Torn between Canon G6 and Rebel XT...

I've had a G4 for several yrs and not regretted it. Very versital in one package. On a trip to Alaska, having to carry all my luggage, it was nice not having to carry the camera plus several lenses.
That said, there are times I want to do more than than a point and shoot can do. I've borrowed a friends original digital Rebal and used a 300mm with 2x teleconverter and got some good bluebird shots. I would like to get a real macro lens instead of the single lense attachments the G4 uses. So I am ready to get a dSLR, but I'm not the least bit sorry I started with the G4.

Hi Sophia -

Welcome to the forum. I own both a G6 and 20D and have found uses for both. I learned a lot about photography with my old G3. The G-series cameras give you a lot of flexibility for a point & shoot. The swivel screen allows you to get a lot of accurate shots from weird angles. The G cameras are also small enough to fit into a jacket pocket or a small bag. I just recently went to Hawaii with only my G6. I did not regret it at all, as I did get some beautiful shots.

you might want to try the G6 first, since it is the cheaper of the two, but still of excellent quality. If you don't like it or feel that you need more, you can always sell it and upgrade to the XT. Great thing about Canon is that they are excellent cameras and people will always want them, so you should have no problem selling it. Or you can hang on to the G6 and buy the XT and find a niche for each camera in your everyday shooting life. I sold my G3 to get a dSLR and ended up getting the G6 anyways . . . had I known, I would have just kept my G3.

Good luck!

Being that I'm a DSLR user, I'll recommend that you get the G6. Coz DSLR is a commitement to spending more money. Once you start buying one lens you'll yearn to buy another then another before you know it you'll want to upgrade to a better body for those precious lenses. W/ a G6 you'll go along happy snapping away those cute snap shot, not put down those neat little P&S cameras. But if you get a chance to compare the two you'll see that the G6 will limit any protential creativity you might have. When you start looking at those hidious halos around the subjects when you shoot indoor with the buildin flash.

You are serious enough to ask do yourself a favor and unleash your vision and buy a DSLR and you won't regret it.

I'm just wondering Mark, you started from G3, then got a dSLR, then went back to G6 - were dSLR is not enough for you?

To be fair, the G6 is capable of taking much more than 'cute snap shots ' once you get to know how top work within its peculiarities. And coupled with a 420EX flash, you will be able to take indoor pictures that can rival that of a dSLR. It is capable of doing some serious work, and you would be amazed with what it can do with macro, especially when coupled with a reversed 50mm lens. And with street photography, I believe it holds an edge over a bulky dSLR.

I agree though that your options are quite limited compared to a dSLR, but the G6 gives you a decent focal length range with a fast enough speed for the money. With a dSLR, you can exceed the G6's focal range, but it's going to cost more money.

No way, I love my 20D. I use the G6 the same way that Bottombracket uses his . . . for times that I don't want to be lugging around the dslr: Vacations, work, shopping . . . Like I said, I have found niches for both of my cameras in my everyday photography life.

In my previous post, what I meant to say was, "Had I known i was going to get a G6, I would have just kept the G3 and still bought the dslr."

Here is a Hawaii picture that I just took, using this method. The shrubs are in the way or the nomal plane of sight to get a good view of the falls and the lagoon, so I lifted my G6 on the tripod and even holded it outward. I had my wife press the remote control. This is Wailua Falls on the island of Kauai. This is the waterfall that is used in the opening credits of "Fantasy Island"

Get the XT; it will give room for expansion when you need it. If you don't then you have everything you need in it.

Hi guys!!!

UPDATE:

I went to the camera store yesterday to try both G6 and Rebel how it feels...

CONCLUSION:

G6 - Very soft pictures. Not really sure how to set it yet but most of the shots that I took are blurry, never sharp. I'm not used to LCD which is I'm still trying to grasp. But the saleman told me that if I know how it will work, it will do me a good job. 550 bucks.

Rebel - WOW!!! I was like, I LIKE THIS!!! 3 frames in a shot, which is very enticing. The guy told me that if I buy the set, with frame, it will be 999 bucks. He told me that if I buy the lens that comes with it, G6 lens is more superior. So he got me this lens that's worth 400 bucks that OMG, I swear, soooooo powerful that I can shot this close up and about 100 feet away from me in detail. Sooooo powerful. If I buy Rebel body with lens, it will cost me 1,400 bucks that I almost cry Maybe I can buy on the internet for the body say... 700 and 300 for the lens. Well, min. of 1000 bucks - half of G6...

