Rebel XT vs. PowerShot G2

[MegaPixel]

Hi all,
I'm considering purchasing a Rebel XT to replace my PowerShot G2.
I would like to get some general feed back as to just how much better the XT is compared to a G-series model.

Thanks

[Jackal]

I'm not even sure if you can compare them.....

It's like comparing a $100,000 sports car to a Toyota corolla.

Seriously, I don't know much about the G2 so I can't comment too much.

Link with XT specs:
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0502/05021704canon_eos350d.asp

[Jredtugboat]

I'm not even sure if you can compare them.....

It's like comparing a $100,000 sports car to a Toyota corolla.

Seriously, I don't know much about the G2 so I can't comment too much.

Link with XT specs:
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0502/05021704canon_eos350d.asp

I own a G2; it's a great little camera. I'd recommend one to someone in a heartbeat, based on its excellent, fast-for-its-class lens and classic looks.

I wouldn't really compare it with the DrebXT/350d either, but I'll try...

You want to get the DrebXT/350d if you want a dSLR. You want a dSLR based on some requirements:

1. You want access to the full range of cool, sexy, great glass. A dSLR is just a life support system for lenses. Macro? Fast primes? You got 'em.

2. You want high performance. For many of us (including myself) this is less about being able to print giant prints and more about things like, how long will it take to 'wake up' and shoot pictures? dSLRs are all about fast start up. And you want stuff like a fast frame rate. The G2 is a great camera, but suffers, by comparison to the DRebtXT, significant shutter lag and very low frame rates.

3. You want high quality. You might argue about saying this is lumped in with (2.); I won't argue. High quality means good high ISO performance, great metering, autofocus speed. Not to forget: improved build quality.

Does the DRebXT beat the G2 in all of these (and more that I haven't mentioned)? Sure!

My feeling about the dSLR market is that you really can't go wrong buying a dSLR today. Even the much-maligned DReb can produce outstanding photographs, and introduce you to the world of SLR photography. For under a thousand bucks (US), I think that's wonderful.

Just my thoughts, enjoy your purchase if you go ahead with it!

yours,

Julian

[FlyingPete]

I own a G3, and a 20D. The 20D runs rings around the G3 in every aspect except of live preview, twist LCD. size and movie mode. That is it. Every other aspect, speed image quality, flexiblity, usablity etc etc, the 20D wins hands down. From what I understand of the 350D, it will be exactly the same.

Go for the 350D and you will never look back! My little G3 hardly gets used now, it often lives in the car 'just in case'.

[smittymike19]

dude i owned an s30 and let me tell you, the xt is SOOOOO much better. my bro in law owns an s40 and is trying to sell it. spend the extra cash and you will be happy. like someone here said "buy the best first and you will only cry once" pretty appropriate for this conversation.

[newhouse230]

I have a G3 and recently got a 20d. There is NO question that the 20d can produce technically superior photographs. It yields smoother images at higher ISO and focuses far faster than the G series cameras. Heavy cropping still provides beautiful images long past the point where the G2's shot would start to come apart. Whenever pure quality is the concern, or action needs to be followed in focus, or extreme focal lengths are required, the 20d is far superior.
That being said...don't give away your G2, because that real-time tilting, swinging LCD preview allows you to take some shots that are nearly imposible to frame with the 20d. Ground level, or over the head are a lot easier. Use of the included wireless remote with side and front sensors on the camera is a great feature too.
There is also the matter of always having that lightweight camera with you! When your not up to carrying a bag full of lenses, the lightweight G series camera are a pleasure to carry. It tucks into your coat pocket and goes where you go.
The right tool for the job as the saying goes. Both cameras do a great job at what they were intended for!
I know I'll be keeping, and still using, my G3.
Charlie

[Edgar in ATL]

I have a DReb 300 and a G3. I agree completely with the comments by FlyingPete and Newhouse230. If you can afford it, hang on to the G3 as a reasonable backup.

