Pro 1 feedback requested

[jimtfoto]

Guy at work is looking at purchasing Canon's Powershot Pro 1 ... any users have comments pro or con? I've heard some of these fixed lens 8 mp cameras have an unusally high amount of noise at anything above ISO 100 ... that true?
The Pro 1 would be used in a newspaper environment ... I have no experience with this camera, since I use a 10D and the pro photogs I know have just been equipped with MkIIs (they don't know anything about the Pro 1 either).
Any input would be appreciated.
Cheers,
jim

[jwcdds]

I find the noise level to be acceptable at iso 200 and "tolerable" at 400. Nothing a little noise-reduction software can't clean up. But again, it depends on the nature of the photos and what the project require. The pro1's small sensor cannot compare with the huge CMOS sensor of the Canon DSLR in high-iso/low-noise performance. But in adequate lighting, and/or under the right conditions, the pro1 (imo) performs incredibly well.

The pro1 is kind of a walk-around camera. Great for scouting work, hikes and vacations. 28-200mm equiv lens goes a long way to cover "most" needs. But it certainly has its limitations: poor low-light AF performance due to lack of AF-assist, minor vignetting at wide apertures, etc...

Unfortunately, I'm but an amateur to photography so I am not familiar with what a "newspaper environment" is and how the pro1 would fair.

[tonymerlin]

Hi, I'm certainly in the amateur category, but take a look at this website 'http://www.pbase.com/nero_design'.

It will show you just what the pro1 is capable of (in the right hands).

Best regards . . .

[zacker]

pro 1 is fine for stills, landscapes and macros and studio work... action shots get a bit iffy unless you know when and where the action will be and you pre focus!
I love my Pro1... I also love my 350D I just use each one for its own particular use.
Craig-

[davidfig]

I took a look at the pro 1 some time back. I was more impressed than I thought I would be. Outdoors (lota light) is take some real good pictures. I think most of its competitors are rated better. But for some reason (L glass) the pictures I saw where on par with the D70 which just came out.

maybe a 350D with tamron 18-200 would do the trick. Just depends on how small you want.

[Airedale1]

jwcdds hit most of my points. I would add too that the inherent shutterlag alone would probably disqualify it as a tool for a photojournalist. It will take excellent pictures under the right conditions. But, as a photojournalist you don't always have the ability to take the shot under optimum conditions.

[Maureen Souza]

I have a Pro1 and I really like it for a walk around, P&S...... They are much more affordable these days too as they were around $1000 when they first came out.

[Wsman2]

Picked mine up through here (by way of resellerratings.com): http://www.beachcamera.com/shop/Product.asp?ProdTypeList=&Sku=CNPSPRO1.
With shipping (to CA from NJ), it came to $588.

Don't forget to do the firmware update (if applicable).

I like what it's done for me so far, but I have a ways to go with it yet.