G6 or S70

[Fiveohhh]

I'm looking into upgrading my nikon 995 and need some opinions. I know the G6 is a killer digi, but I would really like something that will fit in my pocket. My 995 is too big to take with me and not carry a bag or hang it aound my neck. I really like having manual control. I read the s70 has lots of manual control, and I really only will need the G6 a few times a year when I'm looking to take some real nice photos on a vacation. Otherwise It'll be way overkill.

Anyway looking for some opinions on the G6 and portability and experiences with the S70.

 

[andylawcc]

damn, I thought this was a car thread.... but volvo never make a S70 right?

 

[SSP]

Looks like your mind is already made up. If you want a small camera that will fit in your pockts, the answer is easy.

 

[yllus]

At this point you just want us to affirm your choice. It's a good one, stick with it.

And of course, register and post some test shots with the S70 at CanonTalk.net below, we need some samples from that camera in our gallery. It's the second link in my sig.

 

[SSP]

Originally posted by: yllus
At this point you just want us to affirm your choice. It's a good one, stick with it.

And of course, register and post some test shots with the S70 at CanonTalk.net below, we need some samples from that camera in our gallery. It's the second link in my sig.

pssst... can we get 20megs and 1600x1200 res limit?

 

[Kelvrick]

why not a Sony V3 or a V1?

 

[sniperruff]

Originally posted by: andylawcc
damn, I thought this was a car thread.... but volvo never make a S70 right?

man i thought the same thing. i was gonna yell out "mazda 6" just like any other teenage "car expert" would

 

[xEDIT409]

You don't want the T1. Weak Flash. Memory on both of those cameras are expensive considering its Sony.


I have the Powershot s60, and I'm very happy.

 

[GoSharks]

the s70 is defintely capable of living in your pocket. my s50 has accompanied me in my pocket for many miles of backpacking. also, the s70 has all the controls of the g6. there really isnt too much difference between the Gx0 series and the Gx, except for low light performance due to the faster lens on the Gx.

 

[Kelvrick]

The sony memory isn't that much more expensive. I mean what, 20-30 bucks more expensive? Its a one time thing and shouldn't affect your camera decision that much. If you're really that skimpy, you shouldn't be getting something like the S70 or G6 anyway, and more like an A80.

I'm not sure about the new canons, but don't they need software? The sony's can just plug into the computer and be used like an external drive.

 

[Doggiedog]

I've got the S60 which is practically the same as the S70. I definitely like it but the G6 is a great camera. I personally think the G6 takes better pictures but the form factor is way too big for me. I'd sacrifice a little PQ in exchange for size.

 

[BRObedoza]

I love my G6, but i already had a portable s230. The g6 definitely won't be too portable, unless you use it with the shouler strap and put it under your coat or something. Get the S70. Probably the only diff is the swivel lcd screen (which I love on the g6).

 

[GoSharks]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick
I'm not sure about the new canons, but don't they need software? The sony's can just plug into the computer and be used like an external drive.

not too many cameras need software anymore. canons do not.

 

[dr150]

Get the G6

I had the S70 and returned it. Not for defectiveness but b/c it has large shaded corners on all four sides when using flash inside against a wall for instance 6-10 feet out. This is called vignetting and the S70 has LOTS of it unfortunately.

It also has purple fringing that's higher than average.

These defects are errors too large to ignore--especially for a $600 camera. These defects also has been noted in pro camera reviews like this one.

I havent't compared directly against the G6, but other people in camera forums have, and all are in general agreement that the picture quality of the G6 is substantially better--no surprise as it has a better lens.

If you're going to spend that kind of money for a G6, you should also consider a much superior camera when the Minolta A200 comes out soon. The picture quality is supposed to be superior than the vaunted A2--a true prosumer camera........Besides better pic quality (better glass/latest sensor & improved imaging system) of the A2/A200 over the G6, the A200 has manual lens focus and a wide 28mm lens (like the S70), but a long telezoom of 200mm! Plus video abilities of the A200 are MUCH superior to the G6 at 800x600--the only camera in the industry to do this at this point......Oh, and you can't forget the Anti-Shake. This A200 is a TRUE enthusiast cam....and will assuredly be better than the A2 b/c of the latest tweaks.

