Rating: 
Summary: A wonderful camera
Review: Okay I'm not a pro, or semi pro or anything like that! I bought the G1 primarily as a point and shoot hoping that I'd find the time to use its advanced functions. I've owned other digital cameras and this blows them away. First off... The LCD swivel rocks. Batter life??? OH BOY literally hundreds of pictures on a single charge of the included cam-corder battery. Plus it supports Compact Flash type II so you can use a MicroDrive if neeeded for unlimited storage possibilities.If you decide on the G1 (or the G2 for that matter), I suggest you visit...and purchase the lensmate adapter and UV filter to protect your lens. It makes the camera a bit larger but will protect your investment. My setup:
Canon G1
IBM 340 MB Micro Drive
Lensmate Adapter with UV and Macro Lens
Extra Battery
Speedlight 420 Flash I haven't found any real "cons" with the G1. Nothing is perfect.. here's my list: *recording AVI movies runs battery down pretty quickly *Don't use the camera in freezing conditions.. it won't work
*It would be nice to have a better grip (G2 fixes this) Also, I'm not certain that I like the Speedlite 420 with the G1.. I'm no expert and have to work a bit more with the cam/flash combo but my pictures are normally over saturated when using the bounce flash. I'm guessing it's just because I haven't got the experience. This is a great camera.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent and a standard setter
Review: I've already had one digital camera (a Kodak DC290, which was excellent) for a year, but I longed for more manual control and more flexibility, and this camera delivers in spades. The G1, in fact, has so many features and options that it's a bit overwhelming for people who've operated earlier, more limited digital cameras primarily in point-and-shoot mode. Apart from shutter and aperture priority, there are night flash, portrait, landscape and movie modes. There's excellent noise reduction for long exposures and a mode to assist with taking panoramas (plus almost absurdly easy stitching software) to merge the shots on a computer. The camera sets new standards in its price category with its support for IBM Microdrives and the use of a camcorder battery, meaning longer life and lots more pictures possible in a given session. The swiveling LCD is fantastic and is so bright I use it to compose for almost every shot... again, the longer battery life makes this possible. The menus are easy to follow and the ergonomics are great -- the camera feels very solid and not like some weirdly designed gadget. A hot shoe means it's easy to attach a Canon speedlite flash (or some third party flashes) for even greater flexibility, and it's a relief not to have to rely on clumsy brackets to hold a flash. RAW mode pictures make it possible to tweak pictures for things like white balance in the computer. The picture quality is superb, and the camera is very adaptable to a variety of picture taking settings. What may cause an issue with novice users is the fact that pictures using auto settings, while OK, can be a bit cool, and in trickier settings on sunny days, end up slightly overexposed. The built-in flash is also on the finicky side and will require some experimentation to determine optimal range. It's simple enough to adjust flash strength, exposure or white balance accordingly and have those settings stick, but some folks may not want to bother. There are definitely more manageable cameras for those who primarily want point-and-shoot or those who want very saturated looking pictures right out of the camera (the Kodaks being best). But by the same token, those who like to tinker will find the pictures possible with the G1 excellent--they compare very favorably to other digicams I evaluated such as the Nikons, Olympuses and Kodaks. This is a very good camera for people who want to learn more about photography. After an adjustment period of over a hundred pictures, I find that everything from portraits to landscapes to macro shots to night shots comes out very well. The software that comes with the camera for downloading and browsing images (Zoombrowser) is well done --I usually avoid installing camera manufacturers' software because of bugs, but this is good stuff. Most notable nits: a flimsy rubber door that covers the AC port, and a slow bootup time when using the IBM Microdrive. Otherwise, the camera feels wonderful and the time to take pictures from one shot to another is very fast. Overall, I am very pleased. Beyond everything I've already said, the fact that I've taken nearly a thousand pictures in just a few weeks is evidence that taking pictures with this camera and making use of all its capabilities is absolutely addictive!
Rating:
Summary: This camera is more than 99% of photographers need
Review: I looked forever for a new camera to replace my pentax EI-200, which works perfectly fine, but I wanted a new one. I bought a G1 used for @300 dollars based upon exhaustive research. 3mp, fold out lcd screen, unlimited manual control(lots of modes +full manual and manual focus), raw format(better and smaller than tiff) attracted me. What really turned out to be great was the battery life(lasts a long long time), remote, picture quality, the screen is fantastic- I don't know how I did without it. With photoshop and an epson printer, why spend hundreds more on a tiny no featured camera with more megapixels than you would ever need? why spend hours downloading pics so you can print only 3x5's or 5x7's. This prints beautiful 8x10's. You don't need more. Movie's with sound too.
