Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Camera Recs - Canon or Sony?

Apr 30, 2005 4:58PM PDT

I've been researching cameras for about a month now to no avail. I'm not especially tech savvy, let alone camera. My natural inclinations are towards Canon, bceause when i think of cameras, I think of Canon. However, Sony seems to rule consumer electonics.

What models are recommend, considering the following:
Price Range: Around $300 or so
Buying for a 2 month European backpacking trip, (so buildings, landscapes and portraits, not pets or little leaguers)and nothing too cumbersome.
I can't hold an ink pen still, let alone a camera. I need a camera that takes clear photos, and is known for resisitng shakes.
Would like a decent sized LCD (1.8 or above)
What about zoom? I hoped to get a decent zoom range, but based on the reviews I read, it seems that without a tripod, the pictures are inevitably blurry. Is it worth investing in a zoom above 3x? Finally, I was hoping for a comera with some video cpapbility.


I've considered the following: Canon PS A95, Canon PS S1 IS, Sony Cyber DSC-W5, Olympus Ultra Zoom C-765. What of these, or am I missing something better?

Much Appreciated!

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Which one
Apr 30, 2005 11:58PM PDT

Of the cameras you listed:

Forget the Sony W5 - as everyone has trouble holding that camera still.

The Canon A95 is a well liked camera and takes great photos. But it is small. A larger camera is easier to hold still.

That leaves the Canon S1 IS and the Olympus C-765.

The Canon S1 IS has the advantage as it has image stabilization. It also takes the best videos of just about any digital camera.

If you want more megapixels than the 3 meg Canon S1 IS, you can wait a couple of months and get the new Canon S2 IS which Canon recently announced. It has 5 megapixels and 12X zoom. But will surely be priced well above $300.

...
..
.

- Collapse -
Sony
May 1, 2005 12:10PM PDT

I just bought the Sony but am returning it for that reason. Plus I am not thrilled about the flash either.

- Collapse -
DSC-W5
May 29, 2005 3:21AM PDT

Nonsense! The Sony is a wonderful camera and joy to use. People who know little or nothing about photography should not be reviewing cameras! The camera shake warning on the Sony is not an indicator the the camera is shaking. It is simple a warning that the camera is choosing a slow shutter speed and that it should be properly supported. The icon will show even if the camera is on a tripod. Totally normal and a feature that exists on many other cameras.
I'm a photographer who shoots professionally with the Canon 20D but the DSC-W5 is my take anywhere camera. It's a great deal of fun and produces fine images.

- Collapse -
(NT) (NT) Maybe it requires a pro to use it?
May 29, 2005 7:48AM PDT
- Collapse -
Love the DSC-W5
Jun 15, 2005 2:07PM PDT

I upgraded from the DSC-V1 to the DSC-T7. After 2 weeks I returned the T7 because the pictures were often blurred. The design of the T7 is cool but if the photos stink... sorry Sony.

I tried and liked the DSC-W5. It's a bit bigger but it has a nice fast lens that focuses fast and it also has the larger LCD. We took about 150 photos today and all were outstanding.

The DSC-W5 is larger, but it's currently $100 less than the DSC-T7. It also used size AA batteries that can be found anywhere in a pinch.

Now I'm happy again.

- Collapse -
Shaky Hands and the camer
Jun 15, 2005 3:39PM PDT

dblank7, You think that you have problems with a zoom and the shakes? Wait until you take a Macro shot!
One thing that I have been thinking about recently is a single mono-pod. Not a tri-pod. Single stick that will keep the camera stable near a single flower shot at about four inches away. Try your hand at that. I have tossed out more bad photos than not, trying to take a macro close-up shot. Camera does not matter. Camera stillness does.
I use a Canon Sure Shot S400 presently. Sony, who knows?
What about a NIKON? Costs more because of the lens and optics. I still use use a Nikon SLR camera for serious 35mm photography. Wonderful cameras.
When I think of cameras, I think NIKON! Take a look at Nikon digital cameras. Expensive but worth it it in the long run.
Canon, depends what you want to spend. One of the new Canon SD500 with a 7.2 megapixle will cost you about $379 from Digitalliquidators.com. Nice camera. Small, compact and great photos. Fits in a shirt pocket. My choice for travel. Video also. State of the art.

Sony, my choice for a TV!

Do not forget to purchase a couple of extra 1 or 2Meg SD memory cards for a two-month travel plus an extra battery and DC adaptor plug. How do you plan on downloading your files while on your trip? Do you have a lap-top to download the file photos to? Any other devise?
Two months of shooting photos is a heck of a lot of shots.

Kevin Smith

- Collapse -
Forget Sony
Jun 18, 2005 12:55AM PDT

I would never buy a sony camera simply because they use a proprietary "junk memmory stick" which has now expanded to 4 or 5 different types of sticks, lost count it changed so many times already. And of course if you bought those first one's they're totally useless with todays memory stick format. All of the reviews I've read for the sony cameras always complain that the pictures are not as "clear and crisp" as they could be. I would go with the canon which seems to be the standard by which all cameras are measured. Isn't that the camera you'd like to have, the one by which all are measured? That S2 with the super Zoom lens would allow you to get in closer than any other digital consumer camera. Go with the Canon, you will never regret the day you made the decision. Try to get support from Sony. Call their customer service department and see the service they provide!!!!