Going from 20D + 17-55mm f/2.8 IS to a G7 -- eh?

[akwok]

Hello everybody,

Due to issues with money, I have been forced to sell my Canon 20D + 17-55mm f/2.8 IS setup. I'm now looking to purchase a G7. Will I be utterly disappointed by this downgrade? Right now I'm borrowing a friend's S70, and the viewfinder sucks very much -- I can't use the LCD to shoot either.

In full manual mode, does the G7 'feel' like an SLR? I would love to use a DSLR, but obviously this is not the time.

Thanks!
Adrian

[an33sh]

though im not a expert, i think if ur already used to a D-SLR and want one..you can get a 350D or a D50... its going for aroudn $600-700 on most sites...i think that wont dissappoint you... and G7 aint too cheap either...

[GPete]

i agree with an33sh stick with familiar grounds the cameras suggested above are very nice DSLR's and the right price, most p+s viewfinders suck
The G7 is awesome, but it's not an SLR @all

[Diminished29]

I definately agree. Tell you what go and get on bhphotovideo.com and check out some of their used gear. I saw a used Rebel XT, body only the other day for $400 something, which was a killer deal I thought, and it was rated as being in "10" condition. So, their are definately options for you to keep with an SLR.

[an33sh]

pardon me guys..this a slightly off topic..but ppl told me that used DSLRs will soon throw up major sensor maintainance problems..
i mean if the earlier guy used it tooo much...

is that true? do their sensors ni DSLRs have a definate life ?

[mknabster]

Hello everybody,

Due to issues with money, I have been forced to sell my Canon 20D + 17-55mm f/2.8 IS setup. I'm now looking to purchase a G7. Will I be utterly disappointed by this downgrade? Right now I'm borrowing a friend's S70, and the viewfinder sucks very much -- I can't use the LCD to shoot either.

In full manual mode, does the G7 'feel' like an SLR? I would love to use a DSLR, but obviously this is not the time.

Thanks!
Adrian

If I were you, i would actually go for the G6. That's what i have at the moment, even though i am going to buy a 30D within the next 2 weeks. But I have compared the G6 to the G7, yes it does have the Digic 2 and more MP, but doesn't have RAW support, i would choose that over more MPs.

[Toogy]

I do love my new G7 for what I use it for. I would however not be impressed if it was my only camera.
I tried using it for my daughter's third birthday party and ended up using the 30D w/ 17-55 because the shutter lag on the G7 was too slow.
And the High ISO of the G7 really isn't that good, it's good for a Point & Shoot, but nowhere near as good as the 20D.
The G7 is a great complimentary camera to a DSLR, but not a replacement.

[w7ox]

Hello everybody,

Due to issues with money, I have been forced to sell my Canon 20D + 17-55mm f/2.8 IS setup. I'm now looking to purchase a G7. Will I be utterly disappointed by this downgrade? Right now I'm borrowing a friend's S70, and the viewfinder sucks very much -- I can't use the LCD to shoot either.

In full manual mode, does the G7 'feel' like an SLR? I would love to use a DSLR, but obviously this is not the time.


You might be better served with an S3 IS, than with a G7. EVF is a poor man's version of the DSLR optical VF, but very usable for composition (basically what you see is what you get). I have a 20D and S3 IS, and other P&S cameras, and the S3 comes closest to feeling like the 20D (and gets used more for casual shooting).

Phil

[qwalls]

You might be better served with an S3 IS, than with a G7. EVF is a poor man's version of the DSLR optical VF, but very usable for composition (basically what you see is what you get). I have a 20D and S3 IS, and other P&S cameras, and the S3 comes closest to feeling like the 20D (and gets used more for casual shooting).

Phil

The S3 IS is a nice little camera, and is great for casual shooting...but you'll really miss the 20D if you do any low light shooting or sports. I can't compare either to the G7.

[JaGWiRE]

I just spoke with akwok, he bought a d50.

[gkuenning]

pardon me guys..this a slightly off topic..but ppl told me that used DSLRs will soon throw up major sensor maintainance problems..
i mean if the earlier guy used it tooo much...

is that true? do their sensors ni DSLRs have a definate life ?

That's wrong, but understandably wrong. Like nearly all modern integrated electronics, sensors do have a finite lifetime, but it is usually so long that it's not an issue. I have electronics that are over 20 years old and still going strong, and computer museums have working stuff that's over 40.

However, the mechanical shutter in a DSLR has a very definite limited lifetime, usually 50,000-200,000 actuations, depending on quality. So if somebody took a LOT of shots before selling a used camera, shutter lifetime could be an issue.

[puttick]

My answer - it depends on you. I had film SLRs (and smaller film cameras) for nearly 40 years, then digital exclusively for the last 4 and 1/2 years. The first two years of digital I had nothing but a Canon G2, and quickly got used to not having an SLR. Having now had a series of dSLRs (300d, 350d, and now 5d) and a bunch of lenses, as well as a series of digicams (after the G2, and Ixus 400, S70, S80, briefly a G6 and now a G7), I can say that I use both types quite happily and that each has their place. My G7 does not replace the 5D and bagful of lenses, but I just can't take that large, heavy gear everywhere. I can carry the G7 at any time, and it produces great photos.

So I would say - yes you can live with a G7. In fact it will get you photos you wold not have taken with your dSLR. Enjoy it as a P&S, carry it a lot, learn to use it - which includes more "previsualisation" than you may have been used to.

And when you have some more free cash, get back on the dSLR ladder. You will have added new skills as a photographer in the meantime.

Cheers
Nigel

[JaGWiRE]

I just spoke with akwok, he bought a d50.
Figured I re-quoted this until people began to answer the OP question as the previous poster did.