I bought the G9 on the recommendation of several other photogs and think it is PERFECT for what it is designed for. It shoot RAW as well as JPG and shoots some really good HD video. You won't be disappointed with the G9 - take it from a Nikon guy!

[jnsuffolk]

The only thing I found with the g9 is the shutter lag. I know some of you probably think I'm crazy. Yes it is fast but my little sony w50 is even faster at a quarter of the price Now there is a trade off. with features and of course the quality of the pic. But I guess thats just the way it is. i don't know if they'll ever put it all together in one p&s. It just depends on what your looking for As for me I want that kodak moment. and I can get a pretty good 4x6 print with my sony Just food for thought

[Eero Makela]

I found this cool link on the G9

Strobist: Canon G9: The New Polaroid?

[d2creative]

Ricoh GX-200.
I have the GX-100 and love it. Will probably upgrade to the 200 soon.