Buy G3 or S602Z??

[mystrix]

I used to have a Canon Powershot S40.

Now considering between G3 and Fuji S602Z.

What are your comments guys?

[cillin]

Depend on your need. Some of the consideration

Do you required higher zoom? is 4X zoom enough?
Do you need a 3MP or 4Mp?
Are you willing to spend extra money to get spare battery for G3?
Do you need to record long movie?
Are you particular abt physical size of the camera?
Do you need the feature on G3 with interval shot taking?
Are you particular about quality of the shot?
Are you particular noise on the shot?

and much more...

[Zerstorer]

Do you want TTL flash or do you want fast AF, low shutter lag and obscene 1/10000 shutter speeds?

[mystrix]

I went down to AP today to get a closer look at the S602Z and G3. Sad to say that G3 wasn't as good as I expected it to be. Besides being able to produce great images, the controls feel very crappy to me. The very first thing was the ON/OFF switch, that little plastic thingy doesn't feel at all study to me. The Shutter Button was kinda loose too, mabbe perhaps it was a display set? Anyway, the controls was like protuding out all over the places... certainly not as sleek as my previous S40.

The overall shape and design of the G3 was a major turn off for me. It's as big as the S602Z and even heavier. The optical view finder was like crappy too... 20% block by the lens! argh... how could canon... I would prefer the S45 over G3 any day.

So the new question is S45 or S602Z?

Current users of S45 / S602Z ... any bad points? please post thanks!

[cillin]

Quote: Originally posted by mystrix ... So the new question is S45 or S602Z? Current users of S45 / S602Z ... any bad points? please post thanks!

I guess same as my previous replied.
Why you want to upgrade? What are the difference you intend to see for the upgrade. From my personal experience, if you used Canon before it take time for you to get used to S602 noise in the shot. I still in the process of accepting 602 noisy shot as compare to Canon.

[darkness]

Quote: Originally posted by cillin From my personal experience, if you used Canon before it take time for you to get used to S602 noise in the shot. I still in the process of accepting 602 noisy shot as compare to Canon.

Actually at higher ISOs, the S602 has less noise than the Canon. Don't forget that the lowest ISO on the S602 is 160, compared to Canon's 50.

[Zerstorer]

Quote: Originally posted by darkness Actually at higher ISOs, the S602 has less noise than the Canon. Don't forget that the lowest ISO on the S602 is 160, compared to Canon's 50.

But Fuji's seems to be overrating its ISO sensitivity while Canon's seem a wee bit underrated.

Fuji's ISO160 seems to behave like ISO100 compared to other digicams while Canon's ISO50 seems like ISO80 or so.

[mystrix]

Yes, I agree... Canon ISO 50 pictures are much nicer. S602Z ISO 160 has slightly more noise. Mabbe I will sit back and read up more on the comments on the S45 and S602Z.

Any idea when will Fujiflim come out with a newer 602 version? other than the slightly improved S602Z pro?

[Zerstorer]

Quote: Originally posted by Zerstorer But Fuji's seems to be overrating its ISO sensitivity while Canon's seem a wee bit underrated. Fuji's ISO160 seems to behave like ISO100 compared to other digicams while Canon's ISO50 seems like ISO80 or so.

Guess I spoke too soon. I take back what I said.

I tested the Fuji 602 again comparing it with My Minolta Maxxum 8000i.

With both set to spot metering, same ISO160 and f4.5 and aimed at the same spot and I got the same (1/20) exact shutter speed.

However, when set to matrix/multi-pattern metering, the Fuji registered (1/7) while the Minolta registered (1/15). Guess it's a matter of the multi-pattern algo giving different weightage to the scene elements.

[Zerstorer]

Quote: Originally posted by mystrix Yes, I agree... Canon ISO 50 pictures are much nicer. S602Z ISO 160 has slightly more noise. Mabbe I will sit back and read up more on the comments on the S45 and S602Z. Any idea when will Fujiflim come out with a newer 602 version? other than the slightly improved S602Z pro?

You have to be careful with your comparisons.

The 602 at 6MP mode has inherently more noise due to the SCCD interpolation.

If you want to compared you need to compare both at the same resolution and exact same exposure settings.

My personal experience with the 602@ISO160 in bright light is that it is surprisingly noise free.

Noise tends to come out only in shadow areas or when its underexposed and even DSLRs suffer from that to a smaller extent.

BTW, since you already have a S40, won't a S45 only be a minor upgrade?

Why not a G3 or Olympus 5050?

i'm new S602Z user.
Even that, i still bring my fren brought G3 @ SITEX last month.
Both are good but we can exchange exp from each other.
But G3 preview time is >5 times faster like Nokia compare to Ericsson phone.

[mystrix]

Yes, Upgrading to S45 is minor upgrade now.

G3 is out for me, due to the design of the cam.