[smittymike19]

I have a DReb 300 and a G3. I agree completely with the comments by FlyingPete and Newhouse230. If you can afford it, hang on to the G3 as a reasonable backup.

i am going to disagree here. the reason i bought an slr was to take photographs, not snapshots. the 2 cameras are for 2 different purposes. once you start using the xt you will not want the pictures produced by the g3. i hardly think it is worth having the g3 sitting in your bag for the 2 shots you will take a year for the $500 you can get for the g3.My bro in law was shopping for a new camera and was going to pick up a point and shoot and asked me what i thought. I told him that if he wanted mediocre pictures, pick one up, otherwise get the rebel. Needless to say he bought a rebel. He then proposed the question, well what about time you are in a bar and want soem shots and cant bring the rebel or it is too bulky for a certain occasion? buy a disposable film camera as they will give surprisingly nice results, and if you get drunk and lose it, who cares.Plus, the g3 is still fairly bulky so its not like you are saving much space ove rteh xt which is *almost* the same size. Sell the g3 and put the money towards the rebel (xt ) or get some glass. Just my 2cents. peace.

[Camo 757]

i am going to disagree here. the reason i bought an slr was to take photographs, not snapshots. the 2 cameras are for 2 different purposes. once you start using the xt you will not want the pictures produced by the g3. i hardly think it is worth having the g3 sitting in your bag for the 2 shots you will take a year for the $500 you can get for the g3.My bro in law was shopping for a new camera and was going to pick up a point and shoot and asked me what i thought. I told him that if he wanted mediocre pictures, pick one up, otherwise get the rebel. Needless to say he bought a rebel. He then proposed the question, well what about time you are in a bar and want soem shots and cant bring the rebel or it is too bulky for a certain occasion? buy a disposable film camera as they will give surprisingly nice results, and if you get drunk and lose it, who cares.Plus, the g3 is still fairly bulky so its not like you are saving much space ove rteh xt which is *almost* the same size. Sell the g3 and put the money towards the rebel (xt ) or get some glass. Just my 2cents. peace.


that's why I carry a camera phone in my pocket.....

[smittymike19]

that's why I carry a camera phone in my pocket..... uh oh now you done it...comparing the g3 to a camera phone...here comes trouble...:lol: :lol:

[COKE CAN]

I have a DReb 300 and a G3. I agree completely with the comments by FlyingPete and Newhouse230. If you can afford it, hang on to the G3 as a reasonable backup.

I almost sold my Canon Powershot A95 to help buy my DRebel. I'm glad I didn't. When I go out with friends, my camera gets passed around and everyone takes pictures with it.

I like having it over a disposeable because I can fit more on it. I don't have to worry about getting 5-6 disposeable cameras devolped. :p

[dedalus-6]

I just sold my G3 for a XT, so much better and speed,,god,,,you cannot really compare them. G series produce great pictures no doubt, but those pics are at a completely different leavl with those of a DSLR. The former is built to fulfill some basic photographic needs for some photography learners and beginners. The latter is for more advanced users.

Just sell your G2 to get a decent glass,,,,,,,brother!

[smittymike19]

I almost sold my Canon Powershot A95 to help buy my DRebel. I'm glad I didn't. When I go out with friends, my camera gets passed around and everyone takes pictures with it.

I like having it over a disposeable because I can fit more on it. I don't have to worry about getting 5-6 disposeable cameras devolped. :p


at staples they have a digital camera that uses a compact flash card for $20.00. it is basically the same thing as a disposable camera, but a digital version. this thing has very limited functions, but i think id rather have my friends pass that around at a bar, then a $400 a95 camera.

[COKE CAN]

at staples they have a digital camera that uses a compact flash card for $20.00. it is basically the same thing as a disposable camera, but a digital version. this thing has very limited functions, but i think id rather have my friends pass that around at a bar, then a $400 a95 camera.

Yea, I guess if I went to bars I wouldn't. We just kick back at house partys. I only payed ~$270 for my camera. But $20 camera isn't too shaby.

[cyclone]

OK, let's talk specific areas of benefit:


faster camera start-up time
much better noise supression (G2 is good at 50ISO, XT up to 1600/3200)
XT can take images at 3 frames/second
much, much, much faster focusing with XT
you can actually use large apertures to create background blur
wider range of focal length available (at a price)
virtually no shutter lag with XT
higher megapixels - allows larger prints, more cropping
Can you take good pictures with the G2? Absolutely. Can you take advantage of the added features of the XT? That is up to you. The G2 is great at images where you can take your time to focus, etc. The XT will be good at that as well, but also open up the realm of action.

Hope this helps.

