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View Full Version : PowerShot A610/A620 vs. G5/G6

wingsley
11-03-2005, 10:46 PM
I currently own an Olympus C3020Z, 2001-vintage 3.2 megapixel fixed-lens camera.

I know a man who owns a PowerShot G5. I have tinkered a tiny bit with it, as well as having imported some pictures from it into my digital photo library on my computer. I also had the pleasure today of visiting one of those crappy office supply stores and checking out a PowerShot A610. From my brief use of the display model, I found the A610 much more responsive, nicer screen, a little more compact, than my old C-3020Z. I was impressed by the flip-out LCD.

If and when I do buy a newer, higher-resolution digicam, I will likely miss the Olympus file-naming system. I'm about 85% certain that I'm not going to buy another Olympus, despite having to give up this under-rated feature. The real question for me is whether I want to go with the PowerShot A610 or A620 or PowerShot G6. I was really impressed by the G5. I don't know if I will have use for RAW, but if I wanted to take a special picture and have it recorded in an uncompressed format from the start, the G6 can do it. The A620 doesn't have RAW, but it is less expensive, a bit more compact, and offers the same resolution. The A610 is even lower in price (and resolution) but still offers a flip-out LCD. Both the A610 and A620 have a built-in lens cover; I have read on dpreview.com that the G6's pop-off lens cap, well, pops off a little too easily.

I'm interested in what Canon owners have to say about the image quality of the A610/620 versus the G5/G6. Comments?

What about the lens cover vs. lens cap?

Another issue: the PowerShot G5/G6 digicams use a proprietery Lithium-Ion battery. I have a Canon ZR40 digital camcorder and a Canon recharging unit for both 110-volt wall outlet power and a cigarette lighter adaptor for charging on-the-road. If I understand the CB-560 and CG-560 charging parts correctly, they should be able to interface not only with my camcorder and its battery, but also a PowerShot G6's battery as well. The interface looks correct from Jeff Keller's pictures on the DCRP web-site. Any thoughts on this?

If I were to go the A610 or A620 route, the camera would use NiMH AA-size batteries. I have a 2001-vintage Radio Shack charger which I have used to charge/top off the Olympus C-3020Z's batteries. The charger tends to make batteries really hot when having to charge them fully from a drawn-down state. The Radio Shack charger is configured strictly for plugging into a 110-volt wall outlet only. I have never had an on-the-road DC or AC + DC-capable charger. Any thoughts on this?
coldrain
11-04-2005, 12:25 AM
Seems to me you have found all plusses and minusses yourself already, you have to do the deciding on what is best for you yourself. For picture quality just look at the samples that come with Jeff Keller's reviews of the A620 and G5/G6, and look at canons site for provided sample photos.

A new charger with 4 2300 NiMH batteries will cost about 25$, so just get a new one that can handle the higher capacity batteries well, without getting them so hot.
wingsley
11-04-2005, 09:14 AM
Where is the best place to look for deals on quality accessories, like 2300 NiMH batteries, a good charger that can plug into either a wall outlet or a ciggie lighter port, and Canon goodies like conversion lenses?
wingsley
11-04-2005, 12:50 PM
I just remembered:

The PowerShot G6 includes a wireless remote. Does the A620 have a remote? I don't see one listed in Jeff Keller's specs. Is it possible to get a remote and use it with the A620? If not, I'll likely be going with the G6.
pixelator
11-05-2005, 11:54 AM
I think the pictures taken with the A620 are so good as the G6 ones,but with more noise. It is strance because the processor of the A620 is the DIGIC II.
Balrog
11-05-2005, 09:48 PM
One thing to remember is that sweet f/2.0-3.0 lens you get on the G series ... the A620 has a 2.8-4.0; about a stop slower. Might make a difference in lowlight.
MrSleep
11-06-2005, 05:40 AM
I own both the G3 & A95.

The G Advantage...

Faster Lens means less burden on high speed ISO = Noise free image.
Excellent Fluent Manual Control.
Focus/Exposure Bracketing.
Built in ND 0.9 filter gives 3-stop exposure cut.
2 X Custom Mode.
Time Lapse Recording.
RAW Capture.
Flash Curtain 1&2.
Hot Shoe Exernal Flash Support.
IR Remote.
The Battery you get with the camera is rechargable unlike A610/A620
The G is a little heavier. (for me this is better as it helps stabilize the image).

IMO If you dont care for the above the A610 is better than the A620.
If you do care for the above the G6 is better than the G5.
wingsley
11-07-2005, 02:12 PM
Some questions regarding the PowerShot G6:

1: What kind of batteries does the infrared remote control device use?

