[starchild]

When I planned to get a better camera, I asked online, looking different ones up, finally settled on a Canon Powershot G6. I also like the look and feel of it (I like cameras that seem like cameras, not small- like a deck of cards, or something).

A few weeks before, I had my daughter's Sony Mavica for a few days. She had problems getting the pictures off the mini cds, and I offered to see if I could fix it. I looked a lot online, and learned a LOT of people h ad problems with this (Mavica and CDs). Some said they'd taken pictures that couldn't be redone (like a wedding) only to find out they weren't on the cd, after. For my daughters' the problem seemed to be the cheapy CD-R disks she had, so I bought Sony Mavica CD-RWs ( expensive but can be reused) and that seemed to work so I gave it back to her. She recently said the camera was dead, it had died while she was out (wanting to take pictures where she was) and even plugging in the charger it wouldn't go on. Again, she gave it to me (to look at). It did seem dead. I unplugged the cord that's on the charger cord (a transformer box, or something) and plugged it back in again (firmer) it came on, charged and works fine.

The point of this. I have her Mavica (for now) and my new Canon Powershot. I've been taking the same pictures with them both and comparing them. I don't know all about the settings, but have them on AUTO, set on "average" (medium) quality. Been taking them inside with and without flash, and outside, yesterday in a snowstorm. Also, they both take short videos (I've noticed the Mavica lets you zoom while the video is on, the Canon doesn't). The Mavica also has a bigger lcd window (it's a bigger camera).

What I've noticed mostly is, the Mavica (which cost $499 new, 2 1/2 years ago) seems to take noticably better pictures. Clearer and more true looking colors than the Canon (which lists for $899, but I didn't pay that for mine). I was told the best cameras, going by lenses are Canon and Nikon. Going by what I read online when I looked up getting the pictures off the CDs, people had many complaints about them. The Mavica has 3.1 megapixels and the Canon 7.1 (I know, the lens is important, too and not just the mp)

Yesterday, taking picturs of the snow- the snow showed up on pictures with the Mavica. (not that anyone would really need to take pictures of snow too often) Same with video, the Mavica video (which can be zoomed) clearly showed the falling snow, the Canon, you could barely see it.

One reason I didn't want a Mavica is because of the CDs and the problems with this, going by my daughter's and everything I read online. And, everything I read and people I asked said either Canon or Nikon. I know Canon is a good brand. And this one wasn't cheap.

Maybe it's me, I'm not doing something right. I don't know much about all the settings yet (how to use them) so just have it on AUTO, and set the size/quality. The Canon has settings like portrait, scene (shows more in picture)inside (light) and such. The Mavica also has settings, one for "snow" that seems to make white whiter.

I had both set on AUTO when I was testing/comparing them.

I've noticed with my Canon skin color comes out a bit pink. With the Mavica, it looks more normal. (the Canon has White Balance, I've tried it on different settings, but leave it on AUTO)

Same with printing them, the Mavica pictures seem to print out more real (better) color.

I have a new DELL (XSP 400) PC and Canon ip4200 printer, don't know if this might effect the colors, too. Not having them set right or using them correctly.

Not sure what, if any my question is in this, just why does the older (cheaper, lower megapixel) Mavica seem to take better pictures? Even though, from what I've heard (read online) people have much trouble with them and the CD storage (compared to a flash card) and not sure they are even being made now. They are also slow, harder to get pictures off the camera (or CD) though not as hard, now that I have WIN XP. (the first time I had this camera I had WIN 98)

I'm wondering if I'm doing/not doing something with the Canon that's causing this? Maybe the flash card isn't good enough? (I bought it separately, 128 MB maybe they are different quality?) People tell me I should have 500+ card, but I have limited money for things like this. With that price camera, 7 mp, seems like I should be able to take a picture of snow and have it show up! (details)

I'll put on one of the pictures (with the two) I keep thinking maybe it's just me, my eyesight or imagination.

(attachment didn't work, see post below)

Carrie

[starchild]

I put on the pictures as an attachment but I don't see it. Maybe it's over the limit or something and they don't tell you, it just doesn't attack

I'll put it elsewhere. These were taken minutes apart, it was snowing heavily, and you can see this in the Mavica picture.

[starchild]

This is a flash comaring them (my model was getting a bit bored at this point)

her hair is red, the color it shows in the Mavica one. Before I took comparrison pics with the Mavica, I thought it was my monitor( new) that wasn't showing them right. The skin looks too pink and colors dull.

[Noyb]

It’s been almost 2 hours – and no Camera Wizard has shown up yet ???
… bump ..

Till then, I’m wondering what software you have to process these photos ?

Can’t say what I’d do in the Camera to make things better…
But - I took a look at the levels histogram for each photo - then applied some quick Auto Fixes in Adobe Photoshop Elements.