Cyclone

[griff2]

When the G2 came out in 2001 it was classed a prosumer camera. The next best thing after the G2 in 2001 was a digital SLR, the D60 I think, and was many thousands of pounds. I purchased a G2 and used it for three years until the 300D/Drebel came out. The G2 was a great camera for indoor photography with flash, but outdoors it was noisy and a clear blue sky, in particular, demonstrated that noise, even at ISO 50. I got the Drebel when it came out, and even with the kit lens (18-55), it easily outperformed the G2 in every respect.


The Drebel, takes a bit more time and effort to get the best out of it, than the G2, but it really is well worth that effort.

[Rob612]

There is only one camera that Canon makes that can be really handy for all those situations where bringing a SLR is a problem. Any of the Ixus (I believe its the Elph in the US) will do a great job for snapshots (sometimes better a snap than nothing). The size is almost the same of of a pack of cigarettes (i.e. very small, for the non smokers), fitsa in evry pocket and is incredibly sturdy. I love mine.

[Edgar in ATL]

Smittymike19, I am amazed anyone would pay $500 for a G3. For example, KEH offers $176. Now if you are willing to pay....

[Jredtugboat]

I almost sold my Canon Powershot A95 to help buy my DRebel. I'm glad I didn't. When I go out with friends, my camera gets passed around and everyone takes pictures with it.

I like having it over a disposeable because I can fit more on it. I don't have to worry about getting 5-6 disposeable cameras devolped. :p

I'm going to buy the -20D as soon as funds come in, but I have no plans to ditch the G2...in fact, I'm thinking about getting the A95 to supplement it.

As several people have correctly pointed out, for fine quality pictures the Rebels and the -20D thoroughly outclass the G2; no argument there.

However, not all of my pictures are taken for fine-art purposes. And while I don't pass my camera around at the bar, I do take it to bars, on the boat, etc...places where I wouldn't always feel comfortable with $1,500 of camera hanging on my neck.

Again, no doubt: in terms of sheer quality and power, the Rebels and -20D are superior. I just think we need to contextualize the discussion in terms of what you're going to do with the camera. For snap shots, for some really good photographs, for candids and over-the-head crowd shots, the G2 is a worthy contender. I'd have no problem carrying both of them, especially when I'm doing stuff like taking stuff on the ground...which I do surprisingly often! (I don't always like to lie down on the ground. This might make me a bit lazy, but it's a need of mine to keep clean, lest the girlfriend desert me.)

yours,

Julian

[MegaPixel]

wow! thanks for all of the great input and reviews on these 2 canon models...
i originally joined this forum to help me decide if i should purchase a DRXT.
not only did it help me to come to a purchase decision, but it also has tons of useful information that is invaluable to a photography novice such as myself... so, after reading all of your posts, i've made the decision to buy a DRXT and keep my G2.
again, thanks to all!

[froman98]

To go along with the previous posts, I used to have a Canon Powershot G5. I ended up giving it to my girlfriend because I hadn't touched it in the first 4 months I owned my 20d. My main reasons for this is that the 20D (I'm just using that to reference the difference between the point'n'shoot and a dslr) starts up a bunch faster, takes photos quicker and allows better control over taking those photos. I really don't have anything bad to say about my old G5 but I have soooo much more good things to say about my 20D.

The only downside I have to say is at first the 20D (and i'm sure the DRebXT will feel this way) is quite a bit larger and heavier. After using it nonstop for a few weeks, the G5 seems like a toy.

I'm glad you chose to plunge and get the DRebXt. You'll have tons of fun (and photos) with it!

[JMAS]

Megapixel,
I'm glad you decided to take the plunge but keeping the G2.

I have a 300Dand agree with all the above, but also think you might want to look into Don Ellis's site http://www.kleptography.com/gallery-ir72.htm to see how a G2 can be transformed for realtime infrared.
I will get one some day, just for that purpose. It gives the hability to shoot IR without having to use a tripod and slow shutter speeds, hence allowing to capture fantastic shots, as you will see.

By all means keep it. It's a great camera.

[smittymike19]

Smittymike19, I am amazed anyone would pay $500 for a G3. For example, KEH offers $176. Now if you are willing to pay....

Check out this amazon link. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/offering/list/-/B00006LU7J/all/ref=dp_bb_a/104-0410836-7460703

looks liek new theya re 600+ and used 350+.

edit: That is for teh g3. i misread the original post. yeah the g2 is pretty much worthless at this point. anything over 2 years old in digital camera land is basically prehistoric. SO yeah id keep the g2 too. I wouldnt be too upset if i lost a $175 camera. thought we were talking 500-600. sorry. :oops: