Need a "good" P&S for my purse.

[Duffy Pratt]

I don't need to see the camera to evaluate image quality. Whenever someone asks about deciding on an SLR system, I say they should go and see how the camera feels to them, and how they like the controls. I can get some idea of this from reviews, but there's a big enough difference in small things on P&S cameras that I would prefer to be able to play with one first. That's even more of a consideration since my wife will be the primary user of the camera.

Duffy

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by Duffy Pratt

Stanford:

Thanks for the tip. I checked the website, and it looks like Circuit City in Sugarland has the G9.

As for the Ricoh, I checked their national website, and it looks like there are only two authorized dealers in the U.S. -- Adorama and some company in California. Not really that convenient for Texans. I guess Ricoh either does well enough on web reviews, or it just isn't that interested in increasing market share.

Duffy

Tony Rose owner and operator of Popflash is a great gentleman to deal with. I was on the phone just yesterday and he was very helpful to the point of making a change to his website so I could buy more than 1 Leica IR cut filter at a time. Popflash is not just some company in California.

Ricoh's GR-D's are photographers' cameras and just just like a hundred other point and shots. If you are going to buy one you'll not have to see one. You'll have done your home work and be willing to learn how to use it for the unique images it can deliver.

[Duffy Pratt]

Well, until it finds a place in my landscape, its just "some company in California." That says more about my state of mind than it says about the company.

As for the Ricoh, I'm more interested in the GX-100, which is a 24mm 4x optical zoom. And if it were for me only, I would agree with you. But as I said, its primarily for my wife, and that means that not only do I have to learn it, but I have to be able to explain to her the functions that she will need. It's easier to get a grasp of that by handling the camera.

I looked at the G9 today and was impressed. In some ways, the contols were more intuitive than on my 20d. It was very nice having a separate ISO knob on the top of the camera. The menu functions were clear and self explantory, and easy to access. I wasn't as pleased with the manual mode, but that's not something my wife will use (at least not without my help).

Ultimately, I think the choice will come down to whether 35mm angle of view is wide enough. My wife doesn't care so much about telephoto, so I'm leaning towards the Ricoh anyway. The 24-35 range is probably much more important to her than the 72-105 range I'd be giving up.

Duffy

[d2creative]

Duffy, for what it's worth my wife much prefers my GX100 over her Canon Powershot SD550.
I know that's far from a G9 but if it helps with your comparison there ya go. She loves the pic quality but also how fast it is. That's all I can recall of anything specific that she said.

If you do go that route, I'd probably recommend NOT getting the extra viewfinder. I might like it better if you didn't have to choose between using the rear screen OR the external viewfinder. There is a button on the back that you press to toggle between the two. It's kinda of a pain because you go to take the shot using one and forget it's set to the other. When you take the shot using the external, it also diplays the pic in there rather than on the back screen which makes it harder (and kinda odd) to chimp. I don't use it as much as I thought I would. It comes in handy here and there but I don't think I'd buy it again if I was doing it over.

GRD vs GX100? From what I've seen, the GRDII basically is the GX100 with a prime lens. And from what I've seen from low-res pics posted on the net, there isn't a noticeable difference in pic quality. None that I can see anyway. In the end, it's still a P&S and I'd much rather have the flexibility of a zoom in a P&S.

Anyway, I think you'll get a fine camera whichever you choose. New toys are always fun!

[Duffy Pratt]

Thanks Dennis. Your comments on the GX-100 are very helpful.

Right now, my wife mostly uses our old Kodak EasyShare camera -- its about 3-4 years old. The big complaints she has are focus speed and shutter lag. For me, the image quality is not great, and its jpg only. It has the same either/or set up between rear screen and viewfinder. I hate using the rear screen, especially in bright light. So I would probably get the viewfinder anyways.

It's entirely possible that there are differences in image quality between the GRDII and the the GX100, and that the differences aren't apparent from web pictures. I've seen 100% crops from both and been impressed with both. But as far as that goes, I think my wife would likely accept any zoom range, but would also think that a prime lens is inherently inferior. And I tend to agree about a general point and shoot. OTOH, I can see having alot of fun with the fixed lens camera.

Duffy

[crazeazn]

fuji f30 something? thats what they rave about over at FM

[OTRphoto]

I picked up an Olympus 790sw before I went to Florida a few weeks back. I liked it because it was small, lots of functionality.. and Waterproof/Shockproof

I'm very happy with it

[boxofrocks]

Originally Posted by nikondude24

The Canon Powershot G9 is a fine camera. I've had several chances to play with one at work and all I can say is WOW!

As a new owner of one, I say ditto.

[texxter]

I also bought a Canon G9 and loved it! Too bad I left it at the Denver Airport! :-( Instead of replacing it I bought a D40x body, since my equipment is all Nikon. It does not fit in my pocket, but it does fit is a small bag with the 50mm f/1.8 lens and a 18-70mm zoom. This is the ideal solution for me because the camera is very light but produces high quality images that I can really use, all the way up to 1600 ISO. And there is no way I can get a P&S with a f/1.8 max aperture... I can carry the D40x all day and not feel it.

I guess this is true of the small Rebel as well.

I should have bought the D40x instead of the Canon G9 in the first place.

[wadebarker]

Just ordered a Nikon P5100, can't comment yet because it's not here. (and yes...I'm a Canon shooter)