Rating: 
Summary: Most Complete Camera I could Ask For
Review: I spent a good 2 months shopping for a digital camera before finally deciding on the Powershot G1. I couldn't be happier with my choice. While there are two things that bother me about the camera (I will get to them later), the benefits much more than compensate for the nuisances.When I purchased the camera, I bought both a 128 meg viking (~130 photos at full resoloution) compact flash memory card and a 1 GB IBM Microdrive (~1200 photos). I bought the static memory in addition to the microdrive because I was worried about the increased usage of battery life due to the moving parts of the drive. However, I was shocked by the length of the battery life in comparison to other digital cameras (even other powershots). Using the LCD, flash, and the microdrive I can take over 270 shots before running low on battery. The extensive battery life and number of photos that can be taken on a microdrive are a big plus, especially considering my first gripe: the cover for the USB/Power connectors. There is a rubber cover over these that connectors that I fear I am going to break every time I take it off. It is incredibly solid while in place, and then as soon as you push it hard enough it flips out and is only held in by a tiny little rubber plug. Luckily I don't need to charge or download my photos that often. The second complaint, isn't much of a problem for me, just a comment that I've received. Friends will use the camera, and say "That's an absolutely phenomenal camera, it's just a little heavy though". I agree, it is a little heavy, but the control I have over the camera and the benefits from its design are worth the extra weight. If you are in the field for a top level digital camera, I would reccomend this with no reservations, compared to the drawbacks of many other digital camera, the Powershot G1 presents unprecedented power and control for all your digital photography needs.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't be happier
Review: I recently upgraded my digital camera to the G1 (from an older Casio VGA) and I couldn't be happier. It is easy to use and takes excellent pictures for a "prosumer" (I've taken over 500 since it arrived). The user interface will be familiar to Canon film camera users and it seems to offer the right combination of automated and manual features. This camera comes equipped with everything you need: cables, storage, rechargeable, remote control, software, etc. The only complaint would be the size of the 16MB CompactFlash. You probably will want a 32MB or bigger device -- but that purchase can wait because the computer interface on this is excellent and uploading is a pleasure. The USB interface and Type 1 and 2 card support are the way to go. This gives you a lot of future protection and upgrade options. The included software is more than adequate. ZoomBrowser the camera manager is the best picture organizer I have used. The TWAIN driver has worked with all my photo and video editors. The battery is incredible -- long life and fast recharge -- can't ask for more. The LCD display is really useful. There are better displays out there but none more convenient. The ability to tuck it away saves on battery and cleaning the display. The 360 degree orientation is great. I use it in conjunction with the remote control to great effect.
Rating:
Summary: Overcomes both the major restrictions of digital cameras!
Review: I certainly agree with the other reviewers and their praise for picture quality and total control (when wanted). The only thing I'd like to add is my accolades for two major features: 1. Microdrive support The Microdrive removes the restrictions posed by limited in-camera picture storage on CF cards. You have to experience the loss of this restriction to really appreciate how important it is. We just returned from a week-long cruise where we took over 300 full-size pictures and still had a lot of in-camera storage left. 2. Amazing battery life Using a camcorder battery to power this camera provides an enormous amount of long-term power. You can leave the LCD on and use a Microdrive without any fears of having the power come up short. These two features put this camera in a class by itself. When you combine them with the other outstanding capabilities, this is clearly the right choice!
