Canon G vs 4/3

[Nelson]

What would be better as a small camera ?
A canon G9/10/11/12 or à Pen/GF1 ?

which one provides better pictures and has the best handling ?

[Attila]

micro 4/3 must be better IQ than a compact I believe it, but I didn't have any of them just a Panasonic G1.

[std]

m4/3 is better in terms of IQ (noise and details) - also you may change lenses.
G's are very portable and are really pocketable.
If you need small camera you may wait until the new Canon G1 X is released in March. It has almost the same sensor size as m4/3 and the noise samples are really impressive.

I Have E-P2 and G9 and may put some pictures for you if you need to compare them.

[kansalliskala]

[glasslover]

Hi!

I have a G9 and a GH2. I have a friend with a GF1. The M43 cameras have much better IQ than the G9, and I'm almost certain this is true for the G10/11 as well, just due to the limitations of the sensor size in those cameras. I used the G9 for years and loved its compactness, particularly for traveling. Which one provides the best handling, it really depends on what you need.

Cheers!

[rbelyell]

they are not comparable as they are totally different animals. canons are tiny sensored p&s cams. pens/Gs are portable interchangeable lens system cameras. if you want quality/flexibilty take pens (they have IBIS and quality evf, pannys have neither). if you want shirt pocket cam get canon. simple.

[trev]

If you REALLY want your eyes opening, go to www.luminous-landscapes.com and scroll to C in the reviews section and you will find a file titled G10 Kidding?
Compares a g10 with a Hassy in the field. Most revealling and enlightening

[rbelyell]

yes and then go to my article favorably comparing my jeep wrangler to the ferrari testarossa.

btw i am selling my wrangler if you need to replace your ferrari....

[trev]

Now you're being silly

[rbelyell]

perhaps both comparisons are silly...

[trev]

Sorry, I do not think that I was being silly and did not make any comparision between a hassy and the g10. I merely pointed NELSON to this article. Afterall, those guys at luminous landscape are real world photographers making their living selling photographs and NOT writing articles praising one camera over another for a particular photo magazine.
Read the article

[rbelyell]

trev, calm down, i dont want to fight a duel over this, ok? just joking around a little bit, it's really not important enough to get all riled up about, is it?


in my opinion comparing a p&s to a hassy is indeed like comparing my jeep to a ferrari. you dont agree. both opinions are ok and not worth getting upset about. it was a joke, take it in the spirit it was made. a litte perspective goes a long way.

[trev]

Hell, you're quite right - guess I'm just having a bad day

[rbelyell]

boy i know about that! business stinks, ive been sick for a week and havent really picked up a camera in two! no prob man, hope things get better this weekend.
tony

[petr22]

I read this luminous landscape article when it was posted, and my conclusion is that their print was not large enough to show the difference in quality. I have almost all G series cameras in my collection and I can say if I stick at lowest ISO available and take care of very limited dynamic range, it will create perfect photographs. Specially G10 with CCD sensor.

For everyday use 4/3 larger sensor has great advantage over all smaller sensor compact cameras (of course - APS-C sized sensors are much better, but bigger lenses are required).

There is big difference between Panasonic and Olympus image processing - Olympus try to resolve maximum detail, but their picture look "grainy" when examined at 100% magnification. Panasonic pictures have slightly less details, but their picture is clean - less noise.

Olympus E-PL1 picture at base ISO 200 (ISO 100 is done by software processing) look worse than G1 picture at ISO 100, but Olympus have much better JPG engine. JPG files from G1, examined at 100% have some strange pattern in them. When Panasonic introduced their 16 mpx sensor, noise is higher then 12 mpx sensor used in G1 and GF1. New Olympus cameras have better picture processing - less noise, sensor is same).

As for Panasonic cameras, if Panasonic lens is used, there is software correction applied to jpg files which will eliminate optical errors - like purple fringing or distort lines. RAW files are untouched.

I have both G1 and GF1 cameras and I recommend to buy one of them. There is hacked firmware from some russian guy which enable use of third party batteries and disable 30 minutes record limit for GF1.

As of G series cameras, I think that best of them is G10. G11 and G12 with their CMOS sensors are not for me.

[ManualFocus-G]

I'm actually really interested in the new Canon G1X, it looks great for what it is and would be a much more sensible option than m4/3 for a pocket camera.

[Olivier]

Pocketable ?
I'm not sure : http://www.digitalrev.com/article/world-s-first-canon-powershot/ODYxNjY2Ng_A_A


There's a comparison at the end of the video.

[ManualFocus-G]

Thanks for the link, it's certainly more pocketable tan my 5D

Not sure I like the sound of that tiny viewfinder though

[Olivier]

[petr22]

Canon G1X is big, specially with extended zoom lens.

New Canon mirrorless camera should be smaller and with interchangeable lenses (18-45 will be propably its kit lens)

[yinyangbt]

I had this question myself and own a G9. g9 is fine for travel if you shoot only up to 400 ISO and don't care for dymanic range . I needed an upgrade G1X was a natural choice , but it's much too moch $$$$ . Instead , Olympus EPL1 + KIT 14-42 II restyled has the same bulk as the G1X , slightly shorter long end , comparable sized sensor , good high ISO ( probably 1-1,5 stop better on Canon G1X), 1/4 - 1/3 the price !!
The answer for me is clear , EPL1 ! I've got one and I am happy with it. Check my posts in Autofocus section : http://forum.mflenses.com/spring-test-epl1-t49459.html
Of course , better screen, higher resolution on canon