G7 v S3 IS

[JPW2020]

There isn't much in this forum on the G7 at the moment but it is a camera that interests me.

If i interpret its 'placement' in the Canon product tree at the moment it is intended to be its best bridge camera i.e. the next move is DSLR.However I have difficulty in seeing how it is a better camera than the S3.It has a smaller zoom,no flip and twist LCD (though it is bigger at 2.5"),and similar manual options.

It does not have a Raw option.It seems to me its only real advantages are ;
-10mp(arguable)
-optical viewfunder(not universally praised)
-smaller(though not greatly so)

Here in the U.K. it is priced at about 50% more than the S3.

Just what makes it a better camera?Is the lens of superior quality?Is it built to a higher standard?Anything I am missing here?

[te1221]

The G7 does have a hotshoe for an external flash if i'm not mistaken. Thats the only real advantage I can think of.

[JPW2020]

Yes it does, but again that is an arguable point.The inbuilt flash is poor compared to the S2/S3 and to buy an external flash at U.K prices will add at least another £100 ($200) to the budget.

[BowerR64]

Just what makes it a better camera?Is the lens of superior quality?Is it built to a higher standard?Anything I am missing here?

You ask all the hard questions. :(

[GNMink]

I've had both

The S3 IS is a great camera, I miss it sometimes! In fact I was thinking about picking up another one! LOL

The G7 offers better IQ than the S3 IS, it has a larger sensor and the lens doesn't suffer from CA's and Purple fringing like the S3 IS (as do all super zooms). ISO performace is better in the G7 too, not that the S3 is bad! The macro capablities of the G7 are fantastic, a notch better than the S3. Build wise the G7 is very solid and has a heft to it that says I'm built to last. Digic3 offers face recongnition (which really works!) and some neat new features such as an on screen graphical dispaly for shutter/apatrure that is very cool. Also new with Digic3 is a preview of the focus area (zoomed) to check for focus that can be displayed during the preview after each shot. The G7 has a hot shoe, and used with the 220EX or the 430EX offers advanced flash options. The G7 also has a built in ND filter which may come in handy.

The S3 offers better ergonomics and the tilt/swivel screen is very usefull especially in macro and video shooting. The control layout of the S3 is more dSLR like and more intuitive than the G7. The zoom control on the S3 can be controlled to be either fast or slow which is pretty neat. The movie mode on the S3 is second to none, better than the G7. It allows for optical zoom during video record and has stereo audio. The S3 uses AA batteries which can be a plus. The S3 has a faster lens and longer zoom range if thats important. I miss the EVF, I used it about 90% of the time with the S3. I much prefer holding the camera to my eyes and the S3 has a very decent EVF.

Both are great cameras, I think the S3 is a better buy if money is a concern.

[w7ox]

Both are great cameras, I think the S3 is a better buy if money is a concern.

I have both, and agree with this conclusion. The S3 IS is hard to beat for general use. The G7 does have higher IQ and lower noise at higher ISO, but not by much.

I think of the G7 as a largish go-anywhere camera and the S3 IS as an alternative to carrying my (larger and bulkier) DSLR.

My G7 is very new and I've not shot much with it. It has lots of settings and features, and therefore, more mistakes to make. I plan to use it extensively on a cruise in two weeks .. so I will be practicing in the meantime!

No way I will get rid of the S3 IS, though: It will get shots the G7 will not. Besides, my wife is a photographer, too .. so they will both get used.

Phil

[BowerR64]

So the G7 isnt worthy of its pricetag?

[GNMink]

So the G7 isnt worthy of its pricetag?

LOL

That's not what I said

"I think the S3 is a better buy if money is a concern."

I feel the G7 is worth every penny!

[JPW2020]

You ask all the hard questions. :(

I try to please

I've had both

The S3 IS is a great camera, I miss it sometimes! In fact I was thinking about picking up another one! LOL

The G7 offers better IQ than the S3 IS, it has a larger sensor and the lens doesn't suffer from CA's and Purple fringing like the S3 IS (as do all super zooms). ISO performace is better in the G7 too, not that the S3 is bad! The macro capablities of the G7 are fantastic, a notch better than the S3. Build wise the G7 is very solid and has a heft to it that says I'm built to last. Digic3 offers face recongnition (which really works!) and some neat new features such as an on screen graphical dispaly for shutter/apatrure that is very cool. Also new with Digic3 is a preview of the focus area (zoomed) to check for focus that can be displayed during the preview after each shot. The G7 has a hot shoe, and used with the 220EX or the 430EX offers advanced flash options. The G7 also has a built in ND filter which may come in handy.

The S3 offers better ergonomics and the tilt/swivel screen is very usefull especially in macro and video shooting. The control layout of the S3 is more dSLR like and more intuitive than the G7. The zoom control on the S3 can be controlled to be either fast or slow which is pretty neat. The movie mode on the S3 is second to none, better than the G7. It allows for optical zoom during video record and has stereo audio. The S3 uses AA batteries which can be a plus. The S3 has a faster lens and longer zoom range if thats important. I miss the EVF, I used it about 90% of the time with the S3. I much prefer holding the camera to my eyes and the S3 has a very decent EVF.

Both are great cameras, I think the S3 is a better buy if money is a concern.

I didn't realise it had a larger sensor,what size is it?I guess that would make a difference.

You say the S3 has better ergonomics,do you find the G7 awkward.I'm interested in your comment about the EVF.I use the LCD on both my S2 and TZ1.I do prefer an EVF but on the S2 the EVF isn't great in my opinion and I thought perhaps the combination of a good optical viewfinder and 2.5" LCD might be a winner.Is the optical viewfinder not great?

Having an S2 I entirely agree with your praise of the S3 movie mode.However the G7 is supposed to be pretty good-no time limit on movies,much improved sound(though not stereo) with a wind filter-I like my movie mode but dont use the zoom much so I could probably live without that.Can you set the zoom before videoing or does it lock at 35mm?

I am tempted by the G7 particularly if it fits in a jacket pocket (Does it?) possibly as a replacement for both S2 and TZ1 though reading your post and that of w7ox I'm certainly not going to rush into anything and will probably wait well into the new year to see if an S4 appears and if so how the pricing then compares!

[BowerR64]

I was planning to sell my S3 and 1 of my S2s then some one mentioned they will probobly put digic 3 on the S4 and rob all the stuff off it like they did the G7 that got me worried so i think im gona hang on to them and see what happens.

[GNMink]

I was planning to sell my S3 and 1 of my S2s then some one mentioned they will probobly put digic 3 on the S4 and rob all the stuff off it like they did the G7 that got me worried so i think im gona hang on to them and see what happens.

I'm waiting on the follow up to the S3 IS too! it should be one heck of a camera. I don't think they will drop anything important on the S3 replacement.