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Camera
Review: After owning two digital cameras each for over a year, and after scouring the web for 3 months for reviews & recommendations for 3+ meg cameras, I finally bought a G1. I could not possibly be happier! Took it on a long vacation at the end 2000 and was consistently amazed at the flexibility, the smart design & functionality, the battery life, the speed to use, AND the image quality. Especially when compared to the Kodak cameras that I've used & owned, this product is a winner. I was pretty picky because I was frustrated with Kodak's lack of manual settings & options - the G1 lacks neither. I brought a film camera on my vacation as well, and was so impressed with the G1 from day 1 that I ended up taking only about 5 shots on film and 200 digital (high resolution, medium size) images. The G1 really is that good - and a joy to use. Take it from a picky photographer. As with other reviewers, I was worried about the hinged/swiveling LCD panel. But now that I've used it, it seems to be extremely well mounted and very solid. It's a high quality display, and I love the flexibility it offers for viewing during the shoot from in front of the camera, next to the camera, behind the camera - and for viewing images after the shoot at unlimited angles. Do not buy this - or any other 3 meg camera - without a large memory card. I bought a 128M card for use in this camera, and even with that you can only store less than 100 images at full resolution & full size (which is plenty, unless you go on long trips without a computer to offload images). Go with at least a 64M card. And do not buy this camera without a case for protection - there seem to be plenty available here at Amazon for a few dollars. Unfortunately, Canon did not include a case with the G1. If you just want a simple point & shoot digital camera, this one would probably be the least economic for you - unless you want to impress your gadget buddies (this definitely will). There are others with fewer features & flexibility. But if you're a pro or a darkroom photographer (I'm the latter) who is looking for quality AND functionality, you'll be extremely happy with the G1. It's worth the higher price. ps: If you're reading this after about September 2001 you should probably check around a little because there will probably be 10 more 3 meg cameras out by then, and some of them may have matched or surpassed the G1 - especially economically.
Rating:
Summary: Recommended, with a few minor caveats
Review: Caveat: I have used one digital camera prior to this (a Sony Mavica), and this is the first one I own. I have used Canon EOS cameras for many years. The upsides (assuming you have read the specs already): - Very controllable (as opposed to the ELPH, say). I can tweak and manipulate to my heart's content, when I feel the urge. - Solid optics (but see below). F2.0 lens. - Protected LCD (you can leave it turned in towards the body when not in use). (But see below) - Light ENOUGH. This was my one real concern, as I was considering this vs. the ELPH. Was it light enough that I would carry it with me everywhere, or would it suffer the fate of my EOS - a fine camera, sitting at home on the shelf due to bulk and weight? Having carried it around for a while now, I have concluded it is being light enough for me - it does not impede me when backpacking... - Photostich (where you can bring a series of pictures together to make a larger one (e.g., a panorama) is WONDERFUL! I have made a panorama for quicktime virtual reality from my porch, giving the viewer the feel of standing there, turning around at will. Great stuff. The camera works with this, so that you can easily create sufficiently overlapping pictures for the software to work well. - The IBM microdrive compatibility is also wonderful - I have a one GB drive in there for extended trips, and can take about 600 pictures at max resolution and max quality. Downsides: - The rubber cover for the power and USB ports. I would be suprised if it were to survive a whole year. I have no idea what the replacement policy and options are, so you may end up with two naked ports. - The lens cap is separate and there are no threads for a protective filter. That makes me nervous. But if a separate lens cap is the price to pay for good optics, then so be it. - The optical coating is not up to the usual Canon EOS snuff (one gets sun glare to easily). But it is far better than the usual point-and-shoot lenses around. - The LCD can be turned around, flipped, rotated... and protected. The protection provided is a good thing. The mechanical wear and tear of always moving these hinges makes me nervous. But if so, simply leave the LCS open in the back, and you are no worse off than with most other cameras out there. - I have not gotten hold of a protective case yet, and that makes me nervous, too. Summary: Well worth the money.
Rating: 
Summary: Poor Quality of the LCD - Canon Powershot G1
Review: I'm a new owner of the Canon G1. In spite of all the good reviews from customers about this digital camera, I am quite disappointed by the quality of the LCD. At least for the G1 I got, the LCD picture quality is quite poor. There are "snow flakes" all over the picture in the display. Illumination of the LCD is uneven. As well, there are lines running across the LCD screen. As a result, images in the LCD are not clear or sharp at all. These problems, however, disappear when a shot is taken and do not affect the quality of the picture taken. But everytime when I use the LCD as the view finder to look around, those problems persist. I'm not sure if I got a defective camera; or is it normal performance for G1. I'd like to hear that if you have; or for that matter, don't have the same experience with yours.
