Torn between Canon G6 and Rebel XT...

Hi !

First time to be in this forum and glad to find this great site!

Anyway, I just graduated from the university and I felt that I have the money and time to invest on my hobby, which is photography.

I’ve been thinking this for a while coz for all my life, I’ve been using cameras with film, not digital. So basically, it will be first time to buy and use digital camera.


I’m planning to buy Canon G6 or Rebel XT. Canon G6 coz it has autofocus in it and it might be easier for the transition from film to digital camera. Rebel XT coz everytime I see people with SLR, it looks more professional and maybe same thing with the result. SLR too because it might be a good investment for my money.

I love to picture buildings, people, my family and myself! . I just go to downtown and just bring my camera and start shooting everything. And I felt like G6 is handy too!

Ok, here are my points:

• Just starting on digital world. But willing to learn coz i love it!
  
• Good investment that I might use it for the next 5 years or so.
  
• I can use it multi purpose – traveling around the world, family gatherings, panoramic, landscape, cityscape, etc.
  
• Basically, my BEST DEBUT camera that I might get used to.
  
• G6, looks handy and it might be easier to manipulate.
  
• Rebel, looks professional that I get envious when I see people using it and shots might be crispier since it more (advanced)?
  
• Sometimes, it comes to my mind that I need point and shoot and SLR at the same time. Agree?

Sophia, welcome to the forum

Just some thoughts...

Actually, the AF on the Rebel XT is much better and faster than on the G6

Other than that, both cameras have their pros and cons.

Rebel XT:
+ image quality a lot better than G6 (if you buy decent lenses)
+ a lot faster in power-up, shooting, saving files
+ much better low light ability
+ more creative possibility because of shallow DOF ... take a look HERE!
+ more flexibility becaus you can change lenses
- price
- portability

G6
+ cheaper
+ more compact
- slow
- image quality (lacking all the advantages of the Rebel XT)

Hope that helps a bit...

Best regards,
Andy

Both have autofocus and "auto" modes, both are great in their own ways, it's a tough call. There are a lot of other threads about this so look them up for details, but in short:

Pros of XT
-interchangeable lenses
-higher ISOs,much better for low light and action shots
-bigger sensor/lenses allow for better use of depth of field
-slightly higher resolution (not a big deal)
-pro-looking
-better processor (faster AF, etc)

Pros of G6
-smaller (not all that much, really, though)
-flip screen (i can't live without it now)
-cheaper
-movie mode and some 'dummy' modes
-live preview on screen (XT screen only shows shot after it's taken)

I'd say if you're used to film cameras and shooting through the viewfinder rather than looking at a screen, and you can afford it, go for the XT. Then if you decide it's too big to carry around all the time, buy a pocket camera. While the G6 isn't all that big, it's not really any more convenient to carry around than the XT. A lot of people on this list have both, but if I had an XT, i'd rather my second camera was teeny, and the G6 is definitely not teeny.

As far as 'learning' digital, there's not much difference between a digital SLR and a film SLR, so I think you'd be very happy with the XT. My brother went to school for photography and then sort of left the field for a while, he rarely used his film camera because film is a pain, and he rarely used his point and shoot because it was unfamilar and didn't have the options of an SLR. He recently bought a nice Nikon dSLR and he's been going nuts with photography again, he's mad he didn't buy one years ago.

Iike Bryan above, I think I'd jump in with the XT and look for a smaller P&S if you ever felt the need to travel lighter. XT will give you lots of room to grow into your new hobby.

So Bryan, you said you can't live without flip screen, is that mean that you have a camera with flip screen and SLR at the same time?

How about I'll buy G6 now and buy an SLR 3 years from now, do you think it's a good decision? For example, I went to Disneyland and it's very crowded. I have this hard time shooting coz I have to peek all the time on my cam and people infront of me are taller. So i think, the flip LCD would be a great help. One more thing, I usually travel by myself and I love to see myself on the pictures too And I'll just imagine if I ask somebody to shoot me using SLR, it might be hard....

And about point and shoot small digicams... I think I'm not really fan of those. I imagine going to Europe and using a small point and shoot to shoot churches etc. is not really convincing for me. I think G6 and SLR is a good combo...

But I'm still in a hard decision right now... I love SLR for my artistic side (national geographic style lol). I like G6 for my imformal (parties, school, unexpected dramas, when I go somehere and like to be in that pic)...

But I just can't buy both at the same time. I'm planning to use it for this xmas holidays... and after that, as my all around camera. Both has pros and cons but I have this hard time weighing on what to buy asap...

I've had both, XT hands down. Personally I didn't like the G6

Dan

Sophia wrote:
So Bryan, you said you can't live without flip screen, is that mean that you have a camera with flip screen and SLR at the same time?

I don't have a dSLR, I have a G6 and an old film SLR that i hardly ever use.

I think your justification makes sense. Sometimes I wish I bought a dSLR instead, but whenever I use my SLR or my friends' dSLRS, i go nuts trying to compose a shot without the screen. The screen is super handy. I realize i hardly ever shoot with the camera to my eye anymore, I'm shooting from weird angles and I think that's a great tool.

I'm still a little confused why someone couldn't make a SLR-sized camera with a rangefinder/flip-out live screen, rather than the mirror/ttl viewfinder, and a good CMOS sensor and a mount for standard 35mm interchangeable lenses. I guess that's sort of what that Epson thing is, but it uses Leica lenses ($$$) and it costs a schload itself.

is a CMOS sensor unable to transfer realtime to a screen? or is the screen preview what slows down P&S cameras so much?

Bb.

