Canon SX10

[Amy]

I've been using Eneloop rechargeables, thanks to the recommendations of a lot of folks on this board. So far, they really seem to last, and they don't lose their charge if your camera sits for a while.

 

[schaery]

I have been using my DD's SX10 for several months now as my SX3 and lenses got stolen. Santa has asked me if I'd like my own SX10 for Christmas. I really like this camera, especially the vari-angle LCD and 20x zoom, but the low-light photos leave lots to be desired. Also, the SX10 doesn't have the capability for lenses but can use filters.

The G11 gets great reviews for low-light photos, and has accessory lenses and filters. It also now has the vari-angle LCD. The only drawback I see is that it only has 5x Zoom. I'd really miss the 20x zoom of the SX10.

Any opinions will be greatly appreciated as Santa is waiting for me to make a decision.

 

[VVFF]

I have been using my DD's SX10 for several months now as my SX3 and lenses got stolen. Santa has asked me if I'd like my own SX10 for Christmas. I really like this camera, especially the vari-angle LCD and 20x zoom, but the low-light photos leave lots to be desired. Also, the SX10 doesn't have the capability for lenses but can use filters.

The G11 gets great reviews for low-light photos, and has accessory lenses and filters. It also now has the vari-angle LCD. The only drawback I see is that it only has 5x Zoom. I'd really miss the 20x zoom of the SX10.

Any opinions will be greatly appreciated as Santa is waiting for me to make a decision.

They're pretty different cameras as you mentioned. It's really gotta be up to you. PERSONALLY, I would go with the G11. I find the 20x zoom is overrated IMO. Now, this would be different if I had a child who played soccer, basketball, baseball, etc. I don't photograph these events much. Most of my "normal" photography can get by with a 3x zoom. The 5x adds just enough versatility to make it perfect for travel as well.

However, I'd probably get the S90 if I wasn't looking for all the accessories. That F2 lens is nice to have.

 

[boBQuincy]

The G11 gets great reviews for low-light photos, and has accessory lenses and filters. It also now has the vari-angle LCD. The only drawback I see is that it only has 5x Zoom. I'd really miss the 20x zoom of the SX10.

Any opinions will be greatly appreciated as Santa is waiting for me to make a decision.

The G11 does very well up to about ISO 1200, which is enough for many indoor photos without flash. I wouldn't put too much faith in the accessory filters since the adapter vignettes badly at the short focal lengths. The zoom range is ok for me, the SLR lens I use the least is my 70-200 so not having long zoom on my G11 is not a big issue.

I really like the G11 but have not given it the final test, a day at a WDW park. I still carry my dSLR because it is more versatile but one day I plan to take nothing but the G11.

 

[schaery]

Thanks for the opinions. Haven't heard of the S90. Is that a Canon?

Please let me know if the G11 passes the WDW test. That's very important. Have you purchased any of the lenses for the G11? I'm guessing they must be similar to the S3-IS lenses - souped up magnifying glasses.

I may step up to a dSLR one day when Canon decides to put the vari-angle LCD on one. I'm just pretty spoiled with their high-end P&S cameras. Every time I think I might want a dSLR, I see the folks toting around big shoulder bags full of expensive cameras and equipment, and I"m satisfied with my P&S again.

 

[VVFF]

Thanks for the opinions. Haven't heard of the S90. Is that a Canon?

Please let me know if the G11 passes the WDW test. That's very important. Have you purchased any of the lenses for the G11? I'm guessing they must be similar to the S3-IS lenses - souped up magnifying glasses.

I may step up to a dSLR one day when Canon decides to put the vari-angle LCD on one. I'm just pretty spoiled with their high-end P&S cameras. Every time I think I might want a dSLR, I see the folks toting around big shoulder bags full of expensive cameras and equipment, and I"m satisfied with my P&S again.

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=144&modelid=19210

It has basically the same picture quality as the G11 but has a F2 lens which lets more light in. This makes low light pictures even better than the G11.

