Since the Canon G11 came out, and some initial chatter here, I've been
keeping a weather eye out for reviews and price breaks.
Around a couple of weeks ago, the digitalcamerareview.com test appeared
and test images appeared on imaging-resource.com, including his usual
RAW files. Comparisons with the A650/G9 sensor showed a significant
improvements in IQ, particularly in higher ISO performance. Still, DCR's
reviews are less informative than the others and test studio shots
aren't everything ...
Then a routine visit to Amazon to buy some un-photo related stuff showed
a price drop to $450. Looking around revealed that dcresource.com and
imaging-resource.com had posted full reviews. User reviews are starting
to show up on Amazon, B&H and elsewhere (I generally eschew the
DPForums, as my mental health is more important than even picture taking.).
Along with many others, I've been hoping for the megapixel war to die
off in favor of overall IQ as a goal of at least higher end digicams.
Also, when I had to make a choice between features of the A650 and the
G9, I deeply wished Canon would merge the articulated LCD once a part of
the G series from the A650 back into the G series.
Well, here was the answer to both my wishes, all the more important
features of the G series with articulated screen and a lower pixel count
sensor focusing on other aspects of IQ. Wasn't I sort of morally
committed to buy one if the IQ claims were true?
Lots of reading and peering at images convinced me that Canon had indeed
delivered, not perhaps what I wished for, but what I suspected was the
best possible with current technology, and a very real improvement.
But then, what a price to pay for real WA, long end dropped from 210 mm
eq. to 140mm - oh what wringing of hands! Further research revealed that
a tele adapter I already have works pretty well on the G10/11 lens. I
hate carrying something extra, but have often been doing so with the
A650 for extra WA.
Long before all this sturm und drang was over, the price had gone back
up to $500. I did discover that there is a $20 "loyalty" rebate to those
who have previously registered Canon digicams of many models, including
me. It was listed for $430 at another e-tailer, but one I'd heard
nothing about, good or bad.
So I started my regimen of checking my Amazon shopping cart 2-3 times a
day, as I've successfully done with other big ticket items. Sure enough,
Sunday night it went back down to $450. With the 3% cash back on my
Amazon card, the Canon $20 and free shipping, that's $416.50, delivered.
I try to buy from B&H, but they were still at $400 plus shipping and
only 1% cash back from a card.
So one left an Amazon warehouse headed my way today. They were offering
a 30 day trial of their premium service with free two day shipping, so
it's supposed to be here Wednesday. I guess they forgot I did the free
trial and canceled before. Oh well, it's their nickel. Sure enough, by
this morning, the price was back up to $499. :-)
I'm pretty excited. I have really enjoyed the A650 in many, many ways,
but the high ISO isn't quite up to my desires, and the RAW work flow is
annoying.
Although the RAW files made possible by CHDK are what makes the camera
good enough, they are also much less convenient than native RAW capability:
- Shot to shot times with RAW are about 6 seconds, vs. under three for
the G11.
- CHDK RAW files are simple dumps of internal memory, without EXIF
headers, so they can't be geotagged until EXIF data is copied to the
TIFFs from the JPEGs after conversion.
- PTLens doesn't work automatically until the EXIFs have been copied.
- RAW conversion requires use of slightly off mainstream apps.
- Now that I'm geotagging, I can't tag these files until they are TIFFs,
when they can be tagged or the geo info comes across with the rest of
the EXIF from tagged JPEGs.
Individually, none of the above is a big deal; I have much of it
automated. Collectively, the number of ateps is annoying, although not
enough to have put me off using the camera. I would certainly not be
going with a G11 for those reasons alone.
A. Chatty Moose
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