Ok, here's the reality side. G6, good (for me) and as people says, and I can afford it. Rebel, FUN and superior but it will be a blow to my budget.

Just looking at it, I'm just starting to digicam, is it practical to buy this DSLR that's so expensive? I read here too that when you buy dslr, it won't stop there. I have to buy etc etc etc. I even asked myself, why not just buy G6 and explore the advantages of it.

I can afford to buy G6 now but I can't wait to buy dslr in the future. But for how long? lol. Guys, am I too exaggerated about getting DSLR? I hope somebody can scream and spank me and says, Dear, G6 is ONLY what you need, don't buy yet dslr. lol.

But I can't forget the feeling of that rebel, so flawless... Remember the sound... CLICK! CLICK! CLICK! and sudden turning of the lens.... sooooo brilliant! And G6... click! blurry... I don't know... I just need a camera that I can afford for now. But I can afford either, just.... the word, is it the right time? ready to upgrade that expensive? it's shocking me.

I love the G6, and love dSLR's too. From what you wrote, it seems that you're leaning towards the XT. I'd say go for it. You might want to purchase online though, there are a lot of good deals floating around. A super deal just expired at Dell. Be sure to buy from a reputable seller though. Where are you at anyway, Sophia?

Perhaps the reason why you are taking blurry pics with the G6 is because of the shutter lag. When you press the shutter, the camera focuses on the areas in the green rectangles before taking the picture. Your pictures will be blurry If you don't remain perfectly still during this time.

Mark, looks like you went to a great place during your honeymoon. Welcome back to the icy Tri-State area!

Sophia, depending on your location. Make sure you check out the web price and never ever believe what a saleperson say. They are in the businessto make money with out regard to your needs. The kit lens for the XT is a good investment for the money team that w/ a 50f1.8 ($75) will make a good starter setup. The XT can be had at times thru Dell for around $700 w/ kit lens, go to techbargains.com to see if they have any discount ecoupon codes to add some additional saving. As for the G6 it is being replace very soon, and possibly ut of production. $550 is rather steep for the camera. Jst as a note if I was looking for a P&S the G6 would definitly be in my scope. I was just being a pain before!!!

Sophia, time after time we have posters who have bought the G6 and were immediately dissapointed. After a few weeks learning the camera most love it. In low light especially, you have to work harder with the G6 than the XT but it can be done.

Markubig and BottomBracket, I have done the same thing just with a larger monopod.

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The geeks and Canon freaks will be up in arms when I say this. Don't buy a 350D/XT or a G6. Get a Panasonic FZ5 instead. It's smaller, more versatile and brilliant quality with full functionality and a 40-450 zoom range+IS for less money than either of the other 2.
When you've got got a year of that under your belt and you know your direction you can decide whether to spend twice as much on a G6 or rebel XT. The XT price doesn't include the $1000's you will need to replicate the zoom range of the FZ5, and with the G6, you never can.

I'm based here in NYC. Actually, started working here after my grad. I just came from the northwest.

I have a friend who owns a G6 and she likes it. She told me that the only problem is the On button? It automatically opened she said while inside the case and it broke. So can you recommend guys on what case she should use? Mmmmm... she's using now a Tamrac 5693. I should borrow it huh.

Ok guys, back to the topic. Yes, I can't lie. I really love the XT. But how far I can use my camera? I'm afraid, I'll buy the XT and I can't use all of the specs. Because for me, I'm really a point and shoot taker. Oh, it looks nice, click! click! Spontaneous. No preparations. Natural light etc. Very simple.

I wish I can have both of them. One is for casual (parties, emergency etc.) and one is for my hobby and travels. But eveytime I mention that to my siblings and friends, they were like...why 2 cams? lol. since they know that I just started working.

Can you guys tell me simply:

1. If you have G6, no regret about it? And you can say that it's ENOUGH?
2. If you have XT, is it very superior to G6?
3. Both is good?

It's a convenience factor, really. I wouldn't trade my 20D for anything but I took out my Pro1 when I took grandson to the park today.

It's nice to have a choice.