Thirty Praises Of The G500

wjcostley · Dec 31, 2003

Lately this camera has taken a verbal beating on this forum, along with those that speak highly about it.

However, it seems to me that a camera with the 30 praises below by 12 different G500 owners can't be all that bad, and is certainly not a miscarriage on the part of Minolta.

Is there a "better" model out there or better value for $300 USD? Probably not. Does it have shortcomings? Certainly, and I am sure that the list would be more than one or two.

Is there any reason why the bashing needs to continue? I hope not.

Perhaps the new year could be the end of negative and non constructive posts about this camera, and those on this forum who have been so willing to share their knowledge and experience with others like myself who are novices and lack that knowledge and experience themselves.

Jim Costley

wjcostley:
1) Small size - easily fits into any pocket.
2) Playback Mode - It's menu can be accessed and images viewed
without powering up the camera. You just press the button for about
a second.
Matt12 wrote:
3) Excellent speed of operation
4) Great LCD
Milo

5)the best feature of the G500 is "You will carry it with you" No more having to kick myself for not having a camera with me.
6)Also appreciate the higher 5 megapixel resolution in such a small size
Iam3d:
7) Speed........ that little sucker will boot up and take a picture
faster than many cameras
8) Dual memory slots that can be used at the same time
baxters
9) Flash can vary in power for closesups - got some great shots
this way
10) Manual exposure better than nite mode for night shots
11) Batteries only $10 on ebay
jvcn:
12)I might add the robust design of the case. Self-contained,
clamshell cover and heavy body. Doesn't feel flimsy.
Sandy:
13), speed between images
14)Protected lens
15)So many flashes on pocket size cameras are too weak but the G500
is excellent
16).It also has a wide variety of settings that are readily
accessible so you can actually use them - that's a Minolta strength.
Jim C:
17)Ergonomics/"Camera Feel"
18)Speed of Operation - allowing me to capture a photo "on a
moments notice"
19)Image Quality rivaling much larger 5MP cameras
20)Playback mode with 12x Zoom allowing me to quickly check for
proper exposure
Stephen M Alberts:
21)Buttons are responsive and feels good to the touch.
22)Takes great photos with consistent exposures.
23)Love the flash in macro mode.
Bill W
24)great,simple and ideal menu/button system
25)It takes very nice, low-light shots,even when the green/red
lights are flashing.
26)Love that "shutter" sound.
Unda Covalava
27)Ability to selectively delete groups of pictures (you select them
in thumbnail view and press end, and they're gone
28)User profiles. Full auto, 1 and 2. I have 1 set for everyday
shooting and 2 for whatever the conditions call for.
Two More

29) pressing the shutter button half way quickly takes the camera back to picture taking (REC mode)

30)The menu button always returns you to the last place that you were on, even after the power has been off

Richard Hodge · Jan 1, 2004

wjcostley said:
Lately this camera has taken a verbal beating on this forum, along
with those that speak highly about it.

However, it seems to me that a camera with the 30 praises below by
12 different G500 owners can't be all that bad, and is certainly
not a miscarriage on the part of Minolta.

Is there a "better" model out there or better value for $300 USD?
Probably not. Does it have shortcomings? Certainly, and I am sure
that the list would be more than one or two.

Is there any reason why the bashing needs to continue? I hope not.

Perhaps the new year could be the end of negative and non
constructive posts about this camera, and those on this forum who
have been so willing to share their knowledge and experience with
others like myself who are novices and lack that knowledge and
experience themselves.

