Canon G, Gs; You Came A Long Way!

According to Wikipedia:

The PowerShot products are a line of consumer and prosumer grade digital cameras, launched by Canon in 1995. The PowerShot line has been successful for Canon, and is one of the best-selling digital camera lines worldwide.

The Canon PowerShot G is a series of digital cameras released by Canon. The G series cameras are Canon's flagship models aimed at prosumer photography enthusiasts desiring more flexibility than a point-and-shoot without the bulk of a digital single-lens reflex camera.
The G series offers features such as the use of a lithium-ion battery, a flip-out-and-twist LCD (all models except G7, G9 and G10 which have a fixed screen), Raw image format capture (all models except G7), a lens with a wider maximum aperture than standard PowerShot models, remote capture (except G11), and faster electronics. The range also includes a hot shoe for an external flashgun, including Canon's EX range.


The Canon "G" series, from G1 (September 2000) to G12 (present, 2010). Notice there were no G4 and G8! I wonder why? ;)
Lupo1964 commented in the dpreview forum, 2007...

"Because the number four and any of its multiples are considered a BAD OMEN in Japan ( even knifes, forks and bowls are never ever sold in packages of four). There was no G4, no G8 and there will never be a G12 or G16 be made by Canon or any manufacture in Japan. Just my two cents from Holland."

You are partly right Lupo, Canon released a G12 recently; I bet you there will be a G16 a few years from now ;)

The "G" bug...

I first got bitten by the "G Bug" in 2001 when Canon Malaysia sold me their new G2 at a special price.

I was often amazed by the quality images this little 4 MP point and shoot produced! I especially enjoyed the articulated 1.8" vari-angle preview screen that allowed me to use my "overhead view via a monopod" shooting technique!

Getting a high vantage view WITHOUT climbing a ladder (much safer ;) However, you are out of luck if your P&S have only a fixed screen!

G2... In 2001, this is the state-of-the-art, Malaysia's first CTP machines housed at the Star Media Hub printing plant.

This shot was taken with the tiny Canon G2 digital camera on a monopod that was extended and pushed to the ceiling.

The camera was activated with it's self-timer, the movable LCD screen on the camera made this shot possible.

G2... Number nine beauty at the Canon sponsored Miss Photogenic Malaysia Chinese International shoot-out at The Mines in Kuala Lumpur, 2001.

Shot with the tiny Canon G2 digital camera at ISO-100 and available light, I was shocked by the colour saturation and sharpness!

G2... The articulated screen of the G2 allowed me to shoot this low, low view of Sonic; the little hedgehog's visit to our Wellington home in 2001.

The G2 was given to our eldest daughter, May; after I bought a Nikon Coolpix 8400 in 2003.

Then in September 2006 Canon launched a 10 MP G7 which, to me; for the first time, the P&S looked like a mini pro shooter ;)

The all black, business like G7 introduced the powerful DIGIC III processor and a new lens with a 1 cm macro mode PLUS lens shift optical image stabilisation. Maximum sensitivity of ISO 3200 and Face detection auto focus also are featured.

Silly of Canon though, they GOT RID of the articulated screen AND there was no RAW capture option!

And silly of me, I went and bought one! Kicking myself every time I wish I have RAW and the versatility of an articulated screen!

The G7 brought back the fun of P&S, unlike the Coolpix 8400; which took ages to upload a RAW snap, the G7 is fast and the lens is sharp-sharp-sharp! I had lots of fun with this little snapper!

G7... Island Bay in Wellington, the tiny sensor in the G7 gave surprising good colour saturation. Sorry JPEG only :(

G7... The 35-210 lens on this P&S did a good job in close-up too! This bumble bee was shot at the Butchart Gardens, Vancouver Island.

Six months after I bought the G7 Canon launched the G9!

The two cameras look like identical twin, the "9" spots a 2 extra MP sensor and a half inch larger screen; still a fixed one though! Arrrrrrrrhhhh!!!!!

Hooray!! At least RAW format is back in the G9! So I (still silly) bought one and gave the G7 to our younger daughter, Ming. Would you refuse a free camera? Hee hee..

G7... Ming took this picture of the Krishna's Butterball at the Mahabalipuram beach in India. They should put a "Please Do Not Push!" sign near the "ball"! ;)

G7... Beautiful rendering of light at a temple in India. Another nice shot taken by Ming-N.

The G9 follow us to our London trip and it was fighting hard to compete with the other compact I brought along, the Olympus E-P2.

On the London Eye, the G9 did a much better job of capturing the London night scape though :)

G9... The little P&S was press hard against the glass bubble wall of the London Eye "capsule" to get this shot of Westminster at night.

My Latest "G" liaison..

Three weeks ago, I executed a Coup d'état ;)

I took back the G7 from Ming and sold that to my colleague Heather, I then sold my G9 to Ming at a token sum. Topping up the balance, I went and bought myself a G12!!

All in the family, from left; the G7, G9 and G12. One for the album before I say "adios" to the 7 and 9!

My G7 new owner, Heather Newby do not waste any time and took this delightful shot of her grandson Cayle, 9; on his way home, bath in the golden setting sun!

G7... Homeward bound taken by my work colleague, Heather with the G7 I sold her. She agreed this Canon gem is far better than her broken Sanyo ;)

But how is my new toy, the G12?

Ah... that is another story!

Look out for the post.... soon, I just finished some REAL WORLD test of Canon's latest offer of a "Man's camera".

I assure you will be surprise with my test results!

Till then, happy shooting with your G, Gs!

Famous Last Words...

My good friend and protegee "Huggies" Chew informed me that he has trade his G3 in and got himself a G12. "Great little camera!" exclaimed Hug-hug ;)

Good one mate! "Great men think alike!" Hee hee...

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