If you absolutely can't wait and need something NOW, then get the Pentax Optio 750z.. It's been rated by enthusiasts higher in direct comparos with the G6. Its smaller size, better video quality, and substantial lower price also gives it brownie points.

Yes, the G6 is a good camera, but with the price points you're looking at, any enthusiast "in-the-know" and who has done their research (like me ) will steer you to the Minolta A200/A2 or Pentax 750z.

Go HERE FOR RESEARCH.. But I've done months of it for you as I'm also in the market and waiting for the A200 myself.

When ready to buy something, price-match the lowest CERTIFIED internet dealer price to Onecall.com. They are a CLASS outfit that also will give you a very good price. They are very well respected in camera circles.

Good luck!

 

[dr150]

Originally posted by: Doggiedog
I've got the S60 which is practically the same as the S70. I definitely like it but the G6 is a great camera. I personally think the G6 takes better pictures but the form factor is way too big for me. I'd sacrifice a little PQ in exchange for size.

The problem with the S70, as I mentioned earlier is the purple fringing and vignetting.

Form factor wise, these "enthusiast" cams like the S70 aren't really that pocketable. They're certainly not the smallest of form factors out there, but more importantly[/u] they are HEAVY due to it's metal body--certainly not for a shirt pocket. It drags even a pcoket down to its weight........Such cams feel more at home in a backpack for sure, which any cam will feel at home. I'd only feel comfortable with a camera the size of the Panny FX-7 in my pocket.......but then again, I'd lose the "enthusiast" picture quality I'd get with a Minolta A200. It's a trade-off for sure--for me, well, you know my line of thinking!

 

[GoSharks]

Originally posted by: dr150
I had the S70 and returned it. Not for defectiveness but b/c it has large shaded corners on all four sides when using flash inside against a wall for instance 6-10 feet out. This is called vignetting and the S70 has LOTS of it unfortunately.

actually thats just called poor flash performance - creating an impression of vignetting. i have not seen it mentioned in any reviews of the s70 (the flash).

i dont see any significant vignetting in the pictures on the review sites. dpreview does mention occasional corner softness - a byproduct of the 28mm wide-angle lens (equiv).

yes, there are chromatics. may come into play depending IF you intend on printing out large prints (8x10+)

oh yeah, the s70 does have the 28mm lens - making it better than the g6 for landscape shots.

the Sx0 series is slightly hefty, but still pocketable. as previously mentioned by myself, i have gone on many backpacking trips with my s50 in my right short pocket. the s60/70 are actually slightly smaller and ligher than the s50 too.

OP: have you actually gone into a store and played around with the cameras yet?

 

[Fiveohhh]

Originally posted by: GOSHARKS

Originally posted by: dr150
I had the S70 and returned it. Not for defectiveness but b/c it has large shaded corners on all four sides when using flash inside against a wall for instance 6-10 feet out. This is called vignetting and the S70 has LOTS of it unfortunately.

OP: have you actually gone into a store and played around with the cameras yet?

NOt yet I was gonna head to a store in the next week or so and test them out. I haven't held either yet, so depending on the portability of the s70, I'll probably go with that, but who knows, I'll be sure update when I get one. Also Thanks for the info dr150, I'll also look into the ones you mentioned.

 

[dr150]

Originally posted by: GOSHARKS

Originally posted by: dr150
I had the S70 and returned it. Not for defectiveness but b/c it has large shaded corners on all four sides when using flash inside against a wall for instance 6-10 feet out. This is called vignetting and the S70 has LOTS of it unfortunately.

actually thats just called poor flash performance - creating an impression of vignetting. i have not seen it mentioned in any reviews of the s70 (the flash).

If you want reviews on flash fall-off/vignetting check here at botom of page where it says: "Flash distribution is uneven at wide angle, with some falloff at the corners and edges of the frame".....or
here where it says in the body of the review and in the summary at bottom of page: "vignetting at wide-angle flash shots".

The test is really easy to do. Stand 6 feet in a dark or shaded room. Point the the S60/S70 camera to a white wall. Take the picture with flash at widest zoom. Download the pics to the computer for analyses. Immediately, one will see the S60/S70 picture taken defect of vignetting.

 

[GoSharks]

http://www.dpreview.com/learn/...ical/Vignetting_01.htm
ok, poor flash performance.
anyways, like said earlier - the g6 is going to be better indoors.