Jim Costley

wjcostley:
1) Small size - easily fits into any pocket.
2) Playback Mode - It's menu can be accessed and images viewed
without powering up the camera. You just press the button for about
a second.
Matt12 wrote:
3) Excellent speed of operation
4) Great LCD
Milo
5)the best feature of the G500 is "You will carry it with you" No
more having to kick myself for not having a camera with me.
6)Also appreciate the higher 5 megapixel resolution in such a small
size
Iam3d:
7) Speed........ that little sucker will boot up and take a picture
faster than many cameras
8) Dual memory slots that can be used at the same time
baxters
9) Flash can vary in power for closesups - got some great shots
this way
10) Manual exposure better than nite mode for night shots
11) Batteries only $10 on ebay
jvcn:
12)I might add the robust design of the case. Self-contained,
clamshell cover and heavy body. Doesn't feel flimsy.
Sandy:
13), speed between images
14)Protected lens
15)So many flashes on pocket size cameras are too weak but the G500
is excellent
16).It also has a wide variety of settings that are readily
accessible so you can actually use them - that's a Minolta strength.
Jim C:
17)Ergonomics/"Camera Feel"
18)Speed of Operation - allowing me to capture a photo "on a
moments notice"
19)Image Quality rivaling much larger 5MP cameras
20)Playback mode with 12x Zoom allowing me to quickly check for
proper exposure
Stephen M Alberts:
21)Buttons are responsive and feels good to the touch.
22)Takes great photos with consistent exposures.
23)Love the flash in macro mode.
Bill W
24)great,simple and ideal menu/button system
25)It takes very nice, low-light shots,even when the green/red
lights are flashing.
26)Love that "shutter" sound.
Unda Covalava
27)Ability to selectively delete groups of pictures (you select them
in thumbnail view and press end, and they're gone
28)User profiles. Full auto, 1 and 2. I have 1 set for everyday
shooting and 2 for whatever the conditions call for.
Two More
29) pressing the shutter button half way quickly takes the camera
back to picture taking (REC mode)
30)The menu button always returns you to the last place that you
were on, even after the power has been off

Matt12 · Jan 2, 2004

Nobody said that the G500 doesn't have some good specs. But to say, that because it has a "lovable shutter sound", "the battery costs $10 at eBay" or "the lens is protected" is a good PICTURE TAKER it is rather a naive statement and certainly has been proven to the contrary many times here.

The camera cannot focus properly in room light, many pictures are dark even withing the range, sometimes takes good pictures some times they are lousy under same lighting conditions and generally this camera is a no a good indoors performer. It is a NO NO for indoor pictures (outside I have not tested it yet, so I cannot comment).

I mean I can understand because of the proximity of the flash to the lens it gives a red eye as every other small camera possibly. But what I cannot not understand is the purpose of the Red Eye preflash feature when even with it there is red eye again. Come on guys, why you accepting such a thing and you do not complain. Just because you do not want to admit that you got a not so good camera? Why you close your eyes to this kind of performance and pay $300 plus? You are either possessed by brand fanatism or you are too proud to admit that you spend this kind of money for this camera. Here is another example:

The lady below is NOT looking directly in the lens, she is looking absolutely to her side. Red Eye enabled. And she got red eye! I haven't seen that before. Even cheap disposable camers perform better. And this is not happening once. Almost all the side looking persons got the red eye. Not to mention the other pictures with the persons looking towards the lens. 95% got red eye. In spite what you say, I say that this is unacceptable performance. And I have been a Minolta man since 1978.

Here is another one, redeye enabled.

I mean guys give me a break! Give this camera to your 5 year old to play with, if you can afford it. Or have it in you car's glove dept for that critical moment. But in the meantime get a decent camera and enjoy shooting pictures and NOT spending hours with your photo editor correcting almost everything (red eye, contrast, brightness, lighting, sharpening). I took 15 picts on new year's eve and all of them needed a rather heavy correction of some kind. And do not tell me that I have a defective camera. It cannot be defective in all wrong aspects I have shown you thus far in my posts!
This camera is DEFINETELY NOT an indoor camera.

wjcostley said:
Lately this camera has taken a verbal beating on this forum, along
with those that speak highly about it.

However, it seems to me that a camera with the 30 praises below by
12 different G500 owners can't be all that bad, and is certainly
not a miscarriage on the part of Minolta.

Is there a "better" model out there or better value for $300 USD?
Probably not. Does it have shortcomings? Certainly, and I am sure
that the list would be more than one or two.

Is there any reason why the bashing needs to continue? I hope not.

Perhaps the new year could be the end of negative and non
constructive posts about this camera, and those on this forum who
have been so willing to share their knowledge and experience with
others like myself who are novices and lack that knowledge and
experience themselves.

