I think for that price, people should really be considering something like Nikon's recently released Nikon D40 DSLR (which is about $100 more at Ted's. Although yes, I do realise it's on special at the moment).

William: I think there should always be a place in the digital camera line-up for a really good quality fixed lens, optical viewfinder camera. Until recently there were three excellent choices -- the Canon G6, the Sony V3 and the Olympus C7070. Presumably they didn't sell enough of any of them to continue production. That is no doubt the invisible hand of the market at work. But given the G7s price and reduced features I think you're right -- a Nikon D80 or Pentax K100D makes much more sense. TL

It seems that the G7 sets a new benchmark, but, because that benchmark is something new and not G6+1, it is not recognised for what it achieves. I doubt if any camera in the history of cameras has attracted such negativity; certainly not one this good.

Firstly, a pocketable camera will take thousands of photos, including some of the very best, that no prosumer or SLR camera will ever take because they are not in the pocket or on the person of the user. In recognising this it should only be compared to other pocketables, no matter what its price. Nobody should be considering a choice between G7 and D40 unless they do not have any idea what they will do with their camera. The choice does not actually exist, so making the comparison purely on the basis of similar price is really rather mischevious and I would suggest deliberately designed to be negative to the G7.

Secondly, compared to its only real competition, how does it rate? In terms of build quality, it is not only ahead streets ahead of the field of digital pocketables, it is on an intergalactic highway all by itself. In terms of shooting performance and user delays, it is on the very top shelf, and streets ahead of those pocketables that have raw mode turned on. Manual overrides are more flexible than any competitor's (what other can choose between baracketing of exposure or focus?). The LCD is big and bright with great resolution and very clever focusing aids. The rotating control dial and the on-screen analog dials and preview histogram are a joy and no other pocketable comes close. The controls available on-deck without resorting to menus are unparalleled. And the Fuji F30 may be the only pocketable that can beat it at ISO200-400 without loss of detail, and even then may not be detectable on a print.

Take a look at the 100+ opinions on this camera at dpreview.com to see this ridiculous polarisation of views. Then look at the balance of the views on that website of those who actually own it, and you will see what a great camera this appears to be. Then look at the review on luminous-landscape.com to see how the reviewer, after refusing to give it a pass mark purely because of its lack of raw output, confesses in a postscript that he has bought one for personal use because it does what it does so well that it is indispensible to him and has no competition. Elsewhere in same review experts found it difficult to distinguish A3 prints from the G7 and the Leica M8 with its large sensor, prime Leica lens and raw output.

It seems your reviewer had something special in hand but didn't "get it".

Can anyone suggest the best place to buy this camera? They have the Canon PowerShot G7 at Camera-Warehouse for $769 and their on-site reviews look very encouraging; anyone have any experience?
Thanks.

Hi, Terry,

Interesting comments re the G7, comparing it with DSLR's etc.
I emailed a few weeks back asking for comparisons on Pentax K100D and Nikon D40, having been a 30 year user of a Pentax ES Spotmatic. I had a play with my son's D200, and yes, it is a solid camers with great performance.

However I just BOUGHT a G7!

And ... I amd very pleased with it.

I guess I straddle the need for the power of a DSLR and the flexibility of the G7, as a dual-function camera which in a lot of cases can be a point-and-shoot aimed fast-moving grandchildren, used by my non-technical but artistic wife, and then the G7 can also become a good camera for shooting detailed computer boards for magazine/web publishing with excellent results.

It is small, but magnificently solidly styled black metal camera with an excellent feel, good image stabiliser, nice coated x6 zoom, good optical and read coated lcd viewfinding and excellent range of manual setability.

Am very pleased with results so far.
Cheers
Ed

Ed:

There is a lot to like about the G7. My review was a little sour because I was comparing it with the G6, but judged on its own merits the G7 now stands at the top of the serious compact camera category. As far as I can see Sony and Olympus have withdrawn from this segment, leaving it to Canon.

I wish you many years of satisfying photography with the G7.

TL

Hi Terry,
For relaxation, my wife and I enjoy to stay in a cabin in the ranges and walk the creeks. My G7, a gift from my wife, is always with us. Easy, handy, quick, and simple is how I enjoy the G7. Photos are excellent quality. Features include lots of practical helps for taking the best photo possible given the conditions. This is before the convenience of moving footage is explored. We do have a large camera, but it is the G7 that is with us more often and giving us the memories. What a great little camera, and yes, it does fit into my pocket (if I carry it without its case).
David Dellit