Canon PowerShot Pro1

// Virtual Canon PowerShot Pro1 //

I’m thinking of getting a new camera. I’ve been using film for years (with my trust Canon EOS 5), but have been hankering after a digital camera for some time.

I’d really like to get the new Canon EOS 1D Mark II, but at 500 it’s quite a lot. The other problem is that it weighs a ton, and I think this is one of the reasons I don’t take as may photos as I used to - my EOS 5 is just so heavy to lug around all the time (and not very practical in social situations).

So even if I go for a Canon 10D (070) to save money, I have a feeling that I wouldn’t lug it around so much. Or would I? Maybe I’d feel like I have to. At the same time, the 10D has been around for a while, and it could be ready for a replacement…. So should I hold on?

So I’ve been thinking about getting a compact camera to keep me going until either (a) I’m rich, or (b) canon introduce a new affordable dSLR that is better than the 10D. I’ve looked at a few, and they all seem to have bad lenses at the wide angle end of things. This seems stupid, as most people that use digicams want to take pictures of mates (in the pub) where the light may not be great and they haven’t got much room to move back.

Anyway, I just have to have at least a 28mm (equiv.) lens, so I’m looking at the Canon PowerShot Pro 1 (30).

While this doesn’t have the speed of an SLR, it has a decent lens (28mm equiv.), it has a hotshoe for flash gear, and all the manual overrides you could want. Has anyone ever used one of these? If so, what are your thoughts? Have you had any problems with it?