Jim Costley

wjcostley:
1) Small size - easily fits into any pocket.
2) Playback Mode - It's menu can be accessed and images viewed
without powering up the camera. You just press the button for about
a second.
Matt12 wrote:
3) Excellent speed of operation
4) Great LCD
Milo
5)the best feature of the G500 is "You will carry it with you" No
more having to kick myself for not having a camera with me.
6)Also appreciate the higher 5 megapixel resolution in such a small
size
Iam3d:
7) Speed........ that little sucker will boot up and take a picture
faster than many cameras
8) Dual memory slots that can be used at the same time
baxters
9) Flash can vary in power for closesups - got some great shots
this way
10) Manual exposure better than nite mode for night shots
11) Batteries only $10 on ebay
jvcn:
12)I might add the robust design of the case. Self-contained,
clamshell cover and heavy body. Doesn't feel flimsy.
Sandy:
13), speed between images
14)Protected lens
15)So many flashes on pocket size cameras are too weak but the G500
is excellent
16).It also has a wide variety of settings that are readily
accessible so you can actually use them - that's a Minolta strength.
Jim C:
17)Ergonomics/"Camera Feel"
18)Speed of Operation - allowing me to capture a photo "on a
moments notice"
19)Image Quality rivaling much larger 5MP cameras
20)Playback mode with 12x Zoom allowing me to quickly check for
proper exposure
Stephen M Alberts:
21)Buttons are responsive and feels good to the touch.
22)Takes great photos with consistent exposures.
23)Love the flash in macro mode.
Bill W
24)great,simple and ideal menu/button system
25)It takes very nice, low-light shots,even when the green/red
lights are flashing.
26)Love that "shutter" sound.
Unda Covalava
27)Ability to selectively delete groups of pictures (you select them
in thumbnail view and press end, and they're gone
28)User profiles. Full auto, 1 and 2. I have 1 set for everyday
shooting and 2 for whatever the conditions call for.
Two More
29) pressing the shutter button half way quickly takes the camera
back to picture taking (REC mode)
30)The menu button always returns you to the last place that you
were on, even after the power has been off

Jim Cockfield · Jan 2, 2004

Matt:

The G500 is not alone. I see LOTS of complaints of the same problem with other camera models. Even owners of Canon A70 and A80 models (slightly larger models) complain about it.

Actually, I find redeye to be less with someone looking directly at the camera at closer ranges. The G500 is not alone in this respect either.

Here's what someone said about their A80:

"At a recent event, I took quite a few indoor flash shots and every one of them has red eye. In one shot of 5 children, every one of them had it. The thing is, one was looking to the left, one to the right, one looking up, one looking at me. All red eyes even though some were not even looking at the camera"

http://www.stevesforums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=18302

Here's someone complaining about their A70:

http://www.megapixel.net/html/issueindex.php?lang=en

Here's someone complaining about their Casio QV-R40:
http://www.megapixel.net/html/issueindex.php?lang=en

Here's someone complaining about it in a G5, stating "I recently purchased the cannon G5 and all my pictures have terrible red eye, I have the red eye reduction on but it does not help at all"

http://www.stevesforums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=18271&highlight=red

Here's a thread discussing the possibility of using a slave flash on the A80 to help out:

http://www.stevesforums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=88481&highlight=#88481

Basically, if you want a subcompact camera -- get used to the redeye. The G500 is not alone in this respect.

JimC
------
http://www.pbase.com/jcockfield/konica_kd510z

Richard Hodge · Jan 2, 2004

Jim Cockfield said:
Matt:

The G500 is not alone. I see LOTS of complaints of the same
problem with other camera models. Even owners of Canon A70 and A80
models (slightly larger models) complain about it.

Actually, I find redeye to be less with someone looking directly at
the camera at closer ranges. The G500 is not alone in this respect
either.

