Canon Powershot G6 Feedback

[porsche977]

I have become an avid digital photographer in the past 5 years, as a hobby. I first started with the Kodak DC 3200, a basic point-and-shoot 1 MP camera with no optical zoom. I took many great shots, but then graduated to the Kodak DX 4900 4 MP camera with a 2X optical zoom. There, I had control over some options, namely shutter speed (not F-stop though!), exposure comp, metering, etc.

Now I am looking to again upgrade, but more seriously. I am no longer considering Kodak, and wanted a more trusted name in the camera field (Kodak being film and processing). I am heavily considering the Canon Powershot G6, but had some questions that could be answered by pasting them into you reply.

1. Overall satisfaction: what (if any) other camera did you come from? Are you happy with the 7 MP vs 4x zoom, or is 4 MP and 10x zoom better? If you had to pick another camera now, instead of the G6, would you? How are the manual controls: are they worthwhile ? (I am looking for these advanced features).

2. Practicality: Do you think that it is justified in me switching from the DX 4900 (mentioned earlier)?

3. If you bought the camera (or any) online, were you skeptical at the websites that offered $200-$250 off the MSRP? For example, the G6 retails at $700.00, but I have found a site where it is $519.00, new. Should I trust this site, or is it too sketchy to give a credit card #:

http://www.amphotoworld.com/product.asp?id=cnpsg6&l=ShopCartUSA

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Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions, I appreciate it.

[Alnath]

I love the G6 there isnt a right lot else i can add.

[haikai]

1. Overall satisfaction: what (if any) other camera did you come from? Are you happy with the 7 MP vs 4x zoom, or is 4 MP and 10x zoom better? If you had to pick another camera now, instead of the G6, would you? How are the manual controls: are they worthwhile ? (I am looking for these advanced features).

i came from an old Dakota RZ-2000 SLR, a fuji ds-7 digi-cam, and an older non digital canon elph... the g6 was definitely an upgrade from these! for my purposes, i prefer the 7 mp with 4x zoom. obviously, 10x zoom would be great, but i knew before i got the g6 that, if anything, i would need to go wider, not more telephoto (and so i have a wide angle lens too)... but that's just me.

if i were to do it over again (knowing what i know now), i would have gone ahead the extra mile and gotten a digital SLR... however, i do not regret getting the g6 at all. i have come to really appreciate things like the flip out lcd and the included remote shuttering control. i feel i've learned a lot from playing with the manual controls available, and i can't imagine having a camera without them now. the ability to shoot in RAW is a big plus for me as well (one reason i didn't settle for similarly spec'ed smaller cameras in this class).


2. Practicality: Do you think that it is justified in me switching from the DX 4900 (mentioned earlier)?

i'm not familiar with that camera, but i think if you're looking for a high end fixed lens digicam then you won't be disappointed with the g6.


3. If you bought the camera (or any) online, were you skeptical at the websites that offered $200-$250 off the MSRP? For example, the G6 retails at $700.00, but I have found a site where it is $519.00, new. Should I trust this site, or is it too sketchy to give a credit card #:

i have heard mixed things from this place... the one time i tried to place an order there i was told that i needed to call them in order to "confirm my order" which is just a BS excuse to sell me other stuff. i've had similar experiences with some of these other low-priced online camera vendors. i ultimately got my g6 from zipzoomfly.com (i just checked their price and it's at $572, although on back order). it may not be the cheapest place in town, but they have free 2nd day shipping and i can vouch that they are a trusted reseller that i would not hesitate to do business with (much like amazon or newegg).

best of luck,
hai