602 is good, I like it alot, but still a 3mp cam. I will wait around for a higher mp 602 to be out...

Quote: Originally posted by Zerstorer You have to be careful with your comparisons. The 602 at 6MP mode has inherently more noise due to the SCCD interpolation. If you want to compared you need to compare both at the same resolution and exact same exposure settings. My personal experience with the 602@ISO160 in bright light is that it is surprisingly noise free. Noise tends to come out only in shadow areas or when its underexposed and even DSLRs suffer from that to a smaller extent. BTW, since you already have a S40, won't a S45 only be a minor upgrade? Why not a G3 or Olympus 5050?

[Necroist]

I'll say go with the S45.

You should be familar with S45 controls.
Buy now, when a newer model like G4/S603 or something comes out, then sell

But of course, if you can wait, stick with your S40. Its good too.

[b18]

s602z and G3 ... hmm

I used a s602z .. and the shot I just took this morning, proved that s602z does not perform very well for low light photography
as it can focus properly for far objects [ I used Olympus 1.9x TC ] around 4km far

but for Macro shots, this one is the best I used so far [ Kodak DC265, CP950, QV3000, S20, S30, CP990 ]

very sharp and yet the handling is very nice.
( get less shake when doin < 1/125" shots )

was faithful to Nikon swivel cam, but I found this one a better upgrade compared to the CP4500.

have a look @ my Pbase for a brief comparison.

=bob=

[fruitybix]

hi,

i just got a F602Z, yesterday to be exact, so still in the process of getting used to it. previsously, I was using an Oly 3000Z.

Biggest difference i have noticed is the colours. The Oly produces undersaturated colours, but they are still accurate i.e. red is red, but may appear slightly lighter. however images are sharp and pleasing.

The 602Z however, seems to produced slightly more radiant colours, really a matter of individual preference. But the biggest advantage the 602Z has over many other mid-high end cameras: super fast AF and shutter release. This is good stuff if one takes a lot of people and sports photos. I guess if you take macros, and landscape, AF and shutter release may not be the most important factor.

Personally, i think 602Z may be a so-so low light performer and an EVF may be an issue under low light as well, as i understand.

So for me, it really is a matter of trade-off: between swiftness, colours, accuracy, ergonomics. Hard to find a camera that rates excellent in all categories..

But if you ask me again what should i get, between a G3 and a F602Z, i will not hesitate. 6X zoom, accurate metering even under indoor lighting, excellent outdoor shots (actually i guess almost all DCs are good outdoors when under good light), ergonomics (really feels solid and steady, personal preference again) and swift processing (most CF cards may not even process as fast as the camera can).

And 3MP, not a problem, unless i want to print out A3. since most shots will be printed in 4R or 5R, so megapixel count is, honestly, a small issue for most..

By the way, according to a Fuji technician the 602Z PRO is not shipped to Singapore, will only be available in Europe and US regions, so my guess, may not have an upgrade so soon..

[mystrix]

Finally, I have got my S45 ... with S45 (more portable) I will be taking much more pictures than with a bulkier S602Z. Guess I will wait for a S802Z heh heh.

[Tweek]

You dumped S40 and got a S45??

Curious to know how much you lost in the process? To me, there is negligible difference between the two. Yes granted S45 is newer, has the (not necessary) orientation sensor, the (again not necessary) Digic processor, longer movies and other minor perks. But is it really worth an upgrade or not? You could have paid a little more and gotten the much better (imho) s602z!

no offence ok, just feeling a bit gek for you. since you bought already, don't think so much I guess, can't help it already. Just get out there and shoot!

[mpenza]

felt quite strange too with the decision but the important thing is to have fun with the camera, whatever it is

[darkness]

Having previously own a S30 and my current S602, I must say that S30/S40/S45 has a significant advantage as a compact if you are just taking snapshots. My original motive for buying a digicam was to be able to bring the camera everywhere and be able to take all kinds of snapshots with my g/f. However, after I changed to the S602 to persue the more "artistic" side of photography, it totally killed her interest in taking snapshots with me liao... She felt that the camera is way too geeky and bulky to be taking around the streets (which, sadly, I have to agree).

Having said that, the choice of cameras largely depends on the need of the photographer. Not everybody is interested persuing artistic excellence of photography. S45 makes a great snapshooter's camera.

However, I must say that S602 is still largely a great camera, even though it's not the latest camera (read: G3), it's virtually flawless. The only 2 drawbacks I feel after using the camera for 3 mths is the low light focusing issues and the colour cast problems with external flash (can be eradicated with custom WB, albeit a little troublesome if you are toggling flashes on and off a lot).

[beluga]

Ever consider a G2? Black one is cool to me. Functionality wise, doesn't lose out much to G3. Pic quality wise, it's about the same. Cheaper now too. Cheapest I heard is 980 w/o GST.