I got this camera three weeks ago and it is a big step up from my point and shoot 2mp digital camera. I am very impressed with all its features for me to use almost like an SLR and yet I can keep it on Auto/ Program for my wife to use like a point and shoot camera- this is my main reason for choosing over CoolPix 5700 (also because G3 has a hot shoe) and Sony 717 (717 has very limited memory sticks and is HUGE) and Minolta 7Hi (7Hi is a large camera and hard to turn manual focus ring). My decision did come down to 7Hi and G3 but after handling both the G3 won out for a dual camera for my & my wife. The add on wide angle and telephoto lenses are so easy and fast to swap on and off. The PSC3000 case for the G3 is awesome. I am surpised how small and mobile the case makes the camera. The camera is very fast at start up, writing pictures, erasing pictures and has a fast continuous mode. The remote control is wonderful- a big plus! Another wonderful feature is the on camera histogram while viewing pictures in play back mode. I can't believe how good the battery is- it just keeps going and going!
Problems:
While the wide angle lens is attached it blocks the internal camera flash but an add on hot shoe flash (eg. 420ex) is not blocked so you can use this flash with the wide angle lens. Also with the wide angle lens it blocks the auto focus, red eye lamp and the viewfinder (but my pictures always come out focused- go figure) But the LCD works great with the wide angle lens. I have some conflicts when my USB printer (not with my parallel printer) is on when my camera is plugged in a USB port (Windows XP conflicts the two and can only use the camera with the printer off). Unsure if I need a printer or camera patch for this.
Problems:
While the wide angle lens is attached it blocks the internal camera flash but an add on hot shoe flash (eg. 420ex) is not blocked so you can use this flash with the wide angle lens. Also with the wide angle lens it blocks the auto focus, red eye lamp and the viewfinder (but my pictures always come out focused- go figure) But the LCD works great with the wide angle lens. I have some conflicts when my USB printer (not with my parallel printer) is on when my camera is plugged in a USB port (Windows XP conflicts the two and can only use the camera with the printer off). Unsure if I need a printer or camera patch for this.