Strengths: A small camera equallent to Professional DSLR

Weaknesses: none

Summary: After going through many reviews I have recently purchased this camera. I have taken many shots with this camera and all the shots are extraordinay and equalent to professional DSLRs. I have enlarged the prints to a great extent and all the prints are exceptionally great. I strongly recomment this camera

Strengths: the 400d battery pack, great lens, decent size, 6x zoom, IS, raw capability with SDHC cards, of course the 12MP sensor, live histogram

Weaknesses: it's really heavy for its size, I would much prefer an all-plastic body at half the weight, also the viewfinder is terrible even for a ps

Summary: This is your basic PS with all the features that one really needs. Very flexible camera, I had the a650 too but I sold it since to shoot it raw with an 8GB SDHC card one has to format it in multiple fat16 partitions (the chdk hack only works with fat16 partitions) and that's just too much. This is much easier to shoot and to use if you're going to shoot raw. It is just a little too heavy for me to carry comfortably in my pocket and there's no protection for the LCD so I had to buy a GGS screen for it...I got a 40d screen which fits slightly large, the official G9 screen is about 1/4" too small on both dimensions, but works well, if you don't mind the gold outlay. Also the G9 works with Canons' EOS remote-control utility and the a650 doesn't, the a650 needs 4 AA batteries, this runs forever on one 400d battery pack. But overall the a650 is much more of a "stuff it in your pocket and forget it" camera. The G9 is much better in terms of lens sharpness and when shot raw it can really deliver ISO80-200, even ISO400. It will focus better than the a650 in low light so ISO800 shots can be taken, but here the viewfinder is a problem because using the viewfinder helps to get a steady handheld shot. The viewfinder on the G9 is really, really crummy.Plus I'm waiting for the ISO dial to pop off. This is a great portable tool for taking photographs but really the a650 handles better plus the flip LCD gives better protection. But Canon chose to handicap the a650 in terms of raw shooting and I shoot raw almost exclusively. If that wasn't the case, I would have accepted the loss of sharpness in the corners and kept the a650 and sold the G9. It's a great small-sensor camera, but not really a great ps. It's just too big and heavy and too easy to damage to be a "great" ps. That big 3" diagonal LCD sits on the back of the camera in perfect position to be banged against something and broken...what Canon should have done was at least put a plastic frame around it, that sticks out beyond the LCD, and then allow for a glass or plastic cover-slide to slip in over the LCD that way you could bang the cover-slide but not the actual LCD glass, or at least lay it down on the plastic frame not the LCD itself. If you can carry it easily and protect it well, then fine. But be prepared for that. The G9 is at its best when a DSLR is just not feasible to carry, but you want DSLR image-quality. If you're ok with average ps performance you'll want something smaller, lighter and cheaper (even my a610 is smaller and lighter). The shot to shot time and the focus time are too slow to compete with a DSLR, plus, really, shooting off the LCD is not as nice as shooting with a real viewfinder. I'd rather shoot a DSLR any day, though sometimes I just can't carry one and the G9 fills the bill well. The one thing that I did check out before I sold the a650 is that the LCD can be seen fairly well even when the camera is held well above or below my eyes, as long as it is decently in front of my eyes. So I can still do waist-level and above-head shots that I could do easily with the a650.

Strengths: Prints are excellent. Screen is very good. Startup is quick. Has been ready whenever I was. ISO knob is fine in my opinion. Excellent with 580 flash. Digital zoom gives good daylight prints!

Weaknesses: Manual focus is worthless. Macro difficult to use/focus. Power button too close to shutter. Optical finder not the best.

Summary: Remote shutter cable needed--the camera is "loaded" anyway. I have turned the camera off instead of firing shutter--the power button and shutter are too close. (I usually have an EOS film along with the G9--the EOS switch is on the OTHER side of camera.) Always have a spare fully chared battery. Shots of band/vocal performances at night, outside, no flash, on tripod, white and colored incandescent lighting-auto white balance, auto iso, are OK! Landscapes are beautiful. I have not had to wait for the camera. (But---new 30Ds without lens are only about $300 more at some suppliers. ???)

Strengths: Great resolution and clarity of photos. Handles low light situations well.

Weaknesses: A bit heavy. Not very attractive looking.

Summary: In the short space of time that I owned it, I have really loved this camera. It is not a great looking camera but it has several features and takes fantastic photos. I am especially pleased with the quality of low light photos.

Strengths: Excellent photo quality, flexibility, and features. Picture taking options nearly limitless.

