new purchase :D

right, with the mental prices that are canon repair centre estimates, I'm thinking seriously about getting a new one of these light-capturing devices.

i've had a g3, because very familiar with it, but also frustrated with the slowness and poor focusing. so now i'm looking at either an s3 is, s2 is, or depending on how generous my bank manager is :P, a 300d/350d (the latter 2 most likely off ebay)

has to be relatively rapid purchase as well, for an approaching holiday

a) ridicuously general question i realise, but at my level (http://www.flickr.com/​photos/tingeofreality/) would I benefit from an SLR?

b) if no to a), is the s3 is, with its extra megapixel and iso mode, worth the extra 100 pounds?

c) if yes to a), *aimed at those who have switched from compact to SLR*, does framing without the LCD make a +ve/-ve difference?

d) is digic 2 a monumental step forward, ie. in day to day shooting would an s2is/s3is offer a more pleasant experience than a 300D?

i'll see if I can come up with anymore questions to bother you with

thanks in advance.

nb posting after a beer or two atm, hence the phrases i've chosen.

I can't speak to the S series. But going from my G5 to my to my first dslr (300d) was like night and day. Learning to use the dslr was simple, same basic controls and menu structure as the G5. Using it was wonderful. No shutter lag, fast focus, pix not quite as punchy out of the box as the G5, but that is typical for any dslr (not as much in-camera processing). Don't know how shutter lag, and focusing is on the S3. I do know that they've come a long way since the G3/5. My daughter has a sd450, and it's quite quick. As far as high iso goes, no point and shoot, with their smaller sensors, are going to have as good a low light ability as a dslr. If all you shot with on your G3 was the green box, get the S3. If you like manual control, low light performance, go with a dslr. With the rebates, the XT is really a bargain. Good luck.

right, after sobering........

by the green box, do you mean auto mode, or the green focusing box? and I'm usually in av/tv/m mode, if that answers your question.

my main concern is that while I know that DSLR will produce better pictures than a P&S (post processing is no prob, i'm getting comfortable with PS), I'll end up paying out 200-300% more with a 300d/350d than with an S series, for maybe a 20-30% improvement in pic quality (when one includes lenses etc.) But that being said the DSLR has better long-term flexibility.

as an example, the S-series has a relatively hyooge zoom lens for a P&S, and trying to get a 432mm equiv. lens for a dlsr would cost quite a bit on top of the body.

I know its easy to say 'you pay what you get for', but gotta pay for a laptop soon too, and I'm no Paul Allen.

right, after the past 2 hrs searching/researching maniacally to keep within the time limit on a discount 350d, went for it. £429, with the lens.