Canon PowerShot G9 12.1MP Digital Camera with 6x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

I've had problems with both G series Canon's G6 and G7

Leaks, shutter problems, defective lens.
Canon customer service was not helpful on 2 different occasions and the 3rd time, I had the camera store take care of the issue of the lens with Canon. They finally replaced it but I never felt the same about the camera or Canon. I guess I've switched after 3 unsuccessful cameras and customer service with Canon. The 4th Canon I purchased, SX100, takes very good shots but I've learned that I don't like using AA batteries ( even recharables ) so I won't take it on a trip.

After reading all these reviews about the G 9, I realize that mine weren't the only LEMONS and i want purchase it for my 2nd travel camera.

I hope that my new Nikon 40DX will be the answer.... although it is not as compact as the G-6,7 9s. The pictures thus far are incredible on the Nikon. I've heard that Mac users mostly like Canons but this is not always the case.

Canon PowerShot G9 12.1MP Digital Camera with 6x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

The Canon G9 is a great little camera. However, I purchased this camera from Amazon last week through WorldWide Distributers. When the product arrived I was surprised to see that there was no USA warranty card inside. A few days later I noticed that on the bottom of the box it clearly stated that the product was only to be sold in Japan. It was a grey-market product. Inside was an owner's manual in English. The box had to have been opened and the English manual inserted. Obviously, I have no warranty.

Normally I am very careful about checking the sellers' websites to make sure they only offer new products with a USA warranty. I have bought many pieces of phohtographic equipment through Amazon and never had a problem. Unfortunately,not expecting any problems this time, I didn't check WorldWide Distributers and got stuck. I didn't realize that Amazon had started dealing in Grey-market products. The price wasn't even that good. Buyer Beware!

camera has great possibities but can be used on automatic. my only complaint was that the included memory card was so small that it only held 9 pictures. the resolution was so good that it used lots of memory. i may never use all the complexity of the camera but who knows, it doesn't hurt to have it, just in case.

The G9 is an amazing little camera, but it does have two very significant drawbacks:

1. it is not that air-tight, and is highly prone to dust contamination. You'll find many instances of people reporting this on the web. Mine has a large fiber, or perhaps insect hair, stuck to the sensor, as well as some other minor dust, and is presently on it's way to Canon service where they "may or may not" clean it under warranty. Once the warranty expires there is a $120 fee for this.

2. using the larger file sizes, the G9 is SLOW. Most of the time I use a smaller file size setting to speed things up, which pretty much negates it's supposed hi-res capabilities, and makes it no more useful than my wife's SD750 elph, which takes similar quality pictures, much faster at these file sizes and at half the price (not to mention lighter, and more compact).

And like all cameras at this size, the optics are quite mediocre, so I find it to be only marginally better than many other smaller, lighter, and cheaper point and shoots. It seems to me that the G9 is a more a marketing niche for people who feel the need to hold something in their hands that's more rugged, heavier, and with a "retro" appearance so that they can still perceive themselves as "serious" photographers while using a point and shoot.

The camera is great if you can use it without a problem. you can use manual mode to adjust the the shutter speed/exposure. I bought mine 3 months ago and now regret. after just 1 month of the purchase, I noticed some dust inside the lens that made my focus very slow and even not accurate sometimes. then the dust found the way to the sensor. the dust in the sensor will be shown in the LCD. I sent it to Canon for cleaning the dust under the warranty and after 3 weeks of waiting, it was clean. now I have dust again in the sensor but not in the lens yet after 1 week of receiving it from canon. I didn't use it except for testing. I already bought E-510 and using it for everything. the G9 was in a tight new case canon brand.

This is a common problem most of the G9 suffer from. search the internet about "g9 lens dust". you will find many many people have the same problem with their G7 & G9.

I don't want to send it again to Canon at the current time. I already ordered and waiting for Canon WP-DC21 Underwater housing to use it while snorkeling and diving in a resort soon. waiting 3 weeks to get it clean again means no need for this camera. once I receive my underwater housing, I'll keep the camera in it all the time and use it only for the underwater purpose.

I recommend to look for another brand rather than Canon. like Fuji (Fujifilm Finepix S100fs) and Olympus (SP-570UZ).

1 star for it because I see no point of using a camera for a month and 3 weeks in the service center.