«

SMS wrote:
> (E-Mail Removed) wrote:
>
>> I know a lot of readers here will suggest to get a DSLR with APS-C
>> sensor size (or even a full size sensor like D700 or 5D). However, how
>> much improvement in image quality is for Micro 4/3 vs. APS-C?.
>
> A lot, judging from the reviews of the 4:3 sensor D-SLRs from Olympus.
Anira, you might wish to look for information from a source other than
sms, who is one of those folk who doesn't actually use a camera, just
posts secondhand or made up information and trolls for his made-up websites.

No-one here yet knows for sure how the G1 engine will perform, but let's
assume it is something similar to the old Olympus E420 (another 4/3
camera, similar pixel density). Here's a link to a test showing the
difference between the Olympus E420, Nikon D60, Canon 450D and Sony 350
at 800 and 1600.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos450d/page32.asp

Significant? Are you likely to shoot higher than that? The high-iso
difference between 4/3 and APS-C cameras is not as great as the
difference between the typical p&s and 4/3. But make up your own mind
by visiting *reputable sources*, rather than listening to the SMS's of
this world. And it all depends on what you shoot and your own quality
standards.

> However it still uses contrast-detection for auto-focus so
> auto-focus will be significantly slower than what you'd get with a D-SLR.
The D60 has an AF time of 0.26s. Admittedly that is one of the slower
dslrs, but do you see many folk complaining about its AF? The G1 has an
AF time of ~0.36s, which is not very much slower and *significantly*
faster than any p&s. The G1 also has a shorter shutter-lag time, so if
you pre-focus it is is much faster than a dslr. It all depends on
what/how you shoot (SMS has a problem with this concept).

As an aside, contrast-detect AF is more accurate than phase-detect and
does not suffer from front-/back-focus... (Now *I'm* trolling!)

>> My other question is whether image quality and performance of
>> a Lumix G1 will overpowering the Canon G7 P&S camera, or about the
>> same.
>
> Hard to know. Historically Panasonic P&S cameras have been very noisy,
> and Canon P&S cameras have not been noisy.
Canon p&s not noisy?? Forgive me while I choke. Canon p&s are less
noisy than most panasonic p&s, yes, but they ARE very noisy compared to
the typical 4/3 sensor. Having said that, we've not seen any noise
tests of the G1 so it is dangerous to speculate.

>> I saw just a few samples in the Panasonic website, as
>> well as a few photos taken from early buy happy owners of the new G1
>> in the DPreview's talk forum. I was impressed with the image quality.
Just bear in mind that every new owner will tend to love their camera -
after all, they must justify their recent purchase, and likely haven't
tested it out under trying circumstances!

> You can get good depth of field with a D60, but not with a P&S.
As Anira was asking about the G1, this is a bit stupid. The G1 will
give much better d-o-f control than a p&s but less than a dslr, all
things being equal.. but they aren't, and it really depends on the lenses.

>> So... is it a G1 or a D60 (+ 2 lenses) for approx. the same price?
The D60, of course! Having said all that, I would not dream of buying
such a ground-breaking camera as the G1 until I saw several reviews at
places like dpreview, imaging-resource and cameralabs. Despite the
frequent accusations of bias (from all camps, so it all balances out),
these are relatively reputable sources, unlike some of the sources
posting here.

> I would not spend more money on a G1 given Panasonic's reputation. I
> would not give up all the advantages of a D-SLR for what is essentially
> a glorified P&S.

Again, this is a silly, uninformed, premature statement from sms. 4/3
sensors are in a different league to p&s, and this camera is a relative
unknown. What real information that has come out so far is promising,
but who knows.

In the meantime, buy the D60, and then if the G1 (or G2/G3..) is showing
its worth over time, sell the Nikon and 'upgrade'.

(O: