• The small size of the G9 makes it a quality travel camera.Kirk Edwards/Lifesize/Getty Images
  
  The Canon G9 is an upper-level point-and-shoot camera. It offers the benefits of digital photography, such as instant image review, without the high price tag of more advanced models. The G9 is designed to make taking photos easy, and you can immediately improve your shooting by implementing some of its features.
  
  

Use the ND Filter

• An ND filter, which stands for "neutral density," is a physical filter that attaches to film cameras to reduce the amount of light that enters the camera. The G9 has a digital ND filter. Most often, an ND filter is used on a very bright day to keep certain camera settings (like shutter speed and aperture width) the same while lowering the image exposure. For example, lowering a shutter speed to capture the blur of someone jumping might brighten the image too much. Apply the ND filter to restore the normal exposure level and capture the blur. To apply the filter, press the "Func./Set" button while shooting and select "ND." Highlight the "ND" icon, and press the Func./Set button again.
  
  

Use Image Stabilization

• The G9 is capable of image stabilization. This process works by cropping the image slightly, which allows a small amount of wiggle room to counteract accidental camera shake. This can make shooting magnified subjects or in low-light situations much easier. Press the "Menu" button, and navigate to the "IS Mode" option to select one of three modes. The first is constant image stabilization, which is the default and covers most situations. The second is shoot-only, which stabilizes the camera as you take the photo (stabilization will not be seen on the LCD screen). The third is panning, which will only stabilize the vertical motion, allowing you to move left and right freely.
  
  

Use a Tripod

• Although the G9 is capable of video, many users treat the camera as a home video camcorder. This usually results in the trademark of amateur video: a shaky camera. This problem can be easily fixed by mounting the camera to a tripod. The image will appear much more stable and allow your audience to focus on the movie instead of how it was filmed. A simple tripod will screw into the bottom of the G9. A tripod also helps avoid camera shake when shooting long exposures in low-light situations.