I’m always a sucker for a good camera story and this one was too good to pass up. Nick Devlin brought his Leica M8 to Japan to do a little shooting and a friend suggested he carry the Canon G9, a 12-megapixel point and shoot that costs about $4500 less than the Leica M8.
I used the Leica M8 all last summer and loved it except for the obvious: it wasn’t automatic. Framing the pictures required a good two or three seconds of fumbling – at least for me – and by that time the magic was often gone. I got amazing photos out of it, but the G9 looks equally impressive.
Like all traveling companions, the G9 grew to irritate me in a number of ways. All of my complaints relate to responsiveness, or lack thereof. The electronic zoom control is the first problem. While the G9 offers a very handy focal-range, zooming is accomplished by a rocker switch on the top of the camera. The micro-motor which drives the zoom has a perceptible response-lag and drives the lens forward in ‘chunks’, rather than a seamless progression of focal-length. This makes the G9 more of a step-zoom than a true fully-variable focal length camera. In fairness, the thirteen increments of focal length, which was the most I could achieve when zooming upwards through the range, are a respectable variety of focal lengths, and a damn-sight better than no zoom at all. But it is, nonetheless, an annoying control mechanism.
Color me amazed. I’m going to try this thing out ASAP. I guess at some point you want to stop feeling like Henri Cartier-Bresson and more like Ultraman. Anyone else have good things to say about either platform?
Note that the G10, the G9’s successor, is now out.
Also consider playing with the Panasonic DMC-LX3, which is pretty similar to the G10 but with better low-light/high iso performance and a 24-60mm (F2.0 at 24mm) lens vs the G10’s 28-110mm (F2.8 at 28mm).
Another nod to the Panasonic LX3. One of the smartest compacts ever–ditch the megapixel race and focus on what really matters.
I used a G9 as my casual camera for a few months. It’s definitely a better than average compact, but three gripes: horrible in low light, lens isn’t very wide, controls are clunky and fidgety in manual modes.
Which is my last point–if this guy wanted a fully auto camera WHY THE HOLY F DID HE BUY A LEICA M8? Did he not read the product brochure before dropping $5k?
While the G9 seems like a great camera I think too that this years compacts has raised the bar for what you can expect from these small devices.
The industry seems to have turned a corner, especially in regards to the amount of Mega pixels they put in the camera and now focuses more on quality instead of quantity. This is at least true for the Panasonic LX3. If the MP count really mattered that much, the LX3 wouldn’t do as well as it does in the current competition with the G10.
35mm as the G9 has is not nearly wide enough in today’s market. The G10 seems to have the perfect range but lacks a slightly larger aperture.
Gee… I am confused. A camera is a “platform” now.
I guess my bicycle could also be a “platform” — Cool!
got an API for the bic? lets load it up with cool apps
Funny that’s the only thing that struck me in this article. See that’s web 3.0 right there, its all about the devices baby :)
Note that the Leica’s cameras are built for long-term, reliable operation in quite harsh conditions (e.g. war-zones) – where their heavy solid-metal construction and solid German engineering is worth that extra money.
The Canon is a wonderful camera for more gentle environments, artists and enthusiastic amateurs.
Both are wonderful machines, however they really are intended for such different purposes.
note that the article is about a year old now, and there may be (read: probably are) even better cameras now.
I’ve had a Canon G6 for a number of years now, and the picture quality is great. It’ll shoot in raw, it has really good performance in a number of lighting conditions, and can accept an external flash.
My only complaint is that I can’t get a huge range of lenses for it like a DSLR, but then again, it’s a point and shoot, and I didn’t pay the DSLR price for it.
John, once again your writing escapes me.
You say this is a good camera story… but the only excerpt you give is one of complaints.
THEN, after the complaints, you follow up with “color me amazed” which really isn’t all that catchy or clever or related in any context, and which also implies that you were somehow impressed by the very same complaint excerpt that was supposed to make for good reading.
Who really paid you to write this story?
Nikon?
G9 is a consumer product. Anyone got any side by side photo comparisons for M8 vs G9? It’s hard to believe that they are comparable.
I got a Nikon D300 instead of Leica M8 after doing some research — both are pro cameras.
