Random thoughs on cameras

[clv101]

I'd be interested to hear peoples opinions on these three cameras, Canon G3, Canon S3 IS (or the very similar S2) and the Canon 20D.

Apologies for canon focus, I don’t know much about others brands!

I've used a 20D for around 18 month now after using a G3 for a similar length of time before that, however for the last week on holiday living out of a rucksack around Italy I went back to the G3. Just couldn't carry the SLR with me on that kind of trip.

I was quite impressed with the G3 to be honest. It certainly has its weaknesses, mainly very high noise at anything more than ISO100 and general slowness (focussing and shutter lag) but other factors like size, weight, the built in 4X zoom, battery life (about 300 shots per battery) and general ease of use were very good.

It got me thinking about how much things have improved in this area over the last three years which led me to the Canon S3 IS. This still has the noise problem and isn't anywhere near as fast as the SLR but apart from that it seems incredibly 'useful'. The 12X IS lens seems to offer excellent flexibility and add that to the low cost, size and weight etc you seem to get a lot for your money.

For example the S3 IS costs considerably less than the 70-200L f4 lens I'm thinking of! I realise they are very different tools but I do wonder how much I would use the 20D if I replaced the G3 with an S3 IS. I guess the gist of my thinking is how does a top end compact like the S3 IS compare to an SLR like the 20D - it's a difficult question since they don't really compare, the strengths and differences are very different and the best tool depends on the job in hand.

 

[freebooter]

There has been a big increase in digital SLR sales recently as they have become more popular but I could see the market swinging back to prosumer compacts in the future. The main advantage SLRs have at the moment is better performing sensors but sensor technology is improving rapidly - look at the high iso performance of the fuji f10 for example.

When the smaller sensors get better high iso/low noise peformance then a long zoom "compact" will offer a lot of advantages over an slr, size,weight etc. A 10x + zoom will cover the vast majority of needs and modern computer designed zooms are very good and getting better.

Already their are some people on this forum using fuji 9500s that are getting superb results.

 

[cmt]

i have toyed with the idea of a DSLR many, many times and even took delivery of a 350D when i had my S2-IS. Although VERY nice and VERY flexible, i found the size with the 18-200 zoom a little bit imposing, meaning it would not get taken out with me as oftern as the S2 IS, so it wen back under Dsitant Selling Regulations for a full refund.

I then decided to go to the half-way house that is the Fuji S9500. This went with me most places, but i missed the 'fun' factor of the S2 (and the size) and the versatility of the 350D, so it went and i am now on a S3-IS. (basically a S2 but in black with 1 more megapixel).

I can say i am very happy with the camera and it goes with me most of the time. Any time it is too big i take the Ixus (800IS), and between them i get most of the shots i would like.

Admitidly they are not the quality of DSLR shots, but if i had stuck with the DSLR i would probably have not had it with me and missed the shot anyway!.

The other thing with the S2/S3 is they are very user friendly. If you want a movie, just press the movie record button (no matter which mode you are in), and if you are taking a movie and think you see the opportunity for a picture, just press the shutter release and the cam will take a full resolution picture and save it as a seperate file. Its so user friendly infact, that the missus will gladly pick it up and take pics of the kids which is something she would not do with the DSLR and Fuji 9500 - they just looked too complicated.

enough waffle!!

cmt