For a newbie, Canon G2 or S400?

[Antoneo]

I know little about photography but would love to take up on it as a hobby. The cameras, G2 and S400, are probably regarded by many as "toys" but that I what I have to choose from. For purchase today. I've never been a shutterbug, although my parent's SLR remains unused and gathers dust quite well.

This thread isn't really about portability vs. function but rather what features would I miss out on by choosing the S400. Disregarding the $46 price difference at Dell Home. I've been trying to do my homework in regards to this purchase but the features listed in comparision charts mean little to me sadly since I don't know the benefits/disadvantages. Sorry if I come off as ignorant. I hope to make a decision soon.

 

[iamwiz82]

the G2 is a low end prosumer digicam while the S400 is more of a high end point and shoot. Do you like screwing with manual settings? I have a G3 and love it, however I enjoy manually setting my pictures.

 

[flxnimprtmscl]

I don't know a whole lot about the differences but I think it's mainly just the lack of some manual functions on the G2. Shutter speed, focus, etc. Could be wrong though.

I do know that a comparison I saw between the two had the G2 with a very marginal advantage over the S400. I went with the S400 since the G2's only slightly better and a fair amount bigger. I've had my S400 about 4 days and I love it. Even though I'm only about 5% of the way to actually being proficient with the thing

 

[stonecold3169]

I'd go with the S400. I have the S200, which is only 2mp, and I love it. I couldn't afford anything better, and being small means you'll have it when you need it, those unexpected moments that you always say would make the best pics

 

[RossMAN]

S400 is best for newbie and it's compact

G2 & G3 are for uber Elite

Sony V1 is for ... well I can't repeat it here

 

[Nocturnal]

Sony V1.

 

[filmmaker]

Neither. Find yourself a S100 or S300 for cheap.

But if you are set on the S400, I would go for it. The G2 is a little bit advanced for some.

 

[pyonir]

Review sites state the G2 has a manual focus. I thought it had a manual shutter speed too, but all i can find is 15 second to 1/1000 of a second speeds.

I just ordered the G2 today. I don't mind a bigger camera and I talked to vi_edit about it and he couldn't tell me anything wrong with it (other than size being a little bigger).

 

[ROTC1983]

I also ordered a G2. Hopefully it will be cool

 

[Antoneo]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
the G2 is a low end prosumer digicam while the S400 is more of a high end point and shoot. Do you like screwing with manual settings? I have a G3 and love it, however I enjoy manually setting my pictures.

Well, I wanted to move away from the point and shoot method and one of these days use the SLR. Do you think there are enough manual features in the S400? The G2 and S400 take very similar pictures it seems, with the G2 being slightly better.

Whoa, there was a small flood of replies . Usually my threads go on towards the wayside after the first couple of posts. The G2 will be OOS by the time I make up my mind at the rate you guys are picking it up .

As for the size/weight issue... I'm just hoping that the G2 isn't cumbersome or a neck strainer.

 

[pyonir]

Originally posted by: ROTC1983
I also ordered a G2. Hopefully it will be cool

July 15th ship date?

 

[ROTC1983]

Originally posted by: pyonir

Originally posted by: ROTC1983
I also ordered a G2. Hopefully it will be cool

July 15th ship date?

Nope being delivered today I ordered from buydig and got the special. 452 for Black G2, carrying case, 128 meg compact flash.

 

[randomlinh]

The G2 has much more control than the s400. I haven't used any of the prosumer camera's, but what I don't like is going thru the menu's to set shutter/aperature. I'm too used to using an SLR where shutter and F stop are right at your finger tips

Hope you have fun w/ the camera!

 

[Antoneo]

Originally posted by: pyonir

Originally posted by: ROTC1983
I also ordered a G2. Hopefully it will be cool

July 15th ship date?

Ah, that was the quoted ship date from Dell I guess?

Uh does the maker of the compactflash matter? Just get the cheapest one from Dell?

 

[ROTC1983]

Originally posted by: Antoneo

Originally posted by: pyonir

Originally posted by: ROTC1983
I also ordered a G2. Hopefully it will be cool

July 15th ship date?

Ah, that was the quoted ship date from Dell I guess?

Uh does the maker of the compactflash matter? Just get the cheapest one from Dell?

I remember that different makers make different quality compact flash and it matters. I would have to look it up though. Been a while since I needed compact flash.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: lnguyen
The G2 has much more control than the s400. I haven't used any of the prosumer camera's, but what I don't like is going thru the menu's to set shutter/aperature. I'm too used to using an SLR where shutter and F stop are right at your finger tips

Hope you have fun w/ the camera!

The G2/G3 allows easy apeture and shutter settings. The little dial on front right controls these along with manual focus, if you choose to use these feature. I think its even easier than using a normal SLR.

 

[pyonir]

Originally posted by: Antoneo

Originally posted by: pyonir

Originally posted by: ROTC1983
I also ordered a G2. Hopefully it will be cool

July 15th ship date?

Ah, that was the quoted ship date from Dell I guess?

Uh does the maker of the compactflash matter? Just get the cheapest one from Dell?

Yeah, the 15th is the ship date on the dell deal. for the G2 anyway.

 

[0roo0roo]

your more likely to actually have the s400 around when you need it. the s series is pretty feature packed for tiny cameras, you can set most any setting you'd have on a g2.

 

[Antoneo]

Alrighty, I've done enough pondering for today . I'm springing for the G2 + Kingston 256 CF card. Perhaps it's one of the high speed ones... probably not lol. Thanks for the posts/info guys!

 

[Eli]

I'd get the G2, just because of the settings to muck with.

 

[Antoneo]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
your more likely to actually have the s400 around when you need it.

Yeah I thought about that but I don't like the idea of a $400+ toy in my pockets. Dunno, just too much of a loss to stomach.

 

[iamme]

I have an S400 and I love it! The fact that it's so small, I actually use it alot more than my previous camera (Olympus C-3040).

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: Antoneo

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
your more likely to actually have the s400 around when you need it.

Yeah I thought about that but I don't like the idea of a $400+ toy in my pockets. Dunno, just too much of a loss to stomach.

what kind of pockets do you have that you'd be able to lose it? do you lose your wallet often? hell many cell phones cost 400+ nowdays. mine has a retail of 399 alone and i don't care really. its pretty solid, metal casing and all, no worries about it in a pocket. thats what its made to do.

 

[Antoneo]

Originally posted by: iamme
I have an S400 and I love it! The fact that it's so small, I actually use it alot more than my previous camera (Olympus C-3040).

Shhhhhhh! I still haven't pressed the buy button yet! (looking to see if there is a camera case for the g2...)

hell many cell phones cost 400+ nowdays. mine has a retail of 399 alone and i don't care really. its pretty solid, metal casing and all, no worries about it in a pocket. thats what its made to do.

Oh man, you guys aren't helping lol. I was set on the G2 I tell you damnit!!!!

 

[iamme]

Originally posted by: Antoneo

Originally posted by: iamme
I have an S400 and I love it! The fact that it's so small, I actually use it alot more than my previous camera (Olympus C-3040).

Shhhhhhh! I still haven't pressed the buy button yet! (looking to see if there is a camera case for the g2...)

Plus i get compliments on how cool the camera is