Checkout some sample photos taken w/ Nikon D300 w/ Nikkor 18-200mm lens:
http://nyccto.blogspot.com/2009/01/sample-nikon-d300-photos.html
WTF? This post is pretty much void of content (although it’d be more accurate to say “the M8 could be better than the G9, but I can’t tell the difference”), outdated (the G10 is out), and completely unrelated to startups.
Panasonic LX3 (or even the LX2) are excellent choices.
I’d go for the G7 or G9.
Although I have not tried it on the G9, it appears that the CHDK can be used with it:
http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/G9
For those who don’t know, CHDK is a firmware enhancement for many Canon compact digicams that allows a truly incredible degree of control and customization, from focus bracketing to motion-sensing (think animal ‘camera traps’ and lightning photography). While I’m an SLR-person, I’m really excited to get a compact digital camera for this reason, so it will be a Canon.
The CHDK overall is so powerful that it makes me a bit sad to realize the potential that is left out of the *software* of all digital cameras, and it takes a bunch of outsiders to make you realize that. From what I understand, the binary of the original canon camera firmware was reverse-engineered from the camera by coaxing the light on the ‘print’ button to flash on/off. Amazing :)
I put CHDK on my card for my Canon S5 IS. This software is *not* for non-techy! It’s not simple to install, and once installed, it’s not the most intuitive piece of software in the world–granted, the UI is limited to what you can do on the small screen of a camera.
That said, CHDK has some pretty amazing tools, the best of which are a bunch of user-driven scripts that allow the camera to do things like motion detection pictures, DHR, etc.
I shoot a 1ds MK III, a G10, and a Leica M8. They are three distinct cameras for three different purposes. Frankly, I found the substance of his article to be materially about the advantages of a small point and shoot over a larger, more manual camera – the former does offer many advantages (small, autofocus, etc). But, saying the G9 is better than the M8 is like saying that an Acura is better than a Ferrarri. I can say unequivocally, that the M8 is my favorite camera to shoot…and while the images are often technically less perfect than the MK III, the pictures are almost always more interesting. I also wouldn’t underestimate the value of the Leica optics…I often shoot with an F/1 Noctilux…and the results can be remarkable.
i also own the canon g6…not sure i am ready to upgrade though…nice post…
“We hope that every single one of you will take a moment to post something in the comments section of one of our stories. Just pull out your soapbox, step up and tell us how you feel about spending your tax dollars on BAILING OUT FAILURE. Share something, share anything. This particular establishment accepts all forms of anger and frustration.”
i also own the canon g6…not sure i am ready to upgrade though…nice post…
“We hope that every single one of you will take a moment to post something in the comments section of one of our stories. Just pull out your soapbox, step up and tell us how you feel about spending your tax dollars on BAILING OUT FAILURE. Share something, share anything. This particular establishment accepts all forms of anger and frustration.”
I chose a G9 with a 16Gv SD card instead of the G10 about 3 months ago, and I love mine. While some posters have sniffed at the Canon being a “consumer” camera than a “pro” camera, if you compare the specs, its a solid metal body with nice optics and a clean image. A true DSLR has a larger sensor, but the G-series size is easily portable and discreet in travel situations.
And for Canon owners, definitely look at CHDK. Awesome firmware indeed!
A more important question would be, “Is the Leica $4500 better than a G9?” Probably not.
It’s about how you use it. Leica (actually, all rangefinders) are like a different religion within photography.
Some use cameras to capture everything happening in front of them, and others enjoy the process of creating the picture as much as the end result.
The Leica is for one camp, the Canon is for the other.
Wonderful – A new post about a year-old article about a camera model that has been superseded.
anyway… it’s not the camera, it’s the photographer
can’t agree more
The Canon A650 IS is practically a poor man’s G9. You give up the hot shoe and RAW capability (but check out CHDK software for that) and some build quality. You get the same sensor, plus a fold-out swiveling LCD display. You can use a threaded adapter tube to use wide angle and teleconverter lenses, and 58mm filters. It’s too big to fit in some pockets, but it’ll fit in the pockets of most winter coats (unless you have that adapter tube attached). I’m not sure about the G9, but the A650 IS is powered by 4 AA batteries.