Sophia wrote:
How about I'll buy G6 now and buy an SLR 3 years from now, do you think it's a good decision? For example, I went to Disneyland and it's very crowded. I have this hard time shooting coz I have to peek all the time on my cam and people infront of me are taller. So i think, the flip LCD would be a great help. One more thing, I usually travel by myself and I love to see myself on the pictures too And I'll just imagine if I ask somebody to shoot me using SLR, it might be hard....

And about point and shoot small digicams... I think I'm not really fan of those. I imagine going to Europe and using a small point and shoot to shoot churches etc. is not really convincing for me. I think G6 and SLR is a good combo...

But I'm still in a hard decision right now... I love SLR for my artistic side (national geographic style lol). I like G6 for my imformal (parties, school, unexpected dramas, when I go somehere and like to be in that pic)...

But I just can't buy both at the same time. I'm planning to use it for this xmas holidays... and after that, as my all around camera. Both has pros and cons but I have this hard time weighing on what to buy asap...

Sophia,

Is money any part of your consideration?

My initial reaction, on reading your first post, was to lean towards the XT. After reading your additional comments, I'd agree with your 'G6 now, DSLR in a year plus' plan.

If you're not happy with ultra-compact P&S cameras, the G6 would definitely be a great place to start, and could be an excellent compliment to a DSLR down the road. However, Andy thought he'd do that, and his G2 has ended up collecting dust--so keep that in mind as a possibility. I know of several other G and DSLR owners here on the forum who do use both regularly--it really depends on your shooting style and preference.

Like Bryan, I can't live without the twist/flip LCD. It sounds like that would work very well for you for street shooting, overhead shots, etc. I love bracing the camera against my waist, and shooting with the LCD flipped horizontal--much less obvious, and, I think, much more stable than using the eye-piece viewfinder.

However, since you mention you're new to digital, I'd strongly recommend playing with a G6 (or any non-DSLR) in the store, and taking note of the shutter lag and focus lag. That can be a surprise, coming from a film background. The DSLR will not have that lag. If you can live with it, great--if not, you need to know now.

I will have to disagree on the quality issue, however--at low ISO, you should be able to produce fantastic images with either camera. For example check out either of these galleries by forum members, taken with G-series cameras:
http://www.pbase.com/s​dommin/favorites
http://www.kleptograph​y.com/

Bryan,
Me too! I'm hoping that Sony's DSC-R1 shatters that paradigm. The Sony chip is the answer to your second question--previous CMOS sensors consumed too much power/generated too much heat reading the chip all the time for live preview. Sony created a new chip from scratch that is more efficient. Great camera with some unfortunate drawbacks. I can't wait to see what other manufacturers build around Sony's sensor.

I have both the G6 and 20d dSLR, and use both regularly. Nothing beats a dSLR in terms of versatility with its ability to interchange lenses and other accessories. But it is not cheap and quite bulky. Hence, I use it primarily on trips and activities where photography is my main objective. The G6, on the other hand, accompanies me whenever I go out on 'non-photographic' trips, such a going to work, grocery, or walking or shopping around Manhattan. I find it small enough to slip into a coat pocket or messenger bag. In recent months, I have come to increasingly appreciate its compactness and stealthiness. I have learned to shoot it from the hip - that is, drop the camera to waist level, and take a picture while looking away from the subject. Very handy move in subways or the sidewalk, where bringing a camera up to the eye would alert people to a camera in use. I have also found that the live preview is excellent when in manual mode. The LCD preview dims or brightens accordingly when you set the aperture and/or shutter speed, aside from giving an EV scale indication as well. This is an excellent feature that no dSLR has, and I find it very handy for underexposing my shots, which I do mainly for black and white work.

In the end, you can't really go wrong with either. I would say that it would be right for you to jump into a dSLR, especially if your film camera uses EF lenses. That way you have several lenses to begin with. As for the occasional Disneyland/crowded situation, sure it's great to have the G6 with the flip out screen to guide you, but you can do it with a dSLR too, albeit blindly. Just make sure you have a wide lens on, and take the shot with the camera on your outstretched arms over your head, and chimp (look at the LCD screen results) like crazy. Ah but the G6 has another advantage in this situation. You can mount it on a monopod, set it on the timer, and lift the monopd like an umbrella. This way your camera is a good 5 to 6 feet above everyone else - I have taken some interesting shots with this method.

I would steer you towards the dSLR, seeing that you get envious with those who have it and I know you might be uneasy until you have one. But reading this part of your post - "I love to picture buildings, people, my family and myself! . I just go to downtown and just bring my camera and start shooting everything." - you won't go wrong with the G6, which is an excellent streetshooting camera.

Money wise, 200 bucks is the only diff. right? Except for the additional extra lenses...

I think that's the right word, street shooting camera. I love that. Taking pictures while people are walking, on the subway, and buildings too. I have this film camera and just slip in my messenger bag.

But that's right, I think if I'm going to buy G6, it won't stop until I have my SLR. But if I gonna buy only an SLR, things will be limited (did I get that right?)

So will I buy a Canon G6 right now and use it for years and buy SLR after or I'll just buy EITHER one of them. I got this feeling that if I buy G6, there might be an incident that "I should have bought SLR" or vice versa.

Maybe I like to buy both of them, but not at the same time. As I read here, they are both diff. animals. BUT if one of them offers ALMOST the same LEVEL, why I should not buy EITHER one of them and save my money for extras? I know, its NOT practical and never be practical since I'm just starting out. Basically, I like to take good pictures and be happy about it. And learn and learn and learn techniques. I'm just torned by this gadgets.

I don't think anyone said you would be limited by the dSLR.

Not to diminish the G6, comparitively speaking based on only a $200 difference the XT is a better deal, for a more versatile camera. IMHO

Just like to add guys... I love photography but not that "serious" yet. It's a form hobby that's been hindered coz of very busy school life. Now I'm working, I have this confidence to buy a camera that's really suits my needs.