G3 Wish List

[DavidW]

From what I can tell so far, for my everyday needs, there is no significant improvement from G1 to G2 (I may be wrong).

If it is true that Canon listens to its users, the one thing I would like to see in the G3 is a 7X optical Zoom. That is the only thing that would have made me give up the G1 and buy a G2.

David W

 

[Steve D50919]

EXACTLY. I totally agree. A big zoom in a small package is #1 on my hit parade. In fact. Although I love my G1.. if some other manafacturer comes out with a 7 or 10 x zoom in a reasonably sized camera. and it is a "prosumer' type, that is.. it has the quality of the G1.. or nikon 995, or Oly 3040.. then they have a customer. ME

Steve D

From what I can tell so far, for my everyday needs, there is no
significant improvement from G1 to G2 (I may be wrong).

If it is true that Canon listens to its users, the one thing I
would like to see in the G3 is a 7X optical Zoom. That is the only
thing that would have made me give up the G1 and buy a G2.

David W

 

[Chris Beney]

David W wrote:

the one thing I would like to see in the G3 is a 7X optical Zoom. That is the only thing that would have made me give up the G1 and buy a G2.

What do you want such a zoom for? Do you really want large prints of long zoom photos? Because the 3x zoom on the G1 is at such high resolution that a quarter of the frame can be enlarged comfortably over twice (linearly) giving exactly the same angle of view as a seven times zoom. The G2 has more pixels than the G1 so it actually has in effect a bigger zoom ratio, further enhancing the pictures.

For specialist work such as photographing distant rare birds (feathered) and famous birds (in private gardens etc.) then get you a digital interchangable lens SLR and a megabucks type lens.
Chris Beney

 

[Tom Davenport]

Well, the canon Pro90 is very reasonably sized (IMO) and has a 10x IS zoom. Perhaps the Pro95 is what you should be looking for. As far as compactness, I'll take image quality over compactness any day (up to a point, i.e., no lead handcuffs). Oly has a "compact" non-IS 10x zoom, but looks like they made compromises to get there, image quality being one. Depending on who you talk to in the Nikon forum, the 4x zoom on the 995 has also degraded image quality for that extra 1x zoom. If you want extra zoom on a "compact" camera, I say get a telephoto or more pixels (rounding ignored, 4MP w/ 3x zoom = 3MP w/ 4x zoom).

Me, I'm hoping Tuesday's "announcement" from Canon will be for the 3+MP Pro95 (with the CA improvements seen on the G1, among other things). If so, I'll be the first one standing in line.

Steve D

From what I can tell so far, for my everyday needs, there is no
significant improvement from G1 to G2 (I may be wrong).

If it is true that Canon listens to its users, the one thing I
would like to see in the G3 is a 7X optical Zoom. That is the only
thing that would have made me give up the G1 and buy a G2.

David W

 

[Mark B.]

From what I can tell so far, for my everyday needs, there is no
significant improvement from G1 to G2 (I may be wrong).

If it is true that Canon listens to its users, the one thing I
would like to see in the G3 is a 7X optical Zoom. That is the only
thing that would have made me give up the G1 and buy a G2.

David W

The one thing I would like to see is to have a separate mechanism for the shutter & aperture. You should be able to use every available aperture at every available shutter speed.

Mark

 

[Steve D50919]

What do you want such a zoom for? Do you really want large prints
of long zoom photos? Because the 3x zoom on the G1 is at such high
resolution that a quarter of the frame can be enlarged comfortably
over twice (linearly) giving exactly the same angle of view as a
seven times zoom. The G2 has more pixels than the G1 so it actually
has in effect a bigger zoom ratio, further enhancing the pictures.
For specialist work such as photographing distant rare birds
(feathered) and famous birds (in private gardens etc.) then get you
a digital interchangable lens SLR and a megabucks type lens.
Chris Beney

As a person who enjoys "zooming in", I'm confused by your logic.

If a 3x zoom on a G1 can be enlarged "comfortably" to give the same "angle of view" as a 7 times zoom.. then just imagine what a 7 or 10 times zoom on a G1 (or better yet G2) resolution could do. Why depend on enlarging (resampling) a 3x view when you can get there at "normal" resolution with optical 7 or 10 x zooms. Then when you enlarge.. you've got a 15 x zoom equivelent (or there abouts).

One doesnt have to be doing specialist work to enjoy the many advantages of a large quality zoom.

Of course you are right about higher resolution giving higher zoom ratios.. but why not both?

Steve D

Steve D

 

[KC50490]

From what I can tell so far, for my everyday needs, there is no
significant improvement from G1 to G2 (I may be wrong).

If it is true that Canon listens to its users, the one thing I
would like to see in the G3 is a 7X optical Zoom. That is the only
thing that would have made me give up the G1 and buy a G2.

David W

The one thing I would like to see is to have a separate mechanism
for the shutter & aperture. You should be able to use every
available aperture at every available shutter speed.

A stupid lock on the mode selection dial.. I stay in program mode 80% of the time, and when I turn it on and off I often accidentally slip it to Auto, and don't notice until I've taken a few shots.. argh!! Drives me nuts. I missed some great pictures at a wedding last night because of this.

• KC

 

[Chris Beney]

Chris Beney wrote

What do you want such a zoom for? Do you really want large prints
of long zoom photos? Because the 3x zoom on the G1 is at such high
resolution that a quarter of the frame can be enlarged comfortably
over twice (linearly) giving exactly the same angle of view as a
seven times zoom. > >

Steve D replied:

As a person who enjoys "zooming in", I'm confused by your logic.

