Canon PowerShot G3 4MP Digital Camera w/ 4x Optical Zoom

Title : Canon PowerShot G3 4MP Digital Camera w/ 4x Optical Zoom
Author : Canon Cameras US
Release Date : 20030401
Binding : Electronics
Regular Price : $699.99
Amazon.com Price : $ ( %)
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Editorial Reviews :
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 4-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.
Optics and Resolution
The PowerShot G3 owes its brilliantly detailed images to a high-resolution, 4-megapixel CCD that delivers a postcard-size image with no visible pixilation. On-chip primary color filters provide vivid and realistic color without the noisiness associated with other primary-color 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, the first on a PowerShot camera, 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 that when combined with the 4x optical gives you a total zoom of 14x.

Storage and Transfer
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.

Movie Mode
In addition to taking still photos, the PowerShot G3 can also record movie clips of up to 3 minutes. You can choose from either 160 x 120 or 320 x 240 pixel video formats.

More Features
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, center-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.

Power, Size, and Contents
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.

Buyer Reviews :
New York, NY USA

I've been using a PowerShot S330 for nearly a year, and wanted to upgrade to a 4 or 5 megapixel camera with a longer zoom, more adjustability, a hot shoe for an external flash, and a remote control. I looked at both the Nikon Coolpix 5700 and the Canon G3, and decided on the G3 due both to ergonomics (much more comfortable to hold and use) and the price ...

I've had the camera for about two weeks and shot hundreds of pictures so far. And so far, I've been very pleased. There's a noticeable difference in the quality of a 4 megapixel image versus the 2 megapixels of the S330, especially if you want to crop and enlarge the pictures. The larger lens of the G3 gives better picture quality in low light, and the 4-times optical zooms gets you just that much closer.

The moveable LCD screen is great. You can take pictures with the camera held above your head, way down, or beside you with no problem, allowing you to position the camera for the best shot without contorting yourself. The tiny (postage-stamp sized) remote unit is wonderful: not only does it trigger the shutter, it can also be used to zoom and review pictures. I also purchased a good sturdy tripod: the combination of the new camera, tripod and remote control enabled me to take some remarkable indoor, natural-light portraits I never would have attempted before.

The hot shoe flash attachment allowed me to buy and use a sophisticated flash unit: I chose the Canon Speedlite 420. This has made the greatest difference in the quality of my photographs: the built-in flash on any of these cameras gives you flat photos, red-eye, and annoying shadows; a good add-on flash unit can be bounced off the ceiling or wall for pleasing, almost-natural lighting.

I needed three batteries to keep myself going with the S330, but the battery in the G3 is a real powerhouse: I shot over 300 photos at my goddaughter's birthday party without switching out to my backup battery. The G3 has a different type of battery charging system from the smaller Canon cameras: the battery needs to be charged while in the camera, but the charging system also enables you to use the camera while plugged in without running down the battery.

I have yet to try using all of the adjustment options: shutter priority, aperature priority, light metering adjustments, etc., but all controls are well thought out and and the manual is relatively clear. You can use this camera right out of the box on the automatic setting, or slowly get comfortable with the manual settings and what they can do.

Negatives? I've been bothered by blown-out highlights on the S330, and the G3 seems to do only slightly better. (I'm starting to think that this may just be one of the weaknesses of all digital photography at this level.) The on-off button feels somewhat flimsy, and has an awkward, tiny little lock-out button that needs to be depressed to turn on the camera. And the body/construction in general has quite a bit of plastic, a disappointment after the stainless steel heft of the S330.

I bought a 512 MB card, which seems to hold about 400 photos at the highest resolution. I was worried that 4 megapixel photos would download more slowly, but there's no difference in working with the files. I have a 120 GB remote drive I use to store my digital images: I can imagine that they'd fill up my iBook's internal memory pretty quickly.

At the same time I purchased this camera I also bought Adobe's Photoshop Elments 2.0 software, and can't praise it highly enough. If you're investing in a camera at this level, buy this software! And as I said in my review of the S330, all of these digital cameras are easier to use with Apple computers.

The bottom line: if you're serious about your digital photography, or been bitten with the bug after using a digital point-and-shoot, this may be just the camera for you. But make sure to buy a tripod and separate flash unit at the same time: you'll see the

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