Camera Labs

Hi guys! Ive got a -I think- tough question for you. When I come across a 50D I will sell my 350D to my dad. But, I think Id like to have a 2nd body, but my budget is after a new DSLR almost zero. Thought about a 300D kit, just to throw in my bag I always have with me when Im going to school. Doesnt matter me that much if it breaks... though of course Id like it to last a bit longer. I was also thinking about a Panasonic FZ7 (also used). But, why should I not buy a good compact to have in my pocket? Today I played with a G12 and Im totally fallen in love with the G-series. The screen, the viewfinder, the build, the dials,..... there are some G-serie ones in my budget, but I think the G5 is the best one as it has the nice flip-out screen the G6> dont have. What do you think? For a price of around $60 they (all mentioned cameras) are quite cheap, other recommendations maybe? I also have an Olympus C-300 which doesnt have real manual modes, and of course my FZ28. Though, the FZ28 is almost dead....

Thanks!

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Ruben

Panasonic DMC-FZ18, Panasonic DMC-FZ28, Canon G5, Canon 350D, Canon 50D + BG-E2N
Tamron 17-50 2.8, Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM,
Canon 18-55 II plus lots of Minolta MD/M42 lenses and bodies

Tbh I wouldnt waste your money. If you want a camera to take everywhere with you, upgrade your mobile phone.

Dont be too drawn in to all the dials on a compact camera, aperture doesnt really affect the photos in any way, ISO just degrades them awfully, few and far between AF settings etc

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Nikon D5000 and D300 with 12-24mm, 35mm f1.8, 50mm f1.4, 60mm f2.8 Macro, 18-200mm, 17-55mm f2.8 (all Nikon)

The 300D kit sounds quite well

I have a 300D here ( http://simon.deobald.org/bilder/IMG_7251.jpg ) and although it's not used often I still could use it if my 500D falls apart anytime soon (I think it's not far from that point anymore ).
In good light it still produces quite good looking pictures, the grip is big and good (I'm only missing the rubber for a more secure feeling), every EF lens can be used. And the shutter sound is much nicer than the ones of the 450D-600D

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Canon EOS 500D + Canon EOS 5D Mark III + Canon EOS 33v
Canon EF 24-105mm 4L IS USM + EF 100-400mm 4.5-5.6L IS USM + EF 100mm 2.8L Macro IS USM + Sigma 12-24mm 4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM + Canon Speedlite 580 EX II + Nissin Speedlite Di 466

Overall, I agree with Jeremy. But as an owner of a G6 (which still works quite well; I need to get it converted to IR one of these days) I would like to point out that the G6 does indeed have a vari-angle LCD.

Mark

Difficult. Of course Jeremy's right.
Im not going to find a mobile phone with a good camera (with an f/2,0 lens) for around $60 though, and of course there's more reasons why I prefer to buy a G5 over a new mobile phone.
Also, quite important thing I forgot to mention: Id like to do some butterfly-close-ups, or just close-ups from other plants. I got really cool and good results with the G12, but to throw the background even more OOF the G5 has a max. aperture of f/3,0 against the f/4,5 of the G12. That sort of macros is difficult, maybe even impossible, with a mobile phone.

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Ruben

Panasonic DMC-FZ18, Panasonic DMC-FZ28, Canon G5, Canon 350D, Canon 50D + BG-E2N
Tamron 17-50 2.8, Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM,
Canon 18-55 II plus lots of Minolta MD/M42 lenses and bodies

I wouldn't want to throw $60 at such an old camera personally, however if you really want it's still a decent option. If you REALLY want something compact, go grab the Powershot ELPH 300HS. It's pricey in comparison ($200) but it will deliver better IQ, and WOW, it's an extremely tiny camera! But of course, you'd need to forgo the external controls of the G5.

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-Evan

Gear: 7 Nikon Nikkor AI-S and AF-S lenses, SB-700 flash, Nikon D7000, Nikon FM, variety of accessories

"There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs."
- Ansel Adams

No, around $60 is really the maximum Id like to pay;) Ill use it on a way it could break or could be stolen, that's why it must be cheap also. The IQ also doesnt have to be stunning, my Olympus C-300's IQ is stunning enough

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Ruben

Panasonic DMC-FZ18, Panasonic DMC-FZ28, Canon G5, Canon 350D, Canon 50D + BG-E2N
Tamron 17-50 2.8, Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM,
Canon 18-55 II plus lots of Minolta MD/M42 lenses and bodies

Well then, enjoy your just like new (to you) Powershot G5! My only other recommendation would be to go for something like a newer entry level Powershot like the A800, however it doesn't have the manual controls that were on your wishlist.

