Buy the Canon Powershot G3 from Amazon.co.uk (£469.99)
Product Description
Quite simply, the Canon PowerShot G3 is an elegant, easy-to-use joy of a digital camera that will satisfy the needs of the most demanding professional or advanced amateur photographer. It boasts an impressive four-megapixel resolution, a 4x optical zoom, and a bright LCD monitor that swivels off to the side of the camera and tilts up and down as needed. It also provides a bevy of manual creative controls in addition to its fully automatic mode.
The PowerShot G3 owes its brilliantly detailed images to a high-resolution, four-megapixel CCD that delivers a postcard-size image with no visible pixellation. On-chip primary colour filters provide vivid and realistic colour without the noisiness associated with other primary-colour filters. The G3 can capture images at resolutions of 2,272 x 1,704; 1,600 x 1,200; 1,024 x 768; and 640 x 480. This range allows for prints up to 11 by 14 inches, as well as easy-to-upload images for the Web and e-mail. The G3's lens features a 4x optical zoom, which moves from wide-angle to extreme telephoto with the touch of a finger. The lens aperture is a large and bright f2.0-f3.0, so you can shoot in low light without flash. The G3 also features a 3.6x digital zoom.
Images are stored on Type I or II CompactFlash memory cards. The included 32 MB card will store approximately 27 images at 2,272 x 1,704 pixels (at large/fine settings). Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB storage-class connectivity, which means it can be connected to any USB-based Windows Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software. In addition to taking still photos, the PowerShot G3 can also record movie clips of up to three minutes. You can choose from either 160 x 120 or 320 x 240 pixel video formats.
The G3's electronic dial, with its independent mode dial and lever, replaces the functions of the previous two-stage main dial and mode dial. The control layout is functional and simple to use. The display panel at the top of the large, 1.8-inch LCD monitor has been redesigned for a clear layout of icons, and larger fonts make the menus easy to read. Exposure metering is selectable among evaluative, centre-weighted average, or spot. AE lock and FE lock let you store ideal auto and flash exposures until you're ready to shoot, while the exposure compensation enables you to adjust the exposure up or down as much as two full stops. You can add power to the PowerShot G3 by adding optional components, from Canon's EX series Speedlight external flashes (which connect easily to the G3's hot shoe) to a variety of converters and conversion lenses.
The camera is powered by a proprietary Canon rechargeable lithium-ion battery (included), and measures 4.8 by 3.0 by 2.5 inches and 14.5 ounces. This package includes the PowerShot G3 digital camera, a 32 MB CompactFlash card, a lithium battery (model BP-511), a compact power adapter (model CA-560), a wireless controller, USB and AV cables, neck strap, and a CD-ROM with Photoshop LE imaging software and USB drivers for Windows and Mac.
Reviewer: Mrs E J Hudson from Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
This is my second digital camera; the first was a 2 MP Kodak. I expected the pictures to be good, but this is FANTASTIC! Right from the first pictures I took, having read only the Quick Start (2 pages), the results were stunning. Despite the vast array of knobs, buttons etc, the camera is remarkably easy to use. I suspect it would even be relatively easy for a newcomer to digital photography. I have found the continuous mode invaluable as I often photograph moving objects. It is also very easy to switch between modes on the move and to view and delete pictures instantly. Thoroughly recommended!
Reviewer: thehalfabee from Surrey, UK
A bit of background. I'm 37, I've been a 35mm amateur photographer since I was 15. I love film, but I also love the flexibility and instantaneous nature of digital. I've been using a Kodak DC4800 for the past 18 months - a great (3.1mp) camera (IMHO) with a 3x optical zoom lens (28mm-84mm). I've had the G3 for just a few days now. I've yet to install the software, but the camera has already won me over.
I bought the G3 for it's faster shot-to-shot time, the twist out screen (for candid & "awkward shots"), quiet(er) operation, and improved control of the exposure - for instance being able to fire the flash at the start or the end of the exposure. It has delivered on all of these points and more. In use, the camera is slick and the controls are intuitive.
A few nice surprises with the camera.
1) Being able to configure 2 user defined dial-selectable programmes. I'll probably use one for a Macro setting and one for night shots. It'll save fumbiling with menus.
2) When taking pictures in low light conditions, the G3 throws out a beam of light to aid focusing. (This can be turned off for candid shots.)
3) Video with Audio recording. Nice for making short compact movies where a picture isn't quite enough. (I may end up using this more than I'd care to admit.)
4) You can turn off all the (annoying) sounds. In seems like everything on this camera is configurable, right down to the inane - like being able to have your own startup image on the display. (Might be useful for corporate buyers who are brand obsessed I suppose!)
5) The camera "knows" which way is up, so that your portrait shots are automatically displayed the right way up.
6) The camera has a photo-stitch assist mode which should work well with the supplied photo-stitch software (which I've heard is very good.)
7) Last, but by no means least, battery life is *stunningly* good. (Along with speed, one of the cameras best features.)
Reviewer: Rich from Plymouth, Devon United Kingdom
This is a great camera , from the first time i used it my photos were very good and then i found out how to put it on best quality. I am disabled so the size and whight were perfect the contrls are esay to work out, its auto every time for me. The camera takes .jpg with an average file size of 2MB on best quality.
Reviewer: MR A ANDERSON from United Kingdom
I bought this camera while on a trip abroad. I had originally planned to buy the G2 but took the opportunity to buy the G3. It is a fantastic piece of kit - just the right weight in the hand and easy to operate from the word go. I've come to terms with some of the controls but will need a lot more practice to get them perfect. I'm not a professional photographer but have been taking pictures for a long time and the results are amazing. Although only 4 megapixels compared to most new cameras 5, the system Canon uses to process the image results in excellent picture quality and my prints on inkjet and via Jessops print service have been wonderful. I'll never go back to film after this. The zoom is excellent and the various shooting modes will give me even better pics once I master them. I may even buy some accessories!