Do any of y'all know about current digital camera options?

[Nicksy]

It's so hard to wade through the options. I'm looking for a compact (ie non-slr) mid-range digital still.
The Canon g10 is at the top of my list right now because even though I've read about the overloaded sensor and lens lag, the ergonomics of it are so so nice. Does anyone know about other cameras with pro dials and knobs but with less lag?
I've also read about these ultracompact still cameras that have HD video bult-in. Any knowledge of that?

thx

[Big Plastic Head]

I am a G9 owner and I love it. The G10 should be even better. The wider lens makes a big difference in the G10 and I myself am tempted to upgrade. I also use mine every day. Seriously.

The only thing I do not like (but this goes for all point/shoot digitals) is the shutter lag between pressing the the trigger and when the camera actually takes the picture. Hard to take motion shots with the lag but, like I said, that is common on all point and shoots.

I love all of the manual override features and the ability to shoot RAW. I also bought the Canon water housing for about $70 new. Once they pack a CMOS sensor in one of these things I will be ever so pleased. Until they do, sensor noise at higher ISO's is going to be a regular thing.

I also love the time-lapse video feature. SUPER fun. Check out this one I made while taking my folks on a cruise to Alaska. (By the way...cruises are awful. Simply awful)

http://www.vimeo.com/1456878

Shoot me an e-mail if you have any specific questions.

[Kim Kelly]

Cruises are awful. That's no joke.

Thanks for the tip, by the way. I'm in the market for a new camera as well.

[Nicksy]

Thanks, PiO. That video is really cool. How is the non-time lapse video on the G9?

[AllisonLeGnome]

My mom just got the G10 (recommended to her by professional photographer friends) and as far as either of us can tell it's great so far. I can vouch for Canon PowerShots in general myself- my camera is an ELPH one that's a few years old but still takes pictures that are impressively great for the fanciness of the camera.

[Jack from Arkansas]

Holy cow, Patrick, that is a pretty video.
I've heard the Leica has a cult following.  I've never held one but they look like they smell like Paco Roban..
  I'm interested in shooting astronomy pictures.  Imagine going camping and coming back with a bunch of slow shutter speed pictures of stars reflected in a lake at night?

[Big Plastic Head]

Thanks, PiO. That video is really cool. How is the non-time lapse video on the G9?

Thanks (and to the rest) for the comment(s) on the video. The regular video is also great. It has three different modes. You can even shoot 1024x768 but they can be a bit jerky as they are 15 frames per seconds as opposed to the 30fps you get at 640 X 480. All in all, pretty durn good video though.

If you don't know about it DP Camera Review is an incredible resource and does some very thorough testing on pretty much any digital camera on the market (including the G10).

[Nicksy]

Leica makes great cameras but they are way out of my price range.

[Big Plastic Head]

I've heard the Leica has a cult following.  I've never held one but they look like they smell like Paco Roban.

That is funny. It has been said by many (including me) that the pressing of the shutter release button on a Leica M-series camera produces a sound and feel that can only be described as 'sexy'. It is beautiful. If you get the chance to shoot with one, I highly recommend it. They are really something else.

Alas, out of my price range too...

[Nicksy]

Yeah, did you listen to the Studio 360 episode where they talk for quite awhile about that noise?

[Big Plastic Head]

Yeah, did you listen to the Studio 360 episode where they talk for quite awhile about that noise?

No. Is this it and is it worth it? I hate to admit but I am unfamiliar with the show. Looks OK though...

[Nicksy]

Yeah, that's the one. It's a really great program. Sometimes they focus way too much on visual art (it's radio, you morons, focus on your strengths!) but they still have a great presentation of things.

[break]

Leica makes great cameras but they are way out of my price range.

Once on an otherwise mundane trip to Canada to visit a lens vendor my company at the time was using, I discovered the company was the commercial and defense component of Ernst Leitz (ELCan).  I didn't realize until we met in their conference room and it was a Leica camera mini-museum of sorts.  Neat surprise, I also discovered they make all the lenses for IMAX theatres too.  THey are owned by Raytheon now, but the german engineering culture was still very much in effect there. 

[senorcorazon]

Yeah, that's the one. It's a really great program. Sometimes they focus way too much on visual art (it's radio, you morons, focus on your strengths!) but they still have a great presentation of things.

Studio360 is the inquisitiveness of Ira Glass without the smugness (which I suspect is just Alex Blumberg); truly one of my favorite shows. I love their coverage of the visual arts, because unlike most people who cover the arts they try not to shroud it in mystique and mystery and instead ask a lot of good questions. I always remember him talking to Kehinde Wiley and he talked about his dogs in the studio; it just ended up sounding so much more Human and less Mr. Fancy Professional Artist.

I'm also looking for a new camera and this thread is awesome. The G9 is a GREAT little camera, and I too can attest that Powershots seems to hold up pretty well.

[Big Plastic Head]

Hey, that cool time lapse feature on the Canon G9? Well, they removed that from the G10 for some reason. What a bummer....