I need a camera recommendation

I am an expert user, and have just sold my Sony Point & Shoot, and want to replace it with a Canon, to complement my 10D. I've been reading reviews of the G and A models by Phil Askey, so I've begun my homework!

My issues of primary importance are: immediate AF lock, low noise and choromatic aberration, and adequate flash exposures.

All other features are low in priority for me.

Can you point me into the right direction, and I'll follow up by reading the review? Many thanks.

Well you will be hard pressed to find something that meets your requirements:

Immeditate AF lock : None of these types of cameras will give you that. I believe you are usually looking at 1 second to get a lock on average

Low Noise: You are fine here if you use ISO 50 or maybe even 100. 200 and 400 will give you lots of noise compared to a dSLR on the G3/G5 at least.

CA: I haven't noticed tons of CA's with my G3 but it certainly there in many shots. I don't think it will be any better with a G5.

Do you plan to use an external flash? If so then you can't do that with the A series - only the G series has a hotshoe for this.

I think you will have to lower your expectations in order to be happy with a non dSLR. The G3 is a fine camera and would be one of the better cameras of its class.

-Darryl

Darryl, thanks for your speedy reply.

Okay, if immediate AF doesn't yet exist, one sec will have to do.

I can live with ISO 100 to be free of the CA problem.

I want ease of portability, so don't have plans for external flash.

I sat in a restaurant and held a G3 recently and saw its result on the LCD, and the overall experience made me want to change cameras.
So looks like I intuitively picked the best choice, as the G5 is said to have negligible improvements, only the "bigger is better" fallacy.

Thanks again
John

The G3 is a very capable camera and I routinely get great enlargements
from it at 12x18 inches. You will be happy with the picture quality
however there are a few focusing issues with the camera.

A good idea is to try to get your hands on the camera for a short time
and shoot with it. You will soon see if you like it. The other option is the
A70 or A80 series. I was surprised recently when I bought one for my
mother-in-law because it has a multipoint focusing system. The G3 has a
one point center focus (which is moveable, but who would ever take the
time to do that, or even remember to do it). These are great little
cameras that are much more portable than the G3.

I saw your post on another thread about the A70. I'd read its review and mention of the AF points. That's an important feature, as most shots will be people indoors.

An advantage of the G and S series over the A series is the possibility to use RAW format. I don't know what you expect from your 'portable' camery, but I personally would not want to shoot JPG on my G3 even for casual shots.

The G5 is said to have more CA and ISO noise than the G3 - which is a common thing if you increase the sensor resolution.

Best regards,
Andy

Andy, that's a really good point. I agree wholeheartedly.

G Series (G3,G5) cameras have better lenses and have that trademark flip-out and twist LCD monitor (forget the A80 :wink
S Series cameras have better autofocus capabilities (9 point AiAf) and are more portable.
A Series are the best non-P&S cameras you can buy, but are more limited on features and hardware.

I have a G3 and I miss some portability and more wide angle zoom.
Hence my choice would be one of these:
- G3 (the best non-DSLR Canon IMHO),
- S60 (portable, 28-100mm, otherwise almost identical to S50),
- A70 (the best "cheap" digital camera).