Can we consider G-series cams to be classics?

Over the past 20 years, I have had the good fortune to own many of Canon's classic 35mm SLR's, both manual and AF models. Now, with the dawn of a new century, we have had a few generations of G-series digital compacts.

Can we consider any of them to be classics? I am making reference to design, handling, image quality, etc.

I would.

Damn straight!

I consider the G5 to be a classic for several reasons -
1) It's black
2) Has 5MP, which in my opinion was/is the REAL threshold value that put digital in the same league with film (for non-professional/non-commercial applications).
3) It was so good that in order to supercede it they had to create the G6, which adds one measly Megapixel (have you ever considered how teensy is the improvement in resolution of square root of 6 over 5) [1.09 or 9% increase].

I agree with 1 and 2 but the G6 has 7.1 MP,not 6...

The G6 is certainly a classic, as it was my first compact!

If you really want to, why not?

N

hansmb wrote:
I agree with 1 and 2 but the G6 has 7.1 MP,not 6...

You're right! So, I will revise my numbers - it was more like 18% improvement in resolution.

Hardly a reason to consider a camera a classic. In fact I can think of many cameras that aren't black that would be considered classics

King Size wrote:
Hardly a reason to consider a camera a classic. In fact I can think of many cameras that aren't black that would be considered classics

True. For me, the fact that it's black is significant in that about 99% of all digital cameras seemed to be chrome or satin silver color up until a certain point, and then a few black ones emerged. But I think I understand your point. Generally, a "classic" anything is never classified as a "classic" until several years have gone by and it has survived the trials of time and been recognized as unique.

I think the G5 will certainly attain that status some day.

I think of a classic in terms of something that is enduring and has a lasting significance or worth. Within these parameters I think it would be very difficult to consider most digital cameras 'classics' due to the short product cycles we expect and demand (how many times have people on this forum inquired about a G7?). Gone are the days when cameras like Nikon's original F or FE or Canon's A1 had a 10 year lifecycle. Personally I miss those days and think that the black/silver debate is simply a cyclical one. At the moment i love silver cameras, ten years ago I probably wouln't have.

Having said that I think the G Series as a whole can be construed as being important enough to be contemporary classics.

A classic also tends to have annoying little things which add "character" - the G5 has these too!

- Lens adapter on = flash blocked at wide.
- Lens adapter on = AF beam partially obscured.
- Vignetting (nothing major, but annoying nonetheless)
- Noise at higher ISOs is disgusting.

But. This was my first digital camera and it has proved to be a sturdy beast that has taken some beautiful pictures and allowed me to experiment and develop my skills which I would have been too frightened of (cost wise) doing with my SLR.

I prefer the G5 over the G6 for pure aesthetic reasons too and looking at the price differences between chromed and black rangefinders or lore, it seems that I am not the only one!

We'll have to wait at least 20 years to see what cameras can be placed in the ranks of genuine classics.

The G1 would make my personal list because it was the first digicam to reach the critical balance of price/features/resolut​ion than convinced me to switch from film.

I have also been fortunate enough to own a couple of other classics way back: An Exacta SLR (the first SLR, I believe) and, way before that, my first camera as a kid, a Coronet Midget.

I wonder how many (if any) digital compacts will remain "user-classics" long after they are out of production.

I doubt anyone will care about a G{1,2,3,5,6} in 10-20 years time.

These cameras arn't as well built as the film classics from the 60's and 70's.

The thing is my Yashica Electro 35, J Reflex or Pentax ME Super are not obsolete. New film cameras may have more gizmos but the basics of keeping a shutter open in front of film, behind some well made glass is timeless.

In 10 years time technology may have progressed so much that all digital cameras will have full frame CCDs and brilliant processing for the price of a film SLR a couple of years ago. I'll keep my Pentax K & KA lens for that day.

How many people would still buy a digital "rangefinder" style camera from 2000/2001 with a 1/2 Megapixel CCD no matter how good the lens is?

Do we consider the Sony Mavica (with the floppy media) a classic?