2: What are your experiences with the remote?

3: What do you think of the G6's lens cap? Is there a third-party lens cap available aftermarket that works better?

4: What kind of start-up time does the G6 have, real-world? What about waking from sleep?

5: The PowerShot G6 uses a proprietery Lithium-Ion battery. I have a Canon ZR40 digital camcorder and a Canon recharging unit for both 110-volt wall outlet power and a cigarette lighter adaptor for charging on-the-road. If I understand the CB-560 and CG-560 charging parts correctly, they should be able to interface not only with my camcorder and its battery, but also a PowerShot G6's battery as well. The interface looks correct from Jeff Keller's pictures on the DCRP web-site. Anyone have any comments on this?
JTL
11-07-2005, 04:06 PM
Some questions regarding the PowerShot G6:

1: What kind of batteries does the infrared remote control device use?

2: What are your experiences with the remote?

3: What do you think of the G6's lens cap? Is there a third-party lens cap available aftermarket that works better?

4: What kind of start-up time does the G6 have, real-world? What about waking from sleep?

5: The PowerShot G6 uses a proprietery Lithium-Ion battery. I have a Canon ZR40 digital camcorder and a Canon recharging unit for both 110-volt wall outlet power and a cigarette lighter adaptor for charging on-the-road. If I understand the CB-560 and CG-560 charging parts correctly, they should be able to interface not only with my camcorder and its battery, but also a PowerShot G6's battery as well. The interface looks correct from Jeff Keller's pictures on the DCRP web-site. Anyone have any comments on this?1. The remote takes a CR2025 lithium battery
2. The remote not only lets you release the shutter, it also allows you to run playback mode and the zoom as well. It works fine up to about 15-ft. away, but it is picky...you really need to be facing the camera.
3. The cap is fine, but if you keep the adapter on, you'll need a different solution anyway.
4. It's not the fastest camera in the world...compared to my S2 it feels downright slow. 2.5 to 3 seconds to start/wake up...not really that bad...but not like the Digic II models...
5. Don't have a clue. Anyone else???
MrSleep
11-07-2005, 06:38 PM
wingsley.

Canon will soon be releasing the new G series in a few months time!
wingsley
11-07-2005, 10:16 PM
wingsley.

Canon will soon be releasing the new G series in a few months time!


You seem awfully certain about that. :-)

I'm not looking forward to a 10-megapixel monster like that new Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1.

I'm hoping the phyiscal size and shape of a G6 successor will not change. Increasing megapixels is not a priority for me. Getting a deal on a good quality not-quite-SLR camera is.

I am concerned about that battery situation.
MrSleep
11-08-2005, 04:32 AM
damn right. :) I cant think of a world where they release DIGIC II only for the junior models.

I was hoping they would release the next G series with a 2/3 sensor (same as the one on Pro1) without adding too many MPs (8MP OK) because there is no stopping that now.
Even when mentioning the word upgrade it triggers the response, "more MPs"?
Which is unfortunate inough for the discerning so i hope not.

Then it would leave the Pro1 to compete with DSC-H1, with an APSC size 10MP sensor.

I look at the seemingly modest G series as the best digital alternative to getting a rangefinder, so my concern is if they end up merging the G into a Pro1 bulk of a camera that competes with DSC-H1.

Hope Canon knows there target market.
wingsley
11-12-2005, 04:17 PM
The PowerShot G6 uses Canon's proprietery BP-511A lithium-ion battery. I have a Canon ZR40 digital camcorder and a Canon recharging unit for both 110-volt wall outlet power and a cigarette lighter adaptor for charging on-the-road. If I understand the CB-560 and CG-560 charging parts correctly, they should be able to interface not only with my camcorder and its battery, but also a PowerShot G6's battery as well. The interface looks correct from Jeff Keller's pictures on the DCRP web-site. Anyone have any comments on this?
wingsley
11-13-2005, 08:53 PM
I submitted my question to Canon's tech support. Below is their reply:

--------------------------------------------------------

Thank you for contacting Canon product support. We value you as a Canon
customer and appreciate the opportunity to assist you.

The car charger for the PowerShot G6 is the CR-560 and the power adaptor
is the CA-560. No other products are recommended for use with the
PowerShot G6.

We hope this information is helpful to you. Please feel free to contact
us again if you have any other questions or concerns regarding the
PowerShot G6.

Thank you for choosing Canon.

Sincerely,

Matthew
Technical Support Representative

--------------------------------------------------------

This seems to point to my camcorder gear being incompatible with the PowerShot G6's battery. Anyone who knows of another place where I could ask about this, please let me know. Thanks in advance.