Hybrad or DSLR camera

I'm looking to buy my 1st SLR camera but I'm debaiting between Panasonic G3 Hybrid or Nikon D3100 SLR camera.

Can anyone please tell me the diffrence between Hybrad or DSLR camera and which one do recommand?

Thanks,
Eric

The G3 is not a hybrid, but a MILC...a Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera. It does not have a mirror like a DSLR, so it can be made smaller. It also does not use an optical viewfinder. Instead, you look at an electronic viewfinder; essentially a tiny video screen.

Both the G3 and D3100 are apparently good cameras. You should try them in a store and see which you prefer.

What we need to know to provide you with good advice is what you want to shoot. As long as you don't need a fast C-AF for shooting fast moving objects, the G3 or other mirroless system cameras should be a perfect tool. But as soon as a fast C-AF is required, there currently is no alternative to purchasing a DSLR and fast focusing lenses.

trekkeruss said:

The G3 is not a hybrid, but a MILC...a Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera.

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The G3 is a camera with a fair sized sensor, that you can change lenses and does not have a mirror like a classic camera type, an SLR.

Unfortunately because this genre of camera is new, everyone, manufacturers, retail sales, photo review websites and users have not agreed on one designation. And the genre itself has variations.

MILC was and is one of my preferred terms, just like ILC-M, but soe advertising where I am call these models hybrid as well - implying that the camera is born of the DSLR (which can change lenses) and a bridge / ultrazoom camera (because it is small in size and has some point and shoot mod cons).

It's a weird way of looking at it.

--



Ananda
http://anandasim.blogspot.com
http://www.fluidr.com/photos/32554587@N00/sets

'Enjoy Diversity - Live a Little or a Lot'

Hi friend,

Most function between G3 and D3100 are about the same, whats the different?

1) viewfinder- nikon=optical, g3=electronic

2) pixels - nikon=14M, g3=16M

3) optical zoom - nikon= 1.5, g3= 2

4)ISO - nikon=100 to 12800, g3= 160 t0 6400

5) maximum shutter - nikon= 1/4000, g3=1/6000

6) price, nikon =$550, g3=$700

What is you budget? Pixels does matter?

Best Regards

http://jiatphotography.blogspot.com/

I'll be shooting protrait, panoramic pics and my kids soccer games and I'm also open to other brand of cameras with a buget of 1K dollars to spend.
Thank you,
Eric

Thanks for replying

My buget would be $1000 and I'm open to any other brand of Camera that you may suggest for my price range.

Thank you,
Eric

Eafg66 said:

I'll be shooting protrait, panoramic pics and my kids soccer games and I'm also open to other brand of cameras with a buget of 1K dollars to spend.

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Hmm, as I see it, mirrorless cameras currently don't represent the perfect tool due to their shortcomings in the AF area. Particularly if you want to shoot series (several frames per second) and need the C-AF.

So, I'd go for the Nikon or a Canon as those are the brands providing the fastest AF modules - although, being an FT user - I can't tell you if this also applies to their entry-level cameras such as the D3100 or the Canon EOS 600. But make sure to purchsase good lenses instead of the kit lenses as the often aren't worth the money you pay for them.

I have good 8X10 (approx) photos taken with a Nikon 3.3 MP camera. All today's cameras have plenty of MP. It is simply a marketing tool. Don't let MP make your decision. Ergonomics and minimal use of menus are more important.

Tom Rogers said:

Ergonomics and minimal use of menus are more important.

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Each of us buys a camera for logical and illogical reasons. Some of them are unique to the individual.

I prize ergonomics but unfortunately, my two latest cameras (this year) are a little too small in right hand grip for me. Still I enjoy them for other reasons.

I don't mind my menus that much (Olympus). I remember DPR reviewers don't like them (because they may be used to Canon or Nikon menus).

It's not the menu that is painful, it is how deep a constantly needed setting is placed.
And if it is placed down several steps, it has to be easily remembered.

