A showdown of smaller “big” cameras from Canon, Olympus, and Panasonic
Posted 12.02.2008 at 3:14 pm
2 Comments
Contenders
The Canon G10, Panasonic G1 and Olympus E-420 go head to head.
Sean Captain
Size is an issue with cameras. I miss a lot of good shots when I don’t feel like lugging around a hefty SLR (such as my current fav, the Nikon D90). And while my pocket camera (presently a Canon SD800) is easy to tote, the image quality is more for “snapshots” than “photographs.”
I, and a few other shutterbugs around the Popular Science office, have been looking into the middle category of cameras: big enough to take good pictures, but not so big that it’s a burden. Now is a good time to look, since several camera makers have fresh midsize camera offerings.
Recently introduced, the Canon G10 ($450) is the latest in its long-running series of “serious” point-and-shoots. At the heart of the camera is a tiny (about 40 square millimeters) image sensor similar to what you get in a pocket model. But it’s paired with a large, relatively bright (f/2.8-f/4.5 aperture) lens and sophisticated manual controls, all wrapped in a tough magnesium-alloy body.
Panasonic approaches from the other extreme. Instead of beefing up a point-and-shoot, it slims down an SLR. The Panasonic G1 ($800) is the first camera using a new format, perplexingly named “Micro Four-Thirds” (don’t ask), that provides the same large image sensor (225 square millimeters) and interchangeable lenses of an SLR but saves space by taking out the mirrors that allow you to see “through the lens” when you look into the viewfinder. The format has the potential to produce really tiny SLR-like cameras, but the G1 is just about the size of my third pick, an actual SLR (albeit the smallest ever), the Olympus E-420 ($500) which debuted last spring.
I took all three cameras out for both casual shoots around town and formal side-by-side tests. I had expected one to emerge as a clear winner. But it wasn’t that simple. Each has weaknesses that are either inconsequential or deal breakers, depending on how you intend to shoot.
Turn the page for a closer look at each model’s strengths and weaknesses.
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I have a Canon G9 and I really like it. I bought it to replace a Canon SD630 that was stolen. I need a camera that fits in my laptop case but has a lot of flexibility. I especially like the 3" LCD screen. While my other cameras may have had ISO adjustments, it's really easy to use on the G9 with a knob dedicated to that function. I take a lot of photos in server racks and other tight places where a flash causes too much reflection. I simply dial up the ISO to 200 to 800, whatever keeps the camera shake icon from coming on, snap the picture in macro and I'm good to go. With the manual flexibility I'm experimenting with different f stops and shutter speeds to create the results I want. I also like the pre-programed underwater mode. I've used this on my other Canon digital cameras I've owned and it's a great feature. I'm going to buy a underwater case from Canon for this camera and I can't wait to see the photos I can take while SCUBA diving. I looked at getting a DSLR and still may one day, but the G9 has really fit my need of an everyday shooter.
These sound cool.
I really like the SLR type of camera; I got an hp 850i a few years back, and while it does not have the bells and whistles of these new ones, it has killer macro [I do repair work on musical instrument amps; sometimes it is easier to ask "What part was this, before the fire", when I contact manufacturers] so I am glad that digital SLR's are coming into play. I don't know what I'd do without one.
"The Duty of Privilege is Absolute Integrity." John O'Donohue, poet, philosopher.