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Thread ID: 84566 2007-11-10 07:58:00 Digital Camera <$1000 ?? Lorcan (12618) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
610285 2007-11-14 05:36:00 I went into a camera shop today and had a play with the Canon EOS 400D and Canon G9. I have to say the 400D is a really nice camera. It's nice and light, but I think too big to lug around. Plus I think it will be a 1 day wonder when I'm traveling around South America i.e. a definite target for thieves.

The Canon G9 seems quite nice though, and it does appear to be the best you can get without going entry-level D-SLR. I think it is a little bit heavy, but it feels nice n solid. Can anyone beat $819? No-one knows an overseas seller I can use to make advantage of the strong Kiwi dollar?
Lorcan (12618)
610286 2007-11-14 07:07:00 The G9 is $949 at Photo & Video in ChCh. Check here for the prices on PriceSpy: www.pricespy.co.nz John H (8)
610287 2007-11-14 17:09:00 The G9 is $949 at Photo & Video in ChCh.

Photo and Video in Merivale is an excellent shop too. All of the staff are experienced and keen photographers and their prices are pretty good too.

Oh, and they've got a Fuji Frontier minilab - don't even think of getting your shots printed on anything else.
Deane F (8204)
610288 2007-11-14 23:41:00 I went into a camera shop today and had a play with the Canon EOS 400D and Canon G9. I have to say the 400D is a really nice camera. It's nice and light, but I think too big to lug around. Plus I think it will be a 1 day wonder when I'm traveling around South America i.e. a definite target for thieves.

The Canon G9 seems quite nice though, and it does appear to be the best you can get without going entry-level D-SLR. I think it is a little bit heavy, but it feels nice n solid. Can anyone beat $819? No-one knows an overseas seller I can use to make advantage of the strong Kiwi dollar?

I'm (hopefully) off on a big trip next year and I will be taking my Canon 350D with me. I've got a decent bag I can sling over my shoulder that handles the 350D + 2 lenses, my wallet, phone etc. I just don't see the point in coming back from a holiday and being disappointed in my shots.

For example, the Canon G9 - which is a very nice package/design - has a sensor that really, frankly, does not produce better results than most of the other compacts in Canon's line up. You pay for the features of the G9, but get the same image quality of a cheaper camera. For me, that doesn't make sense. I'd happily pay to have half the features stripped out if they gave me just a really good lens and really good sensor and the Digic III processor.

Now with the G9, if you go into a dark place (such as a church interior in Europe) the high ISO shots you get (because you'll need to use ISO800/1600) will be full of image noise.

By contrast, the 350D will take ISO1600 shots with significantly less noise.

And at the end of the day, when all is said and done, it is the pictures you want. Lugging some extra weight around is worth the trouble.
Biggles (121)
610289 2007-11-15 02:49:00 Hi,


Some of the cameras that look a bit like an SLR look quite nice. E.g.
Nikon Coolpix P5100 (www.dpreview.com)
or
Canon PowerShot G9 (www.dpreview.com)

Any suggestions? I'm sure there are some good photographers on this forum, just ramble on about what you've got or would get if you were getting a new camera. :)

Of the two I would take the Canon. Photostich software will come with it which is a handy application to have.
Sweep (90)
610290 2007-11-15 03:07:00 Of the two I would take the Canon. Photostich software will come with it which is a handy application to have.

If you look at www.dpreview.com and go to the "Compared to..." pages (lousy grammar; no-one knows to say "Compared with" anymore, grump, grump) you will find the two cameras compared.

The image quality is definitely in the G9's favour, but there are other benefits to the Nikon - size, weight, fit in the hand, and cost being four of them.

The Nikon is about two thirds of the price of the G9 (at Photo and Video $645 cf $949); and weighs 200gm cf 320gm. The respective dimensions are:
P5100 = Approx. 98 x 64.5 x 41 mm
G9 = 106.4 x 71.9 x 42.5 mm.

Depends on what blows your skirt up I guess.
John H (8)
610291 2007-11-15 03:17:00 I'm (hopefully) off on a big trip next year and I will be taking my Canon 350D with me. I've got a decent bag I can sling over my shoulder that handles the 350D + 2 lenses, my wallet, phone etc. I just don't see the point in coming back from a holiday and being disappointed in my shots.

For example, the Canon G9 - which is a very nice package/design - has a sensor that really, frankly, does not produce better results than most of the other compacts in Canon's line up. You pay for the features of the G9, but get the same image quality of a cheaper camera. For me, that doesn't make sense. I'd happily pay to have half the features stripped out if they gave me just a really good lens and really good sensor and the Digic III processor.

Now with the G9, if you go into a dark place (such as a church interior in Europe) the high ISO shots you get (because you'll need to use ISO800/1600) will be full of image noise.

By contrast, the 350D will take ISO1600 shots with significantly less noise.

And at the end of the day, when all is said and done, it is the pictures you want. Lugging some extra weight around is worth the trouble.


If you had a mini pocket tripod you could take time exposures. I have done this on film in cathedrals (unfortunately not Europe) This was what I was saying a few posts back. If you can get one with a swivel head you can have it at right angles against a pillar. Takes a bit longer, but I have always been of the opinion that if you "don't have the time, don't take the photo." Saves a lot of the "now why in gods name did I take that" syndrome when you get home.

I use it for my camcorder as well!

Ken :cool:
kenj (9738)
610292 2007-11-15 03:38:00 If you had a mini pocket tripod you could take time exposures. I have done this on film in cathedrals (unfortunately not Europe) This was what I was saying a few posts back. If you can get one with a swivel head you can have it at right angles against a pillar. Takes a bit longer, but I have always been of the opinion that if you "don't have the time, don't take the photo." Saves a lot of the "now why in gods name did I take that" syndrome when you get home.

I use it for my camcorder as well!

Ken :cool:

Agreed - tripods, mini or otherwise are always preferable (I do have one of those small, swivel head jobs with twisty legs). But some places will not let you use a tripod, or flash, which means you're back to hand-held and upping the ISO setting.
Biggles (121)
610293 2007-11-15 04:01:00 Another option for support is a monopod. Very compact and light (depending on how much you spend) and it should give you another couple of stops. They can be very stable if used properly. Deane F (8204)
610294 2007-11-15 05:05:00 I'm (hopefully) off on a big trip next year and I will be taking my Canon 350D with me. I've got a decent bag I can sling over my shoulder that handles the 350D + 2 lenses, my wallet, phone etc. I just don't see the point in coming back from a holiday and being disappointed in my shots.
Mmm thing is though, through South America you can't have stuff on your back, you have to carry it in front of you at all times, otherwise they'll just unzip it and steal it right off your back. Europe yeah sure, I'd take a big camera. I think I'd be gutted if I took the big camera and it got stolen along with all the photos I'd taken.

The low light thing does sound like an issue, but I'm not sure what indoor shots I'll be taking. Mostly outdoor stuff like Machu Picchu, waterfalls etc are my interests.
Lorcan (12618)
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