--



Ananda
http://anandasim.blogspot.com
http://www.fluidr.com/photos/32554587@N00/sets

'Enjoy Diversity - Live a Little or a Lot'

DonParrot said:

But make sure to purchsase good lenses instead of the kit lenses as the often aren't worth the money you pay for them.

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I would disagree. Kit lenses are usually worth the money you pay for them, because they are usually very cheap, and can generally take a decent picture when used within their limitations. That's not to say you can't do better, but it will generally cost you a lot more.

--
Bob

Since you indicated you were amenable to other options...you might also want to take a look at the Sony A33/A55, since either of them ( along with a kit lens) comes in comfortably under your $1000 limit. They are somewhat bigger than a G3, but a fair amount smaller and lighter than a standard full size DSLR. They have a mirror, but it is a "translucent" mirror that let the light from the lens pass through it, to the image sensor. That way the mirror doesn't have to flip up out of the way when a photo is taken; it stays in place. The mirror is angled so that some of the light is reflected up to the electronic viewfinder (or live view LCD on the back; your choice). The A55 has a GPS built-in, and also has a sensor that's 2MP larger than the A33.

And, the A33/A55 have the larger APS-C sensor, with the crop factor of 1.5.

If you want to get an idea of micro four thirds cameras (GH1, GH2, G2, etc) and the A33/A55 compare to the Nikon D3100, go to the DPReview review for the D3100 "Conclusions" page, and use the comparison feature at the bottom. You can see how other cameras stack up against the D3100, by adding them to the comparison chart. The G3 isn't yet in the list of cameras that can be selected, but the G2 and GH2 should give you at least some idea of how it will compare.

(By the way...I am not attempting to hijack the original thread nor am I a fanboy/troll for Sony. I have a GH1 that I bought when the prices for them plummeted earlier this year. I also bought a new Sony A55 just last week, to replace my Sony A500. So, I'm invested in both the Panny and Sony lines.)

--
Tom

DonParrot said:

Hmm, as I see it, mirrorless cameras currently don't represent the perfect tool due to their shortcomings in the AF area. Particularly if you want to shoot series (several frames per second) and need the C-AF.

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Some Mirrorless cameras can AF-C and AF-S right along with the lower range DSLRs. FPS is certainly not a strong suit of cameras like the D3100 or D5100, either (2.89 and 3.94fps, respectively).

No tool is perfect. There will always be concessions. To get a really 'sports action' capable camera that has significantly quicker AF and FPS like you're referring to, you're looking at a 7D or D7000 range and well over $1000 for the kit.

DonParrot said:

But make sure to purchsase good lenses instead of the kit lenses as the often aren't worth the money you pay for them.

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Kit lenses get a bad rap, but they're often excellent, especially for beginners just learning the camera. The 20-50mm on the Samsung NX100 is quite sharp even wide open, the Lumix 14-45mm has been called one of the best kits to come from Panasonic and the new 14-42mm II on the Olympus E-Pens is winning praise for much improved speed and smoothness.

Joseph T Lewis III said:

The G3 isn't yet in the list of cameras that can be selected, but the G2 and GH2 should give you at least some idea of how it will compare.

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The G3 test samples have been selectable in the comparison widget since the preview was published a few days ago.

sensibill said:

DonParrot said:

Hmm, as I see it, mirrorless cameras currently don't represent the perfect tool due to their shortcomings in the AF area. Particularly if you want to shoot series (several frames per second) and need the C-AF.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

This is correct as long as we are talking abou the S-AF. Indeed, the GH2 - equipped with the right lens - even matches the performance of far more expensive DSLRs. But when it comes to the C-AF... forget it. I don't know how slow a DSLR lens should be to make for a C-AF performance that poor.

billzilla2000 said:

Some Mirrorless cameras can AF-C and AF-S right along with the lower range DSLRs.

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