New shooters read up: Canon G's vs DSLR

Hi Carl,

Playing devil's advocate, the G series cannot handle large zoom, very wide, and is limited with macro shooting ... all of the extremes, which is what specialized lens are for.  The macro part is fuzzy to me.  Thought that both my G12 & Olympus XZ-1 do well at macro shooting, but cannot help but wonder why people would be paying more for these monster macro lens, that probably cost more than my camera, if there wasn't something to it?

Other weaknesses in the G series include low light & long exposure; the former because of larger sensors.

Whole heartedly agree with your last point that the G series is great learning camera because of its great degree of manual control.  Looking at the ILC cameras closest in size, see only double the longest exposure time, and AEB is not always there.

What a camera that allows filters to be added?  Think G series.

Summing it up, max flexibility & better low light for DSLRs.  Cost, size, & complexity favor the G series.

Very interested in the topic because a friend, who has a P&S, is making the same jump that I did a year ago: Better quality, can learn photography, and is portable.  Think the advanced fixed lens cameras such as the G series, Panasonic LX7, Nikon P7700 (G12's successor :)), and G15 are great for type of person.

Niels