powershot g5 a good camera befoer steping into SLR?

[redheat86]

Im trying to recomend a good camera for a budy of mine whos not to photo savy yet. hes currently using a crappy sony P&S soo i thought he should upgrade to somewith with better optics and adjustment possibilitys.

Also how is the infrared with these with a hoya r72 style filter?

Also is there any other camera in teh 250-400 range that would better qualify than teh g5?

thanks
b.

[dandan]

g6?

panasonic fz-20 or 30??

[slayer]

With that range? Either S1 or S2-IS if you really want a Canon. :)

[RNeudorf]

G6 or S2 IS.
Advantage with the G6 is the hot shoe, so you can get him into flash photography (420 EX maybe?).
The S2 IS is nice because of the zoom range and IS.

I have heard nice things about the Panasonic's with their zoom and IS capabilities. Although I am sure that they are not as good as a Canon. :D

[sharksbite]

what's the IS?

[stoneylonesome]

what's the IS?

Built in Image Stabilizer (IS)
http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelFeaturesAct&fcategoryid=144&modelid=11368&pageno=0

[sharksbite]

oh! alright, thanks. i think hotshoe wins over IS anyday through.

[Saudidave]

G6 or S2 IS.
I have heard nice things about the Panasonic's with their zoom and IS capabilities. Although I am sure that they are not as good as a Canon. :D

I just got a Panasonic FZ5 and despite being a diehard Canon freak, I have to disagree with you. The image quality is staggering and the IS knocks spots off that on my Canon lenses. I found this thread when looking for and then starting a thread about the Panasonic IS versus Canon lens IS.

[fishbonze]

I have been very happy with my G5 and have gotten alot of fun with it as far as IR goes, here is one http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c139/fishbonze/IMG_0690.jpg
..although a G6 may be easier to find and has a warranty, not sure of its IR capability though...Steve

[dbiggs]

I was checking out my sisters S2 IS last night and I was not at all impressed. If your thinking of buying this thing befor you get an SLR just go buy the SLR trust me I have a digital rebel and it is so much easier to use and change settings on it. I was trying it out last night and the controls are just hard to get around and the delay in the shutter action is agian just sad. I have seen some of the pics from them and they look ok but if I were you I would just buy the SLR you won't regret it. For the money you could get a used Origonal Rebel which I have and would enjoy it much better. I thought by the look at it it would be like a cross breed of SLR and P&S but it is P&S totally. The only anvantage to the P&S had over the SLR was the size and with this thing you might as well cary my SLR. I wa suprised that their was no hot shoe as well. just my 2 cents worth but after handeling an slr for a short period of time I don't think I could ever do P&S again

[Wilt]

Let me begin by stating that I have a digital P&S and a 20D system and multiple film systems in multiple film formats. I have shot professionally both in portraiture and commercial work, and I have been involved with everything from P&S to 35mm to Medium Format to Large Format studio cameras. NOw that my photographic credentials are established, let me state...
The Canon Powershot G series is WONDERFUL...(I have a G2 and no particular reason to upgrade -- apart from more megapixels)...it has a FAST lens, is compact and relatively lightweight (compared to a dSLR!), and makes a terrific vacation snapshot companion, and has full manual controls for exposure available. There are times that I do NOT want to lug my 20D system around, and the G2 in a little case on my shoulder or belt is PERFECT to have along instead! The G2 has a fast lens, faster than you would have with any dSLR unless you spent a LOT of money on a fast zoom, rather than the slow inexpensive kit zoom lens that comes with a Rebel. So, to summarize, it does not necessarily make sense to jump from his cheapo P&S up to dSLR immediately because there are prosumer alternatives like the G5 that may actually suit this person BETTER in the long run than the purchase of a dSLR!