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G2 vs S40 Dilemma!
- Thread starter Slap Shot
- Start date
Its not that simple, there is other major differences like the bigger faster lens on the G2 among other things. I still have not made up my mind on what to do. After vacation I was ready to send back the G2, I missed so many good shots of my son on the beach. Back home taking indoor photos the G2 works much better than the S40 under low light conditions. I made up my mind to keep the S40 as a point and shoot and return the G2 and either wait for the new G3 or buy another Fuji 602. but every time I start to pack up the beautifull black G2 in its box, I just can't do it! I love that camera despite its shortfalls. I still find myself using the S40 more because its so handy and takes such nice pictures. For what I paid for my S40 ($400) I will keep it no matter what. Now its just a question of Keeping the G2. I really can't justify owning both, something along the lines of a Nikon 5700 or Fuji 602 makes more sence to compliment my S40. I could really use more zoom. I know what I need to do, but just can't do it. If I knew for sure the new G3 had more zoom and they did some work on the focus and it was black, it would make it real easy. DAMN YOU CANON!!!
TGrimm98165
Forum Enthusiast
How do you find the difference in the image quality between the
G2 and the S40?
Notably, I find the S40 has a tich more chromatic aberation
than the G2 - due to the smaller lens.
My S40 shows a a very slight green/red shift against contrast edges
in some shots. This is greatly reduced by using Av mode and forcing
the camera to use a smaller aperture.
I would love a firmware upgrade from Canon that would make the
S40 select a reasonable shutter/aperture setting -- it always wants
to select the highest speed and largest aperture.
I've seen the same levels of chromatic aberation in other S40 samples
but very rarely on G2 samples.
I've got 4 days left to upgrade if I want and I'm going crazy
trying to make up my mind.
To me, the biggest plus for the S40 is the incredible portability. I
have a belt case, about the size of a cell phone, that packs the
S40 nicely. When I'm out the camera is almost always with me.
that would be difficult with the G2.
G2 and the S40?
Notably, I find the S40 has a tich more chromatic aberation
than the G2 - due to the smaller lens.
My S40 shows a a very slight green/red shift against contrast edges
in some shots. This is greatly reduced by using Av mode and forcing
the camera to use a smaller aperture.
I would love a firmware upgrade from Canon that would make the
S40 select a reasonable shutter/aperture setting -- it always wants
to select the highest speed and largest aperture.
I've seen the same levels of chromatic aberation in other S40 samples
but very rarely on G2 samples.
I've got 4 days left to upgrade if I want and I'm going crazy
trying to make up my mind.
To me, the biggest plus for the S40 is the incredible portability. I
have a belt case, about the size of a cell phone, that packs the
S40 nicely. When I'm out the camera is almost always with me.
that would be difficult with the G2.
--
- TG -
I find the image quality to be very close between the two. I actually find the color better with the S40, much bluer skies and more accurate over all. My G2 pictures overall have kind of a tan color cast to them(I didn't notice this before I started doing direct comparisons with the S40, S330 and a Fuji 602). This happens more so outdoors than in, I've played with the white balance and dosn't seem to make any difference. I have noticed only minimal differences between the two as far as chromatic aberation goes, nothing that concerns me anyway. I too hate the fact that the camera always goes for the fastest shutter speed, thats why I generaly don't use the auto or program mode. One thing is for sure you can't beat the portability of the S40, especially when you consider the quality of the image it produces. Good luck with your decission, I too am down to my final days as well.
photogenic112252
New member
SWL wrote:
I too am down to my final days as well.
SWL, Time waits for no man. We know not what the future holds nor what we will hold in the future.
All things must advance. Evolution is a relentless shedding of obsolescence.
The G2s of today will soon be superseded by the G3s and G4s of tomorrow and the G5 will become extinct in a flash.
So live and enjoy the now to its fullest. Release your self inflicting dilemma, be at peace with your humble s40, learn to use it well and make the most of the lush grass on your side of the fence.
