Decided on a G1 but !!!

[malc]

Help

Last week after selling my CP775 and after much research I decided that I would buy a factory refurbished G1 here in the UK.

Today I have been told by someone that I don't know so well that I should return the G1 and swap it for a s30 (same price) as it is much more reliable and has better focusing and metering than the G1 etc.

Then I came across this forum and saw the "dead G1" issues.

The G1 came with a 3year extended warranty available which I still have the option on.

I have to make my choice by Monday.

I am from an SLR background and need something that is high quality and robust.

Add on lens's + external mounted flash don’t worry me so much as my fave SLR lens was a 28 - 80 mainly available light photography.

Size & weight is no issue although I wouldn't complain if the camera was a compact size.

Since collecting the G1 last week I have been away on business and have not even had chance to charge the power supply yet.

I would be grateful for any help and experience offered

Thanks

[RichardSimon]

I have owned a G1 for a year, used an S30 briefly, and recently upgraded to a G2.

- I can't compare the image quality of a G1 vs. S30. Try one of the detailed review sites like Steve's Digicams. Both are 3 megapixel cameras; the optics on the G1 are larger than the S30.

- The features for image control and metering on the S30 are nearly identical to the G2, and clearly a step above the G1. In particular, the S30 has the same ability to display histograms of in-camera images as the G2. In my brief examination of the S30, it looked like the software/firmware capabilities of the S30 were essentially identical to the G2. For example, the S30 can take 15 second exposures, whereas the G1 is limited to 8. For exposures faster than 1/500, the G1 stops down to F8; the G2 can get to 1/800; don't know about the S30.

- It looks like the conversion software for raw images for the Canon cameras will put out 10 bits per color for the G2 and the S30, but I am certain that for the G1 only 8 bits per color is in the final output. This is a distinct advantage of the G2; if it hold true of the S30, the same is true. In effect, you have two additional stops of latitude!

- The tilt and swivel LCD of the G1 and G2 is a huge advantage over cameras without it. On the other hand, the S30 has a fantastic shirt-pocket form factor.

- The G1 and G2 can take add on lenses for closeup or mild telephoto or wideangle. THe cost and quality of such add ons can be problematic, though.

- I think the way the G2 and the S30 handle dead pixels is much improved. On both the G2 I own and the S30 I helped a friend purchase there were *no* dead pixels. With my G1, I had 5 dead pixels which always appeared as bright green spots (typically 9 to 15 pixels in size for each bad pixel). I'm not sure if Canon has improved their quality control, or, more likely, improved the way that color and brightness are interpolated for bad pixels. The newer generation is apparently much improved.

If I were in your situation, I would carefully check reviews of the image quality of the S30 vs. the G1. If the image quality is comparable, and there are no gotta-have features on the G1 that the S30 is missing (like the tilt and swivel LCD), I would definately go for the S30.

Good luck!

[malc]

Richard

Thank you very much for your swift feedback.

I have as you suggested checked out a little more on the G1 vs. S30 on various web-sites.

I think that the S30 has it!

One of the reasons I chose the G1 initially was the quality of work on some of the web gallery’s I have viewed + the swivel screen.

I would dearly love to go for the G2 but in the UK the price difference I have been quoted for a G2 is $320.00 more than the S30 !!! Quite at lot to pay for the swivel screen and a few more pix.

As I said in the original post, I have been away on business since the G1 arrived so I haven’t even had chance to use it as the camera is still boxed up

I again thank you for your help. It has definitely made me re think my purchase and take up the 7 day exchange option.


Best regards....Malc