 

[boBQuincy]

VVFF is correct (you can't dispute Kitchen Kaberet), the S90 has a f/2 lens compared to the G11's f/2.8. However... this is at the wide end of the zoom range, about halfway through the zoom the edge shifts in favor of the G11. Now you have even more confusion: are you more concerned with wide angle or telephoto low light photos?

The really big difference to me is the viewfinder. As bad as the viewfinder on the G11 is, the S90 does not even have one. I just can't get into using a camera without a viewfinder!

 

[photomama]

I just bought the G10 - didn't see that much change except well less pix and smaller LCD on the G11. So, far I ♥ this little camera.

Here's an image that was zoomed at night with the g-10 http://www.flickr.com/photos/sourismini/4154009949/

 

[schaery]

Very nice photo. I'll be at a photo class this Monday at a local attraction that sets up beautiful Christmas displays. I'll have DDs SX10 but sure wish I had the G11 for this class. The instructor told me I won't get good photos even with a high end P&S. What does he know?!

 

[J3nn78]

If you haven't decided on anything yet, also take a look at the Panasonic LX3 P&S.

Advantages over G11/S90:

• F2.0 to F2.8 lens is faster than either canon at the same zoom setting.
• Wider lens starts at 24mm (both canon's start at 28mm). Go UWA 18mm with a pana brand converter that doesn't vignette!
• Smaller than the G11 overall, but a bit "thicker" than the S90 due to lens not retracting 100%
• Faster burst rate...2.5FPS is halfway decent
• adjustable aspect ratio switch. (I hate that canon's only record 3x4 and I have to remember to not shoot so tight at the top/bottom of frame to allow sapce for cropping when printing 4x6's...the most common prints for our vacation albums).
• The LX3 shoots the same 10mp at 3:4, 2:3, and 16:9 ratios with said switch. (on canon's you just have to crop off top/bottom on computer editing)

Disadvantages over G11/90

• less zoom range. LX3 only goes to 60mm...MAJOR ISSUE
• Doesn't have the cool "around lens" control ring as S90
• doesn't have viewfinder like G11 (why LX3 & S90 are both smaller)
• uses oddball panasonic hotshoe flash (P&S is small/pocket size..defeats purpose anyway)

But otherwise, they are very very comparable. Just about same image quality, all three shoot raw files supported by most converter programs.

If you are "wide angle addict", the LX3 is the better choice.
If your a TELE shooter, stick to the G11
if you want the absolute smallest pocket camera: S90

I had a Canon G9 back in 2008 for the summer to use for around the house, kids stuff, day vacations. It was good for that, but at the time I was spoiled with pro DSLR image quality and HATED the noise at 800-1600 ISO. I felt the lens wasn't wide enough all the time when shooting in the house (the G9 was 35mm-200mm). When shooting raw it was "one shot only" and took what seemed like forever to be able to take a second pic, not optimal with the way kids hold still. Minor grumble was it was just little too big for real pocket size, focus was slow, DOF was too great, and the viewfinder was WAY inaccurate defeating it's purpose. So I sold it only a couple months after buying it. <---in retrospect, I was expecting far too much from a P&S. There is no way the IQ and speed will be even close comparing a sensor that's about 1/8 the size as dslr.

Today actually, I just bought the LX3 (used on ebay $372 shipped). I'm a wide angle addict. It will be nice as well to shoot 4x6 aspect ratio again just like Im used to with DSLR's. I can't tell you how many pics were messed out of the G9 when printed 4x6's because I shot it too tight.

Hopefully it will be just a little better than the G9's P*S experience in most of my complaint areas that I will be able to convince myself that the image quality lost to my DSLR (D90 is what I use for vacations/kid stuff) will be made up for in portability. I'm kind of tired of chasing my two boys around WDW with a big DSLR swinging from my neck the whole time for what 95% of the time gets used for a P&S will suffice. Need to keep reminding myself that the portability is #1 thing.