Canon PowerShot G1: 21 YEARS later! RETRO review

I retro-review Canon's legendary PowerShot G1 from the year 2000!
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[DinoBytes]

I retro-review Canon's legendary PowerShot G1 from the year 2000!
Equipment used for producing my videos

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

[vivek_v]

I'm still using a G2 as my main/only camera. It was the camera that got me into photography when I was around 5 years old. I have fond memories playing around with the dials and menus at the zoo... and I would have never guessed that many years later, it would become my only camera. The truth is, for photography, I haven't run into many limitations. With a bit of work, it still takes incredible photos (4 megapixels is plenty, and the lens is capable of very shallow DOF), and the retro factor gives it character and makes using it an experience in itself.

[liamjewell]

Old tech weather it be cameras, computers, software ect is just so much more interesting then the new flashy stuff, and this second channel does a great job of revisiting these photographic machines that shaped what we know today.

[metalrat]

This is incredible. I was waiting for this camera review from you. Thank you, Gordon!

[brentsummers]

Wonderful review! Before the silly megapixel wars got going. There were a lot of very good compact cameras with 2 - 5 megapixel sensors!

[shlawchablaas]

Wow, the guy running this small channel does such a great job. He only has about 2K subscribers now, but I bet he could easily get over 200K! Certainly deserves it.

I love this new channel, Gordon, the videos are terrific, the idea is very appealing, the format works great, and the camera choices are obviously more than just a collection of random thrift store finds, they’re the result of years of consideration and deep experience. It feels quite special seeing the channel still in its infancy, too; kind of like getting in on the ground floor or something :)

Wish you all the best, and so glad I found these! I’m really enjoying them, I hope they were as fun to make as they look!

[JFW]

I had a G5 back in the day. In many ways an excellent camera. It even had a built-in ND filter. My biggest gripe was the shutter delay which made it almost impossible to capture action shots.

[carl]

Wow, what a coincidence! I just bought this camera because it has a very unique "CYGM" color filter. I like your channel very much, it makes me know many old cameras.

[GrandmasterBBC]

Great video, Gordon. I just discovered your retro channel. I remember when that G1 came out, a friend of mine bought one and I was jealous. Fast forward to now, I own every G Series camera from the G1 through the G9, as well as my beloved G16. Keep these coming! :-)

[elsen]

Thanks Gordon for this retro review, I really enjoyed it!
I have a G5 myself and take it out of the cupboard every now and then for a 'spin'. It has a fantastic F 2.0 lens that I really enjoy. My best photo's of the kids were taken with this camera, so it also has quite an emotional value for me.

[johnhaynes]

Totally enjoyable Gordon. I still have my G5 that I bought in 2003 and does get used from time to time. I originally bought it as a 'partner' for my D30 dslr and used it for when I didn't want to carry loads of gear. However one G camera that still gets used a lot is my G9 as a kind of 'pocket camera', in fact the main way it shows its age is that it is a little bit slow on writing RAW files compared to more modern cameras but the RAW files are still good. Both these cameras I bought from new and after a few years gave them away to family/friends and both of them came back to me a few years ago so are now part of my 'collection'.

[thissidetowardscreen]

Excellent review! These early mid 2000 mega pixel cameras are just so much fun. I have a Pentax MX4 (2004), that I still use occasionally and manage to get some good results. So glad to see these camera get the spotlight again!

[heiner]

Enjoyable retro-review. I liked the Canon G series cameras a lot. Over the years I owned the G1, G2, G3, G5 and G6. I still have a pristine example of the G2. I just dug up and recharged the batteries for it, after I watched this video.

[AndrewWaltonPhotography]

A really thorough review (as you would expect from your good self). A good camera in it's day, a touch on the expensive side but a great little buy now for a retro camera collector.

[HwL]

I have the powershot G9 for years. Great compact camera.

[HiCZoK]

I can't decide which one I want!!!
Love the channel, thanks for the fun reviews

[jeffolson]

My G2 is still in great condition. I bought it because it had basically the same controls as my SLR. My thinking was I could test all my settings on the G2 prior to shooting the same image on film.

[davidfantle]

After decades as a film photographer/processor, the G1 was my first digital camera. I jumped on board due to the inclusion of RAW format and extensive external controls that had previously been lacking. It did have a noticeable magenta color cast to most images, which was argued ad-nauseum in the photo forums of the day, but I rapidly saw the potential of the then-new digital photography technology, and began switching from my film bodies after further learning on the Minolta DiMage 7, and then jumped in fully with the introduction of the Canon EOS 10D DSLR.

[CaptainJCRage]

Hey Gordon I feel like this is the kind of review that you used to do way back! I miss those early days! I just subbed with notification!

[tomcruz]

I've been looking for a channel like this for awhile now. Great review! I knew 8mp was enough for me but I wasn't expecting 3mp to be just as good. Good color can carry an image a long way