G5 - Should I or shouldn't I?

I was thinking of buying a G5 camera. I'd love to be able to buy a G7 or G8 or whatever the current one is but I am on a budget. If I was really to buy any camera it would probably be either the 20D or Rebel XT. But I like powershots, great cameras that fit on a belt. And that it is black makes it even better, I hate silver!

So I was wondering if you could give me your opinion on it? What would be a good price to pay for one? $300? $400? for a new one? What about a good working used one? So if you have owned a G5 can you please let me know your experience on the camera with out comparing it too much to a SLR. Thanks.

Oh yeah and if any Canadians or Americans out there have one that they want to sell for a good price also let me know. Thanks.

Hello Christopher, I LOVE my G-5! I use it for most of the carshows that I attend, and it seems to take gorgeous photos.
As for a fair price? I would imagine that somewhere between $300 & $400 US would be about right for one in good shape if it had all the original software, remote, and cords.
Good luck in your quest. Bruce

G5 is an excellent camera. I owned one, then when I got some cash I "upgraded" to a 300D, so (sadly) I had to sell it.

I know people will probably argue this, but I find pictures taken with the G5 being better than the ones taken with the DRebel with the "kit" lens (or at least the same...)

Only problem I find on the G5 is a slow(er) autofocus. Aside that its a super-great camera.

Have fun in your search

I love my G5, takes great pictures...but the autofocus is very slow and I miss alot of snapshots of my kids because of it. I especially love that you can buy the other lenses and filters for it. I hope to buy a Rebel XT in the next week or two, but I plan to keep my G5 to have just in case...

As far as this one fitting on your belt....it will, but it's pretty bulky.

You might also consider the S2 IS, still 5 mp but it is supposed to be faster than the G5 and the movie features are better, you can actually take a 5mp picture while you are shooting a video! Cost about the same as a new G5, and a bout $150 more than a used one. $469 at B & H..

You might also consider the G3. I have one and it's a great camera. The only real difference between it and a G5 is the resolution -- the G3 is 4mp and the G5 is 5mp. The G5 has a little more chromatic abberation than the G3 and a bit more noise because there are a million more photosites on the same size sensor. Understand I'm not casting aspersions on the G5 -- it's a great camera. I'm just saying that the G3 is just as good if not better for a little less money. And if you want black, the G3 was available in black as well.

Just a suggestion...

Todd

I love my G5, which I got at a great discount due to it being the demo unit at Circuit City. It is twice the camera compared to my CoolPix 775.

However, the complexity is also twice.

So, depending upon what you expect of your camera it may well be overkill - almost any camera with more than 3 MP and a price tag of over $300 US is overkill for family use. Conversely, a real pro is going to want the most rugged camera available, and that would not be a Powershot.

i love my G5!! it has been with me through the jungles and rivers of asia and came out unscathe. notbad at all plus it takes great photos once you take the time to familiarize yourself with its functions.
i have shot a couple of weddings and some models and LOTS of scenic stuff. its great!

focusing is a problem but its also common with other cameras from other names.

as of now, i would pay $300 for it. its a great camera with so many features!

zakmckracken wrote:
I know people will probably argue this, but I find pictures taken with the G5 being better than the ones taken with the DRebel with the "kit" lens (or at least the same...)

I would totally agree, my friend bought a DRebel XT the same time I bought my G6 and we've been comparing photos and find the photo quality is almost identical, it just comes down to whether you'd rather have the preview screen, smaller size, and consumer bells and whistles of the G6, or the speed, flexibility, and expandability of the XT.

Bryan

There are IMHO two huge advantages that DSLRs have over "consumer grade" (for lack of a better term,) point and shoots -- 1. much better high ISO noise levels; 2. ability to use limited DOF with large apertures (because of the larger sensor.) These are the two creative tools that DSLRs have that aren't available with G6 level digitals. Yes I know that in certain circumstances (like macro for instance,) you can get nice blurred backgrounds with a G-series cam but if you've used a digital SLR you know what I'm talking about.

These two factors are what is keeping me using my 10D. Here is my dream camera from Canon:

* 6-8 mp (megapixels are becoming more and more meaningless all the time)

* ISO 800 and 1600 performance comparable to that of the 20D/350XT

* 28-200 f/2.0-2.8 IS built-in lens

* real optical viewfinder (like the Olympus E20 but better)

* manual focus and zoom rings

*$1000 price point

If they came out with this camera tomorrow I would SERIOUSLY consider replacing my 10D with it. The 10D takes great shots but lugging it around with all the assorted lenses, etc. is a pain. That's why I still have my G3 and an S410.

These are the basic reasons that I'm keeping my 10D and G5 combo. People nowdays seem to think of their cameras as disposable, for some reason. I dont subscribe to that religion. I do the research, and then choose a camera that will serve my purposes for the long haul.
IMHO, The G5 will hold its own against other cameras in its class. Sure, it requires a bit of extra thought in certain sittuations to get the shot, but I'm willing to deal with that. Isn't that part of the reason we're all here?
-Bruce

Yep, that and the choice of 100 lenses, heh.

Yeah, unless you're doing pro studio work or you're Cindy Sherman, 8mp is a pretty useful and manageable size. I think 8MP is going to end up being the standard for consumer cameras

Oh, man, I'd be happy with the G6 as is with manual focus and zoom rings, maybe a bit more range in the lens (both ways), and a Digic II processor.

For that matter, I AM happy with the G6 and hope they never come out with another camera so I don't need to covet it. : )

Bb.