Canon G2 Upgrade??

edgedemon · 6 Jan 2008 at 14:39

While I was shopping for the missus xmas pressie, I couldn't believe how cheap digital cameras are now - which got me thinking - its my Birthday next month, and maybe its time to upgrade.....
I have had a Canon G2 since they came out (£750!!) and to be honest - I love it, picture quality and build are excellent, and its easy to use and has all the features I will ever use.
Im very tempted to get another Canon for the same reasons as I trust them, but thought Id ask the question as I have no experience of any other Digital makes, so thought I would see what you lot have to say...

What camera would you suggest I replace my G2 with, say around the £250 mark absolute max?

wez130 · 6 Jan 2008 at 15:02

maybe a bit above budget, a canon S5is

edgedemon · 6 Jan 2008 at 16:26

Interesting...
I can see it for £199 so maybe not...

Cheers

clv101 · 6 Jan 2008 at 16:32

I had a G3 since they came out. It's been replaced with a 20D and an IXUS 860IS. The G2 and G3 were quite special cameras with their flip-out screens, f2.0 lens and for the time low noise sensors. There isn't really a spiritual successor, I don't rate the pro-sumer/bridge cameras/superzoom cameras so I'd recommend an SLR, the 400D or 350D, maybe 2nd hand or if the SLR system is just too big something like the Canon G9.

edgedemon · 6 Jan 2008 at 16:47

Yeah, you might be right, just saw a couple of reviews of the S5IS which claimed the picture quality was not upto Canons usual standard, though Im not sure that I would notice that to be honest.
The decider might be RAW image format as that has rescued some pretty poor photos for me, and I love it - its an amazing idea.

Hmm - much to think about...

TheAlex · 7 Jan 2008 at 08:57

I had a G3 for four years and changed to Fuji - bad idea! Luckily I was able to return it. I went for the S5is over the G7/G9 because it had the flip-out screen. It doesn't have raw but I'm happy with it; the picture quality seems pretty good to me.

Combat squirrel · 7 Jan 2008 at 11:07

TheAlex said:
I had a G3 for four years and changed to Fuji - bad idea! Luckily I was able to return it. I went for the S5is over the G7/G9 because it had the flip-out screen. It doesn't have raw but I'm happy with it; the picture quality seems pretty good to me.

You can get a custom firmware for the S5IS from here:

http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK

It allows you to shoot raw, have live on screen histograms etc and do many other things that would only usually be available on DSLR cams.

It doesnt overwrite your origional firmware, so the cams always safe, it stays on the memory card and 'overrides' the camera, its only ~14kb I beleive so its not like your losing any space for extra pics

EternityEight · 8 Jan 2008 at 23:13

Combat squirrel said:
You can get a custom firmware for the S5IS from here:

http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK

It allows you to shoot raw, have live on screen histograms etc and do many other things that would only usually be available on DSLR cams.

It doesnt overwrite your origional firmware, so the cams always safe, it stays on the memory card and 'overrides' the camera, its only ~14kb I beleive so its not like your losing any space for extra pics

I thought that was only supported for DIGIC II processors? iirc the S5 stepped up to DIGIC III so it wont work.

I had the S5, its a great camera.