Though I love my Canon 20D DSLR dearly, and its accompanying ensemble of lenses, there are times in my life when I don't feel like, or cannot, carry that extra poundage and bulk. It's been in the back of my mind for over a year to get a quality P&S camera for "go-light" occasions, but I've been resisting. Well, when I read an article by Darwin Wiggett (see http://www.naturephotographers.net/articles1207/dw1207-1.html ) on his review of the Canon G9, I began to get excited. Released in August 2007, this camera has SLR-like controls, shoots RAW, and comes in a small durable package. Finally a little camera that meets my compact camera needs. And if it's good enough for Darwin Wiggett, it's good enough for me.

So though I'll be gradually incorporating Canon G9 images into my regular 20D galleries, I thought I'd make a gallery just for G9 shots, for those who are exploring cameras for their compact camera needs.

Thoughts on this camera as of 1/11/08: I've had the camera 2 days now, and still learning how to use it. Because the camera is so small, I find myself thinking in "snap shooter mode" rather than "serious photographer mode", and I have to tell myself that, "No, this camera is capable of taking nice shots, so take your time with setting it up and see what you can do with it." Since I typically shoot my 20D in Av mode (since DOF is one of my primary considerations in the subjects I've been shooting), that is the mode I've been using the G9 in. I adjust exposure compensation as the scene and my goals for the image dictate; I'm pleased that doing so is so easy with this camera. One press of a button and an adjustment of exposure bias using the thumbwheel. The camera retains this setting even after the power is cycled. I was most concerned with learning how to properly focus the camera, but I'm finding it very easy with the camera in "flexi-focus" mode. You can position the focusing point to almost anywhere in your image. The camera reverts to placing the focus box in the center of the image after a power cycle. I'm discovering that I almost prefer to use this camera with a tripod--because there are so many buttons and controls, and the LCD is HUGE (but this is a good thing too), there seems to be few places on the body that are safe to put your hands and fingers on. Some people have complained a bit about the ergonomics of this body design; some have purchased the grip accessory. I've extremely pleased with the color rendition and image quality. This is a 12mp camera...I am stunned at the detail I can see at 100% zoom. I do notice that when I'm processing photos from the G9 I tend to get "crop-happy"; I'm used to the 3:2 aspect ratio from the 20D and feel a desire to have a similar format with the G9 (which has a 4:3 aspect ratio like most other P&S's). I have been shooting in RAW mode, and converting the images with the supplied software Canon Raw Image Task. It's okay.

2/4/08: I've been a bit paranoid about scratching the huge LCD screen (I already have one 1/4" scratch, and lots of small mini-scratches I can see), and it's actually hampered me in that I'm afraid to carry the G9 around. This kinda defeats the purpose of a small carry-around camera! So today I finally went to Office Max and got a packet of universal screen protectors and put a protective film on my LCD screen. Man, I wish I had done this sooner! I think it will work well and I can see fine with it on. I highly recommend this inexpensive way to protect your LCD screen!

4/10/08: I'm still lovin' this little camera. Sure it can't do what the DSLR with the right lenses can, but I feel I can bring this anywhere and take pictures with confidence. We are planning a trip to Washington D.C. in June, and I plan on only taking this camera with my little Ultrapod II table-top tripod. Footloose and fancy free!

5/29/08: How do I use the G9 with filters without the dust spots (on the filter) showing up in the image? I haven't tried to do this but a couple times. The first time I tried to use a 2-stop GND filter with the sun just outside the FOV, and any dust on the filter show up as flaring spots in the resulting image. I am hand-holding the filter in front of the lens like I do with my 20D. The second time was just today, when I held my polarized sunglasses in front of the lens. Granted, in this case it was difficult to get the curving glasses right up against camera lens, but I could plainly see dust spots and irrecularities from my sunglass lens in the image. Huh? I need to test this some more, perhaps by further tests holding my GND in front and also my circular polarizer. I know people use this camera with filters! I guess I'm just doing it wrong.

5/14/11: I am still using my Canon G9 as my "go to" camera when I want to travel light. But recently I went to turn it on to photograph the early morning light in Joshua Tree National Park and it would not power on! I changed the battery, and still no response from my camera. When I got home, I discovered that there is a common problem with G9's -- a screw internal to the camera can fall out, short an electronics board, and blow a fuze (see http://www.myfixtips.com/blog/digital-camera/who-killed-my-g9-133.htm ). Thankfully, my husband is handy with electronics and ordered and replaced the fuze in my camera for less than $4 in parts! My G9 is back up and operational. As he put the camera together again, he used nail polish on all the screws to hopefully prevent this from happening again.