G7 to buy or not to buy??

[CCarroll]

He doesn't like no raw, no swivel screen and would like it to be cheaper. For many people these are not big issues.

 

[ChrisDM]

If you could list your recommendations, that would be of interest...

I know the G7 is not inexpensive, but what would your other choices
be and your reasoning?

Thanks so much. I have many cameras and the 'middle range' is a
difficult one to fill. I know price is a consideration, but in the
end, when one is using the camera, it is hard to remember that
price was a factor- of course excluding cameras costing hundreds or
even thousands more...

Once using a camera, its seems to come down to the images and the
comfortability based on the user's needs. I have a d200, but it is
often the one left at home...

Linda

Linda, you won't get any alternative recommendations from him, only G7 bashing. I'm positive he doesn't even own the G7 as well. I found this thread as I was searching his previous posts wondering why he hadn't responded to a couple of my posts, but what I could see in his history of recent posts are simple derrogatory remarks about the G7 and those who use it, without any really useful dialog. I will, on the other hand, attempt to offer you some useful dialog:

I do own the G7, as well as a number of other digital cameras, and can heartily recommend it. The alternative to the G7 that I considered was the Leice D-Lux3, or the Panasonic LX2 (These are essentially the same camera). I considered this camera instead of the G7 because of it's wide angle lens and ability to shoot RAW, but I couldn't get over it's noise characterisics. I also breifly considered the Fuji F30 for it's low-noise characteristic, but that is really the only feature that sets this camera apart. Also, I much prefer the handling of the G7. The camera is a joy to use, and the image quality is very good for a point-and-shoot camera. It produces Canon's trademark digital color, that makes so many of it's digital cameras so popular.

But, regarding image quality, remember this. These tiny little cameras with tiny little sensors are really limited due to this fact, so it is unreasonable to expect SLR-like image quality from any little point-and-shoot camera. These cameras are designed to be pocketable, and as such have their limitations. Once you handle the G7, you may notice what I did: The camera is a pleasure to operate! Plus it takes nice pictures... Try it out and you'll see, perhaps. I hope this helps you.

--

Chris
http://www.imagineimagery.com

 

[stephaneonline]

point'n'shoot (hence no SLRs nor the A series, too big :
cannot decide between the G7, SD900 or the SD800IS.

If you think the A series are too big then the G7 is too big also, it's bigger than every A except the A640, it's also more heavy but the weight does "feel" good.

--
Stephane

 

[NIK11]

If you think the A series are too big then the G7 is too big also,
it's bigger than every A except the A640, it's also more heavy but
the weight does "feel" good.

--
Stephane

I am slightly embarassed to admit that I had half an hour to waste the other night and compared the sizes of the G7 and A710. The difference is smaller than you might think. Whilst the G7 is taller -which makes it's overall volume a few per cent more - it's thickness varies from 32-43mm(A710=31-41). But because of their different x-section shape(the A710 is more 'boxy'), the G7 average thickness is slightly less than the A710 - around 35mm against 38mm.

They would each fit in large pockets, but the weight makes the big difference.

Nick

 

[4-8-4-Northern]

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=20813371

 

[lharris]

Thanks. I own the F30, E900 (2 of them), SD 700, LX1 and others.

I ordered the G7 today. I am out of town and should have it at home on my return.

I know Bill Algood is a seasoned photographer and he is enjoying the camera.

That is enough for me to give it serious consideration as a travel camera.

I enjoy the other camera's I have and typically take two of my smaller cameras with me when I travel. I don't expect the equivalent of the R1 or C8080 but I am hoping for something in the middle.

My LX1 and e900 get a lot of play with me because they complement one another...and are portable.

Linda

 

[stephaneonline]

If you think the A series are too big then the G7 is too big also,
it's bigger than every A except the A640, it's also more heavy but
the weight does "feel" good.

--
Stephane

I am slightly embarassed to admit that I had half an hour to waste
the other night and compared the sizes of the G7 and A710. The
difference is smaller than you might think. Whilst the G7 is taller

I know, I did spend a littl too much time playing with this website http://www.sizeasy.com/page/sizeup

-which makes it's overall volume a few per cent more - it's
thickness varies from 32-43mm(A710=31-41). But because of their
different x-section shape(the A710 is more 'boxy'), the G7 average
thickness is slightly less than the A710 - around 35mm against 38mm.

They would each fit in large pockets, but the weight makes the big
difference.

But the OP said the the A-series were already too big

--
Stephane

 

[stephaneonline]

Oups, sorry, my original post was a reply to Martin Brice

--
Stephane

 

[ChrisDM]

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=20813371

You're suggesting a DLSR as an alternative to the G7? I think you're missing the point here. The original poster said that they were lookng for a pocketable camera. Many of us do own DLSRs (I own the 5D and the 30D myself), but also enjoy cameras that we can carry discreetly, and without the bulk and weight of a DLSR for those "lighter" photography tasks. For such times, there's no better alternative than the G7.

--

Chris
http://www.imagineimagery.com

 

[Jen114]

I AM ORDERING IT NOW YAYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR OPINIONS

 

[richarddd]

I am slightly embarassed to admit that I had half an hour to waste
the other night and compared the sizes of the G7 and A710. The
difference is smaller than you might think.

Do you have both cameras? If so, please comment on (or post samples) the relative image qualities.

 

[paulobiz]

I have been reading very mixed reviews from many people on this
thread.

I have been doing alot of reasearch on this product and many other
products of canon.

I am looking for a semi professional camera that is not as big as a
professional camera as i would not like to carry around such a huge
one.

The G7 looks perfect and i was actually just about to place my
order when i saw this forum...

my previous camera that just died was the Canon powershot Ixus 300

my main aim is great pictures.

please help to buy or not to buy... and if not which one would your
recomment?

