Sony digicam DSC-P72 3MB with Free 128 memory stick and memory card reader for $279 at OM, no rebates involved

[tnguyen3in1]

Originally posted by: Salvador

I just bought the A70 from Dell for ~$260 (no cancellation e-mail yet). I've been digging up some info on the image softness problem and here's what I've read so far (keep in mind I don't have it yet so no first hand experience). For the most part, the 'problem' isn't that bad. From what I've gathered, it seems to be a trade off between noise and sharpness, with the A70 being less noisy. Here are some links to photo galleries of the A70.

It's fine if all you want to take photos of is Barbara Walters. Have you ever noticed that every time the camera goes to her, the focus gets really soft?

Sal

HAHA the new anti wrinkle remedy

 

[tnguyen3in1]

I was thinking about jumping on that Bargain Bay deal, I'm eyeing the S45. Do you think I can use my cards once use numbers and then call my credit card company if it doesn't come through? $299 for the S45 is really tempting.

 

[Toddlizzle]

Originally posted by: tnguyen3in1
I just bought the A70 from Dell for ~$260 (no cancellation e-mail yet). I've been digging up some info on the image softness problem and here's what I've read so far (keep in mind I don't have it yet so no first hand experience). For the most part, the 'problem' isn't that bad. From what I've gathered, it seems to be a trade off between noise and sharpness, with the A70 being less noisy. Here are some links to photo galleries of the A70.

Gallery from DCResource
Gallery from Steve Digicams

Typically there is a tradeoff between sharpness and noise levels in digicams. However, if you're trying to say the A70 is less noisy than the P72, you must have misread those reviews. The P72 was rated both less noise and more sharp than the A70. Sony has more saturation than Canon, and Canon's colors are generally more accurate. Some people prefer the more neutral look of the Canon, some prefer the "pop" of the Sony.

If you're printing mostly 4'x6" prints, the A70 softness will not be a factor. Only if you print 8"x10" or larger will you be bothered, and how many of us really need 8"x10" prints anyway?

 

[Toddlizzle]

Originally posted by: tnguyen3in1
I was thinking about jumping on that Bargain Bay deal, I'm eyeing the S45. Do you think I can use my cards once use numbers and then call my credit card company if it doesn't come through? $299 for the S45 is really tempting.

I'm with you, I am tempted too. The S45 or S50 would finally give my 1GB Microdrive a purpose!

 

[Parrotheader]

Originally posted by: tnguyen3in1
I just bought the A70 from Dell for ~$260 (no cancellation e-mail yet). I've been digging up some info on the image softness problem and here's what I've read so far (keep in mind I don't have it yet so no first hand experience). For the most part, the 'problem' isn't that bad. From what I've gathered, it seems to be a trade off between noise and sharpness, with the A70 being less noisy. Here are some links to photo galleries of the A70.

Gallery from DCResource
Gallery from Steve Digicams

Luckily this can be post processed. The color reproduction on the A70 is supposedly fairly accurate (something harder to correct after the fact depending on how the colors are skewed).

I actualy decided to get on the Staples Canon A70 deal I posted in another thread - ($299 + free 5" b/w TV and duffell bag - coupon = ??) I figured if I didn't like it I could easily return it since Staples has a great return policy.

I think you hit the nail on the head tnguyen about the softness issue I'd been worrying so much about. I took a few sample shots from the front of my house yesterday with my new A70 and my older 2.1MP Samsung. When I first pulled up the pictures on my screen and had them at the default scaled to fit my screen the Samsung actually looked a bit sharper at spots - and it did freak me out at first, although the coloring and lighting on the Canon was spot on while the Samsung was much weaker here. Once I blew the images up to full-size, however, I could see a LOT more noise in the Samsung shots (as I'd expect) while the Canon looked much cleaner. And when printed out the Canon looked significantly better. Granted, that's against a previous generation camera from a brand not known for photography, but at first glance I can see where people are coming from on the softness issue - it looked much more pronounced on the screen than it was in actual printouts where coloring comes more into play. Since I'm hoping to start using this as our primary camera for prints and ditch our film camera that's definitely an issue for me.

I'm actually thinking of going by Walmart this weekend and buying the Nikon Coolpix 3100 just to compare since Walmart has the best return policy on the planet. I'm feeling fairly comfortable with the decision so far. I'm sure I would've felt comfortable with the Sony too though.

 

[Toddlizzle]

The A70 is a nice camera and the softness won't bother you at 4"x6" at all. I really would not worry about it unless you plan on doing 8"x10".

 

[Parrotheader]

Originally posted by: Toddlizzle
The A70 is a nice camera and the softness won't bother you at 4"x6" at all. I really would not worry about it unless you plan on doing 8"x10".

Yeah that's mostly what I'll be doing prints of. And on the rare time we might print an 8X10 or larger I can clean that up quite nicely in Photoshop.

 

[Toddlizzle]

Another bit of advice:

Don't edit your originals. Copy them first or do a "save as" instead. Don't do something silly like run a batch unsharp mask on all your photos. Any time you do something to alter your photos, it's destructive. Make sure you can always go back to your original.

 

[tnguyen3in1]

Originally posted by: Toddlizzle

Originally posted by: tnguyen3in1
I was thinking about jumping on that Bargain Bay deal, I'm eyeing the S45. Do you think I can use my cards once use numbers and then call my credit card company if it doesn't come through? $299 for the S45 is really tempting.

