Pre-Purchase Queries, Canon PowerShot G3X

[Chaplain Mark]

Hello,

I am a newcomer to this forum, and am returning to digital photography after a 10-year hiatus.

I'm seeking feedback from anyone here who owns the Canon Powershot G3X, or is considering purchasing this camera, as part of my continuing pre-purchase research.

I have been reading everything I can find on this camera, have physically handled the camera at my local camera store and have all but concluded this is the camera for me.

G3X owners, please let me know what you think!

Thank You,
Chaplain Mark
California, USA

[Tronhard]

Hi Chaplain:

Asking others how they like a camera is rather specific to how they use it. Really it's all about what you want out of the camera, so my first question will be what kind of subjects do you plan to use the camera for? In particular I would like to know if you are planning to be taking any telephoto images.

[Chaplain Mark]

Hi Chaplain:

Asking others how they like a camera is rather specific to how they use it. Really it's all about what you want out of the camera, so my first question will be what kind of subjects do you plan to use the camera for? In particular I would like to know if you are planning to be taking any telephoto images.

Hi, Tronhard,

Thanks for replying so quickly!

Point well-taken, regarding the specific uses and one's opinion of one's camera.

My main focus (please forgive the intended pun) will be indoor family shots, landscape and wildlife shots, with plenty of telephoto use.

The long zoom capabilities combined with the feature set and price point are what attract me to the G3X.

Thank You,
Chaplain Mark

[Tronhard]

Hi Mark:

Thanks for your clear response. With regard to wildlife shots, or anything telephoto for that matter... This camera does not come off the shelf with a viewfinder - although it is an optional extra. The problem with using a view screen at the back of the camera is that you will be holding it a bit like a cell phone, with your hands extended. This is a very unstable platform for telephoto shots and you will almost certainly lose a lot of shots to camera shake.

When I teach photography I liken this to trying to hold a broom by the bristle end and keeping the tip of the handle dead still. The longer the broom handle the poorer your leverage and the harder that is going to be. The beam of light coming to your lens is the broom handle. SO, I would strongly suggest getting the optional EVF for the body.

Secondly... Do you see this as an initial purchase or do you intend that this will be your only camera for some time? To put that into more context, when you previously engaged in photography did you use an interchangeable lens camera, and did you purchase extra lenses for it. The lens on this unit is fixed, so if you want to extend your capabilities you will need to buy a whole new body.

cheers: Trev

[Chaplain Mark]

RE: Viewfinder,

Yes indeed, I am planning to purchase the viewfinder with the camera, and I had forgotten to mention that.

Your broomstick analogy is awesome, good illustration!

RE: Interchangeable vs Fixed lens, my intention is to have the G3X as my do-everything camera, which is why I am so attracted to its particular feature set.

I did the DSLR route years ago, and now that I'm a bit older, lol, I don't want to fiddle with ILC.

Thank you,
Chaplain Mark

[Tronhard]

Hi Again:

Well, with those thoughts in mind I would say you seem to be on the right track! Enjoy!!!

[Chaplain Mark]

Hi Again:

Well, with those thoughts in mind I would say you seem to be on the right track! Enjoy!!!

Tronhard,
Thank you, Sir,
I appreciate your input.

Chaplain Mark

[rpcrowe]

I suggest that you also purchase some sort of a camera stabilizer such as a monopod or a tripod. With a small camera like this (I have a Canon SX50-HS) it is easy to zoom out to quite a long focal length which makes a firm hold necessary. On the plus side, you don't need a heavy duty tripod or monopod for a lightweight camera like this.

This shot was done at 118.2mm or 659.9mm equivalent at 1/20 second @ f/5.6 using ISO 400. I supported the SX50-HS with a lightweight and inexpensive monopod and had the Image Stabilization turned on...

[Chaplain Mark]

RP,
Thank you for your post, and I agree about the tripod.
Never have used a monopod, and quite frankly, with as clumsy as I am, a tripod would be the tool for the job.....
Thanks again,
Chaplain Mark