Here's what someone said about their A80:

"At a recent event, I took quite a few indoor flash shots and every
one of them has red eye. In one shot of 5 children, every one of
them had it. The thing is, one was looking to the left, one to the
right, one looking up, one looking at me. All red eyes even though
some were not even looking at the camera"

http://www.stevesforums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=18302

Here's someone complaining about their A70:

http://www.megapixel.net/html/issueindex.php?lang=en

Here's someone complaining about their Casio QV-R40:
http://www.megapixel.net/html/issueindex.php?lang=en

Here's someone complaining about it in a G5, stating "I recently
purchased the cannon G5 and all my pictures have terrible red eye,
I have the red eye reduction on but it does not help at all"

http://www.stevesforums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=18271&highlight=red

Here's a thread discussing the possibility of using a slave flash
on the A80 to help out:

http://www.stevesforums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=88481&highlight=#88481

Basically, if you want a subcompact camera -- get used to the
redeye. The G500 is not alone in this respect.

JimC
------
http://www.pbase.com/jcockfield/konica_kd510z

Jim Cockfield · Jan 2, 2004

It's just that I see constant complaints over things that you're going to have a problem with any subcompact camera model using a small, high resolution sensor with a flash located close to the lens.

You have to look for balance in a camera model: Physical Size, User Control of features used most often, Flash Range, Speed of Operation, Image Quality.

None are perfect. They are all a compromise. If you want a subcompact, high resolution camera, it's going to have some limitations. You just need to learn what they are, and work around them.

If you can't learn to do this - the solution is simple: get a larger camera, with a faster lens than you get in subcompacts, with a flash located further away, using a CCD with a larger pixel pitch that performs better in low light than the high resolution Sony 1/1.8" (.556") CCD's used in most 4 and 5MP compact models.

Griping about the limitations accomplishes nothing. Either learn to work around them, or get a camera better suited to your ability to learn to use it.

Of course, you can also go with a slave flash solution, too....

Here's a new Canon S400 user also complaining about redeye. Someone suggested a slave flash:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=7091595

So, if you don't want to correct redeye in software, and want to keep a small model camera, buy a slave flash for it to help out with indoor photos.

Chances are, you could mount a decent flash higher above the camera using the KISS flash bracket in the link in the thread above:

http://www.therollbar.com/

Then, use some tape over the camera's main flash to diffuse it enough so that it's impact would be minimal. This should solve the problem. But, then you're defeating the purpose of having a subcompact model to begin with -- pocketability.

--
JimC
------
http://www.pbase.com/jcockfield/konica_kd510z

morey000 · Jan 2, 2004

Fair enough Matt. What camera would you recommend?

I'm always looking for something better. (I don't own a G500. I'm an F100 man- which is painfully slow, but reasonalby small, and takes nice shots.)

morey
Tucson, Az

Matt12 said:
Nobody said that the G500 doesn't have some good specs. But to
say, that because it has a "lovable shutter sound", "the battery
costs $10 at eBay" or "the lens is protected" is a good PICTURE
TAKER it is rather a naive statement and certainly has been proven
to the contrary many times here.
The camera cannot focus properly in room light, many pictures are
dark even withing the range, sometimes takes good pictures some
times they are lousy under same lighting conditions and generally
this camera is a no a good indoors performer. It is a NO NO for
indoor pictures (outside I have not tested it yet, so I cannot
comment).
I mean I can understand because of the proximity of the flash to
the lens it gives a red eye as every other small camera possibly.
But what I cannot not understand is the purpose of the Red Eye
preflash feature when even with it there is red eye again. Come on
guys, why you accepting such a thing and you do not complain. Just
because you do not want to admit that you got a not so good camera?
Why you close your eyes to this kind of performance and pay $300
plus? You are either possessed by brand fanatism or you are too
proud to admit that you spend this kind of money for this camera.
Here is another example:
The lady below is NOT looking directly in the lens, she is looking
absolutely to her side. Red Eye enabled. And she got red eye! I
haven't seen that before. Even cheap disposable camers perform
better. And this is not happening once. Almost all the side looking
persons got the red eye. Not to mention the other pictures with the
persons looking towards the lens. 95% got red eye. In spite what
you say, I say that this is unacceptable performance. And I have
been a Minolta man since 1978.

Here is another one, redeye enabled.