May be you could spend your G2 refund on something exiting with your family, whose captured smiles will prove your s40 the finest camera imaginable.
I too am down to my final days as well.
SWL, Time waits for no man. We know not what the future holds nor what we will hold in the future.
All things must advance. Evolution is a relentless shedding of obsolescence.
The G2s of today will soon be superseded by the G3s and G4s of tomorrow and the G5 will become extinct in a flash.
So live and enjoy the now to its fullest. Release your self inflicting dilemma, be at peace with your humble s40, learn to use it well and make the most of the lush grass on your side of the fence.
May be you could spend your G2 refund on something exiting with your family, whose captured smiles will prove your s40 the finest camera imaginable.
rfb
Forum Enthusiast
I posted the following previously. If you plan on having two cameras, you should keep the S40 and get more zoom by checking out the G3 or buy the Nikon 5700 (which is also black!).
I went through your frustration and opted for the s40 because of the smaller size; however, I was not happy with it because of the desireable G2 features listed below; so I returned it. Having said that, if the smaller size is an essential factor in your decision, go with the s40.
For the following reason, I will buy the G2 or wait for the G3 (or possibly one with a greater zoom from a future 5 mp Canon or the Nikon 5700):
1) Faster lens for better pictures in lower light.
2) Larger lens gives better pictures.
3) Swivel LCD is important to me. It makes it easy to take pictures of children, self-group shots, and high shots above the heads of people standing in front of you.
4) Added weight and size gives greater stability for sharper pictures.
5) Longer battery life.
6) flexibility of add-on lenses, which I will probably not use.
7) Hotshoe flash attachment for greater light, which is very important when lighting is limited. A digicam doesn't have the flexibility of using high speed flim like you do with a 35 mm SLR.
8) Most people agree that pictures are better with the G2.
9) Remote picture taking with the G2, instead of the inflexible of the fixed self-timer on the s40. The swivel and remote becomes very helpful if you want to be in the picture of a self or group shot.
10) More features on the G2.
11) I prefer the black G2.
12) Ability to turn the camera on and off instead of using a sliding a cover. However, the G2 has a loose lens cap, which is not as convenient as the clamshell sliding cover on the s40.
13) Every professional evaluation I have read gives the G2 a higher overall rating than the s40.
Nevertheless, if the G2 is too large for you to take with you and you will not take any pictures, it would be better to have the s40 pictures than a better camera that you don't take with you, which means no pictures. Of course, price differential is a personal reality.
Good luck,
rfb
I went through your frustration and opted for the s40 because of the smaller size; however, I was not happy with it because of the desireable G2 features listed below; so I returned it. Having said that, if the smaller size is an essential factor in your decision, go with the s40.
For the following reason, I will buy the G2 or wait for the G3 (or possibly one with a greater zoom from a future 5 mp Canon or the Nikon 5700):
1) Faster lens for better pictures in lower light.
2) Larger lens gives better pictures.
3) Swivel LCD is important to me. It makes it easy to take pictures of children, self-group shots, and high shots above the heads of people standing in front of you.
4) Added weight and size gives greater stability for sharper pictures.
5) Longer battery life.
6) flexibility of add-on lenses, which I will probably not use.
7) Hotshoe flash attachment for greater light, which is very important when lighting is limited. A digicam doesn't have the flexibility of using high speed flim like you do with a 35 mm SLR.
8) Most people agree that pictures are better with the G2.
9) Remote picture taking with the G2, instead of the inflexible of the fixed self-timer on the s40. The swivel and remote becomes very helpful if you want to be in the picture of a self or group shot.
10) More features on the G2.
11) I prefer the black G2.
12) Ability to turn the camera on and off instead of using a sliding a cover. However, the G2 has a loose lens cap, which is not as convenient as the clamshell sliding cover on the s40.
13) Every professional evaluation I have read gives the G2 a higher overall rating than the s40.
