Take more photos

I really looked around before deciding on this camera, because for just a little more I could have gotten a pretty decent DSLR kit. But when I thought about what I use a camera to do, I came back to the G9. I want to be able to take it with me places and have it when a photo op appears, I want to be able to shoot a lot of pictures of people and not scare them off when I'm shooting, I want to be able to stick the camera on a tripod and play around with some macro shots, I want to shoot a short movie clip here and there when babies are suddenly making noises or learning to roll over, and I want to really have full control over the camera and be able to make quick adjustments to all exposure controls. The G9 does all of these things, and it's interesting to note that a DSLR cannot do some of those things. Bottom line for me was that I can carry the G9 almost all the time - it even slips into my back pocket. I can pull it out to snap a shot, and probably have time to recompose a second  more

A Disappointment - beware

I have only had this camera a few months and have not used it very much. There is already so much dust INSIDE the lens that it severely degrades image quality. I take great care of my equipment, so this is not the result of harsh conditions. If you are counting on the built-in lens cover to protect the lens, think again. Any time I shoot slightly into sunlight now, the photos are basically worthless. With only 3 major uses of this camera, that's a crime.

Also, the noise level above ISO 200 is terrible. I would rather have fewer megapixels and less noise. So, my summary is this is a camera you have to "baby". It is severely limited and not worth the money. Read the reviews and find something that keeps dust out better and has less noise above ISO 200. If you only shoot on sunny days with the sun at your back in a very clean environment, this camera might work. But so would something $200 less expensive. I feel totally cheated.

i love the camera, but i'm realistic

i really do love this camera; it's great for flexibility and creativity. there's no doubt about that. but there are fair amount of cons:
1) can be VERY noisy since they cram so many megapixels on that smaller sensor
2) had to have it fixed when it first arrived because there were hot pixels in every picture
3) there is a design flaw in the lens. even though it is airtight, if there is ANY dust inside the camera to begin with, the movement of the lens creates a static charge that pulls the dust right into view and has become evident in several of my pictures

i bought it for $430 brand new several months ago, but i think it's probably appropriately worth about $350. now that it's selling around $600 i would just get a lower megapixel DSLR that takes clearer pictures.