Canon PowerShot G5

Good camera but expensive – I wanted a top-of-the-range compact with viewfinder. There is not much choice, so having used several generations of Canon Powershot cameras, I settled for the G5X. Opening the box: for $800-900, the G5X has the barest minimum: a manual printed on the thinnest possible paper likely to disintegrate with use, a charger that you cannot just plug into a power point or USB, needing a bulky cable, a throw-away plastic bag - not even a 2GB memory card, a strap that does not fit the lugs on the camera body - rather disappointing. Wait for a couple of hours till the battery is fully charged - in the meantime go on EBay and buy (i) spare battery with USB charger (ii) soft case, (iii) 8+ GB SD card (I used the 4GB from my old PS 90) and whatever else you think you might need.

Setup takes not long but installing software from the included CD and online and connecting the camera via WiFi to my Windows 10 PC/Laptop is another story, you better set aside a couple of hours.

And I have not even taken a photo yet.....

...to be continued