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G15 for my Wife?

Started Apr 16, 2013 | Discussions
CameraCarl Veteran Member • Posts: 9,197
G15 for my Wife?

My wife presently uses a Canon A1200 point and shoot camera, but it has annoying dust in the viewfinder and a hot pixel or other flaw in the sensor.  We're thinking of getting her a new camera. Only two criteria for the new camera: easy to use and must have an optical viewfinder.  It appears that few cameras meet these criteria. The A1400 and the G15 are the least expensive.  We're familiar with the A1400 but are wondering if the G15 might be a better camera for her. Any thoughts about the G15 for someone who has a good photographic eye but doesn't want to hassle with the technical details?

Canon PowerShot A1200 Canon PowerShot A1400 Canon PowerShot G15
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Bruce Miller Senior Member • Posts: 2,438
Re: G15 for my Wife?

This might be better posted in the Open Talk forum as this is the Canon Lens forum.

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Bruce

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Hossam Saad ElDin Abd Alhalim Farg
Hossam Saad ElDin Abd Alhalim Farg Veteran Member • Posts: 3,230
Re: G15 for my Wife?

you may go for SX50HS, its p&s and easy to use, have a good luck

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Hossam Saad
[Kodak DX7590] {Broken}
[Canon SX50HS]

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aekn Regular Member • Posts: 433
Re: G15 for my Wife?


Show me a picture of your wife.  I might even offer you my G1 X!

Roberto de La Tour
Roberto de La Tour Regular Member • Posts: 244
Re: G15 for my Wife?

CameraCarl wrote:

My wife presently uses a Canon A1200 point and shoot camera, but it has annoying dust in the viewfinder and a hot pixel or other flaw in the sensor.  We're thinking of getting her a new camera. Only two criteria for the new camera: easy to use and must have an optical viewfinder.  It appears that few cameras meet these criteria. The A1400 and the G15 are the least expensive.  We're familiar with the A1400 but are wondering if the G15 might be a better camera for her. Any thoughts about the G15 for someone who has a good photographic eye but doesn't want to hassle with the technical details?

G15 seems a good choice. Compact, good IQ, fast lens with good zoom range, easy to use if on full automatic, VF, price went down.

Roberto

ericN2
ericN2 Forum Pro • Posts: 17,113
Re: G15 for my Wife?

Always difficult to respond to posts like this .. as buying/choosing a camera is ALWAYS very much a personal thing....   But I've used G models over many years.. scattered along the way and from a G2 to G7 and G9.  Not had one since the latter as I just thought they were getting bigger and bulkier for what was supposed to be a "compact"...  then quite out of the blue.. about a few weeks ago in a local big Superstore which sells photo gear plus various household goods such as TVs, Washers etc etc..there in front of my eyes was a G15..tethered of course but still usable in the hand.. and the very instant I pcked it up I loved it. Actually had bought one within a week.. and it still just simply delights me.  It has all the popular features that many seem to want.. and although I'm not a camera-carrier in such as pants-pockets or things like that which many people seem to think necessary..I carry this type on a single-point attached neck cord - under my jacket when not in use but readily available when needed for a quick shot.. this G15 will actually fit in my shirt-pocket..I tried it just out of curiosity.. but it will.. 
That apart though.. I get wonderful..AND EASY.. pics from it - set in my usual P mode, JPGs, AutoWB & Auto ISO generally.. works a treat and whist I ALWAYS do edits..very minor but along with a sensible downsize for viewing..about 1200x longest.. I get super results with it -and I'm quite sure your wife should do.  Takes a pic really close without having to switch to Macro.. goes comfortably to about 6-inches.. nice zoom for most uses.. just gives a delightful pic..
Can give you plenty of examples if of use....

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/eric
Staffordshire, UK

areichow Senior Member • Posts: 1,591
Re: G15 for my Wife?

aekn wrote:


Show me a picture of your wife.  I might even offer you my G1 X!

JFC, gross.

Anyway, I think the G15 would work out well. It's quite a bit larger than the A1200, but I think it'll perform very well for her, even if she uses it the same way she used the A1200 (Auto and Program mode only). Click here to compare size between the A1300 and the G15.

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mfait Contributing Member • Posts: 690
Re: G15 for my Wife?

CameraCarl wrote:

My wife presently uses a Canon A1200 point and shoot camera, but it has annoying dust in the viewfinder and a hot pixel or other flaw in the sensor.  We're thinking of getting her a new camera. Only two criteria for the new camera: easy to use and must have an optical viewfinder.  It appears that few cameras meet these criteria. The A1400 and the G15 are the least expensive.  We're familiar with the A1400 but are wondering if the G15 might be a better camera for her. Any thoughts about the G15 for someone who has a good photographic eye but doesn't want to hassle with the technical details?

You sure you mean G15 as its not least expensive.  Its more in the most expensive category, but an excellent camera.

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RedFox88 Forum Pro • Posts: 30,738
probably n ot

CameraCarl wrote:

My wife presently uses a Canon A1200 point and shoot camera,

new camera: easy to use and must have an optical viewfinder.

Who's requirement is the OVF?  Yours or hers?  Does she actually us the OVF?  The difference between the a1400 and G15 have to be staggering for size and weight.  One great thing about the G15 is optical zoom during video because the zooming gets put into a slow movement mode which makes it silent so no noise gets recorded.  But there is no EC adjustment during video recording.  But it record stereo audio.

OP CameraCarl Veteran Member • Posts: 9,197
OVF

My wife insists on an OVF and won't use a camera without one.  I offered her my S100 or Panasonic LX3, but she hated both.  Frankly I agree with her, I really dislike using a camera without an OVF or another kind of viewfinder.  There are so many reasons to use one I can't understand why manufacturers make so few.

Devvy Regular Member • Posts: 347
Re: G15 for my Wife?

Apart from the fact both the A1400 and the G15 have an OVF, they are completely different cameras; and the G15 is just 4x as expensive as the A1400....

If you just look for a simple camera with OVF, then the A1400 is probably a better choice since it has just the basic options; the G15 has many dials and buttons that can be customized; it will take a learning curve.

Picture-quality wise the G15 is better for sure (much, much faster lens for instance) but then what can you expect for the difference in price.

Basic question is how much you want to pay for a camera...

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John Marsh Regular Member • Posts: 355
Re: G15 for my Wife?

I would second Devvy. I have a G15 and love it but it is pretty expensive if your wife will just set it to Auto mode and leave it there. It does take great photos though.

John

ericN2
ericN2 Forum Pro • Posts: 17,113
Re: G15 for my Wife?

John Marsh wrote:

I would second Devvy. I have a G15 and love it but it is pretty expensive if your wife will just set it to Auto mode and leave it there. It does take great photos though.

John

I would seriously suggest NOT using Auto mode.. use P mode... it has a lot less restrictions on some shooting things that you do get when in Auto... and frankly.. I've used nothing but P mode..with a few others such as MultiMetering.. SINGLE center focus area, AutoWB, Auto ISO..  and I get truly excellent results in almost any situation and needing VERY little in edits..  and I'M FUSSY on getting a good basic pic as a starter.

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/eric
Staffordshire, UK

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