By this camera and a 256 meg compact flash card. you will not be sorry.
Rating:
Summary: Great step from SLR to Digital
Review: Moved from my Nikon SLR to this camera as my primary camera. It is a great camera for someone who knows something about photography and wants the flexibility of total manual controls. It is designed for photographers, not camcorder owners stepping into digital photography. Someone who wants a digital snapshot camera will be fine with this camera as well, but probably happier with the simplicity of a Sony or lower end Canon. Positive: Photo quality: Great at high resolution and more than sufficient for snap shots in medium quality. Lens: Good, reasonably fast zoom lens. Too bad Canon hasn't gone for a more SLR variable lens approach. Display: LCD screen rotation is very practical for group shots, or discrete people photos. Great to be able to preview shot on display, delete when unsatisfactory...what a change from long processing times. Software / downloading: Good software, includes Photoshop LE (!), quick USB, good online support. Operation: Excellent, SLR-like feel with all expected features, plus new ones made possible by digital format. SLR user will not feel feature deprived. Improvements: Memory: 16MB (included) is too small, but I have found an additional 32MB card is just about right for all but the longest time periods away from a computer. Multiple format flexibility is a nice touch. No carry case / durability: Maybe its just me, but I don't trust the durability of this versus my Nikon SLR, I would encourage buying a case of some kind. I would really like to see an inexpensive underwater housing like one of the Sony digital cameras have.
Rating:
Summary: Finally a digital camera than can please photographers
Review: I agree with the points listed by others reviewing the Canon Powershot G1 camera and I am very happy with the product. I purchased this camera to take advantage of some of its more advanced features and have not been let down (after several weeks, I'm still making discoveries). A couple of additional notes I would like to add for those intending to buy this camera and for existing owners: 1) I highly recommend Canon's PSC1000 semi-hard case for the G1. It is a two-piece leather design that provides significant protection for the camera body, as well as making the camera easier to grip for those with large hands. 2) I have been pleasantly surprised with the software that Canon supplied with the G1 - the ZoomBrowser software provides a quick, convenient method of viewing large numbers of photographs. This camera also comes with a 'SE' edition of Adobe Photoshop - a rich product that enjoys industry-wide support. Competitors often provide a TWAIN-compatible driver and a simple/cheap photo manipulation program - leaving consumers to purchase adequate software. 3) The 16mb card supplied with the camera is really included only to make the camera operable out of the box. In my opinion, this card should have been at least 64mb in size (high quality JPG images are 1.2mb in size). Be prepared to purchase a larger card immediately, or try one of the Microtech harddrives made by IBM, which the G1 supports fully. I've rated the camera 5 stars because I find it to be the digital equivalent to Canon's excellent line of EOS SLR cameras in every respect.
Rating:
Summary: Simply amazing
Review: I sat on the digital fence for a long time, finally I jumped and bought the Canon G1. The quality is amazing , downloading of the pictures is a breeze. I soon moved from the AUTO setting to more advanced, even manual shots.The remote works great (once you get the battery the right way up). I thought that the movie mode was a gimmick until I tried it, now I send a lot of AVIs to my family around the world . It's not stunning but it's very passable. I know people reading reviews want to know any downsides to the products so here's mine. 1) The camera for its size is a little on the heavy side 2) It takes a while to power up, don't expect to grab point and shoot. The Lens has to come out and whir a bit before that can happen. It all takes 4-5 seconds, an eternity if what you want to shoot moves away. 3) The 16Mb card is inadequate, I got an extra 32Mb and the 48Mb total seems OK for my needs. Overall I'm more than happy.
Rating:
Summary: The all-in-one that won't let you down.