Nevertheless, if the G2 is too large for you to take with you and you will not take any pictures, it would be better to have the s40 pictures than a better camera that you don't take with you, which means no pictures. Of course, price differential is a personal reality.
Good luck,
rfb
rfb
Forum Enthusiast
brick33308
Veteran Member
The debate of which camera (as between G2 and S40) takes the best picture is largely academic. We've all seen posts on this forum displaying pictures taken with each camera, some of which are stunning and others are mediocre. The G2 may have more advanced qualities, but in the hands of someone who knows how to use it properly and compose a nice shot, the S40 is just fine given the cost savings over the G2. And, speaking from experience (I have the S30), the ability to slip the camera into your pocket (something you can't do with the G2) is VERY convenient.
My choice: I'd go with the S40 and save the money.
My choice: I'd go with the S40 and save the money.
I bought it at Circuit City, its a brand new(never powered up)display model that looks like its right out of the box. Works great, pictures are as good as those from my G2. It had an older serial number so I gave it the on-line firmware update. They were normally asking $599 and had it marked as a close out for $459, I talked them down to $400. I was told that Canon is discontinuing the S40 and that they had cancelled all of the backorders to there stores and they just wanted to get rid of it. I didn't intend on buying an S40 or any camera on that day, it was just to hard to pass up for the price. Good luck!
I agree with your choice, my beloved Black G2 is gone but not forgotten. I ended up selling it to my neighbor who was begging for it since the day I got it(I can still use it anytime). I can take pictures as nice with the S40 and it was $500 less, my wife who couldn't take a good picture with the G2 takes very nice pictures with the S40(go figure). Because of its size the camera goes with us everywhere. I still want a camera with more zoom, I'm hoping the G3 is that camera, otherwise I will be buying a Nikon 5700. I will always keep the S40 as my point and shoot to compliment what ever larger camera I own. Hurry up Canon, were waiting!
If you're willing to do mail order, you have no dilema. You originall paid $900 for one camera. Then you bought the S40 for $400 dollars. So...return the $900 black G2, buy a silver G2 for ~$650 (less if you are a very good shopper - I paid $599 for mine months ago...from Dell with a price-match) and your new total for 2 cameras is around $1050. $150 more thann you originally paid and you end up with 2 very good cameras.
What problem?
What problem?
Circuit City is not to be trusted with model availability information. About 6 weeks ago I was shopping in the local CC and a got into a discussion with a salesman (seemed quite knowledgeable, too) about G2 problems -- including "the crack". He told me CC had told their peaple that they had sold their last G2s and would get no more as they had been discontinued by Canon and the G3 was on its way. I don't know about you, but I still see the G2 for sale everywhere else and it's price has not dropped much if at all for the $800 list at most places, including Best Buy. I see a G3 nowhere.
Ruffian
Senior Member
I had a living nightmare last night on whether to kill my G2 for something else, like a S330 or a Rebel 2K. I relented (whew).
Our family has three 35mm zoom cameras: Fujifilm DL-950 Zoom 38-85, Olympus AZ-100 Zoom QD 35-70, and Pentax Espio (compact) 35-70. Let me tell you, the first two are so damned BIG despite a mostly plastic construction.
I'll post comparative pics for those cameras later, but here's what I had to say about them compared to the G2: nearly as thick, 33% longer, between 10% and 20% higher.
A bigger camera like the G2 is easy target for thieves, creates considerable bulk, and makes a padded camera bag a necessity; nothing is worse than accidentially dropping the camera on something hard, lens first, instantly killing it. But the bulk is worth their weight
Anyway, I'm going for a G2/Elph Jr. combo until there's enough pocket money to grab a Rebel 2000 w/ F1.8 prime w/ grip w/ UV and others. The big 35mm cameras I just mentioned earlier? No way I'm adding another G2-sized bulk in my already cramped photo bag.
--
http://printerboyweb.net/G2
word. The only place to get a still faster lens is on any Olympus C-X040 camera (F1.8 - 1/3 stop faster than F2.0) or an SLR prime lens (F1.4 or faster and more pricey).
