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    Which one to chose??????

    Contemplating buying a new CANON compact for my coming trip 'down under', but unsure which to buy!
    I have previously owned Powershot Pro 1 (still have it, but getting a bit 'old'), G9 and G11, and liked all 3.
    Currently looking at G1X, or G15, or maybe SX50HS, although the latter may be too much like my SLRs. Generally, weight and size are not major issues for me, but I do prefer 'robust' and 'ergonomic'.
    Hardly dare ask for views, but first hand experiences of each or any will be much appreciated.
    Quentin

    #2
    Re: Which one to chose??????

    Like my RX100 a lot, but not a Canon. Perhaps look at a Fuji X20 too (or X100S)? It depends on how small/light/cheap you want it to be, plus zoom range and lens brightness. The G15 has a small-ish sensor and the G1X doesn't have great AF so I would look around a bit.

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      #3
      Re: Which one to chose??????

      Quentin, why not take your SLR? Which one do you have and what lens do you have.
      Whereabouts in Aus are you going?. as this may determine what you take with you.

      Whenever I go home to Aus I always take my SLR and 24-105 + 70-200 2.8 L plus my old reliable Panasonic TZ for evenings out.
      Koalas have a habit of being at the top of very large gum trees and the last you want to be saying when you get back to the UK is ..... "see that dot up the tree, well it is a Koala !! and the spec in the sky that is a wedge tail eagle !! "
      David

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        #4
        Re: Which one to chose??????

        Thanks DrJon for your opinion.
        I prefer to stick with Canon personally, for a number of reasons, not least familiarity with their ergonomics. As I said in my query, I am not too concerned with weight and size, after all it has got to be smaller and lighter than my DSLR and L lenses! Having studied the specs. the G1X is current favourite, and I wonder how much of an issue the alleged 'slow' AF really is, in everyday use.
        Thanks again, Quentin

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          #5
          Re: Which one to chose??????

          Hi David
          I shall be taking my SLR (5DMk2) and probably my 24-105L and IS 70-300 zoom lenses. My itinerary is long and varied, starting and ending in Perth WA, and including the Indian Pacific train to Sydney, visiting a friend in NE Victoria, relatives in Canberra, and a week of unashamed luxury in Noosa! This will be my third (& possibly last visit to Aus. due to age), so I have an idea of what to expect. The compact is for 'less serious' photography, but I still like to have and use good kit, just more portable!
          Thanks, Quentin

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            #6
            Re: Which one to chose??????

            No problem if you like Canon, just thinking up ideas in case helps at all. One other thing to think about is a super-zoom to catch the distant Wildlife, such as the SX50 HS (24-1200mm-equivalent lens), not my cup of tea, but an idea...

            Is the Canon SX50 HS the ultimate mega-zoom camera? Read our review to find out! (It's pretty darned good...)


            As you may have noticed, the 'Megapixel Wars' have calmed down a bit in recent years. That doesn't mean that camera manufacturers haven't found something else to drive up to absurd levels. In the case of 'big zoom' cameras that thing is, of course, how powerful the lens is. Remember a few years ago, when 12X lenses were considered a lot? Since then we've gone through 18X, then 24X, and 30X. Things really started to get crazy over the past year, with Nikon releasing their Coolpix P510, which has a 42X lens. Then Canon did what I never thought I'd see: announce the PowerShot SX50 HS ($479), which has a whopping 50X, 24 - 1200 mm lens.


            P.S. I don't think the G1X AF is allegedly slow, read any review and I'm confident it will agree. It's more an issue of what types of photographs you take and what you are happy with. I was at a Medieval Joust today (videos on YouTube :-) and the man the council had got to photograph it was using a 600D with the 18-55 and shot (AFAICS) entirely in live-view mode, where the AF will be quite a bit slower than by using the viewfinder, but he seemed happy enough. (Not suggesting this was good or bad as I have already been absolutely slated to bits by someone for suggesting it was at all sub-optimal.)
            Last edited by DrJon; 04-08-2013, 20:55.

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              #7
              Re: Which one to chose??????