Review: Beyond the fact that this camera has accomplished everything it set out to do, the powershot G1 is just the pinnacle of camera technology bundled into a package that most middle market people can afford. To give you some piece of information that is helpful; stuff you might not hear about elsewhere i'll list a few attributes from the PowerShot G1. 1. The little cover which is the plug for the powersuply/usb connector is quite flimsy, but with some care won't break. Just have to watch out for it. 2. Get a decent Operating System like Windows 2000 that won't crash every two seconds with the use/development of the pictures on-line. I have a Pentium III 600 with 8mb video card and windows 98 Sec edition, and that thing would not handle the Canon ZoomBrowser Product that came with the camera. However i got windows 2000 loaded with a new 32Mb NVIDIA Video Card, and now the thing is yet to crash... SO smoothe... I forgive it... 3. Don't be fooled with the 16Mb FlashCard (Give it to the kids to use as a coaster for their toy tea-pot set, because it has no other use). Go out, budget an extra card (i.e. 128 or 1GB Microdrive) its so much more worth it to get the extra space and keep your setting to LARGE (SUPERFINE QUALITY) because the quality of that print is so superior to its counterpart digital 3+MEGAPIXEL cameras'... The petty downsides are very very nitpicky, and you will find these "issues" on 90% of camera's... Some cameras will have a set of features, but lack in others... While others have different features, but lack in others as well... The Powershot G1 has all the features you can ask for. A quick List of Pluses (just to be fair because i talked about the minuses) 1. The Optical Zoom is quick and provides VERY high quality shots. (Not to mention that the Additional Lenses you can buy will bring you so close to the action you'll need to buy cheaper seats to get further away from the action) (Sitting at glass level at a hockey game, i can get a photo of a Goalie from head to toe, with about 2 inches in top and bottom of image with the 1.5x lens)... 2.The LCD flips out, allows for weird angled camera manipulation, (in a crowd, or under things etc..) You can put the camera anywhere at arms length to take very unique photos. It also closes face-in to prevent scratching between shoots... LCD high quality, and feels really sturdy. 3.It has the capability of a HUGE SLR/DIGITAL camera all in a small package. Slightly heavy but Very small for its power. People will see you with this thing, and think you have some 80 dollar camera, when it really has capabilities beyond the intermediate camera enthusiast. 4.Interface/Menus are easy to work with. 5. Taking a picture, loading it to the on-line software, touching up, and presenting (email/website) takes LITERALLY less than a minute. (provied you are near your computer)... 6. Expandability is amazing. It is FLASH 1 AND 2 compatible (if you don't know what that is; check it out because that is an important part of a digicam)... (very good quality) this means its compatible with IBM's Microdrives, and Normal Flash Cards... 7. Litium Rechargable bateries are absolutly amazing. I have a 128mb, 192mb, and 64mb FC card, along with the provided 16Mb card, and i filled them all up at a bruins game (about 200 pics), and the batery icon just began to show some degredation. The only reason you might need an extra battery is if you are on lengthy vacations AWAY from powersources... this also leaves room for improvement, you can get stuff like the "car outlet" reacharge station (which charges two at a time) or use the provided "regular power source" to recharge them... 8. I could go on... but email me for about question you have... Overall, i'm very happy with the camera. I've had it for 6 months, and have never been disatisfied. I might add that to get the highest quality from the photos, (if you print your own) make sure you understand about DPI. I tried printing some of my shots (and was somewhat disapointed) but found out that i had set my dpi to 72 on the images i had... When i set it over 300dpi, i was absolutly amazed! And you will be too. _____
I've added this part, because it has been a year since i wrote this original review. Note only this change:
There are two newer version of this camera out (As you probably know): The Powershot G2, and G3. If i were in the market today for a Digital Camera, (after seeing, and reading what i have) i would try to find a deal for a G1, or G2. The Newer versions (G2, and G3) don't have enough "extra" or "more" or "additions" to warrant the extra cost. New versions should only drive the old versions price down. I'd say the G1 would be a steal at 400-500 bucks. See if you can find a NEW G1, and make sure its a reliable source, and i'll tell you, you can't go wrong. :)
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
Rating: 
Summary: nice pictures,poor switch design
Review: I have owned this camera for over a year and have shot lots of images. I really like the image quality and flexibility of use.Unfortunately the on/off camera mode switch is prone to turning on when stored in a bag or pocket. Also when the camera is turned on if you are not careful you can change from Auto to another mode without realizing it. Otherwise a fine product.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Camera
Review: The Canon Powershot G1 digital camera is an excellent camera overall. However, considering how long it's been on the market, you'd think it's cost would be lower. This camera has many factory configured settings that will enable even the beginning photographer to take exceptionally clean images. Also, you can choose from many aperture and speed settings should you want to set these manually (highly recommended). There is also a manual focus capability. I recommend this camera for beginners that want to learn photography and then be able to take the camera along when they move on to the intermediate level. There are many third-party accessories (lenses, adapters, filters) available for this camera. For instance, using macro lenses and a couple of adapters on my G1 I am able to capture all of the color slide pictures and print negatives in my teaching collection. I have been able to transfer my slide teaching presentations to PowerPoint presentations.
The G1 is eay to use, very reliable, and you don't need to be a rocket scientist to learn how to use it. I recommend purchasing a higher power battery and a high capacity (>128MB) compact flash memory card (Lexar is very good) that has a high data transfer rate (12x-24x). I've owned the camera for over a year and have taken into the field many times without a hitch.
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