Sony or Canon for Digital Camera??? Which one would you choose??

[BentValve]

Go to Digital Photograhy review and you will find that their are big fans of both companies.
Their forums are very active and have some expert photographers that hang around the fourms.
Also you should be able to find lots of actual pictures from pretty much any digital camera that either company make.


Sony Forurm at DP review

Canon fourm at DP review


You'll notice the most active forums are.. 324,000 messages in the Sony forum, 313,000 in Olympus, 271,000 in the Canon forum, 257,000 in Nikon

 

[Ender510]

Originally posted by: BentValve
Both of them make nice upper end digital cameras, are you looking for just a point and shoot style camera or would you like to have some more control over your pictures?

Well, I am weighing if I should go the canon s230/300 series or if I should get the p7/p9. I really don't mind getting the sony memory stick vs CF - either doesn't make a difference.

I care about the size (how easily it'll fit in my pocket), the quality of the pics, zoom, and durability.. in that order of importance.. given those, I am leaning towards the sony right now.. price of course is a question, but I don't mind paying a little bit more if the quality is there..

hmm

 

[BentValve]

Originally posted by: Ender510

Originally posted by: BentValve
Both of them make nice upper end digital cameras, are you looking for just a point and shoot style camera or would you like to have some more control over your pictures?

Well, I am weighing if I should go the canon s230/300 series or if I should get the p7/p9. I really don't mind getting the sony memory stick vs CF - either doesn't make a difference.

I care about the size (how easily it'll fit in my pocket), the quality of the pics, zoom, and durability.. in that order of importance.. given those, I am leaning towards the sony right now.. price of course is a question, but I don't mind paying a little bit more if the quality is there..

hmm

Well I am a Sony guy, I have a DSC-S85 and I love it.
The areas that I feel the Sonys may excel over the Canons are these:

1. The biggest will be the battery life...Sony has the best batteries in the business with their Infolithums

2. Color accuracy, this is very debatable and subjective but in general from what I have seen I prefer the Sonys.

3. Indoor/low light, in my experiece Sony's do very well in these conditions.


I am sure the Canons have some postive stuff about them as well but I am not really that familiar with those models.
My Sony competes with the G2 and the new G3 not the models you are refering to.

 

[BentValve]

I found some DSC-P9 pics at DP review,

p9 pics




I would be willing to bet that any of the cameras you are looking at are going to be somewhat similar in picture quality.

Maybe it will just come down to price for you.


Good Luck

 

[Rafael]

I got a Sony Cybershot P-71 and my brohter has a Canon S200(I think thats the model). I know that they are not equivalent, since the P-71 has 3.1 megapixel and the Canon has 2.0 megapixel.
But I like the Sony better, it has a better pic @ night, and has more adjustments for out/indoor pics. Just like Bentvalve said.
But the bad thing is that the Sony is a battery hogger, and it takes a longer to load the flash.
About the size, the P-71 is big, compared to Canon S200, but I dont know what Canon model you would be looking.
Im sure you cant wrong with Sony or Canon, but my vote goes to Sony too.

Raf

 

[Ender510]

WOW - lot of the initial people said the CANON.. and more are now saying the SONY.. my decision becomes yet harder.. hmm..

 

[larciel]

canon.

 

[Gunbuster]

Just went from a Canon S110 to the S230 and love it.

The S230 seems improved in every way, better focus, bigger battery, 3.2MP, image review/zoom in the camera.....

 

[Tennoh]

I'd go for a Nikon 4300 or 4500 over Canon S40/S45 and Sony P9. They all have similar picture quality and are about the same prices. The bonus with the Nikon is that its capable of having lens extensions and the like added on for later accessories. Its CF like Canon so no proprietary memory architecture either.

 

[R2D2]

You'll have to weigh your priorities. All of today's DigiCams have strong and weak points. The technology is too cutting edge to provide an "ideal" solution yet. Fortunately, almost all of the current cams will yield good results (one could not make that claim as recently as 1 year ago!)

