Help me decide. Canon G9 or the Canon S5 IS

[dobbs]

I can't decide...

G9 Bundle (case, full size tripod, cleaning kit, and a LCD screen cover) for $335 + 20 $shipping.
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0708/07082005canong9.asp

S5 IS Bundle for $279 shipped.
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0705/07050703canons5is.asp


Thanks,
Dave

[wharyat]

Overall the G9 appears to have better features. The ability to shoot raw is a big plus. Bigger sensor about 130% larger than the S5, but the resolution is up 150%; so there may be more of a noise problem with the increased density. The zoom has a larger range on the S5, but that's not always the best thing, as image quality will differ throughout the zoom ranges; shorter ranges are *for the most part* better across the whole range.

Comes down to what you want to spend and what your preferred features are. 8MP will allow you to print uncropped up to 11x14 while maintaining around 250ppi (usually the lowest you want to go for professional looking prints) 12 will obviously allow bigger prints.

[Loverotties]

Sorry I'm a Nikon guy.But I agree with Vinces answer.

[Fly Guy]

I have no input on those cameras....I just bought a new D80 as I couodnt afford a camera and a new macro lens so I was stuck with two choices....the d80 or the d200. Im pleased with my purchase, but may have picked up a Canon if I could have afforded a new lens along with it.

but I do have this recommendation.....


where are you seeing those prices you list??

buyer beware.


http://www.resellerratings.com/store...rice_Cameras_6





.

[wharyat]

Agreed with fly. Never trust a seller with prices $100 or more lower than everyone else when it comes to camera equipment.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

I can tell you from past experience that when you call to order the camera you will have to buy something else at a rediculous price or they wont sell it to you.That happened to me with three of those New York camera dealers.If you want a camera at a decent price that they will actually sell you go to B&H.Those new york clowns wanted me to pay 150$'s for a warantee on an new canon XTI.Another one wanted me tp pay 135$'s for a compact flash card.And one told me the camera did not come with batteries and that they were 150$'s extra.As soon as they start that crap....hang up.And if you order on line without buying one of there recomended items,you will never see the camera.Rather than deal with there garbage I went to Ritz and got the XTI for 699.And that included a warrentee,battery and a compact flash card lol.

[Fly Guy]

Originally Posted by NATIVEVAMAN

Those new york clowns wanted me to pay 150$'s for a warantee on an new canon XTI..

and the warranty wouldnt even be valid and all the parts they sell you at top dollar that cpould have come with the camera will be third party crap in many cases

I heard an interesting statement the other day. Someone said that canon, nikon and the big reputable camera stores etc are the ones actually enabling these people and know it. They sell returns to them dirt cheap by the truckload as whether it be defect or simple return, it isnt new anymore and they would rather just off them for dirt cheap so these guys can rip everybody off, and replace it with a new one.

Of course, that isnt saying that everybody who buys these returns cheap have the dishonest business ethics of some of the ones I linked.......

[NATIVEVAMAN]

I can tell you If you call Canon about it,they will listen politely and do nothing.So what fly says makes sense.

[Nyles]

I have S3 and love it. You should look at Hoya diopters from Lensmateonline.com as well, allows you to zoom way in on corals and focus well.

here are some pictures from a S1 and diopters.
http://ealex.aqua-web.org/macros_22.8.2005/index.htm

[Nyles]

looks like they have website issues, anyhow Diopters from hoya will help get the shots you want from a S series and G series.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

Canon and a few others make these lens adapters that make the zooms long telephoto and they are between 100 and 150$'s.If you were to plan to spend that much money on the system its only a very short jump to a good slr like the canon XT.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

A note to others reading this thread who are considering a new digital camera.My sweety just had to have a canon A570IS which from most standpoints is an excelent camera with more bells and whistles than most will ever use.The first day she used the camera and we brought it home and made prinys I realized the difference between optical and digital zoom.The pics taken in digital zoom look fuzzy and the more digital zoom used the fuzzier they got.I tried this same test with two other cameras,an Olympus and one I forgot the name of( I am old lol) and got the same fuzzy results from there digital zoom.What I learned from this is,there will be no more cameras in this house with digital zoom.The two cameras mentioned above dont have digital zoom so they are good choices but a better choice would be an slr (single lens reflex)with lots of lens choices.The two pics below while not the greatest in the world will show the high level of detail obtainable with a digital slr.Canon XTI 10.1 mpxl with there el cheapo 18 to 55 mm zoom.

[wharyat]

Keep in mind that SLRs are not cheap, it's not just the cost of the body, it's the cost of new lenses. If you never plan to upgrade the stock lens or you feel that $500 is too much for a new lens a SLR is not the best choice, especially after looking at the features on the G9.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

Canon makes 3 lens that are under 250$'s that are perfect for the new aquarium photographer.A 50 mm macro,a100 mm macro and for a little fun a 70 to 200mm.Its true that they are not the greatest lens in the world but any one of them will produce better results than 7 mpxl point and shoot zoom.Because these lens focal length is actually multiplied by 1.6 because of the bias factor you would be getting an 80mm macro,A 160mm macro,and a 112 to 320 mm zoom.Both macro's work as a standard lens for every day use.

[wharyat]

The cheapest 70-200 is $550, the 100mm macro is $450.

Of course even cheap lenses will normally have better glass than most P&S, they are built to different standards.

I cannot recommend an SLR unless someone specifically is considering one; SLRs are in a different class and should not be bought just because they may produce a better picture; a lot of time and understanding goes into taking a good picture. Most people buy an SLR as a status symbol and never even take it past auto or P mode.