Here’s the before’s… the before levels … over the quick fixes.

[starchild]

Right now I'm using PSP 7 and PhotoShop 7

I didn't do anything to the pictures I posted, that's how they came off the camera. I'm just wondering why the older, less mp (using mini CDs to store pictures on, that people complain about having problems with) seems to take better pictures! LIke showing the snow, and darker (deeper) colors in the outside picture.

I can take the flash one in Paint Shop Pro, and adjust it (the red, green, blue adjustment) putting the green on 5, and leaving the red and blue and it looks better. Same with outside pictures, adding a little more bright and contrast.

But, if one camera will take pictures that look okay (and show details like snow) why can't another?

I'd read so much about the Canon Powershot G6 being a great camera. That's why I'm wondering if it's something I'm not doing right. I've been going over the booklet and learning more about it, and found out how to set it manually (shutter preferred, or apperture preferred, or setting both). I've been taking pictures out the window, as the sun goes down. on AUTO and with different settings. Seems like if it's not on AUTO, the pictures come out all blue.

All I do is take them off the camera (either with the USB cord or a card reader) going to My Computer and clicking on the camera that comes up in the DRIVES. I haven't been using the software that came with it (or came in my new computer with WIN XP)

It can't be the computer that's now showing the colors right, because it shows them with the Mavica.

I don't know what anyone can do, really. I just feel for the cost of the Canon, it should take better (better color and more details) than the Mavica.

[Guyzer]

starchild when I look at the pic's of the young lady I like what I see produced by the Canon much better than the other camera. To me the colors look much more natural but.... you have the actual subject in front of you to compare. The other camera's pic looks like it has a haze to it. As far as the snowflake pic I don't have an answer except maybe focus. It's hard to tell but I suspect your focal point was somewhat different for each camera, hence one captured the flakes and one didn't. Noyb what's your feelings?

Personally speaking I would have taken buck52's suggestion that he made to you in a different thread and purchased a Nikon or Canon DSLR as they are much more versatile. If it isn't to late to return it's something you should consider.

BTW I am not an expert either.

[starchild]

I found a website with a very in depth review, going over all the settings, functions, etc for the camera.

http://www.dpreview.com/

It looks much easier to follow and direct than the small (thick) instruction book that came with it, so I'm printing it all out.

My main point here wasn't that I bought the wrong camera, as much as I think it should be taking better pictures, and if not, why not? From what I'd heard it's really good.

I think it's more a matter of me getting to know it. My first reaction was I must be doing something wrong (have it set wrong) and someone here might point me in the right direction.

I remember once I posted about problems pictures taken with m Epson 650, and someone told me I'd never get anything but crummy pictures with a 1 mp camera.

There's probably as many opinions about camera as there are cameras (and models) and a lot seems to be who can afford to buy what, and who has the most megapixels (LOL)


I'll figure it out

thanks,
Carrie

[wacor]

I am no camera expert at all but my observation is the picture of the girl is better with the Cannon

Both pictures seem like the object is zoomed in a bit with the Mavica

If this is a new camera I would take it back along with a copy onto a disc of the comparisom photos and see what they say. Unless you bought it online or a big box store in which case that is the trade off one makes to save money.

[kiwiguy]

Looking at the pictures in a photo editor is less than optimum as they are low resolution as posted, but I tend to agree with Wimpy above that it's lilely to be a focus issue with the snow.

The icicle is probably affecting the Canon's focus ability (it's probably better than the Mavica at recognising it) and its focussing on that and not the rest of the scene.

[erick295]

To me the Canon photos look more natural in both cases - even in the snow picture, the Mavica seems too cool. It's almost like it has a purple tint to it.

[hewee]

Go here and read up on each model. Just pick from the drop down the models.

Compare Sample Images
http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM

Compare Cameras here.
http://www.imaging-resource.com/CAMD...re_cameras.php

Camera Lessons
http://ir.webphotoschool.com/

[kath100]

Another none expert here but I prefer the Cannon photo of the young lady.

There is a good review of your camera here at Steve's Digicams...
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/g6.html

On the conclusions page he states..
I was very pleased with the overall image quality, it's comparable to the output from more expensive dSLR cameras. Our samples were sharp, nicely saturated, properly exposed and the white balance was right on the money. Outdoors it captures well exposed images, and sky detail is beautiful. Indoor results were also very good. The flash has good range and when shooting portraits, it illuminates the subject evenly, and skin tones look very natural. There was very little noise in high/low contrast areas, even ISO 400 looked good. There is some noise in the picture, but when compared to some of the 8MP cameras from earlier this year (2004), it looks much better.

There are sample photos posted there but be aware that they are full size and will take a while to download. Here is the link...
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_...6_samples.html

[Guyzer]

Starchild I just thought of one other very important step. Your monitor may need to be calibrated.