Do yourself a favour and base your decision on the following:

1. your photohraphic requirements;

2. handle the camera and see if you like the controls and ergonomics;

3. read reviews from professional and reputable photographers or sources;

4. do not consider the opinion of people who prefer to classify the camera based on vaporware, without ever handling or using it.

That said, I bought one because it fits my requirements.

 

[ChrisDM]

I AM ORDERING IT NOW YAYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR OPINIONS

Excellent choice, Jen! And congratulations. You can see that the people who actually own the camera do love it, while those that don't own it, are so quick to judge. There's an old saying by H. Spencer which reminds me of those who don't own the G7, yet continue to badmouth it: "There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which can not fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance-that principle is contempt prior to investigation." Enjoy your new camera Jen.

--

Chris
http://www.imagineimagery.com

 

[Robert Deutsch]

Do yourself a favour and base your decision on the following:

1. your photohraphic requirements;

2. handle the camera and see if you like the controls and ergonomics;

3. read reviews from professional and reputable photographers or
sources;

4. do not consider the opinion of people who prefer to classify the
camera based on vaporware, without ever handling or using it.

That said, I bought one because it fits my requirements.

Your description of the decision-making process makes sense, but it gives the impression of being objective and "scientific" but it's actually mostly subjective. The issue hinges on the word "requirements." Do you really require a camera with the capabilities of the G7? Would you be seriously impaired in your ability to take the photographs you want if you didn't have the G7? I had a look at the photos on your web site; you've taken some absolutely GREAT photographs, without having had the G7. Would these photos have been better if you had taken them with the G7? I seriously doubt it. I put it to you that--unless the camera with which you took those pictures died or is lost or stolen--you don't need the G7, you just want it. There's nothing wrong with that, and, I suspect, most of the people who post in these forums buy a certain camera not because their professional work requires having the exact capabilities of that camera, but simply because they like it, and believe--correctly or otherwise--that they can take better pictures with it than with the camera than they already have.

I will freely admit that that I traded my 20D for a 5D not because I absolutely required full-frame capability, but because I thought it offered certain advantages over the 20D, and I really liked the large viewfinder and the way the camera handled. I have an A620 as my small camera, and I like it a lot, too. One of the features that I find useful and enjoy using is the folding LCD. In order for me to change from the A620, if a camera did not have this feature it would have to be overwhelmingly superior in other aspects--and, from what I've seen, the G7, while a very nice camera indeed, is not that. If Canon came out with an A650 that included IS and a wider zoom range, or a G8 that restored the folding LCD, I would almost certainly go for that, but my decision would be a function of what I want, not what I need.

Bob

 

[Joe Mondello]

The G7 is a terrific mid-size camera and you will find it a joy to use -- especially as you begin to delve deeper into its feature set. Very flexible, superbly built and a great complement to a DSLR system (I am also a D200 shooter).

Perfect? Nope. Wonderful? Yup!
--
Cheers,
Joe

 

[newmikey]

I think, reading your requirements, that you won't be disappointed. The negative responses on this forum were from people that use RAW extensively, find the flip/twist LCD indispensable and more of those specific requirements.

I am one of those people that will not buy the G7 because it does not fit my requirements in many areas but I try very hard not to make that into a value-assessment of the camera in itself.

The G7 will provide you with a lot of beautiful pictures, I am sure.

--
You're invited to visit my gallery at
http://www.pbase.com/newmikey
Drop me a line there if you like it.

 

[Mr Ralf]

... get a Fuji F30 instead....
... or the professional A710is.....
Better for your fingers.
--

• Mr Ralf -

 

[ChrisDM]

... get a Fuji F30 instead....
... or the professional A710is.....
Better for your fingers.
--

• Mr Ralf -

This is nonsense. All compact point-and-shoot cameras have their shutter buttons in the upper-right hand corner of the body, therefore are all very similar in terms of ergonomics. But in fact, larger cameras are more ergonomically friendly than tiny ones, and the G7's body is nicely proportioned in relation to the human hand, especially comared to the smaller camers you mentioned.

Also Ralf, you may want to check your grammar on your bizarre signature graphic. Why anyone would feel so inclined to take the time to make such a graphic is beyond me. But, if I were going to take the time, I would at least make sure I used correct grammar! Which would be: "Can't move your index finger ANY more.".

--

Chris
http://www.imagineimagery.com

 

[Mr Ralf]

1) My intention was to contribute a tiny little bit of humour to the monotone and boring, never-ending G7 threads,
and

2) I thought that using an unusual grammatical structure would make this obvious (Though I'm no native English speaker, I do know that this kind of grammar and way of expressing yourself is indeed common among some english-speaking groups (slang or dialect).

3) And yes, I have to stay this afternoon and evening at home because I'm waiting for somebody, so I didn't mind investing 5 extra minutes to create this picture for applying reason 1), and now another 5min to make sure that you realize the humour in the previous post.
OK?

• Mr Ralf -

 

[ChrisDM]

1) My intention was to contribute a tiny little bit of humour to
the monotone and boring, never-ending G7 threads,
and
2) I thought that using an unusual grammatical structure would make
this obvious (Though I'm no native English speaker, I do know that
this kind of grammar and way of expressing yourself is indeed
common among some english-speaking groups (slang or dialect).
3) And yes, I have to stay this afternoon and evening at home
because I'm waiting for somebody, so I didn't mind investing 5
extra minutes to create this picture for applying reason 1), and
now another 5min to make sure that you realize the humour in the
previous post.
OK?

• Mr Ralf -

Ok, so you're saying that your suggestion to choose the F30 or the A710 over the G7 was simply sarcasm, and you don't actually believe that these cameras are better on your fingers than the G7? Please clarify, without attempt at humor this time.

--

Chris
http://www.imagineimagery.com