upgrade from S3 IS to G9 - worth it?

[behibehix]

I currently have an S3 IS and wondered if it was worth upgrading to the G9 in terms of features and PQ.

Given the UK prices (and how much I can get for my S3 IS second hand), the upgrade will cost me an estimated £150 (approx $300).

My reading of the situation is that the G9 is just as noisy on high ISO as the S3 IS, and apart from the megapixel difference (and the RAW on the G9) both cameras appear to be essentially similar.

If anyone has had both cameras, would appreciate some feedback on whether the upgrade is worth it (given how much it will cost me)

I would also like to know if the G9 is physically smaller than the S3 IS (and more pocketable) - the one thing I've always disliked about S3 IS is its bulkiness.

thnx :)

[CJinAustin]

If you process raw you would see a difference.

[NOsquid]

For $300 I would say no, not worth it. The IQ on the G9 looks a bit better to me, and it has a hotshoe (the biggest advantage IMO) but if you're worried about bulk you're probably not into carrying a big flash.

[teekay]

They are two very different cameras with different features and only you can decide which ones are important to you. They will both yield fine images. Some big differences are: LCD screen (one tilts, one is fixed), zoom range (S3 is bigger). G9 has RAW if that matters to you.

Take a look at the differences and reviews here:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/

[Collin85]

If you process raw you would see a difference.

+1

Apart from that, I'd keep the S3-IS. Infact, there's many things from my old S3 which I actually miss (over the G9).

[Tron84]

Had both cameras. I disliked the S3 Is due to bulk and sometimes the controls pissed me off. Then it got stolen, and i got the G9. And i love it. Much easier to transport around, looks better on the controls and takes good pictures (Just came back from backpacking in the south of India, G9 proved extremely good). Miss that zoom from the S3 Is thou. Compared to the S3, the G9 can't zoom...

[behibehix]

well I ended up getting the G9 after all, and is siting next to my S3 right now. Am trying to find a REALLY good reason to keep both, maybg taking the S3 to football matches and other large events where the extra zoom would be useful, and using the G9 for everything else... Does this make sense or am I just being silly in keeping both :)

[Savas K]

No really. In the DSLR world, some have a 5D for wide shots and keep long lenses on something like a 40D.

[pointerDixie214]

I say keep them both. They are interely different cameras and both can do things that the other cannot.

Sports and wildlife, G9 can't compare to S3.

Indoors and portability (RAW and hot show as well)- G9 wins. I say keep them both. I have my S3 IS and an older Sony point and shoot that I keep. One for one thing, the Sony is the one that gets beat up all the time. I keep both those in the bad with my XTi... works pretty good...