I used to use the Oly C-300 back in 2002 and 2003, the image quality was, well, interesting...

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-Evan

Gear: 7 Nikon Nikkor AI-S and AF-S lenses, SB-700 flash, Nikon D7000, Nikon FM, variety of accessories

"There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs."
- Ansel Adams

You had one also?! Quite love it still, even today.

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Ruben

Panasonic DMC-FZ18, Panasonic DMC-FZ28, Canon G5, Canon 350D, Canon 50D + BG-E2N
Tamron 17-50 2.8, Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM,
Canon 18-55 II plus lots of Minolta MD/M42 lenses and bodies

Yes, mine served me well for a few years, but around 2007 I upgraded to my Powershot A460, which was my everyday camera until I upgraded to my D7000. I remember that I thought the Olympus was so cool, the fact what it didn't use film and you could review and delete your pictures. I had just stepped up from an Oly film compact, so the whole concept of digital was new to me. Anyways, I don't really use mint much anymore, for my compact work I just use my Powershot, and I've passed the Olympus onto some family members.

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-Evan

Gear: 7 Nikon Nikkor AI-S and AF-S lenses, SB-700 flash, Nikon D7000, Nikon FM, variety of accessories

"There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs."
- Ansel Adams

Have to say though the A640 is also on my list, but the fact it uses 4 AAs isnt that pleasing...
Still looking for it though!

'Bout the Oly. Yes, I know Ive played a lot with it when it was my father's main camera. I still used 35mm cameras, but sometimes,... sometimes it's just a bit easier to use a digital one, and that was in a period many used 35mm cameras! Such a short time ago!

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Ruben

Panasonic DMC-FZ18, Panasonic DMC-FZ28, Canon G5, Canon 350D, Canon 50D + BG-E2N
Tamron 17-50 2.8, Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM,
Canon 18-55 II plus lots of Minolta MD/M42 lenses and bodies

I still shoot with my FM from time to time, but I prefer digital for the convenience of not having to change film, being able to take as many shots as you want, etc. However, sometimes when I'm just craving that "retro" feel, I'll grab my FM and go shoot.

By the way, my compact is the A460, not the A640. The difference? The A460 is much worse than the A640. If you do go for an A640, I'd recommend the Eneloop batteries by Sanyo. They're long lasting rechargeable, and the price is pretty reasonable too.

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-Evan

Gear: 7 Nikon Nikkor AI-S and AF-S lenses, SB-700 flash, Nikon D7000, Nikon FM, variety of accessories

"There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs."
- Ansel Adams

Sorry to butt in again, but FYI the max. aperture of the G6 is f/2.0. Of course, that's f/2.0 on a compact sensor, but relative to the other compacts, it seems to me like the G6 is better suited to your needs.

Mark

Ill give the G6 a look also, but I was talking about the G12 which has f/4,5 max. aperture

Thanks for the input guys!

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Ruben

Panasonic DMC-FZ18, Panasonic DMC-FZ28, Canon G5, Canon 350D, Canon 50D + BG-E2N
Tamron 17-50 2.8, Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM,
Canon 18-55 II plus lots of Minolta MD/M42 lenses and bodies

At it's widest angle the G12 has an aperture of 2.8

Cameras using AA batteries are more of a "pro" for me than a "contra". One of the reasons why I got a battery grip for my 500D was that it takes AA batteries. You just get them everywhere and using Sanyo eneloops they are just great, too.

My first camera's batteries didn't live quite long; just between two and three years. Since it doesn't take AAs I had to decide: Buy expensive new batteries for an old 3.2MP compact or buy a new camera? I went for the Powershot SX-10 then and one of the reasons why I got this one was the fact it takes AA batteries. In the beginning I was using the "normal" ones you can get from a discounter or so but then I tried eneloops and now those are the only ones I'm buying. Great stuff, long living, you don't have to charge them so often. Great.
(I need to get more eneloops soon, 20 aren't enough. )

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Canon EOS 500D + Canon EOS 5D Mark III + Canon EOS 33v
Canon EF 24-105mm 4L IS USM + EF 100-400mm 4.5-5.6L IS USM + EF 100mm 2.8L Macro IS USM + Sigma 12-24mm 4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM + Canon Speedlite 580 EX II + Nissin Speedlite Di 466