S3 IS vs G7

[Billiie]

I made a thread awhile ago about the Canon S3 IS, and now I need some more advice please.

I was most certain I was going to stick with that camera, until the new Canon PowerShot G7 came out.

I heard the G7 is a really good camera, and takes excellent pictures that advanced photographers want. It has Digital Image Core processor, but I really don't know what that is. Also, it has the face detection AF/AE, and I think that is pretty neat. I know the S3 IS doesn't have that because it is an older model. You can also buy lenses and another flash for the G7, but I kind of like how the S3 IS already has the 12X optical zoom. Some people that I have talked to said that the G7 takes better pictures then the S3 IS, but others say it doesn't. A lot of people said it has a lot of functions like a SLR too.

Okay, what do you guys think about this camera? And comparing it the S3 IS, which one is better? What are the pros and cons about the G7? Which takes clearer pictures? Since the G7 has a smaller lense, wouldn't that make the SE IS lense better since it is larger?

Here is a website reviewing the G7:
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0609/06091405_canon_g7.asp

And another website comparing the G7 and S3 IS:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_s3is%2Ccanon_g7&show=all

Sorry for all the questions, I just REALLY need to figure out which one I want lol, and I don't want to make a mistake. :)

[GNMink]

check this thread out

http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26685

[NickSimcheck]

I'm guessing that the S3 IS will be the right camera for you.

The G series are aimed for people who take photography more seriously. The way they are setup, it begs you to take control.

The S3 IS has more features for consumers, 12X zoom, swing out screen. put it on Auto mode and shoot away.

It seems that you should start with the S3 IS and if you find that you want to take more control, then get an SLR as you will be still lacking something from the G7. In my opinion, the G series is for photographers who want a small camera when a big DSLR isn't appropriate for the occasion be it family night, vacation, etc. People who take photography seriously...If you become one of those people you'll either be happy with the S3 IS for casual shots and your DLSR for more serious stuff, or you'll want to replace it with a G7. But that's looking down a road which you might not take.

[Billiie]

GNMink - thank you for the link! Very helpful. I was reading that the G7 is a great camera for taking marco shots :D I really like that.

NickSimcheck - Thank you for the advice. I love photography, but of course, I am just starting to get into it. G7 is pretty expensive, and it isn't even a SLR. Maybe I should just wait a year or two and get a SLR and get my moneys worth.

Or I am thinking I should just wait until the S4 IS comes out. It will probably be a great camera and will have a lot of the functions the G7 has. Or do you think it won't be that advanced?

Hmm.. Still deciding. lol.

[mattjs]

This a complete guess, but I'd say an S4 IS would pretty much get the DIGIC III processor and not a wole lot more. Maybe another megapixel or two. That and it'll probably be silver.

Not that that would be a weak upgrade. DIGIC III in an S4 would be great. But you can count on Canon making sure it doesn't have all same features as the G7 (for less money and with longer reach).

[silvex]

This a complete guess, but I'd say an S4 IS would pretty much get the DIGIC III processor and not a wole lot more. Maybe another megapixel or two. That and it'll probably be silver.

Not that that would be a weak upgrade. DIGIC III in an S4 would be great. But you can count on Canon making sure it doesn't have all same features as the G7 (for less money and with longer reach).

Longer reach ? I thought the S3 has 12X digi zoom.

[Woogie]

Longer reach ? I thought the S3 has 12X digi zoom.

that would be 12x optical.

[silvex]

that would be 12x optical.

Yup you are right 12x optical and 4x digital. After having one over six months I should know...:oops:

[MarKap77]

Billiie,

While I am not the best photographer in the world (far from it) I do have both the S3 IS and the G7. I bought the G7 for the superior optics, superior image size and the fact that the zoom is ONLY 6X! Let me explain.

As a novice photographer, I have frequently encountered situations where I wanted a long zoom. I first bought an Olympus C-730 with 10X zoom. Nice camera, good features for it's time, 3.2 megapixels (not so good). I quickly found that the full zoom range was virtually unusable without a tripod. Anything beyond about 5X was just too long to hand hold, and since I travel a lot, I don't carry a tripod.

I later upgraded to an Olympus C-7000, 7 megapixel (pretty good) and 5X zoom. This camera was really great! The 5X zoom was fully functional as a hand held in all situations. The image quality was very good, and it had a RAW mode. I wish I hadn't lost it!

When I switched to Canon about a year ago, I wanted to upgrade my point & shoot, and I got an S3 IS, hoping the 12X zoom would be more versatile with the inclusion of IS. Sadly, I found the 6 megapixel sensor to be disappointing (guess I've just gotten use to my 30D!) and the "practical" use of the zoom to be limited to around 5-6X without a tripod. Just like my older Olympus.

Then, along comes the G7. Aside from the appearance (which I REALLY like), the 10 megapixels is great, and at 6X zoom with IS, I am in heaven. I can't say which feature is the most important, but for me, the G7 just takes better pictures. It is still small enough to be an all around carry camera, but has enough features to satisfy my growing ability to take a picture in manual and make it come out better than in full auto. Also, I prefer the rechargable battery of the G7 over the AA batteries of the S3 (even though I have a set of Ni-MH batteries for it).

