Canon PowerShot G9

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By Lori Grunin, CNET.com
Sep 14, 2007

No, you're not having d�j� vu--the Canon PowerShot G9 is physically virtually identical to its predecessor, the G7; the sole differences are an optical viewfinder shrunk to make way for a larger 3-inch LCD and the lens ring and release button darkened from silver to black. Many of the components are identical as well. It incorporates the same f/2.8-4.8 35mm-210mm-equivalent, optically stabilized 6x zoom lens and uses the same Digic III image processor. In fact, the only significant updates are a bump to a 1/1.7-inch 12-megapixel CCD from a 1/1.8-inch, 10-megapixel version, and the much-wished-for return of raw-format support.

Design

Weighing 320g, controls on the G9 cover the areas of the top and back of the camera not covered by the LCD or the optical viewfinder, leaving just enough space for a decent handhold. It's still true that those with large hands may find it difficult to firmly grip the G9 without accidentally covering one button or another. We also found ourselves wishing that the shutter button and zoom switches were just a bit larger.

For more details on the G9's design, click on the image.

Though most of the G9's menu interface and navigation is consistent and easy to follow, there is the occasional bewildering design choice. For instance, the high-resolution (1,024 x 768; 15fps) movie mode isn't a resolution option under the Func menu, where you'd expect to find it. It's considered a different movie mode, and you must cycle via the scroll wheel through mode selections of Color Accent, Color Swap, Time Lapse, Compact, and Standard to find it; sensible from an engineering standpoint, but not so much for lay users.

Features

Like its predecessor, the G9 offers all of the exposure, focus, and shooting controls any enthusiast would want. They include a spot meter, user-selectable focus zones, two custom settings modes, continuous- or shot-only IS settings, manual ISO settings up to 1,600 plus a High mode that reaches up to 3,200, voice annotation, and a hot shoe.

Performance and Image Quality »