Weaknesses: Does not fit into most shirt pockets (but I knew this before I bought it)

Summary: The G9 is an amazing camera. The picture quality is significantly better than any digital camera I researched prior to buying this one. It's easy to use for most camera enthusiasts. For the point-and-shoot crowd, there's always the fully auto mode and it works as well as any point and shoot camera around. The lens quality is great. I've not noticed any image quality deterioration at the edges as has been noted in some reviews (though I don't take many macro photos). This is a camera you can grow with. As you become more familiar with the manual features and how they each affect your final product, you'll wonder why you waited to buy a camera that is nearly as competent as any DSLR.

Strengths: RAW, 3" LCD, 6x optical zoom, great lens, full control over virtually all settings, rock solid build, hot shoe for external flash.

Weaknesses: Any ISO setting above 100 leaves noise.

Summary: I was in the market for a compact camera that offered the control and flexibility of a dSLR. In particular, I needed a compact camera that could shoot in RAW format. The Canon G9 is the best available camera in this class. I already have a dSLR and wanted a compact camera to take with on hikes and other outings that made carrying a dSLR around impractical, but I still wanted to be able to tweak the settings and adjust the images in Photoshop using Adobe Camera RAW. In addition to the RAW settings, it impresses with a 6x optical zoom and a 3" LCD. The image quality is excellent, assuming you are shooting at ISO 100 or below. Anything above that does leave noise. This is not a camera for point and shooters as its auto settings aren't that great. It is more a camera for photo enthusiasts, like myself. Enjoy!

Strengths: Array of feature choices, RAW support, full manual control, 12.2MP, large 3.0" LCD

Weaknesses: Pricey, shutter lag, almost too many features

Summary: If you're looking for a DSLR without the size, but want a camera loaded with nearly all the features, then consider the Canon PowerShot G9.Although this camera is loaded with features, its strength is also one of its weaknesses. The options available to the photographer can be overwhelming. The manual alone is 275 pages--and this is NOT a dual language manual!Positives include full RAW support for having better control over your images, full manual aperture and speed control, a large 3.0 LCD display just for starters. The 12.2 megapixel resolution is incredible in such a small camera. This camera even has a viewfinder in a point-and-shoot, not too common these days.The good news is that the negatives are minor. A slight shutter lag exists. Learning to operate the camera initially can be intimidating even for a seasoned photographer due to all of its features. The $499 price can be intimidating since this is close to an entry price for a DSLR.Overall this is a great camera. Sure, it doesn't have interchangeable lenses as you would find in a DSLR, but many of its features can be found on this camera. If you are starting out in digital photography, this camera is not for you with all of its bells and whistles. But if you are an advanced photographer or a professional that wants to use the PhotoShot G9 as a back up, this is a great choice.

Strengths: RAW, sharp pictures, lots of features

Weaknesses: Somewhat expensive, bulky

Summary: The G9 is practically a SLR except it's in a compact body. If you're looking for all the features of a SLR but without the bulk (and positives like a larger sensor and interchangeable lenses), then this is it! The pictures are really sharp, there's RAW support, and you have all sorts of control over how you take your pictures that isn't available on other compacts. The major downside is the camera is quite large for a compact. It's still smaller than a rangefinder, but it won't fit easily in a pocket. After walking around for a couple days with it in my jeans, I found that I simply had to carry it on a strap instead. The camera's also really expensive and may be targeting a market that simply doesn't exist. Then again, I bought one, so maybe you'll like it, too!

Strengths: Design, RAW, Controls, output in daylight and low ISO, many many many functions, 3" screen

Weaknesses: when darker ISO above 100 leaves noise

Summary: - This is a great camera before moving to SLR. It has many functions that other professional cameras have. Besides, it is easier to carry this around. It fits into your jacket pocket.- Compact design versus the functionality provided by this camera is amazing.- You can add extra flash.- Still Made in Japan.- Many manual settings that you can program.-Do not buy this camera if you are looking for a simple point and shoot camera. It will be way too complicated for your mom as a Christmas Gift.Finally, read some of the professional reviews available here on PriceGrabber or on Google to really see the functionalities provided by this great camera before buying.

Strengths: Near DSLR quality prints when shooting at low ISO, Surprisingly good movie camera (720p),Many features not found in typical point-n-shoot,Image stablization works well

Weaknesses: No zoom in movie mode?, Noisy photos at high ISO (400 is OK for standard print)

Summary: For now, this is the best you can get in the category of pocket point-n-shoot cameras. Forgot to mention RAW capability for advanced users. Shop for a good price online ($430 or less).