I mean guys give me a break! Give this camera to your 5 year old to
play with, if you can afford it. Or have it in you car's glove dept
for that critical moment. But in the meantime get a decent camera
and enjoy shooting pictures and NOT spending hours with your photo
editor correcting almost everything (red eye, contrast, brightness,
lighting, sharpening). I took 15 picts on new year's eve and all of
them needed a rather heavy correction of some kind. And do not tell
me that I have a defective camera. It cannot be defective in all
wrong aspects I have shown you thus far in my posts!
This camera is DEFINETELY NOT an indoor camera.

Matt12 · Jan 2, 2004

G500 is a bad "compromise" (as our resident guru wants it) of a camera. Other "compromises" look better according to hundreds of posters and not only a few selected ones in various brand foruums.

G500, I have to repeat is a Minolta miscarriage and on top of that the lack of sensitivity on the company's behalf after 6 months on the market, is an example to avoid. A firmaware should have been issued by now or if so many units are defective according to our resident guru here, a recall should have been in action by now. Minolta has been emailed twice by me and also by other posters, but not only they do not address the issue they even have not answered any mail as far as I know. What Minolta has become of!

Even my film Minolta point and shoot camera of 15 years , almost same size takes superb pictures and certainly with not even one red eye. Outstanding indoor pictures compared to this technological flop.

Now if one wants to make the black white and the white black it's easy to do it. He can spend his day searching threads that suits him and taking phrases out of context and citing them to make his point and many more. Read him but do not buy your camera because of him. It is guaranteed that you'll lose your money. You better spend the $300plus to get a Maxxum 5 and have change left for films. At the same time by buying such a camera, you'll learn the art of photography.

Matt12 · Jan 2, 2004

No I will not play your game. I will not suggest here any camera that I do not know well. I am here to talk about the G500 which I bought , use, and can talk about it. I could speak with certainty for the Kodak DC280 but UNFORTUNATELLY it is now discontinued.
Ask the resident guru to suggest you any other flop.

And hey guys if you think that so small cameras do not work properly don't buy them. Get a slightly larger one and have better quality. Why waisting your time getting 60% bad indoor pictures. I only had 5% bad pics with the Kodak DC280 and most of them due to not quick battery recovery.

If all the brands have no good super compacts, don't let the hype of any guru affect your decision.

I have heard great words about Tucson from a friend here who lives in that city and visits here yearly. It's a great city.

morey000 said:
Fair enough Matt. What camera would you recommend?

I'm always looking for something better. (I don't own a G500. I'm
an F100 man- which is painfully slow, but reasonalby small, and
takes nice shots.)

morey
Tucson, Az

qlguy · Jan 2, 2004

Sorry you feel this way Matt, but not all of us spent $300+ for a bad camera. I find this camera to be a good camera (1st digital) bought after research as well as hands on in a store. My camera works just like the one I looked at in the store, otherwise I wouldn't have kept it. If it hadn't worked that way I wouldn't continue to complain about it I would take it straight back to the store and get something else. If you're trying to make us feel bad about our purchases it isn't working, because we are satisfied with what we have bought and continue to use it.

Matt12 · Jan 2, 2004

If you feel happy that's nice. Enjoy your camera and get thousands of pictures. Take care and happy new year!

qlguy said:
Sorry you feel this way Matt, but not all of us spent $300+ for a
bad camera. I find this camera to be a good camera (1st digital)
bought after research as well as hands on in a store. My camera
works just like the one I looked at in the store, otherwise I
wouldn't have kept it. If it hadn't worked that way I wouldn't
continue to complain about it I would take it straight back to the
store and get something else. If you're trying to make us feel bad
about our purchases it isn't working, because we are satisfied with
what we have bought and continue to use it.

baxters · Jan 2, 2004

wjcostley said:
However, it seems to me that a camera with the 30 praises below by
12 different G500 owners can't be all that bad, and is certainly
not a miscarriage on the part of Minolta.

Tis a tad unfair to use our comments from the other thread in this manner. I do like my G500, but I'm not telling others to buy it.

lionglobe · Jan 2, 2004

Matt12 wrote;

...that because it has a "lovable shutter sound"...