I'm with you, I am tempted too. The S45 or S50 would finally give my 1GB Microdrive a purpose!

Haha no doubt, I was thinking the same thing

 

[agent2099]

Originally posted by: Salvador

However, the prices on the Memory Sticks have really come down and are in-line with the other media these days as far as prices. Sony having opened up the market to let third party manufacturer's make the memory stick has probably helped as well.

Sal

If you are talking about the prices of their tiny 128mb memory cards, then yes they have come down to near CF prices. But as for the prices of their memory stick pro cards (up to 1GB), they are WAAAY more expensive than CF.

 

[agent2099]

dp

 

[msapute]

I finally got my camera and the memory stick delivered today... without any confirmation email.
I'm returning the camera that I bought from the store without the $50 off online coupon.... :camera:

 

[Salvador]

I finally got my camera and the memory stick delivered today... without any confirmation email.

Better return the camera that is sealed because Officemax changed their policies. You only have 14 days and they will only let you return the camera if it's sealed. Opened camera's can only be exchanged within the 14 days if defective. Kind of a screwy policy, but I can see why they do it because of all the people buying a camera for the weekend or a special event and then returning the camera.

Sal

 

[Toddlizzle]

Originally posted by: msapute
I finally got my camera and the memory stick delivered today... without any confirmation email.
I'm returning the camera that I bought from the store without the $50 off online coupon.... :camera:

I keep checking my order status on OfficeMax.com and it still shows CBO for the camera. Did that ever change for you? Could you do me a favor and check your order online and see if it got updated? That's what I'm going by and it's driving me crazy.

Today I went to the local store with receipt in hand and begged them to pricematch...I am getting desperate!

On the bright side, I exchanged my Sony F707 for an F717 today at Sears (no charge). I could have also gotten the Canon S50 if I had wanted, but I stuck with Sony. Also got a replacement warranty that runs through the end of 2005, so I can upgrade to whatever comes out between now and then. Gotta love Sears!

 

[Ripp]

Well I'm not an employee at BargainBayStore for those of you who were suspicious of me.... Just new at posting on the Hot Deals Forum.

As a precaution I went out to my OfficeMax in Colorado Springs and bought the Sony P72 camera package today with 128 mb stick & memory card reader for $329 + a $30 OM online coupon. They had only 2 left at the store... the other 2 stores in my area were sold out. I also had a $50 OM online coupon (if you charge it to Discover Card) but the store would not accept it. The total came to $299.

If the BargainBayStore at Yahoo shopping comes through I may return the other camera and get a refund from OM.
Checked my credit card and the purchase I made at BargainBay (P72 for $215) back on 4/30 still hasn't shown up on my Visa.

I sent an email to yahoo's fraud department and to let them know I'm concerned about this merchant not having a contact number and valid street address. Yahoo contacted the merchant to file my complaint. Yahoo said I should receive an order confirmation email within 24 hours but if I don't they will contact the merchant and take action to resolve the dispute. Well, it's been almost 24 hours. Will let you know if things go smoothly.

 

[msapute]

I keep checking my order status on OfficeMax.com and it still shows CBO for the camera. Did that ever change for you? Could you do me a favor and check your order online and see if it got updated? That's what I'm going by and it's driving me crazy.

Today I went to the local store with receipt in hand and begged them to pricematch...I am getting desperate!
[/quote]

No, the order status on the website still shows CBO, but the camera was sent directly from a distribution center near my house by OM driver, not by UPS. OM store won't match the online receipt unless you get lucky. Without $50 off is still a good deal with free memory stick and card reader.

 

[Toddlizzle]

I ended up buying the Sony P72 and 128MB Memory Stick from Dell today. The 20% off sale combined with a 5% off coupon made it $319 after tax for me, about $12 more than OfficeMax. No card reader, but oh well. If the OfficeMax ever comes, I'll cancel the Dell since their estimated delivery is June 2! That should give OM plenty of time to find me a Sony P72.

 

[Toddlizzle]

Finally got mine from OfficeMax this week. This was a heck of a deal. After testing Canon A70 and Sony P8 against the P72, I am extremely happy with my purchase. This is a much better camera in some ways than the A70, especially for my wife to use. It's smaller (or at least more conveniently shaped) so it goes in a pocket easily and the LCD has a matte finish that eliminates any glare. Based on reviews and in-store tests I really thought I would be pleased with this camera but now that I've used it, I am doubly impressed. It's the perfect P&S to go with my Sony DSC-F717.

You finally came through. Sorry I doubted you, OfficeMax!

 

[optimistic]

Nice camera! My uncle bought it from BB +128mb stick for $340 recently. From off to ready to shoot with flash -is pretty quick. Faster than my P2. And the LCD looks sharp on this unit. Viewable from any angle. And you gotta love the fact that this camera uses two AA batteries! And now that memory sticks are just as cheap as flash/smart, I don't see how you can go wrong with sony's memory.

Also note, this camera does 640x480 res movies w/sound, and it's length is not governed by clips, but only limited by the size of your stick. So that's a nice plus right there.

 

[Salvador]

Also note, this camera does 640x480 res movies w/sound, and it's length is not governed by clips, but only limited by the size of your stick. So that's a nice plus right there.

That's what I liked about it. On top of having a nice still camera, you get probably the best movie feature out in a digital still.

BTW.. What software are you guys using to edit the 640 x 480 movies? I have a couple of 20 mb movies that I have to knock down before I can post them for someone or send them to someone.

Sal