I have 2 friends who have the S230 and P7.

Of the two brands you mentioned, if portability is your top priority, then the Canon S230 would get the nod. It is truly pocketable, takes nice pictures (3MP), and works well.

If you'll be taking a lot of indoor ambient light (no flash), or close up pictures, then the Sony P7 would work best.

I'd recommend going to a dedicated camera forum to read the threads pertaining to the particular camera models you are interested in. There are so many variables, and each manufacturer has come up with their own unique solution. Some are good. some are bad. some are so-so. Get people's opinions.

Then go pick a "live" one up and play with it. See how you like the menu system, the operation, the focusing ability and speed, the instant playback/delete feature, etc etc.

My $0.02...
No camera is close to doing Everything right yet. Read the reviews AND the consumer opinions. Go for 3MP minimum. 3x optical zoom. Any media format (don't worry about short "movie" record times - anything over 30 seconds at a pop gets boring anyway). And don't spend over $400 for a camera right now (unless you're made out of money). Things are evolving so quickly that NONE of the current cameras will even be available by next Christmas!

I replaced my Sony P30 with a MInolta F100 this fall ($350 at buydig.com). They both have their strengths and weaknesses.
But I can say that I love my Sony PDA (no other is even close).

Hope this helps.
R2

 

[Shagga]

I have the IXUS 330 which is only a 2.1 MP camera but very good nontheless, however, whilst being disappointed that when it was released it was only 2.1 mp camera when I was hoping for 3mp, Canon have since brought out the IXUS v3 which is a 3.1/3.3 MP version.....

Check out DPReview for good, in fact excellent reviews...

[edit]

The build quality is awesome, and is compact enough not to worry about it getting in the way...

 

[R2D2]

BTW, if I had my "druthers" and $550, I'd get the Canon S45.

It is considered the best "pocketable-sized" camera currently made, and the pics are simply Outstanding. Go to dpreview.com/forums and check out the Canon forum for sample pics.

 

[Sid59]

CANON! - i stand firmly at the side of Canon digital cameras.

 

[Ender510]

Originally posted by: R2D2
You'll have to weigh your priorities. All of today's DigiCams have strong and weak points. The technology is too cutting edge to provide an "ideal" solution yet. Fortunately, almost all of the current cams will yield good results (one could not make that claim as recently as 1 year ago!)

I have 2 friends who have the S230 and P7.

Of the two brands you mentioned, if portability is your top priority, then the Canon S230 would get the nod. It is truly pocketable, takes nice pictures (3MP), and works well.

If you'll be taking a lot of indoor ambient light (no flash), or close up pictures, then the Sony P7 would work best.

I'd recommend going to a dedicated camera forum to read the threads pertaining to the particular camera models you are interested in. There are so many variables, and each manufacturer has come up with their own unique solution. Some are good. some are bad. some are so-so. Get people's opinions.

Then go pick a "live" one up and play with it. See how you like the menu system, the operation, the focusing ability and speed, the instant playback/delete feature, etc etc.

My $0.02...
No camera is close to doing Everything right yet. Read the reviews AND the consumer opinions. Go for 3MP minimum. 3x optical zoom. Any media format (don't worry about short "movie" record times - anything over 30 seconds at a pop gets boring anyway). And don't spend over $400 for a camera right now (unless you're made out of money). Things are evolving so quickly that NONE of the current cameras will even be available by next Christmas!

I replaced my Sony P30 with a MInolta F100 this fall ($350 at buydig.com). They both have their strengths and weaknesses.
But I can say that I love my Sony PDA (no other is even close).

Hope this helps.
R2

Wow - thanks for the in depth response.. you have many many excellent points there, especially about how not one camera is not going to be the solution and that the evolution of digital technology is so fast too..

