A reader just made my day. Instead of being asked my opinion about the Hayden Kho-Katrina Halili sex video or the Jamby Madrigal-Gilbert Remulla word war (yes, these questions clog my e-mail), Gabby asks for advice about the Canon Powershot G10 and bokeh. Oooh, I love questions like that. I will happily answer it with illustrations. See, that was one question I tried to answer myself earlier this month when we spent a weekend at Balay Indang: Just how versatile is the Canon Powershot G10?
In The Accidental Bokeh, I mentioned that photography professionals aren’t in exact agreement as to what constitutes good bokeh. If we limit the definition of bokeh to out-of-focus backgrounds that help draw the eyes to the subject then, yes, the G10 is very much capable of creating blurry backgrounds.
The photo of the macopa fruits above with Sam walking on the foot path shows how the background can be blurred so that it is still discernible rather than totally washed out.
In macro mode, the leaves surrounding the zinnia flower above were sufficiently blurred to send the visual message that they are not as important in the photo as the flower is.
Now, if the question is whether the Canon Powershot G10 can create light spheres which seem to be the obsession of most bokeh fanatics, the answer is yes.
Alex took the photo above. I think those are unripe macopa fruits but I am not really sure. What I am sure of is that the photo was taken with the G10 and the light spheres were NOT created with Adobe Photoshop.
So, does that mean the G10 can replace a dSLR? Compare the next two photos both taken from roughly the same angle. The first was taken with the G10 while the second was shot with the Canon EOS 40D and a 50mm lens.
Above, the photo taken with the G10 with an aperture value of f/2.8 and a focal length of 6.1 mm. Below, the photo taken with the EOS 40D and 50mm lens with an aperture value of f/1.4; the focal length is, of course, 50 mm. The G10′s widest aperture is f/2.8. You can’t go any wider because the G10 has a fixed lens. With a dSLR, you can change the lens and go as wide as f/1.2.
There is a difference in the faithful reproduction of colors too. Moreover, the G10 does not capture depths and shadows as well as the EOS 40D. Which, of course, means that point-and-shoot camera cannot really do everything that a dSLR can. Be that as it may, the Canon Powershot G10 is the best point-and-shoot camera I have ever used.
Now you made my night! Thanks for the clear and visual response. I googled this issue all day today, and couldn’t get a clear cut answer. Thought I’d check before heading to sleep if you responded to my comment and got something better than a reply — an entire post with pictures! I really appreciate it!! And am happy to have made your day!
I’m also convinced on the G10 more than ever. Too bad the aperture range is so limited, but I have to remind myself that it is NOT a dSLR. A dSLR would be nice, but I think I’d like to build on my skills first before venturing onto something that is capable of doing much more than I am. The G10 is great, as it can go both ways – for my purpose, an in-between camera, more advanced than your standard p&s. And for you – it’s your supplemental cam, not quite a replacement to your dSLR. Yay!! I’m so excited!! Thanks for originally posting your view on the G10! Now I have you to blame for being set back a few hundred bucks. Hehe.. kidding lang po.
BTW, I got to play around with the Nikon D90 and it’s sweet too! Maybe eventually, after learning a few more things from you and other enthusiasts out there, I’ll get one. But for now the G10 it is!
Thanks again!!!
Great, the happiness is mutual then.
I hope you enjoy the G10 as much as I do. I rarely go out without it these days.
In my quest for an answer yesterday, I came across a bunch of G10 galleries. Wanted to share this G10 gallery with you that I found – http://www.pbase.com/rhiggs1/canon_g10_gallery
That guy has so many great pics, even in the other galleries that he has on the site. Australia is absolutely stunning!
Also, wanted to share with you some pics by this photographer who’ll be doing my wedding next year.
http://cliffmautner.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/09/ok-its-after-1a.html
Enjoy!!
(I love looking at beautiful pictures! Not to mention I love good reads, so it’s perfect for me when you pepper your great posts with your shots.)
You made a great choice for your wedding photographer. Love his shots, especially the first one with the bride and her mom. Priceless. “Posed” wedding photos are so boring — they show no emotions, they don’t capture the moment.
Good day just want to ask what kind or model of digital camera can you recommend for starters like me ( with out any background on photography ).
thanks
The G10. It has all the point-and-shoot functions and when you’re ready to be more daring, you can start using it’s Manual functions.
the macopas bring back childhood memories. thanks for sharing the spherical delight that bokeh can bring. must try that, too.
thanks for sharing this one.
can i just ask, how much is the cam (G10)?
P31,990.00 Price might have gone down though.
Hi connie,
my hubby and i are planning to replace our point and shoot digi cam. first i recommended to him the Canon G10 based on your review. then, while we were checking the prices…we noticed that the nikon D60′s price is almost in the same range as Canon G10. For a beginner, which one would you recommend for us to buy?
Appreciate your help
I’ve never used a Nikon so I can’t compare.
Hi, Ms. Connie!
. I enjoyed your photography using G10, they are Great! Am not much into photography but just want to capture most of my kids precious moments.
I’m planning on buying Canon’s G10 to replace my 4yearold-sonydigicam
I was wondering though if the movie function of G10 is also good. Any information you could provide would be much appreciated. Thanks and more power to all your blogs!
It’s good. My problem is not being able to download the vids to my iMac without installing the software that goes with the G10.
Thank you so much!
Hi! Can you shoot portrait photos in bokeh with the G10?
Change all the subjects to humans in the photo above and you have the answer to your question.
well, yes of course.. I was just curious because I came accross a forum where someone is asking whether it is possible to get bokeh with a g10 without being a half inch away from your subject.. right now, I do not own any digital camera and im planning to buy one before the year ends.. I want to learn more about photography and Im really interested on how to take photos with bokeh.. also, Im eyeing the g10.. thats why im so glad when I saw your blog.. thanks!
The control is the distance between the subject and the background. Doesn’t matter how close the camera is to the subject.
ok. thanks so much! =)