              Hi Quentin,
              What a great itinerary.
              Noosa is fabulous and was even better before it became what it is now. Spent many days of misspent youth there, surfing of the Heads during the day and surf fishing in the early evening when I was living in Brisbane. Hope you are going to get to the coloured sands as that beach is tremendous.
              I gave the examples of the Koala and Eagle as people just do not realise how difficult they can be and are disappointed when they get back to the UK and the photos are not what they expected.
              The Indian Pacific will be a great experience and you will pass through where I spent the first three years of life in a little town called Minnipa in South Aus.
              I also have relatives living in Canberra, my brother and his wife..
              Have a great trip and I look forward to seeing your shots of Noosa and hopefully the coloured sands.
              David

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                #8
                Re: Which one to chose??????

                I am quite interested in this thread as I have a weight problem and am currently thinking in terms of the SX 40 or 50,or the G1X or the G15 OR to buy a real travelling lens like the Sigma 15-250mm for my DSLR. If I decide on the G1X or G15, I will take my DSLR and the 24-105mm lens.So do keep your suggestions coming.
                Canon 6D; Canon 760D;Canon G15;Canon 40mm f2.8(Pancake);Canon 50mm f1.8(ii); Canon 17mm-40mm f4L;Canon EF-S 10-18mm f4.5-5.6 IS STM;Canon EF-S 55-250mm f4-5.6 STM lens;Canon 24mm-105mmf4L IS;Canon 70-300mm f4-f5.6 L IS USM;Kenko 1.4x HD TC;Canon 430EX ii flash;Giottos tripod;Manfretto monopod;Cokin P filters + bits and pieces!

                www.flickr.com/photos/nathaniel3390

                North Wales where music and the sea give a great concert!

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                  #9
                  Re: Which one to chose??????

                  One other option is just to get a very small and light slightly wide-angle lens for the DSLR and then the lightweight kit is when you only take that and leave the heavy lens(es) behind in the room's laptop safe (or similar). On my 5DmkII the 40/2.8 would fit that role as it's only 130g. In my case I have lighter options so don't do that, but for m43 I have the 20/1.7 (which I assume is where Canon got the idea for the 40 from) and have been known to go out with just that and nothing else, well maybe a camera too...

                  A 100D might also be worth doing the weight maths on. But to me taking two DSLRs on holiday seems a lot (people do it though).

                  BTW I don't take the 5DmkII on holiday as it's just too big and heavy with added lenses, also both my smaller cameras shoot much better (1080/50p @28+Mbps) video, which while basically a stills guy I am increasingly doing. Not that I don't find the Canon the best choice for a lot of things, just some of the lens options are very big, heavy, in your face and expensive. The GH3 with the 70-200 f2.8 equiv lens looks like a 400D with the kit lens, and weighs like it. The RX100 weighs nothing. I mentioned the X20 above as a friend just bought one for this very role, being a Nikon-based Wedding Photographer he seems to have limited his lightweight options somewhat (lots of f2.8 glass). Ditto for someone else I know and the X100S (actually more than one if vague acquaintances count). I used to use a G-series (G7) for this role, until larger sensors and better focusing lured me away.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Re: Which one to chose??????

                    Originally posted by Quentin View Post
                    Contemplating buying a new CANON compact for my coming trip 'down under', but unsure which to buy!
                    I have previously owned Powershot Pro 1 (still have it, but getting a bit 'old'), G9 and G11, and liked all 3.
                    Currently looking at G1X, or G15, or maybe SX50HS, although the latter may be too much like my SLRs. Generally, weight and size are not major issues for me, but I do prefer 'robust' and 'ergonomic'.
                    Hardly dare ask for views, but first hand experiences of each or any will be much appreciated.
                    Quentin
                    Hi - I'm new here (been hovering for a while), but may be able to offer some useful info.

                    I've just upgraded my G11 to a G1X. Although it's bigger, the IQ is very good (not that there was much wrong with the G11). I decided not to go for the G15 as I really wanted the flip-out screen as I used that a lot on the G11.

                    Now, here's the thing - I've recently returned from Hong Kong & Australia following the Lions (had a great time, but that's another story). I was tempted to upgrade in HK, but the deals from the small stores on Nathan Rd were too good to be true - plenty of G1Xs on display but none actually for sale

                    I checked a few places in Australia - JB HiFi were the cheapest at $570 AUD but, again, no stock, although they could have ordered one if I'd had time to wait. In the end, I found one in a "proper" photography store in Sydney - Paxtons. They had several in stock and I got mine for the equivalent of £353. Then, at the Airport, I was able to claim back the sales tax (£31.68), so it cost me around £320. It came with a an "Asia-Pac" warranty, but if I get a problem I have relatives who live in Sydney so I'll mail it to them and they'll deal with it. And, to be honest, the price was so good I thought it was worth the punt.