If a 3x zoom on a G1 can be enlarged "comfortably" to give the same
"angle of view" as a 7 times zoom.. then just imagine what a 7 or
10 times zoom on a G1 (or better yet G2) resolution could do. Why
depend on enlarging (resampling) a 3x view when you can get there
at "normal" resolution with optical 7 or 10 x zooms. Then when you
enlarge.. you've got a 15 x zoom equivelent (or there abouts).

Steve D

Yes I agree, but David W, who started this thread had asked for a 7 times zoom, not a 15 times one, and I just reminded him and others that we already have something close to that. And I would question the real use of 15 times except for specialist work where an interchangable lens SLR would be indicated.

In passing, what about the wide angle side, especially for indoor pictures where the f2.0 lens works so well? Outdoors the panorama and digital stitch works pretty well to solve the wide angle problem even with people, indoors I have not yet been so successful.

Chris Beney

 

[Chris Beney]

Steve D replied:

If a 3x zoom on a G1 can be enlarged "comfortably" to give the same
"angle of view" as a 7 times zoom.. then just imagine what a 7 or
10 times zoom on a G1 (or better yet G2) resolution could do. Why
depend on enlarging (resampling) a 3x view when you can get there
at "normal" resolution with optical 7 or 10 x zooms.

A small addition to my previous reply:

"why rely on resampling" No No. There is no resampling needed in the majority of cases, the resolution of the camera gives good enlargements without any resampling. Of course there comes a time if the size is increased sufficiently.... But I was definately not referring to resampling to give longer effective focal lengths, though that way you could get your 15 times no doubt with not too much quality penalty.

Chris Beney

Chris Beney

 

[Yang]

David W

The one thing I would like to see is to have a separate mechanism
for the shutter & aperture. You should be able to use every
available aperture at every available shutter speed.

A stupid lock on the mode selection dial.. I stay in program mode
80% of the time, and when I turn it on and off I often accidentally
slip it to Auto, and don't notice until I've taken a few shots..
argh!! Drives me nuts. I missed some great pictures at a wedding
last night because of this.

• KC

the same happend to me almost everyday. I hate the stupid solution of double dialer on the G1. It seems the mode dial on the G2 is better protected.

I wish the same high shutter speed up 1/2000s as on Nikon 995 for using all apertures (e.g. F2.0/2.5)
Yang

 

[Dmitry]

In my mind the most inportant thing is AF speed which as I understand is higher in G2, but must be near or equal to my EOS300(Rebel) with USM lens not to miss so many perfect shots. I also wish higher 'write to a card speed'. Without such drawbacks G3 will be a perfect camera for prosumer for several years.

David W

The one thing I would like to see is to have a separate mechanism
for the shutter & aperture. You should be able to use every
available aperture at every available shutter speed.

A stupid lock on the mode selection dial.. I stay in program mode
80% of the time, and when I turn it on and off I often accidentally
slip it to Auto, and don't notice until I've taken a few shots..
argh!! Drives me nuts. I missed some great pictures at a wedding
last night because of this.

• KC

the same happend to me almost everyday. I hate the stupid solution
of double dialer on the G1. It seems the mode dial on the G2 is
better protected.

I wish the same high shutter speed up 1/2000s as on Nikon 995 for
using all apertures (e.g. F2.0/2.5)
Yang

 

[Rob N]

I'll second both of these.

Action shots often need both high shutter speeds and large apertures. I won't have a chance to try this until I can manage to actually get a G2, but from what I read, it sounds like a potential problem.

While I'm at this, I would like to see the pan focus mode extended to allow any zoom setting. Sports pictures need the quick response that pan focus offers, but almost never can be done at full wide angle. Try catching a tennis ball in the air just as the server hits the ball. It's nearly impossible with the digital cameras I've used.

A lock for settings would definitely be a welcome addition. I have this problem with other kinds of equipment as well, and few designers seem to take it into consideration.

I too would like to see a longer zoom on a compact, G2 style camera. One of the things I like to do is take pictures at gatherings from across a room. I also enjoy taking pictures of my daughter's sports activities. I've done these for years using an 80-200 mm zoom on a 35 mm SLR.

The first digital camera I used extensively was a Sony Mavica, which had a 10x zoom, and I really loved the reach of that lens. I don't recall that the Mavica 10x zoom was much bigger than the 3x on the G2. Must not have cost much more either, because the camera sold for under $1k.

David W

The one thing I would like to see is to have a separate mechanism
for the shutter & aperture. You should be able to use every
available aperture at every available shutter speed.

A stupid lock on the mode selection dial.. I stay in program mode
80% of the time, and when I turn it on and off I often accidentally
slip it to Auto, and don't notice until I've taken a few shots..
argh!! Drives me nuts. I missed some great pictures at a wedding
last night because of this.

• KC

the same happend to me almost everyday. I hate the stupid solution
of double dialer on the G1. It seems the mode dial on the G2 is
better protected.

I wish the same high shutter speed up 1/2000s as on Nikon 995 for
using all apertures (e.g. F2.0/2.5)
Yang

 

[Chris Beney]

The first digital camera I used extensively was a Sony Mavica,
which had a 10x zoom, and I really loved the reach of that lens. I
don't recall that the Mavica 10x zoom was much bigger than the 3x
on the G2. Must not have cost much more either, because the
camera sold for under $1k.

How did the Mavica compare with the f2.0 of the Canon? Long zooms usually have small apertures. I find the f2.0 brilliant having come from typical analogue zoom lens of f3.5.
Chris Beney>