Compare nthe G7 to an A640- the "top of thr line" A with the same
size sensor ...
The top of the A-series is the A640 jointly with the A710IS. Any G7 wannabe will compare to each of these to top-A's and can save money by opting to either the long-range image-stabilized A710 or the better sensor and flip&twist LCD of the A640. All three cameras (G7/A640/A710) have 2.5" LCD so the G7's LCD is NOT larger as u mention below just higher in resolution (207,000 vs. 115,000).
What does the G7 have over the A-series represented by the joint top A640/A710:
Hot shoe.
. 207,000 LCD (overshadowed by the A640's advantage of flip&twist). Live histogram (u forgot that. It is not a big deal anyhow).
--Other differences are subtle ones that won't make it to most specs sheets (only the v detailed ones).
Now compare the G6 to the A-series of its time represented by the then top of line A95:
Higher resolution sensor 7MP vs 5MP Hot shoe
Raw Slightly larger LCD 2" vs 1.8" (both were twisting and 118,000).
IR remote control. f2 lens.
--The subtle differences were more then they are now I believe.
A710 has it
rechargeable battery w/recharger
Many consider AA batteries advantage because they and their charge are easier to replace when they die (the extra cost of buying two sets of decent rechargeable AA's with their charger is negligible when the very xpnsv price of G7's is taken into consideration).
built in ND filter (I use this on my G7 - better than a screw-on
anyday)
Subtle difference (didn't check if both 640/710 really lack it).
Subtle difference
35-210 35mm equivalent focal length
A 710 has it
That's something relative and natural for a much more xpnsv camera.
True advantage (the only true advantage that is not .
noticably better and larger LCD (but it doesn't swivel)
Only higher resolution (207,000) but NOT larger than neither 640 nor 710.
Now, does that look like an A640? Hardly feature challenged. I see
a lot more worth there (and I loved my A-series cameras)
I agree with you, it isn't like previous G-series cameras, but it
is not "an A-series with a hot shoe" either.
If compare the two comparisons above (G6 s A95) vs (G7 vs A640/710), u will see why many think of G7 is closer to the current A's then its to the old G's with just one single true advantage (hot shoe).
It is really a totally different camera than A-series or G-series.
Totally different camera from old G-series. Slightly different camera from A-series (with one real advantage, it is easier to think of it as a first-time-hotshoe A-series --most similar to the A710-- than as a continuation of the great old G-series with all missing features). Naming in theory should not matter but psychologically naming it G had the devastating effect of making many feel that the legacy of the old G's has been lost forever.