What’s up with the monkey, has it started a twitbook app based on a Mac server or something equally newsworthy?
Wow!! i almost made the mistake of buying a Richard Mille RM 016. I got a Casio G Shock instead. i still cannot believe the saving i made + the Casio tells me the dates and stuff.. Wow! so cool.
.plz.c’mon.
Wow, do I feel old … I have a Sony Cyber-Shot F707. Bought it brand new when it first came out. t was one of the first 5 megapixel consumer cameras on the market at the time and retailed for $1000.
The F707 is ancient now, I’m definitely in need of an upgrade lol … Scott
Ah John, fell for this old trick did you? This sort of myth has been around for a real long time…
Without any 100% crops and CA/distortion checking, that article equating the two cameras is completely – and I mean completely – useless.
Nikon anyone?
http://cashcratereview.com
Nice steal from my earlier post of today here:
http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/01/17/pics-of-the-leica-m8-safari-spotted-ogled/
Go down to the 6th post and find (SURPRISE!) the same link that I put there this morning.
Must be a verrrrrrry slow day at Crunch Gear when previous posts are stolen and repackaged.
I still think the Leica is wayyyyyyyy better
At $500, I’ll stick with my D40.
Take a look there : http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/kidding.shtml
G10 vs Hasselbad…
What’s up with the monkey, has it started a twitbook app based on a Mac server or something equally newsworthy?
__________________________
http://kisalt.net/d2
I got the G9 and am fully satisfied with it. Bought in Hong Kong for cheap last year.
As many other readers have noted and with all due respect, John – Were you saucing it up when you wrote this ? Oh, and who edits this crap anyway? Crunchgear can be good and often reliable, but this is totally useless crap start to finish. I’ve seen better writing from a third grader…
I don’t get it! What is the point of this article? Are you saying that the G9 is better than the M8? If so, that is NOT obvious from the article. Are you complaining that the G9 is a run-of-the-mill P&S? There’s no doubt about that either if you ignore the price and the fact that a lot of suckers pay that price for nothing.
Anyway … what is the point of this article?
I asked some days ago for the best prosumer p&s camera on Lightstalkers.org (a great community)
Check the answers here: http://www.lightstalkers.org/best-prosumer-level-pointshoot
I have the G7. I think it’s good. Otherwise M8 is too expensive for me.
And I think, photographer is more important than the camera.
If I was suckered by anything it was a good camera story. I understand that this is kind of like a n00b saying his $100 Sony speakers are as good as some hand-made Murbletosh 4000 with real wood highlights that cost $10,000 each. On the aggregate, you get what you pay for but the pictures were pretty and I like both companies so it was interesting to see a comparison like this. Shoot me next time you see me for being such a fool.
nice monkey!
The Lumix LX3 is also quite amazing with brilliant HD (720) video with a mic better than many Pro level HD cams. And the in-camera color controls means that I can make BW videos in high def of my little adventures and edit them with QuickTime Player, export to Apple TV or iPhone and post them online without a moment in the (wonderful but a bit heavy) FCP. Hey, it’s just wonderful!
You’re wrong about
You’re wrong about the zoom or mistaken because I have the G9 and it zooms in and out perfectly smoothly. It also responds almost instantly and move very fast, compared to my previous camera.
I’ve been shooting on a G6 for the last few years and love it. Though hands down my old G2 was my favorite.
Great story! I linked to it from my website…
Greetings from Germany
Links like this remind me why I should stick to other sources for photography news. Perhaps a year ago the article was relevant (and written with a skewed perspective); taken in the present context, this is useless at best, nonsense at worse. The M8 is a unique camera that has its purpose. There are countless reasons to purchase one as there are countless other reasons to purchase a P&S. More recent options like the lumix G1 allow the use of Leica glass. Olympus’ e420 is another lightweight pocketable option as is the Sigma DP1/2 (no M lens adaptor for these, but dynamic range of a larger sensor and size/weight make them decent travel companions)
what are some good default settings for my canon G9? I’m new to digital and there are too many choices for me .I understand f stops and shutter speeds . I want to just make images no larger than 8×10 .I need to shoot some events-any pointers?