Strengths: Solid construction, awesome resolution, and numerous features.

Weaknesses: So many possibilities can be overwhelming.Difficult finding the right case.

Summary: I recently upgraded from the SD230 ELPH. I have been very happy with Canon and the ELPH line. Was considering the SD950. Decided on the G9 because of the more advanced features (and Circuit City was willing to match Best Buy's price plus their 10% coupon). Though I am still getting acquainted with the camera, the G9 was definately a good choice. It seems to fill the gap between the very compact ELPHs and the larger DSLRs.I am trying to find a soft leather case to carry on the belt. The ELPHs have a very nice case that allows protection of the camera and easy access without having to carry a large bag. Have not been able to find a G9 case that compares.I was fairly familiar with most functions of the G9 since many are incorporated in the ELPH line. The advanced features are logical and should be quite fun to use. One that comes to mind is the Color Accent. You select a specific color in your frame (your subjects RED tie). You then are able to set the camera to take a black and white with RED tie. Very cool.Since I'm not a professional, I am getting use to the manual settings. Controlling aperture and shutter speed for specific settings will take some time, but should have this down by Christmas. With the discount this camera has great value and function.

Strengths: -12.1 MP!-Solid Construction-Large Display-Raw Support-Affordable Underwater Housing

Weaknesses: -Some Shutter Lag-No hand strap-Included memory card is too small-Almost too many options

Summary: Pretty much every bell and whistle you may be seeking is on this camera. Face Detection, Raw Support (writes to the card pretty quickly), Image Stabilization, Beautiful images, etc. If you aren't quite ready to move to a SLR yet, or need something a bit more portable, I'd highly recommend it. Comes with a rechargeable battery and neck strap. There is an included 32 MB card, but really, you could realistically only put 1.5 full res RAW images on it, so I'm not sure why they bothered including it. The underwater housing is quite affordable as well. This was a major selling point for me, and I plan to post a review of it shortly.

Strengths: Solid built. A 3 inch LCD screen that is crystal clear.easily accessible controls.Light weight rugged body. Powerful flash. Hot shoe for external flash.

Weaknesses: The lens obstructs the view when looking through the view finder.

Summary: This is my third digital camera. I had a Canon A something about 3 years ago and then a Sony P72. I decided to upgrade to a near digital SLR experience before jumping on to the real deal. The pictures are sharp, the colors are crisp and the photo review is so cool on its 3 inch LCD, you don't wanna take your eyes off of it. i took it to Arkansas for fall colors and what a wonderful way to start ! We had a canon SD1000, a Sony old digital camera and a Sony W90. The pictures of this one over powered everyone else's. I love this camera!! The poster size prints that I took were after cropping the images to 800x680 and they were very good.

Strengths: Large 1/1.7 sensor, full manual controls, manual focus, 3" lcd screen, and raw image capability

Weaknesses: None

Summary: This camera would be a great companion camera. It comes in a great compact size ideal for people that does not want to deal with those huge dslr while performing just as well. Overall, this is a great camera but not for the $500 price tag.

Strengths: Compact size, great lens, really big 3" screen gives you great photos. ISO dial on the top lets you choose different ISO settings on the fly

Weaknesses: Battery life could be better. Some shutter lag.

Summary: The G9 is one of Canon's top "prosumer" cameras and it gets as close to a digital SLR as you can get. In fact, there are several features that are better than what you find on a 40D or a Digital Rebel: you can change ISO settings on the fly via a dial on the top, and the facial recognition is spot on to give you great portrait shots.That said, there are some downsides: there is a shutter lag (about 1/2 second) that you don't get when using a dSLR, and you can't change lenes like you can on a EOS-5D. The lens that is attached, though, is one of the best point-and-shoot lenses that you can find: it gives you a 6x zoom (f/4.5 at max zoom) and an image stabilizer, as well as the "coating" that goes on Canon's top "L-series" lenses. But because the lens on the camera is so small--don't try to shoot over ISO800, as you start getting noisy images, esp in the dark.Photo quality is superb--at 12 megapixels you can blow up your prints (but this is only useful in bright sunlight, the CMOS sensor is still tiny compared to what you get on a dSLR so the light gathering ability of it is still limited). Colors are bright and spot on, and the DIGIC III processor in the camera stores and processes your photos quickly.A must get, and at $450 or less, a good alternative to the clunky dSLR you may already be carrying around.