Back on the third of March in a post entitled A New Photographic Direction, I made mention of the fact I was moving away from a more conventional photography kit with it's massive DSLR body, obligatory battery grip and multiple lenses. In it's place would be a bold experiment named the Panasonic Lumix TZ220.In other words, a more mobile and user friendly versatile kit I can place in my pocket and receive more opportunities for, hopefully, some great street photography.When I shoot professionally I use Canon exclusively, so I guess it's not really a great surprise that I have changed my mind and purchased a Canon PowerShot G5-X and have decided not to go with the Lumix.I hasten to add this is not a slur on the Lumix, it looks like it will be a great camera once it's released. Rather it was a decision based on the best features of each camera. For me, creatively, that was the Canon. A couple of key things for me was the speed of the lens. The Canon goes to a super fast f1.8 compared to the Lumix f3.3, that's a pretty big difference for low light shooting. Secondly was the Canon also has a built in 3 stop ND filter, very handy for blurred water or achieving strong bokeh on a bright day.So anyway, I grabbed myself this camera a few days ago, and initial feedback is that it is a little beast.Feels great, Canon have done a wonderful job on the build. Feels like my old Pentax MX film camera I used years ago, just so solid in the hand.Initial test shots have been good too.Okay, here is the part in which I want sympathy. I have been laid up with a really bad cold ever since I bought the G5-X. Eyes running, sneezing all the time and coughing non stop. Out of desperation despite feeling like it was an effort to even move, I went up to the local shops and bought some medicine.But........I couldn't resist, I had to bring the G5-X with me just in case an opportunity arose for an ad hoc street shot.While getting back in my car I noticed one of those rental cycles propped up against a wall and thought it might make an interesting subject. Now bear in mind, this was in a very dimly lit underground car park, and I shot the subject inside my car and through the windscreen.You can talk all you like about tech things, specs and features, but at the end of the day the proof of the camera will be in the final photo.Here is the result of my very first street photography shot with the Canon G5-X.I was very pleased with the result.It was an interesting shot without the woman walking past, but as is often the case with street photography if you show a little patience the scene will constantly change and allow you to capture a different perspective of the mood.Down the track I will give a more thorough review of the G5-X, for now I'd say anyone even considering buy a top-end compact then place this on your list of "must check out", in these early few days it's been very impressive.
