First Shots from my New Canon Powershot D10

Canon PowerShot D10

Just wanted to post a few quick shots from my new Canon Powershot D10 that I bought on Saturday. I have been getting ready for my trip to Thailand next week, and I decided to pick this bad boy up. It sports a 12 Megapixel resolution, an optical 3x zoom lens, and the DIGIC processor. Add to that the fact that it is waterproof (up to 10m or 33 feet), it does both photo and video, and features some anti-shock capabilities (it can withstand drops of 1.2 meters or 4 feet), and you have a pretty nifty little package.

I am getting started on a full review of the camera that focuses more in-depth (no pun intended) on the underwater capabilities and results than your regular-old review. I hope to have it done before I head to Thailand next weekend. If I don’t get it finished up, I will just post it when I get back.

Until then, I have posted a few initial pictures from my first weekend owning one. You can find them here:

Canon D10 Underwater Photos: http://www.azur-diving.com/Canon-D-10-Underwater-Shots/

Canon D10 Dry-Land Photos: http://www.azur-diving.com/Canon-D-10-Dry-Land-Shots/

Canon D10 Versus Ewa-Marine U-AX/Canon DSLR Combo, a lot of control lost, a lot of portability gained

Control lost is portability gained

I have to say that initially, I am rather impressed with the D10. Obviously, there are some trade-offs between my normal Ewa-Marine U-AX/Canon DSLR rig. You really lose a lot of control stepping down from a DSLR camera, but at the same time you gain a few important things, such as portability. I will say this: the Canon D10 is a pretty smart camera. It does a lot of the work for you. This can be good or bad, but in my initial testing, the Canon D10 comes out on the good side more often than not.

Full review to come.

Lonely Jellyfish. Taken with the D10

It's me! Taken with my new Canon D10

Edit: I decided to throw a few video samples in as well quick. If you are catching this article on Facebook, LinkedIn or through an RSS feed, the embedded vids won’t work, follow this link to watch the vids:

Edin says:

21/05/2010 at 00:17

Hi,

Thanks a lot for this evaluation, it is more than helpful. I am going to vacation in 2 weeks, and plan on doing some underwater photography for the first time. I am however experienced photographer. I have Canon 5D MKII, no money for the hard case, and I am really afraid to use the bag type ones. My dad has exactly G9. Now because the price is not so different I see two options:
1. Get a hard case for G9, and possibly the lenses
2. Get the Canon D10

I am more interested in wide zoom (70%:30%) than macro photo.What would be your recommendation, and why? I would be very grateful for the advice, thanks a lot again.

Also, if you happen to know anything about the following case http://www.hama.co.uk/portal/articleId*165763/action*2563 please drop few words.

billeo says:

21/05/2010 at 12:41

If you are going diving, then the D10 is definitely out. It only goes up to 10m (33 feet), and is not at all suited for diving, since even level 1 dives will take you between 14-18 meters. The best camera you have is always the one you take with you. It’s just not suited for dives. That gives you your answer right there if you are planning on diving.

The G9 Case can be found for $170 on amazon right now, and is super cheap. The G9 will give you a bit less on the wide angle, but has RAW processing and will give you MUCH more manual control. The D10 is loads of fun for point and shoot, but the G9 outperforms it in everything except: low light (just don’t go over ISO 200 and you’ll be fine), focusing, and speed (due to the digic III proc versus the digic IV).

If you are snorkeling or diving, the control, depth rating and flexibility of the G9 is just going to be so far above the D10. Plus, the G9 is FAR better on land too. Throw it in your pocket if you don’t want to take your DSLR with, you can still nab a few great shots. Refer to this post for more info on where to get affordable add-ons for the G9 case.

My 2 cents. They are both good choices I own both and am happy with both, Some of my best shots I have, I have taken with my D10. If you are looking for something you can go snorkeling with, will fit in your pocket, and is rugged, that is a good choice. It has almost no creative flexibility, but it’s pretty smart by itself, which almost makes up for it. The pics on this page were all taken with the D10.

In summary, if you are diving at all, go with the G9 case. If not, consider if you’ll be able to handle the lack of control on the D10 and whether you want to lug around the G9 with case. It is a lot less portable. If I was in your spot, I would buy the case for the G9 because I dive.