Canon G2 vs 300D (Digital Rebel)
The Canon Digital Rebel, also known as the 300D model is the first dSLR to break the US$1000 price level. This article provides a summary look of the major differences for people considering upgrading from the Canon G-series model to the 300D. It is by no means comprehensive but the major differences you can expect to see can be found here. When making the comparison, please bear in mind the G2 is a compact digital camera, and the 300D is the higher end dSLR model.
G2 features are listed on the left and 300D on the right side. Where a particular feature is considered advantageous or superior to the other model, it will be highlighted in green. The features are described as accurately as possible, but some mistakes may be unavoidable. This document will be updated as new information becomes available.

Canon G2

Canon 300D (Digital Rebel)

Ergonomic Features
1. Large 1.8" LCD panel. Large 1.8" 118,000 LCD very clear and bright.
2. flip-out and twist LCD (90 deg CW, 270 deg CCW) makes for great flexibility in camera angles LCD in dSLR is for post-shot review. It cannot be used to compose a scene before shooting. No more incognito shooting due to fixed location LCD and low angle ground level shots will be awkward without a triopod.
3. Pushing manual focus button down while pressing 4-way button switch located on a perpendicular force plane is acrobatic and slippery. Manual focus is a function of the interchangeable lens, considered a major SLR advantage. It is usually a simple switch on the lens body and manual focus is easily done by turning the lens barrel.

Shooting Features
1. Flash Exposure Compensation +-2EV in 0.3EV steps The lack of FEC in the 300D is a major gripe amongst new 300D owners. Flash pictures taken with onboard flash in auto mode has a tendency to produce under-exposed shots.
2. Manual focus previewed on a thumb-nail image smaller than LCD size. True manual focus confirmation via the TTL optical view finder. This is a major strength of the SLR interchangeable lens system.
3. Manual focus display useful distance information in cm/ft. Manual focus distance indication usually found in lens barrel. DOF indicators can also be found in long zoom lens.
4. Fixed single compact lens system. A wide variety of EF-mount compatible lens system available in the market from Canon and third party lens maker. This is a major strength of the SLR interchangeable lens system.
5. Weak auto-focus mechanism despite focus assist lamp. Auto-focus is a function provided by the lens body. This is a major strength of the SLR interchangeable lens system.
6. Limited 3 times optical zoom This is provided by the lens body and is a major strength of the SLR system.
7. High speed continuous shooting mode up to 2.5fps for 5 images 2.5 fps up to 4 shots in one burst, but at higher resolution
8. ISO noise level noticeable from ISO 100 onwards. Internal automatic noise reduction is pathetic. ISO noise is remarkably low up to ISO 800.
9. Shutter lag delay at slightly over 1 sec. This improves to 0.14 sec using pre-focus technique. Shutter lag is neglible at 0.2 sec. This is a major strength of SLR and dSLR system.
10. Shutter speed from 15s to 1/1000s. Shutter speed range from bulb (2 hours) to 1/2000s.
11. Shallow Depth-of-Field for nice portrait with blurred background almost impossible. DOF is a function of lens sytem. The camera provides a DOF preview button and a modelling light.

Display Features
1. Playback zoom in two steps up to x6 magnification Playback review up to 10x magnification in 10 steps.
2. 9 thumbnail displays with no page turns Jump button allows flipping of images in pages of 9 thumbnail displays.

Other Features
1. 4MP maximum resolution 6MP and a larger CCD sensor size
2. Handy IR remote control unit for shutter release and playback. No remote control unit. Wireless remote available as optional accessory. G2 remote is incompatible with 300D
3. 1100mAh battery last longer Same battery can be used in 300D. CF card can also be re-used in 300D.
4. Adapter ring required for limited range of accessory lens Huge variety of Canon EF-mount lens system can be used, including the unique EF-S mount designed specifically for 300D only.
5. Ho-hum user manual Excellent, readable user manual.
6. Jagged diagonals attributed to in-camera over-sharpening rears its ugly head once too often. Painfully obvious if taking many building photos, or even straight line photos such as a pen tilted at an acute angle. Jagged diagonals not known to be an issue probably due to soft in-camera processing.
7. AWB can be a problem if it is not changed when moving from indoor shots to outdoors or vice versa. Default AWB setting eliminates AWB selection mistakes.
8. Short video clips recording with sound No video recording at all.
9. White focus assist light is more tolerable and humane. Irritating stroboscopic focus assist light kick in when shooting focus-challenged scenes tend to frighten away children, adults, plants and animals.
10. Compact and light-weight makes it easy to carry in coat pocket. Bulky and heavy requires a big bag for lens and other accessories.

Conclusion
G2 is a capable and true Point & Shoot camera ready to go for the action with minimum menu settings required. Users who do not want to learn skills beyond P&S should hesitate to make the jump to dSLR. 300D as a dSLR is in a different class of its own. Despite what Canon marketing may claim, 300D is NOT a Point & Shoot Camera. Users of G2 should expect a paradigm shift and a steep learning curve if they make a jump to dSLR. Extra investment in lens and accessories may be costly in the long run.

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