Anything better than a G3?

[peterm1]

I bought the G3 for my wife (I use the 1DmkI), and I think it is a great camera for the price (I paid $400). The G5 did not seem to improve on it (more purple fringing and noise), and I don't like the Pro 1 either (tried in a store today and could not stand the fact that the LCD would freeze up while it focused - it's also expensive). Give me clean 4 megapixels over noisy 8 megapixels anyday.

Anyway, is there a better camera in the $500 range than the G3? I know it's not the smallest camera, but it has RAW (a must), the swiveling lcd screen, custom modes, ND filter built-in, hot shoe for my Canon flash, good battery life, a remote, very good picture quality, and a 4x optical zoom. What other compact camera offers these or similar features with similar photo quality?

I am thinking about getting a compact for myself and I still don't see anything better than the trusty old G3.

I really like the S400 or the Sony T1 for size, but they don't have nearly as many valuable features.

-Peter

[Alexandre Gabriel]

Try S60 in a few months, after DPReview.com says something about it.
It has 28mm, DIGICII, and is (nearly?) pocketable.
I love my G3 but if I had a DSLR I would sell it to have a S-series camera (S60 or S400, depending on my needs).

[peterm1]

Early thoughts on the S60 that I have seen online does not make it sound great, but I am interest in learning more about it. Too bad it doesn't have the swiveling LCD, which I think is awesome, and I am not sure if it has a hotshoe for my 420EX either.

I think once you have a DSLR, you may not want the smaller subcompacts instead of the G or S-series, because you see what amazing results you can get with a digital camera and you want to come as close to that with your smaller carry-everywhere camera. I know you can't compare the compacts to the DSLRs, but you will want to get as close as possible. That's why I want to be able to shoot RAW, use an external flash, etc. Of course, other people think differently. Even I am not totally convinced yet - I like the Sony T1 for its size and decent quality even at high ISOs.

=Peter

[Andy_T]

Peter,

from a first cursory glance it looks like the S60 has everything the G5 has ... as opposed to the S45/G3 relationship.

So you get a smaller camera with a slightly slower lens (2.8) and without the option to use external flash and conversion lenses, but with RAW (something the smaller Canon cams don't have).

On the other hand, you get the more questionable advantages of the G5 over the G4: another megapixel at the cost of noise/PF and extra $$$.

To me, it seems like you've made exactly the right choice.

Best regards,
Andy

G2 and happy with it ...