Larger AND Better Quality lens. yo.
Especially when using a monopod or some other makeshift support. Now, would Canon please give us a rubber pad for the G2?
To put the G2 in perspective:
Our family has three 35mm zoom cameras: Fujifilm DL-950 Zoom 38-85, Olympus AZ-100 Zoom QD 35-70, and Pentax Espio (compact) 35-70. Let me tell you, the first two are so damned BIG despite a mostly plastic construction.
I'll post comparative pics for those cameras later, but here's what I had to say about them compared to the G2: nearly as thick, 33% longer, between 10% and 20% higher.
Yup. I had the screen turned on for most of the time during a basketball practice at a friend's house for about two hours, and there's still enough juice left on the original BP-511 (not the AC-511 mentioned elsewhere, I didn't use it then).
Well, the AX0 series can do that too.
Not to mention that, for all consumer digitals, ISO 400 is very noisy. ISO 800? Forget it.
Rather questionable, given such threads as "G2 at F8 -- not sharp" and, well, you get the idea.
word.
What do you mean by "More features"? The G2's limited at F8 1/1000 sec; the S40 can make do at 1/1500 under smaller apertures without the niggling F8 limit.
Depending on taste.
Actually, turning the camera on and off by sliding a cover is better than using the lens cap. It would be a whole lot different if the lens has its own lens cover.
A smaller and more compact camera is easier to get lost in a big bag, but it also lets you carry it everywhere without realizing that it is there at all. More pics could be taken because it's so lightweight and readily available. With the G2, you have to take the lens cap off first or get erroe messages (unless you use a Lensmate/LA-DC58), wait for the lens to telescope out, and (for Microdrive users) wait for an additional 2-3 seconds longer than if CF cards are used instead. The small ones? Just turn it on and shoot.
A bigger camera like the G2 is easy target for thieves, creates considerable bulk, and makes a padded camera bag a necessity; nothing is worse than accidentially dropping the camera on something hard, lens first, instantly killing it. But the bulk is worth their weight
Anyway, I'm going for a G2/Elph Jr. combo until there's enough pocket money to grab a Rebel 2000 w/ F1.8 prime w/ grip w/ UV and others. The big 35mm cameras I just mentioned earlier? No way I'm adding another G2-sized bulk in my already cramped photo bag.
--
http://printerboyweb.net/G2
My b-i-l has the G2. I have the S40. The photos seems nearly the same, but under some magnification you can see the G2 does corners better, no doubt due to the lens. Also low-light is better. And the hotshoe and ability to use other lenses and filters have my b-i-l addicted. And the rotating LCD and remote are a nice touch.
Me, I prefer the S40. It can do all the same electronic stuff, and is much much smaller. Feels better, more solid, less plasticky. It's more likely to be with me. And image quality is extremely close to that of the G2.
My other sister just bought an S40 after looking at the S30, S40, and G2. She didn't like the size or controls of the G2, and wanted the extra pixels of the S30. (I thought the S30 would be fine for her, but she's gotten good enough in Photoshop to want the S40 instead now.)
IMHO, it really hinges on your use of lenses and filters. That's something the S40 can't do. The rest is mostly dollars-for-features.
Me, I prefer the S40. It can do all the same electronic stuff, and is much much smaller. Feels better, more solid, less plasticky. It's more likely to be with me. And image quality is extremely close to that of the G2.
My other sister just bought an S40 after looking at the S30, S40, and G2. She didn't like the size or controls of the G2, and wanted the extra pixels of the S30. (I thought the S30 would be fine for her, but she's gotten good enough in Photoshop to want the S40 instead now.)
IMHO, it really hinges on your use of lenses and filters. That's something the S40 can't do. The rest is mostly dollars-for-features.