------------------------------------,

....... Because G500 owners happen to come up with semi trivial, positive add-on comments to the topic at hand re: the thread "what do you like about your G500" doesn't warrant more witch hunting on your part.

Even YOU added some positive comments to the "30 praises" thread, to get your name in the MTF again. Then to do a diatribe against its "shutter sounds" and other innocent comments from other G500 owners posts.

Perhaps you would be better served time-wise, finding a way to get rid of your camera if you don't like it so much. You seem to doing a good job of hanging on to it.

--
Bill W.

-Either lead,.... follow,.... or get out of the way!

lionglobe · Jan 2, 2004

Matt12 said:
No I will not play your game. I will not suggest here any camera
that I do not know well. I am here to talk about the G500 ....

Why waisting your time getting 60% bad indoor picture.

I love the indoor pictures I'm getting from my G500 ...infact I'll say I'm getting a 90% success rate.

Here's an interesting shot I took (self-portrait) in a mall department store.

This is indoors,no flash,taken in a hurry. Its of a large soup kettle with a shinny,non smudged reflection that I couldn't pass up. I didn't think
the camera would do well here,but it did. I was surprised.

http://pbase.com/image/24731820/medium

Learn your camera..... explore your world.

--
Bill W.

-Either lead,.... follow,.... or get out of the way!

wazza · Jan 3, 2004

I looked at those shots. I'm glad I stayed away from the G500. I did end up with one my brother had but gave it away (yes, gave it away !!!)

I have the Optio 450 and my daughter has the 550. Very pleased with them and glad I stayed away from the super compacts.

I did own the QV R3 at one stage. Whilst it was well built it was also a super compact and seems to suffer from the same things that the G500 does.

However, if it's only for snapshots, then maybe it's OK.

Bill W. said:
Matt12 said:

No I will not play your game. I will not suggest here any camera
that I do not know well. I am here to talk about the G500 ....

Why waisting your time getting 60% bad indoor picture.

Click to expand...

I love the indoor pictures I'm getting from my G500 ...infact I'll
say I'm getting a 90% success rate.

Here's an interesting shot I took (self-portrait) in a mall
department store.
This is indoors,no flash,taken in a hurry. Its of a large soup
kettle with a shinny,non smudged reflection that I couldn't pass
up. I didn't think
the camera would do well here,but it did. I was surprised.

http://pbase.com/image/24731820/medium

Learn your camera..... explore your world.

--
Bill W.

-Either lead,.... follow,.... or get out of the way!

Matt12 · Jan 3, 2004

Eventhough we do not share the same opinion about this camera, you sound as a man of principles. What you say is correct. Congrats!

When I participated in this thread, I knew they are going to use the comments for their purpose. However I put down my sincere opinion about a couple of attributes this camera has, just to show that I am not blindly against this camera and that I admit it having some good things. Unfortunately they proved what kind of people they are, just snooping secretely around and taking a cheap shot when they can. How can I describe them?

baxters said:
wjcostley said:

However, it seems to me that a camera with the 30 praises below by
12 different G500 owners can't be all that bad, and is certainly
not a miscarriage on the part of Minolta.

Click to expand...

Tis a tad unfair to use our comments from the other thread in this
manner. I do like my G500, but I'm not telling others to buy it.

Milo86176 · Jan 3, 2004

Snapshot · Jan 5, 2004

My "Santa" gave me my G500, and I can think of more than 30 praises to say about it.

Here is one:

Here is two:

Happy New Year

wazza · Jan 5, 2004

Seems to be having problems focussing in those shots.

A lot of jaagies too.

Nice subjects though

Vixenette said:
My "Santa" gave me my G500, and I can think of more than 30 praises
to say about it.

Here is one:

Here is two:

Happy New Year

Snapshot · Jan 5, 2004

This is my first digital camera. I keep in my purse and take it everywhere with me. I am just learning how to use it, and only had it a few days before the vacation. It is so much fun, and I am getting the hang of it. Hopefully a little more steady too.

Here's number 3: (neon boneyard in Las Vegas)

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