"Expert" compacts are quite rare.  So when Canon proposes a new PowerShot in the G series, there are a number of photographers waiting for the first tests.  With a 6x stabilized zoom, advanced video (1024 x 768 pixels) and RAW mode, and a large 3 inch LCD screen, the PowerShot G9 has some convincing arguments.  So how does it do in the field?

Handling

The PowerShot G9 has a massive body and is relatively heavy, the result of its metal construction and "retro" shape. It’s a rather nice look and finishing touches are up to par with the rest of this camera’s ambitions.  Controls are very responsive and maneouvering the PowerShot G9 is fluid.   In short, it’s a real pleasure.  The 3 inch screen is also of high quality with 230,000 pixels and very large veiwing angles.  On the back is a dial which allow rapid navigation in menus or in settting parameters (A,S and M mode).  Completing the interface are a few shortcuts and a barrel dial to change sensitivity. 
This camera is rather fast overall at barely 1.2 seconds in startup and a good autofocus system.  Only the burst mode (limited to 1.6 i/s) slightly handicaps performance.  The macro mode at 1cm is entirely satisfactory and even if the flash lacks a little intensity, it is well controlled.  Moreover, the hot shoe allows the use of an adjustible head flash from this same brand for more flexibility (E-TTL).  There were just a few small reservations in that there is the absence of a true wide angle and a rather limited zoom.  The latter sticks to 35 mm in the smallest focal length.

Quality of images

The PowerShot G9’s lens produces excellent results.  Images have good detail and the 12 million pixel sensor is free to express its full potential.  Colors are quite well rendered with sufficient saturation.  Also, noise control has progressed.  Sensitivity climbs to 3200 ISO sacrificing a little in definition (3 megapixels), while on a more reasonable range of 80 to 1600 ISO, the G9 produces well detailed images up to 400 ISO. At 800, degradation is very significant and smoothing can be seen.  As for the video mode, there has been no evolution and we stay in 640 x 480 pixels with 30 i/s or in 1024 x 764 pixels in 15 i/s.   In high definition, there is a lack of fluidity.  On the other hand, optical stabilisation of the 6x zoom works amazingly well and it’s possible to obtain sharp images at 1 /8s.