As I said before the dilemma is over, I've sold the Black G2 to a friend. I love the G2 and if I could only own one camera that would be it! Yes at $899 it is overpriced I feel, but on an item like this I will buy it locally from a reputable dealer who will stand behind it. I do not feel comforable dealing with something this expensive over the internet. Black G2's are hard to find and I ended up paying list, I also resold it for list. The $500 I now saved by keeping the S40 and selling the G2 will go toward a new and better G3(Ihope) provided it has more zoom. I will also keep the compact S40 as its companion. Thanks everyone for your help.
Good for you.
Now, GO AND TAKE A LOT OF PICTURES. Please enjoy the camera that you have in your hands. I own the G2 and recently purchased the Nikon D100. So, I can attest that I too am a camera nut. The DSLR blows away the G2 on some shots but the G2 is still a neat little camera. I will keep my G2 and take it along when I don't want to carry the DSLR.
My point is don't look forward to the G3, simply enjoy the Camera you have and take pictures.
We all get caught up in the which camera should I buy thing but at the end of the day, you have to use it and enjoy it whatever one it is.
Now, GO AND TAKE A LOT OF PICTURES. Please enjoy the camera that you have in your hands. I own the G2 and recently purchased the Nikon D100. So, I can attest that I too am a camera nut. The DSLR blows away the G2 on some shots but the G2 is still a neat little camera. I will keep my G2 and take it along when I don't want to carry the DSLR.
My point is don't look forward to the G3, simply enjoy the Camera you have and take pictures.
We all get caught up in the which camera should I buy thing but at the end of the day, you have to use it and enjoy it whatever one it is.
graph (g3)
Senior Member
OK after owning the S330 and realizing that i have outgrown i am BACK IN THE DIGICAM MARKET!!! oh yeah! =)
I know ill get killed if i say G2 is better but im just using G2 as a standard in which a camera shouldnt be too far from. Im hoping to gather information that the S30 is near as good as G2 in regards with quality and features.
My other options are Olympus d-40 (which is cool coz of the remote but i heard menus arent that well layed out)
another option is the Sony Dcp-S75 which has a hotshoe and seems to be close to G2 but without the twist LCD.
2 things i need to get resolve is the difference of two which i am concerned of is this, and Can anyone explain the cons and pros of this?
G2 has:
shutter 1/1000 sec
aperture F2.0 - F2.5 / F8
S30 has:
shutter 1/1500 sec
aperture F2.8 - F4.9 / F8
Im excited to be hunting for a new digicam again..
I know ill get killed if i say G2 is better but im just using G2 as a standard in which a camera shouldnt be too far from. Im hoping to gather information that the S30 is near as good as G2 in regards with quality and features.
My other options are Olympus d-40 (which is cool coz of the remote but i heard menus arent that well layed out)
another option is the Sony Dcp-S75 which has a hotshoe and seems to be close to G2 but without the twist LCD.
2 things i need to get resolve is the difference of two which i am concerned of is this, and Can anyone explain the cons and pros of this?
G2 has:
shutter 1/1000 sec
aperture F2.0 - F2.5 / F8
S30 has:
shutter 1/1500 sec
aperture F2.8 - F4.9 / F8
Im excited to be hunting for a new digicam again..
I don't get it.
How do you guys get to return your cameras after purchase.
A couple of the messages I skimmed through talk about being able to return your cameras after purchase or taking them home.
Retailers aren't so generous in Australia.
Cheers, Malcolm
How do you guys get to return your cameras after purchase.
A couple of the messages I skimmed through talk about being able to return your cameras after purchase or taking them home.
Retailers aren't so generous in Australia.
Cheers, Malcolm
All most all reputable camera shops in the U.S. have a 14-30 day return policy. My shop will even give me a free loaner of the same model if available, in the event the camera has to be sent in for repair, something else that they take care of! On the down side there is a price to be paid and thats full retail, to me its worth the piece of mind that if I have a problem or the camera is just not right for me I have somewhere to take it back to. I know I could save alot of money buying on line, to me its not worth it. I don't want to end up with someone elses problem or not have a warranty or just plain get ripped off.
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