Rating:
Summary: Great Camera with some minor improvements
Review: I got this camera with the IBM 1GB microdrive, and I can pretty much forget about film camera. Seriously. (FYI, I own an EOS-1, and an ELPH) For those who are browsing this reviews probably knows a lot about this camera so I would skip the introduction. ... In short, this is a very great camera (high res., microdrive compatible and a very, very long battery life) but it does have some minor things that I would like to share with you, by reading this hopefully you will know what you're going to expect when you receive this great camera: 1) The plastic rubber side door is very flimsy, so be careful not to break it! 2) During the movie mode you cannot zoom in or out, maybe I do not know how to do it but I doubt it. 3) The flash light does tend to have a bit over exposure, so adjust accordingly, you might have to experience it to find a correct exposure level for your taste. 4) This camera does not come with a camera bag therefore the metal body has to take extra care otherwise you might find your new G1 end with quite a few unwanted scratches. 5) Finally, the lens cap: why don't Canon design a built-in lens cover instead of a physical cap? Sometimes I forgot to remove the lens cap before I turn on the camera and it shows me error message,tell me to restart the start up procedure again. Quite troublesome I must say. Hopefully I will get use to it. Overall I am going to give it a solid 5 stars because this camera, although has the above weaknesses, it does have a lot of improvements compare with some top of the line consumer camera like Nikon Coolpix 990, Olympus 3030 etc. So for the money I spend this is a very well worth camera!
Rating:
Summary: This is one great camera
Review: I've had mine for a week now, and I am totally impressed with it. The G1 combines point and shoot capability with enough (optional) control to satisfy all but the most serious photographers. Its 3 megapixel images, 3x optical zoom, and lithium battery offer exceptional performance. My only complaint is with the flash, which tends to overexpose shots a tiny bit. I've found that changing the flash exposure down by -2/3 fixes this (you can change this one time and forget about it). For storage I use a 128 mb viking memory card, plus a 340mb microdrive. With the camera set to superfine and large images I can shoot hundreds of photos. This camera is perfect for someone who wants high quality photos and is willing to spend the money to get it. As an alternative take a look at the Kodak DC480 - you'll pay half as much but you won't give up control, a longer optical zoom, and some resolution. Personally, this ones a keeper for me.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't be happier
Review: I recently upgraded my digital camera to the G1 (from an older Casio VGA) and I couldn't be happier. It is easy to use and takes excellent pictures for a "prosumer" (I've taken over 500 since it arrived). The user interface will be familiar to Canon film camera users and it seems to offer the right combination of automated and manual features. This camera comes equipped with everything you need: cables, storage, rechargeable, remote control, software, etc. The only complaint would be the size of the 16MB CompactFlash. You probably will want a 32MB or bigger device -- but that purchase can wait because the computer interface on this is excellent and uploading is a pleasure. The USB interface and Type 1 and 2 card support are the way to go. This gives you a lot of future protection and upgrade options. The included software is more than adequate. ZoomBrowser the camera manager is the best picture organizer I have used. The TWAIN driver has worked with all my photo and video editors. The battery is incredible -- long life and fast recharge -- can't ask for more. The LCD display is really useful. There are better displays out there but none more convenient. The ability to tuck it away saves on battery and cleaning the display. The 360 degree orientation is great. I use it in conjunction with the remote control to great effect.
Rating:
Summary: The best so far
Review: This camera is very SHARP,exposure is great,color is great,the only problem is the internal flash(little bit too flat),but if you use canon external flashes,every thing will be GREAT!
I bought the G2 for better resolution,but i found out that the difference was't much in resolution and the G1 was SHARPER so i returned it,i need more resolution,maybe 5 megapix,but so far i dont see any 3 or 4Mp better than the G1.
I have been using this camera for more than a year now and i am still in love with it.
IF you don't beleive me,go to :DPREVIEW.COM and see for yourself.
H R Ulysse
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