canon S3IS ans Canon G7

[karim Charlebois-Zariffa]

Helllo I a looking for a camera that is good in video and in photo, I like the canon S3IS ans Canon G7 (powershot) but I find the G7 a bit expensive...
Got some suggestions, comments ?
thx a million
Karim

[Photo-John]

I think I would prefer the G7. It's designed for more professional use - although not necessarily a professional camera. The S3 IS, while a capable camera, is a generation older, and feels a lot less substantial in the hands. The G7 should be faster, have better image quality, and I expect it's more durable. That's not based on hands-on experience, though.

Here's a page that compares both cameras:

Canon PowerShot S3 IS vs. Canon PowerShot G7 >>

Can you tell us what you plan to use the camera for? If you're looking for a super-zoom, there are lots of good cameras available from Panasonic, Kodak, Olympus, Sony, and Canon of course. The only thing I recommend as a requirement for these cameras is optical image stabilization. The long telephoto lenses really require image stabilization to ensure sharp photos.

The G7 is more of a compact camera for SLR owners. It's designed for serious photographers who want a powerful but compact camera for travel or carry around when they don't want the bulk of an SLR.

Does that help? If not, tell us more about what you plan to do with your new camera and maybe we can give you some more direction. In the meantime, you can find editorial reviews for the Canon S3 IS and other super zooms in our pro reviews section. Unfortunately, we don't have a pro review for the G7 yet, but we do have some user reviews.

Digital Camera Pro Reviews >>
Canon PowerShot G7 User Reviews >>

[karim Charlebois-Zariffa]

Hello, Thanks a lot for all your advice. It is helpful to have another advice.
Well I will tell you more about my use of the camera.

I am a graphic designer, so in the best of worlds I would have to buy a SLR, but for now I don't have the budget, and I need a video option, but the other thing you said yourself : The G7 is more of a compact camera for SLR owners. It's designed for serious photographers who want a powerful but compact camera for travel or carry around when they don't want the bulk of an SLR.

I really need something to carry around easaly, I travel a lot, And I always carry a camera with me. But the major point of my 2 choices is for the videos options, because for my work I do a lot of photos that goes to prints, and also a lot a animation so I shoot a lot a videos too. So I need something compact but of great quality. I know that the way I am talking I should go with the G7 , but again I am low on cash, and the G7 is almost double price of the S3 IS, and the S3, as only a 6mp , witch I find pretty low for good prints...

So my big question would be, that : If the G7 is really more what I need, is it a good investment. or should I go with the S3 and by myself a SLR next year. But is the 6mp too low for me ?? The mega zoom on the S3 is not something that I really need, I would be ok with a 6x.

Ahh well I know I look confuse, and a lot of mix questions.... hehe, plus my english is not that good. I am french-canadian.

Thanks a million times, You guys are really helping

Karim

[karim Charlebois-Zariffa]

Ahh I forgot,

I also need the camera, to be flexible, with manual options, so I can set the ISO and everything myself when I don't want it automatic.

Thx again

Karim

[Photo-John]

Karim-
The Qebecois are ok with me. Some of my best friends are Acadian

So I think you should take a look at the Canon A-Series cameras. They're about the same size as the G7 but not as fancy. On the other hand, they have manual exposure controls, great lenses, and excellent image quality. I've been using the Canon PowerShot A640 and we used it for a bunch of videos at the PMA tradeshow a couple of weeks ago. I think it's an excellent camera. The only thing it doesn't have that the S3 IS and G7 have, is image stabilization. If you want image stabilization, you can take a look at the Canon PowerShot A710 IS. With the A640 you get 10-megapixels - more than enough for most purposes. And with the A710 IS you get image stabilization and 7-megapixels. I think you would be best served with the A710 IS.

You can see some videos taken with the A640 in our 2007 PMA blog, if you're interested. We were very pleased with the quality. I'm sure the A710 IS videos would be just as good.