Would you swap your Nikon D3000 for a Canon G12?
I know I know… It seems like a step down, but let's not get snobby here. Honest, I don't need a lot from a camera. Having the Nikon now, I'm starting to feel like I'm not doing anything 'SLR' with it. I mostly take travel snapshots, scenery, and a bit of club/bar/concert shots. Should I trade my Nikon D3000 in for a Canon G12 instead? I mean, would you?
I wouldn't trade any DSLR for a point and shoot.
DSLR cameras open a whole new world of possibility. The canon G12 is the flagship compact camera.
if all you are doing is what you say you are doing… Then I might consider it. The thing is with DSLR cameras, they are not magic bullets as Jim A likes to say. They CAN do the work for you, but if you do the work, meaning correctly manipulating ISO, Shutter Speed, and Aperutre, you can create effects that you thought only be imaginable.
If you have more fun with the G12, then get the G12. You will, however, notice a difference in photo quality when you change. The D3000 has a much larger sensor than the G12.
If you seriously have a D3000 and you're trying to get rid of it, then you've made a mistake somewhere down the road.
Be Ashamed.
I would NEVER step down from a dslr to a glorified point and shoot, regardless of my limited knowledge of how to use that dslr to its fullest potential. I can learn while taking beautiful pictures on a camera that has a larger sensor, with less grain/noise.
Don't do it. You will thank yourself later. If you are looking for something smaller to use in average situations, then look at the point and shoots from Canon and Panasonic that are small & lightweight. They yield very nice snap shots without the bulk and weight.
That's a tricky situation.
If you were leaving the house to go to a party or a bar and the two cameras were sitting there, you'd probably lift the G12, just because it's easier to carry, more convenient.
In other situations the DSLR would be the superior choice.
Ideally you'd own both, but I would never swap a D3000 for a G12… Never.
You can compare the two on this site.
http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
Look at the quality of the images at higher ISO settings do see how they compare. You will notice that the smaller sensor in the G12 reduces the contrast some.
Pay close attention to the label on the wine bottle