New here & trying to choose between G3 & G5

[CanGran]

Hi, just wanted to introduce myself. My username is CanGran - short for Canadian Grandma. I have just really started taking pictures in May of 2003 (never really took pictures before - DH did that) and have realized that I really, really enjoy it. My DH bought me a HP PhotoSmart 720 this time last year and I have been practicing a lot with it (your can see some of my pics at

http://www.digital-life-21.com/ under CanGran

and now realize I need a camera that will do more and allow me to take some shots manually etc., etc..

Anyway I have been going back and forth between the Canon G3 and G5 and the only reason I think I will be buying the G5 is the large picture printing capabilities without distortions. I do not print such large picture now, but figure if I do so in the future, I will be one step ahead.

Do you think this is a good enough reason to buy a G5?

Some great reading here and see I have a lot more to do.

Thanks all.

CanGran

[sdommin]

Hi CanGran,

Welcome to the Forum! As others will no doubt tell you, you can't go wrong with either of those cameras. They're both so similar that I don't think it would matter much. I don't know, but you might be hard-pressed to even find a G3, since I believe they're not being made anymore. It might come down to the color of camera you prefer - black or silver (personally, I like silver!).

What size print are you considering making?

[CanGran]

Thanks.

Right now I do 5x7's using a matted 8x10 picture frame and 8x10's using a matted 11x14 picture frame. The majority of my pics are B&W - white mats and black frames.

Eventually, I may look at doing poster size pics - not sure yet.

I have submitted 3 of my photos in the crituque forum and the one I like the least is "cascading water", I think it is because I am more particial to B&W. Maybe you could take a look and let me know what you think.


Thanks again,
CanGran

[paul162brown]

Hello CanGran,

Just for your info, I had to make the same decision that you are faced with before recently buying my G3. Sodommin is right in that you may have trouble in finding a G3, if that is what you choose, as they are technically discontinued, although some stores still have stock here in the UK. However, one further point to bear in mind is that I remember reading a review on the G5 (cannot remember where but think it was a UK review site which gives very in-depth reviews by I guy who really knows his stuff) and they liked the G5 but did not favor it over the G3. The problem seemed to be something to do with the fact that the image sensor on the G5 is physically the same size as the G3's but where they have tried to cram in the extra million pixles into the same space, this has led to certain quality problems with colour reproduction and other matters. I don’t understand all of the technical aspects of digital cameras myself and am a fairly recent user having moved on from a manual SLR but they even said that higher overall quality pictures were achieved with the G3 even with its lower resolution count in many circumstances. In any event, it was still a highly rated camera, they just did not see that it represented any substantial leap forward given the increased price and as I said, in some areas represented a decrease in quality. I am sorry that I cannot remember where I read this at the moment (I will look into it and post another reply if I find it) but in the meantime your may want to research this particular point before parting with your hard earning cash!! You could always consider getting a newly new secondhand G3 on somewhere like e-bay and then spend the spare cash on the lens adapters for macro or wide angle/telezoom shots!

Hope this helps a bit.

Paul

[paul162brown]

CanGran,

Just one further thought...........have a look at sodommins gallery on the 3rd page of the galleries section of this site so that you can see just what can be acheived with just a G3. You will be amazed I am sure and will probably just rush out and find a G3!!

Paul

[runrigger]

Hi CanGran,
I recently had to make the same decision G3 or G5?
I was venturing into digital from a manual SLR and read virtually everything I could get my hands on. I eventually settled for the G3, as all the reviews said that the upgrade to G5 wasn't worth the extra money.
I have been delighted with the prints from my G3, and last week I printed my first 16x12 B & W from it. It's stunningly sharp & I am thrilled to bits.
The problem you may have now is getting hold of one -there are really scarce now over here, and I think may even become a 'classic' in a few years time.
Anyway whichever you decide on, the main thing is to enjoy using it and continue to derive pleasure from this great hobby of ours!

[bradinvancouver]

There are still lots of g3's about if you know where to look - I just bought one from www.cameracanada.com for C$860 (now at $889) about two weeks ago and, since I'm in BC - no pst!. Received it 3 days after the order. One of the local camera shops here grabbed a whack of them and is selling for C$899 - www.lensandshutter.com (they also do excellent prints from digital via fotowire and are significantly cheaper than most places I've checed out). Not sure if they would ship a camera but worth checking out if you're in a pinch. Otherwise, the G5 is down to C$989 at cameracanada already...

[CanGran]

Thanks all! Runrigger, I was not aware that you could print 16x12 pics from a G3 - good to know. Bradinvancouver- thanks will check out those places.

Thanks to all for your help & suggestions.

CanGran