Bottom line for me: the G7 produces a better image. It is more expensive, it doesn't have RAW, and the zoom is shorter. None of that matters to me if I can't capture the image I want.

Good luck in you decision.

Mark

[Azzure_7]

Wondering Why do you prefer the rechargeable batteries than AA batteries?

[Saudidave]

I can't answer for Markapp77, but I agree with him. AA's are much bulkier to carry and more of a nuisance to change than a rechargeable. I totally disagree about long zoom though. I've owned a Panasonic FZ7 & now an S3IS and have no shake problems at 12x, in reasonable light. You can't expect too much, but we do. It's not that long ago that the fastest film you could get for your 35mm (with a 50mm prime lens) was 400 iso, now we complain about noise at 400 on our tiny 12x superzooms! Time for a reality check, I suspect.

[MarKap77]

Wondering Why do you prefer the rechargeable batteries than AA batteries?

Just a personal preference. I have had a spare battery with all of my cameras that used a dedicated rechargable, and just swap out when I run out of juice. Which isn't very often. More often than not, I am charging one while using the other.

Regards,

[MarKap77]

I can't answer for Markapp77, but I agree with him. AA's are much bulkier to carry and more of a nuisance to change than a rechargeable. I totally disagree about long zoom though. I've owned a Panasonic FZ7 & now an S3IS and have no shake problems at 12x, in reasonable light. You can't expect too much, but we do. It's not that long ago that the fastest film you could get for your 35mm (with a 50mm prime lens) was 400 iso, now we complain about noise at 400 on our tiny 12x superzooms! Time for a reality check, I suspect.

Saudidave, like my reply on batteries, it is just a personal preference, and my own experience (inexperience?). I have never been happy with a picture taken with a zoom setting beyond about 5-6X when the camera was hand held. Too each his own. If it works for you, I am pleased. Now, can you teach me to do it so I can use that zoom?
:)

[Azzure_7]

Okay, cos rechargeable AA's batteries are much more affordable.. can be used for other thing too=ME. . :D

[Saudidave]

Saudidave, like my reply on batteries, it is just a personal preference, and my own experience (inexperience?). I have never been happy with a picture taken with a zoom setting beyond about 5-6X when the camera was hand held. Too each his own. If it works for you, I am pleased. Now, can you teach me to do it so I can use that zoom?
:)

Basically, stand three quarters on to the subject. Grip the camera with the right hand and support it firmly with the left (hand underneath,palm up under the camera, gripping the extended lens lightly between forefinger and thumb). Don't use the LCD, use the viewfinder.Support your elbows with your ribcage. Breath slowly and when you've taken aim and focussed, exhale and gently squeeze the shutter release. Deer Hunters will recognise this procedure.

[NickSimcheck]

Basically, stand three quarters on to the subject. Grip the camera with the right hand and support it firmly with the left (hand underneath,palm up under the camera, gripping the extended lens lightly between forefinger and thumb). Don't use the LCD, use the viewfinder.Support your elbows with your ribcage. Breath slowly and when you've taken aim and focussed, exhale and gently squeeze the shutter release. Deer Hunters will recognise this procedure.


Exactly how I get sharp photos from the S3 IS at X12.

I think #1 is shoot through the Viewfinder, holding the camera in front of you is only asking for shake.

[Alva]

Here is a nice review of the G7 which might help you make up your mind.
http://luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/Canon-G7.shtml

[Billiie]

:D Thanks everyone for all your advice and experiences with both cameras!!! You guys are soooo helpful!

I decided to get the Canon S3 IS, and I am pleased with it so far! :D I took my dog out to the park, and snapped some shots, and they turned out wonderfully for me since I am just learning. I have no problems with the 12x zoom. Actually, it has come in handy when Owen (my dog lol) is running super fast, and I need to get a close picture.

I was wondering though - when I put it on sports mode, and I take a pic.. The flash doesn't work. Is this normal? There wasn't a lot of sun out that day, and when I switched the mode to something else, the flash did work...

Here is a picture of Owen, and I did use the 12x zoom then. It could of been clearer though.
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e217/23445/IMG_5997.jpg

Here is another.. I used 12x zoom too
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e217/23445/IMG_6013.jpg

[rpolitsr]

Congratulations for the new camera!

I was wondering though - when I put it on sports mode, and I take a pic.. The flash doesn't work. Is this normal?

Yes, it is normal. Flash can not be set in sports mode.
Check Flash settings in the table of pg. 167 and the note (3) in pg. 169 of the Advanced Camera User Guide.

As I wrote in another thread for the G7, the shutter speed in sports mode might be faster than the max. Flash synchro shutter speed although it is pretty fast in the S3 IS (1/500sec.).

[silvex]

I was wondering though - when I put it on sports mode, and I take a pic.. The flash doesn't work. Is this normal? There wasn't a lot of sun out that day, and when I switched the mode to something else, the flash did work...

Here is a picture of Owen, and I did use the 12x zoom then. It could of been clearer though.



Sports mode gives a lot of noise in poor lighting. I usually shoot in either P or Av...also don't use AWB. Set it to clouddy or sunny.