What about a Canon G10 for landscapes?

davev

I'm thinking about replacing a couple of wider angle lenses that I use on my XSi, with a Canon G10.

Has anyone used or bought this camera yet to give a short review.

I'd like to use this basically for landscapes.
I'm getting tired of dragging around a 25 pound pack to take 5 pictures at a scenic overlook.

The specs look good, but I'd like to see some real world shots if I could.

Another question about it that I can't seem to find an answer for: Can you use the zoom while shooting a movie?
I know some P&S can't zoom while movie making.

Am I crazy for thinking like this?

DavidTO

Andy has one, and has posted pics on here with it. From Moab, I think?

Also, I think Marc has one, or is going to get one, can't remember which.

Andy

http://www.moonriverphotography.com/gallery/6224274_g4F3F#392702882_xWMoX

LiquidAir

Read this...

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/kidding.shtml

Andy

LiquidAir wrote:

Read this...

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/kidding.shtml

So to directly answer Davev's question, I think, for scenic overlooks? And plenty of other landsapes? WHY NOT??? You can get awesome quality from these P&Ss and the G10 is no exception.

Moogle Pepper

Andy wrote:

So to directly answer Davev's question, I think, for scenic overlooks? And plenty of other landsapes? WHY NOT??? You can get awesome quality from these P&Ss and the G10 is no exception.

Great..

Make me look into getting a G10 now, Andy. Just .. great.

ziggy53

Moogle Pepper wrote:

Great..

Make me look into getting a G10 now, Andy. Just .. great.

Plenty of holidays coming up. You deserve a gift for yourself.

davev

Thanks for the links and reponses.

It looks as though the G10 will be the next thing to go into my camera bag.

I need to retool.
I have 4 camera bodies, and at least a dozen lenses.
I need to figure out what i want to keep, and what needs to go.

Thanks again for your input.

Cato

Any opinions on how the G9/10 compares with the Panasonic LX3 in terms of IQ?

Tee Why

Here is cameralab's comparison in terms of noise against the G9. Haven't see any official G10 reviews yet.
http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Panasonic_Lumix_DMC_LX3/noise.shtml

marlof

I think it all depends on your needs. If you want to shoot landscapes, and blow up your images past A4 or A3, I think you'll see the difference between your XSi and any small sensored camera. I have far from the best resolution in my DLSRs (5MP and 10MP, both considered to be pretty noisy sensors). But still, the images from my DSLR have a richer look to them than the look I got from my Ricoh GX100 and get from my Panasonic LX3. If I'd know I'd not print larger than A4, the LX3 would do me fine. But so does my old tech 5MP DSLR.

But to be quite honest, the gallery Andy shows wouldn't impress me much for landscapes. For smaller prints and webviews it'd be more than fine. But if you dowload and original (for instance from the cactus, shot at ISO 80 at f8 / 1/125), I'm presented with a bit plastic/watercolor look that I don't especially like. It's not that I like to pixel peep (I guess I wouldn't dare to use the higher ISOs in my Olympus DSLRs if I did), but coming from a limited DSLR, I have some experience in judging blow up capability. The better the full size view, the better the ability to blow up. And yes, I feel the same about my LX3. It's a fun camera to have around, and I like using it. As I would like using a G10.

For many shots, the outcome of these cameras will be more than fine. And for many users, they'd be as well. But seeing that you once decided to spend money on a DSLR and lenses, and hang around a photo forum, I figure you're critical about your images. If that is the case, for a good landscape, I'd prefer carrying one wideangle lens over a G10.

SteveF

Interesting thread on the G10's noise levels here. Really interesting stuff starts on page 2. I'm not sure if you need to create a log-in to read it or not.

Basically the G10 at iso 80 has a similar S/N ratio as the 1D3 at iso 1600.

I purchased an LX3 as I do a fair amount of video and wanted the HD option. As well I liked being able to go to 24mm on the wide end. Trade-off was about 5mp (15 vs 10 )

The S/N results for the LX3 haven't been posted yet, but it will be interesting to see how it compares with fewer photosites on a similarly sized chip.


Edit: I just contacted the EJ who did the noise tests on the G10 and have gotten the info needed to do the same thing for the LX3 - so the results for the Panasonic should be up in the next few days (can't shoot until tomorrow.)

cmason

Scott Bourne over at TWIP choose the LX3 over the G10, saying it performs better at higher ISO than the Canon (higher being 800)


http://twipphoto.com/archives/1426#more-1426

SteveF

Hello,

Emil just posted the results for the Panasonic LX3 here.

I'll let you look at his graphs and numbers, but the opening line was pretty telling

"I have to say, I am quite impressed with the LX3 sensor; I couldn't believe the efficiency number when I first got it. ..."


Clearly the G10 and LX3 are not your average P&S cameras.

davev

I might have to let some more reviews come out for me to pick one of these up.

The Panasonic's lens is so damn short, it makes it hard for me to take.
But then again, if I'm looking to use it for landscapes, the 4mm wider, and the 60mm on the long end
shouldn't be a problem. (think 28-70 f2.8)

Lower noise at higher ISO's on the Panasonic, but shooting landscapes, who's using high ISO's.

Although is sounds as if the Panasonic has the better sensor, with better noise control, I don't think I
can go for a camera with just a 2.5X zoom.

It really seems as though it would be a one (or maybe 2) trick pony.

Chrissiebeez_NL

i recently purchased the G10 and sofar i'm liking what i get out of the camera. colours are neutral (can be adjusted to vivid among others) and the details are good. the camera is not the fastest but that is not the biggest problem (in landscapes) The camera inspires to be creative with the easily available settings. the RAW is not supported yet so can't say anything about that..

I think the zoom range is fine for everyday shooting and the WA is nice for landscapes. it also has a pano function (have not tried this out) which may come in handy for those of us short on time

i'll post some shots after my trip to london tomorrow

davev

Well, I picked up the G10 today.

Although the Panasonic LX3 probably has the better image of the 2 cameras, I just couldn't get by the 60mm on the long end.

For when I'm walking around with my SLR with a long lens on it, I think that this will make a good second body.

I took a few shots today just as I took it out of the box.
Little did I know that the file adjustment was set to fine, not superfine.

The light was horrible today. Typical Mn day in Nov.
So most all of these shots are very slow shutter speeds.

As always when I get a new photographic toy, Kate and I took it to Como Park Zoo/Conservatory.
You'll see some JPG artifacts that I don't think will be there when I shoot in "Superfine", or maybe even RAW.
For the most part, except the wolf shot, these are full frame shots less some straightening.





I couldn't get it focus on the wolf through the 2 fences.

kdog

Wow, Dave. You could sell G10's with shots like that. You must be pleased.

Cheers,
-joel

davev

kdog wrote:

Wow, Dave. You could sell G10's with shots like that. You must be pleased.

Cheers,
-joel

Thanks Joel.

For the type of day it was today, yes, the shots look pretty good.
I'll know a lot more when I can get out on a clear day and really give it a good try.

The bad news is, that day may be next spring.:cry