With the G11 I had extensively may gain experience, and I was really excited about this camera. However, the G15 offers me considerable progress:
- It is crucial that the now built-in, new 1 / 1.7 "C-MOS chip (with moderately increased 12,100,000 pixels) conjures up a stunningly great image quality in conjunction with the very fast lens Even at full aperture and across the entire zoom range. away the images are absolutely detailed, clear, sharp and noise-free (up to ISO 1600).
- The low-light photography makes the G15 just pleasure (in museums, concert halls, dimly lit bars, or whatever a popular, in the darkest lighting conditions, the camera conjures up wonderfully atmospheric photos that remain unaltered by the disturbing flash).
- That all desirable parameters can be changed in this top camera is a pleasure. Very pleasant in this regard are the assignable wheels (front / rear) and the modifier key.
- The G15 has become really compact compared to the G11. The rough surface and the gripping bead, this camera can, if necessary, actually easy to operate with one hand.
- The rapid ISO-Access is now on one of the four-way keys back, and, much more pleasant for me, the exposure compensation is now a thumb turn away (dial on the top, behind the trigger).
- The more compact size and lower weight is of course at the expense of DELETED folding monitor. The controversy over whether you need it or not, I feel as pure Photographer-faith question. I myself come with the larger and much stronger resolution monitor the most marvelous, especially since I gratefully use the help of imaginary for these purposes optical viewfinder at all extreme, sunny light.
- It's true: The Sony RX100 has a top picture quality and is slightly smaller. Even with this camera, I have some time experiences may collect and therefore I can say for myself that I, the Canon G15 but prefer. The RX100 is probably small, but built and smooth without a handle, or other, useful touchstone. One-handed operation is always a bit risky ...! But the decisive factor: In terms of image quality, I see the advantages in the G15: Better macro capability, only slightly decreasing aperture of the lens over the entire zoom range (has the G15 at 140 mm still a luminous intensity of 2.8 which has RX100 already at the end of 100 mm only 4.9). The G15 can be without any doubts and uncomplicated use also with open aperture, and the image results are, as already mentioned above, just great. (And all this, despite the fact that the RX100 uses an even larger sensor!) And, in addition to these advantages, the G15 also note the following: It is currently (April 2013) even significantly more than 100 euros cheaper to buy than the Sony RX100!
- The larger and heavier sister the G15, the Canon GX1 has indeed a larger sensor and the image quality is undoubtedly outstanding from the mass of the (still) compact. But, even when you have to make any concessions regarding the macro and at the not uncomplicated use of the open aperture. These make even greater proportions and the even greater weight and a handy access joyous use when traveling (important for me!) Limited. The specialist judicious "average consumer" will be approximately the same image quality will appreciate the facilities listed, the G15 also in this comparison, not to mention the much more favorable price even here the G15.
Of course, the RX100, the GX1, the Lumix LX7 etc. their estimable peculiarities. And all of these cameras have rightly their enthusiastic fans, with this particular one are precisely happy. But for me have said, the important advantages of the G15, as well as the seemingly minor little things made the difference. (For example, I do not need me at the G15 toil with a lens cap, the battery of the G15 has a very long "life", all the buttons and wheels sit there where I need to hand, the Scene Modes are not waste a visor and Exposure time can be at your fingertips via Program shift change, and, and, and ...)
For me it's just a joy to take pictures with the camera and with outstanding image quality to take the photos for all possible output purposes.
Supplement, 28.04.2013:
After reading some incomprehensible negative for me G15 reviews that have been posted by reviewers who mostly do not (yet) have this camera, or obviously the Operations and their subtleties not (enough) know, I would add the following here, which also this scathing reviews concerns:
After a currently executing several days trip abroad I can continue only rave about this G15. And this is not due to naivety, because to my many years of knowledge regarding photography and cameras is certainly too broad.
- Open aperture: Especially those who take pictures with very high-quality cameras and high-speed lenses, know that it is often difficult to obtain sharp and colorful photos without sensitive settings if you with open aperture, especially in close-ups, photographed. With the G15, I could easily use the maximum aperture over the entire focal length range. The image results: sharp, true to detail, color-fast. Am thrilled!
- White Balance: Rarely is the white balance in the automatic setting AWB so fail, as in this camera (much safer than at the G11). I used occasionally a manual adjustment to see if this is not yet better. To my surprise: The AWB setting was just as good as a rule.
- Blitz: This enormously high-intensity camera (over the entire focal length range of time) I must very rarely take the flash to help, and if they do, the result is (for me) inspiring: No faded foreground areas and even in larger rooms a wonderfully balanced backlight. If necessary, with adjustment of flash intensity and the usual Program shift can not go wrong really. An external flash I will not have to lug around with me usually.
- The multi-disk locking the lens is very well fitted: tight and stable. Scratching the Objetiv lens is simply impossible, unless you transport the camera (for my understanding improperly) in your pocket, with the lens, or the lamella shutter is inadvertently exposed to regular pressure-attacks.
- And one more tip:
On my trips abroad, I'm not leaving without replacement battery, even though the G15 batteries last really fantastic time. So I borrowed (currently) anxious for a great price of 28,30 Euro on Amazon one additional replacement charger except the power cord connection also via USB and also via the cigarette lighter in the car !!! can be powered - including 2 batteries, which are at least equivalent to the original !!! (Amazon Offer: Bundle Star Battery Charger 4 in 1 incl Charger for Canon NB-10L + 2x BAXXTAR PRO ENERGY Battery for Canon NB-10L suitable for Canon PowerShot G15 G1 X and SX40 SX50 HS.).
- One final comment, which is really important to me, I would like to add more:
All those interested who have read my own and other reviews here, could mistakenly get the impression that this G15 is really only one camera for specialists who want to and a lot of turn to the settings. But this is absolutely not the case!
This G15 is just as suitable for beginners in the field of amateur photography, as well as advanced users and specialists. There are known to be sufficiently ambitious hobby photographers who look down contemptuously on those who often like (or almost always) use the automatic setting on your camera. What the hell? Come but each with its own abilities and the corresponding image results deal!
It's now time unfortunately so, that represent in most cameras, the photos that you do with the automatic adjustment, a more or less weak compromise. But not in the G15. In this area, I am surprised at the progress over the estimated G11.
I've rarely seen a camera in which the image results of automatic adjustment can be the results of the manual settings so close, or even roughly equivalent, as in the G15. Not only does the Scene Detection absolutely safe and fast work, the question, scene internal fine settings are quickly carried out.
The G15 is thus in the automatic setting and an absolutely high-quality snapshot camera!
And when it comes to the pace and the ideal snapshot, then really you should not feel embarrassed, sometimes to try the automatic before you have on the memory card due to loud Einstellerei NOTHING.