                    Digital, SLR Cameras & Video Cameras from Australia's Longest Standing Camera Specialist. Paxtons opened in 1908. 100 plus years! Take a look at the best.


                    Maybe worth considering.

                    Edit: Just looked on xe.com and the exchange rate is better than I got - you could be looking at around £335, less the 10% rebate..... Tempting or what? ;)
                    Last edited by Roberto; 05-08-2013, 18:11.

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                      #11
                      Re: Which one to chose??????

                      I have actually sold my G7 and bought a G1X for £230!!!! of course used but factory refurbished and in excellent condition. I could have bought the G15 for around £265 new but the flip out screen on the G1X made the decision for me. I will see how I get on with it when I get it sometime this week.

                      Are there any tele lenses that I can buy to increase my zoom distance?
                      Canon 6D; Canon 760D;Canon G15;Canon 40mm f2.8(Pancake);Canon 50mm f1.8(ii); Canon 17mm-40mm f4L;Canon EF-S 10-18mm f4.5-5.6 IS STM;Canon EF-S 55-250mm f4-5.6 STM lens;Canon 24mm-105mmf4L IS;Canon 70-300mm f4-f5.6 L IS USM;Kenko 1.4x HD TC;Canon 430EX ii flash;Giottos tripod;Manfretto monopod;Cokin P filters + bits and pieces!

                      www.flickr.com/photos/nathaniel3390

                      North Wales where music and the sea give a great concert!

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Re: Which one to chose??????

                        Great deal there, Nathaniel.
                        As I've only had the G1X for a month I haven't fully explored the extras. And, if I'm honest, I don't really have a need for anything much longer.
                        I'm more likely to go for close-up lenses as. I think the "macro" isn't as close-focussing as the G11 (sorry if that's not clear, I know what I mean)..
                        Of course, the bigger sensor does make cropping more feasible than smaller-sensor compacts - I guess a bit like the FF v crop sensor argument that rages endlessly in the DSLR world.

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                          #13
                          Re: Which one to chose??????

                          Thanks for the tip Roberto, you seem to have got a good deal there (Sydney)! Trust you declared the purchase on return to the UK?
                          My problem is that I want to acquire the camera before I go, and to familiarise myself with it, so wouldn't work for me.
                          I shall be interested in your feedback on its use in due course.
                          Quentin

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Re: Which one to chose??????

                            Nathaniel, so you sold the G7 after all! You too seem to have got a good deal on the refurbed G1X - I am always nervous about 'used' digital equipment, but presumably you got a good warranty as it was factory refurbished.
                            I believe there are add on lens convertors available, but having been down that road some years ago with my Pro1 I would avoid the temptation- if there is a need why not use your DSLR? The add-ons are invariably heavy, and bulky, and negate the advantages of the 'compact'.
                            For me, the flip out screen is not a great advantage, and of course is smaller than the fixed screen. I also like to attach a glass protector to the screen, which is difficult if not impossible with the flip out.
                            I am still torn between the G1X and the G15 for my needs, I like the overall spec. of the G1X, but am tempted by the faster lens and AF of the G15, but put off by the small sensor. Decisions, decisions, but I must decide soon.
                            Let us know how you get on with the G1X in the coming weeks.
                            Quentin

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Re: Which one to chose??????

                              Originally posted by Quentin View Post
                              I also like to attach a glass protector to the screen, which is difficult if not impossible with the flip out.
                              I may be mis-interpreting your words here but, if you mean you like to have a protector for the screen-glass, then there's plenty available

                              (e.g. http://www.amazon.co.uk/SWIDO-Crysta...reen+protector)

                              If you mean to wish to fit a screen protector made of glass, then I can see how that would be difficult on the flip-out screen.

                              I've used these kinds of stick-on screen protectors for loads of things (iPhone, iPad, 5D, G11, G1X and Fuji X100S without any issues. They work really well, but I think it pays to research and buy good quality ones. For example, on my iPhone & iPad I use these:



                              Not cheap, but the anti-reflective ones are superb. Also, the company's after-care is outstanding.

                              Re: Customs declaration - I think it would have just scraped under the "gift" allowance, had I been stopped and had they not dug too deeply to find any of the other, er, "gifts" we'd bought

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