Canon G10 VS. Entry Level DSLR

[Capn_Polyester]

I know there's no right answer to this question and it's all a matter
of taste but I was considering getting either a G10 or an Entry Level DSLR,
anyone care to weigh in??

[Bunk3r]

depends what you are using it for etc.

I personally would go for the G10 because:

-its smaller thus more suited to carrying when exploring

-it still has immense manual control and the features of an entry DSLR

The upsides to a DSLR are:

-you can change the lens (but the G10 is reasonably wide and has Zoom and a good aperture range, so is more versatile out of the box. buying DSLR lenses are an investment. but given the next lens you would buy would probs cost more than the G10, the G10 is still an investment and a good second camera (and more versatile than a lens that would cost more) if you ever buy a DSLR)

-Larger sensor so less noise (but your not taking super high ISO sports shots, youve got a tripod and a still subject)

-less shutter lag (again your subject isnt going anywhere it doesnt matter!)

[Oxygen Thief]

I'd be tempted to say the G10. I've got a G7 and it's very good, and I know the G9 is much better. You can fit it in a small (armoured, berghaus) pouch on your belt, as opposed to a fecking big camera bag.

[Vivo]

I wish I had a G10 :(

[thirtyfootscrew]

Like Bunk3r said, it depends on what you're using it for. I have an SLR (well, 2 actually) but I love photography in general and the level of control and flexibility you get from an SLR is unparralleled. On the other hand I do sometimes wish that for exploring I had something smaller with some of that flexibility (I often don't use full manual anyway) and the G10 would be perfect for that.

[BenCooper]

Are we talking specifically for urbex? I'd go for a SLR. With a smaller sensor, you have to stick to lower ISOs to get reasonable quality, but that means you'll often need a tripod for urbex - and if you're going to carry a tripod, the advantages of a compact are much less.

I've got a G9 - in good light it's an excellent camera, but in poor light it's nowhere near as good as a SLR. With a SLR, I can go to ISO800 and get away with a lot more handheld - with the G9, you really don't want to go above ISO100 unless you really, really have to.

As a wee camera for impromptu recces, though, it's good - and the flash is pretty decent...

[Brick_Man]

if your only going to have one camera, make it a abridge type cam.

helps keep you inconspicous when walking about shooting in public etc.. the bulk of any slr is noticable

two cameras? then a dslr and a good compact is ideal.

[wilshure]

I came across a review and comparison page on a website that includes discussion of the G10, it also has a huge write up on the G10, and many other cameras.

hope it's of some use

(The G10 is near the bottom) (http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm)

[Capn_Polyester]

Thanks Guys, I reckon I'm gonna go for the g10, I've been using my girlfriends bridge camera and it's a bit of a pain getting it in and out of my bag, I also reckon I'd use the g10 more for taking photos out and about rather than a big ass DSLR, thanks for the tips, hope to have some pics from the new camera up soon ;)

[xm657]

Are we talking specifically for urbex? I'd go for a SLR. With a smaller sensor, you have to stick to lower ISOs to get reasonable quality, but that means you'll often need a tripod for urbex - and if you're going to carry a tripod, the advantages of a compact are much less.

I've got a G9 - in good light it's an excellent camera, but in poor light it's nowhere near as good as a SLR. With a SLR, I can go to ISO800 and get away with a lot more handheld - with the G9, you really don't want to go above ISO100 unless you really, really have to.

As a wee camera for impromptu recces, though, it's good - and the flash is pretty decent...

Thats an interesting point.

I was going to say G10 as I just dont have the patience or indeed the funds to go DSLR and I'm very happy with ease of use of my Canon Bridge. But the points on low ISO and tripod are very true. I can't get any decent pics without either.

[Alias]

G10 for exploring, I want one and am gonna buy one come pay time, but if u want to get into photography then an entry level Nikon will be your best bet. D5000 is a very good choice.

[tirpitz]

another good compact that offers full manual control is the Panasonic Lumix-LX3
it has a wider, brighter lens than the G10 which would lend it more to taking pics closer up in dimly lit places :thumb

the only thing you'd need to know is that it only has a very short optical zoom (only 2.5x) but i find i'm very rarely off the wide end with mine.
a professional photographer i know once told me the best zoom in the world is your feet so with that in mind a short zoom didn't put me off ;)
i know in some situations you might want a little more reach but the wide view more than makes up for it ;)

good review of the more advanced compacts here-

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q408enthusiastgroup/

the dynamic B&W mode gives you stunning results
Jpegs from the camera are also generally good plus you can shoot in Raw if you want to process the image yourself :thumb

this is a jpeg straight outta the camera

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3601/3415043632_cccfbc8e9f.jpg

[REEF]

G10 for exploring, I want one and am gonna buy one come pay time, but if u want to get into photography then an entry level Nikon will be your best bet. D5000 is a very good choice.

Better off with a D90, it has the same sensor as the D5000 a tougher body and is cheaper, IMHO.

Most of my recent stuff is done on a G10, I have the choice of any Canon camera and find myself going back to the G10 all the time.

[Oxygen Thief]

I've just got a secondhand G9, it's a good upgrade from the G7 and a really handy, high spec camera to use.

[REEF]

Do you want a wide angle converter for it?

[Oxygen Thief]

Do you want a wide angle converter for it?

A genuine Canon one ?

[Oxygen Thief]

A genuine Canon one ?

...with a G10 attached would be nice. And a waterproof case.

[REEF]

I've got waterproof cases coming out of my ear's, bit low on G10's though i'm sorry to say:D

[Oxygen Thief]

I've got waterproof cases coming out of my ear's, bit low on G10's though i'm sorry to say:D

Pffft, you're no good to man nor beast then. ;)

[techiesteve]

If I was considering a compact, I'd go for the Panasonic LX3 over the G10. I've handled both, and prefer the looks and handling of the G10, but practically the LX3 gives cleaner images at higher iso's. Most importantly the LX3 has the 35mm equivalent lens of a 24mm lens, good for interiors, while the G10 is only a 28mm equivalent. They're both expensive compacts.

[REEF]

The Panasonic is shown to have poor image quality at 24mm, the distortion is quite high at the edges of the image, also the flash won't cover that angle as it’s located too close to the lens. Panasonic's ISO is not independently tested and the actual values are far off what’s quoted.
Three guesses who I work for :D

[Capn_Polyester]

I ended up going for the g10 and I'm super happy with it and I just had to ignore all the super geeky tech reports on the minor failings of the camera and just remember that to me (who's never really had a decent camera) it's gonna look great, and it does. It's small enough to carry around and it takes good photos for me. Espcially as I'm mostly just gonna put them on the web for this site to see I took these ones with them http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=40320&highlight=priory and they're better than my old ones so I'm happy :)