OMPLETE WITH A 12-megapixel CCD, image-stabilized 6x zoom lens, face recognition, ISO 1600 and RAW mode, the G9 bridges the gap between compact and SLR with macho aplomb.

Encased in a robust, uncompromising and slightly intimidating body, it’s the Terminator of digital cameras, and novices are well advised to skim the manual first, as the sheer quantity of buttons and dials on the body is menacing. Once you know what you’re doing, though, the G9 is a joy to use. It has a responsive shutter, fast focusing, and a cracking three-inch LCD, and pictures are simply outstanding: sharp, detailed and rich with glorious color.

Outstanding features
Living up to its stern looks, it keeps noise under lock and key down to about ISO 800. Our favorite feature, though, is ‘Focus check,’ which puts an end to blurred pictures by enlarging the focus area, so you can check sharpness. The features list doesn’t end there by any means: you also get manual control over the aperture, shutter, sensitivity and focusing, a hot shoe for a flashgun and a lens adaptor ring for screwing in a variety of lenses and filters.

Worth snapping up
Weighing this amount of money, this is pricier than some SLRs, but performance is comparable and it’s a considerably sexier proposition than most of its bigger brethren. If we were quibbling, we’d say the casing isn’t that comfy. But we’re not, so we’ll say that for anyone who wants to take a step up from compacts, the G9 is tough, quick and pretty much perfect. LOVE Takes superb pictures. Solid build. Extensive feature list. Relatively compact.

5 STARS

HATE Awkward to hold. Busy interface.
WE SAY Tough and capable, the feature-packed G9 is another legend from Canon.
SCREEN Three inches, 230,000 pixels SENSOR 12.1-megapixel MEMORY 32MB SD card supplied BATTERY 240 shots SIZE/WEIGHT 106x72x43mm/320g