The pictures do not lie. They are beautiful. I subtracted from the image
quality because the camera doesn't provide as detailed a picture as it
might (see the Sony 717). But I prefer its noiselessness over the Sony's
hyper-details.
If you spend time in Manual mode and are conscientious about
experimenting with the camera's many features, you can produce
stunningly beautiful, "film-like" 5x7 prints.
I love being able to move the focus brackets "infinitely" in the LCD
panel. All of the key features: ISO, white balance, shutter speed,
aperture, are very quickly and intuitively accessed via well-placed
buttons. The inclusion of an ND filter and focus bracketing is fantastic.
And the remote control is an extremely cool included accessory. Holding
it feels great and it is definitely designed quite well, hence my high
"ease of use" score.
The battery is exceptional. I upgraded from an S20 where the
rechargeable NiCad batteries died very quickly. This battery is superb.
I rated the construction as good because it is not as solid as my S20 or
the S45, for example. If you drop this camera, I suspect you may cause
it substantial harm. Industrial plastic is still plastic, not metal. I have
both business insurance and a service agreement from B&H covering
this camera, so I'm not too worried.
Problems:
Already noted above. I would simply add that there is no digital camera
that doesn't represent a compromise. The G3 is superb. Probably
overkill for those of you not inclined to accessorize it with a flash or
lens, which I will eventually. I consider it portable, because I always
have a bag with me, and will include the G3 in it from now on.
However, it is not as portable as the S45, which, despite its slightly
inferior optics, is very close in quality to this camera and fits right in
your pocket. I just couldn't live without the remote, and I wanted that
4x zoom.
quality because the camera doesn't provide as detailed a picture as it
might (see the Sony 717). But I prefer its noiselessness over the Sony's
hyper-details.
If you spend time in Manual mode and are conscientious about
experimenting with the camera's many features, you can produce
stunningly beautiful, "film-like" 5x7 prints.
I love being able to move the focus brackets "infinitely" in the LCD
panel. All of the key features: ISO, white balance, shutter speed,
aperture, are very quickly and intuitively accessed via well-placed
buttons. The inclusion of an ND filter and focus bracketing is fantastic.
And the remote control is an extremely cool included accessory. Holding
it feels great and it is definitely designed quite well, hence my high
"ease of use" score.
The battery is exceptional. I upgraded from an S20 where the
rechargeable NiCad batteries died very quickly. This battery is superb.
I rated the construction as good because it is not as solid as my S20 or
the S45, for example. If you drop this camera, I suspect you may cause
it substantial harm. Industrial plastic is still plastic, not metal. I have
both business insurance and a service agreement from B&H covering
this camera, so I'm not too worried.
Problems:
Already noted above. I would simply add that there is no digital camera
that doesn't represent a compromise. The G3 is superb. Probably
overkill for those of you not inclined to accessorize it with a flash or
lens, which I will eventually. I consider it portable, because I always
have a bag with me, and will include the G3 in it from now on.
However, it is not as portable as the S45, which, despite its slightly
inferior optics, is very close in quality to this camera and fits right in
your pocket. I just couldn't live without the remote, and I wanted that
4x zoom.