I used to have the canon s100.. i took that thing EVERYWHERE... until it got stolen in vancouver!!! I lost the 128 MB card AND all the pics I had on it.. I was used to taking pics and thought it was a nice solid cam.

I've used my friend's p7 and p9 a few times and I like how the quality of the pics come out.. those are really nice.. however, now I'm in a position where I have to choose again.. hmm, the canon's flash and taking shots takes a bit longer to do.. so that's what got a bit annoying sometimes as I recall.. but perhaps w/ the s100 it has changed to be faster now?

As for PDA's.. I have the toshiba e310, so the sony stick won't benefit me at all.. but that's not really all that big of a deal either way though..

I loved how the canon s100 was SOO portable too.. even w/ the canon case! i was able to fit the memory cards in that case and an extra battery as well..

 

[Maki]

If you want a small camera try the Minolta Dimage F100. I think it is down to $350 or so.

 

[MTAX]

Here's a vote for Canon. In my experience, the best built cameras out there. The Elph series are small and the pictures are awesome. Color saturation is noticably better than my friend's sonys. I've dropped it, sat on it....never a problem. Plus they take compact flash.

 

[BentValve]

Personally I would get as high a resolution as you can afford, right now 1mp cameras will be obsolete shortly as 2mp cameras take over that low end position, 3mp cameras
are a nice step up from them and also the very smallest I would go.




If size were my first priority then I would look into this olympus
3.9? W x 2.3? H x 1.6? D


Second I would go with the Sony P9....
4 1/2" x 2" x 1 17/16"


Third I would choose the Canon S230 ...
3.4 x 2.2 x 1.1 in.

 

[0roo0roo]

sony memory stick sucks. i hate their attempts to stick u with proprietary formats. esp when they are inferior.

 

[R2D2]

Yo '510!
Really sorry to hear of the demise of your s100. Rotten @#&$%*!!!

You'll be pleasantly surprised that the new s230 is much improved over the s100. (In fact it's at least 2 generations newer). My friend takes his EVERYWHERE with him... Ballgames, barhopping, biking (probably just like you used to). And make no mistake, the Sonys are noticeably bulkier than the Elphs. They really are more suited to a clip-on belt case ala cell phone (like my Minolta F100). Belt cases are kind of like the scarves your mom used to make you put on (better when left at home).

It really sounds like portability is your true priority. Compromise here and believe me, you'll regret it. Weigh your alternatives (literally), and your field will be narrowed considerably.

I would mention that there are a couple of new cameras that are around the same size as the Digital Elph (like the Minolta DimageX, Casio Exilim, and Sony U20). I believe they are all 2MP (although the new Dimage Xi is 3MP). 2MP is Very borderline - quite a large trade-off for ultra-portability, but...). 2MP will get you great 4x6's, and even decent 5x7's, but blow them up any larger and you'd be better off with a 3MP camera or more.

I don't know much about these new cameras. You'd have to research them. Some have very serious trade-offs though (like no optical zoom for the Casio, etc). All in all, you really can't go wrong with the Canon, no matter which way you look at it.

Happy Hunting,
R2

 

[dionx]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
sony memory stick sucks. i hate their attempts to stick u with proprietary formats. esp when they are inferior.

nothing wrong with proprietary. looking at sony again, they use proprietary lithium batteries. those are awesome because in sony digital cams, they tell you exactly how much energy you have left in terms of shots taken or time remaining. and its not a big deal if the memory stick is proprietary. sony just wants their sticks for use in digital cameras, PDAs, and other gadgets. the sticks are nice and small. if sony just went with non prorietary formats, they might end up only selling mavica based cameras, which are mostly CD or floppy based and those are huge in comparison to their memory stick digital cameras. they arent trying to replace the floppy drive like compact flash cards or microdrives AFAIAC.

 

[RanDum72]

would go with a Canon simply because they have been making lenses for a long time. Even though the camera is digital, it still requires a good lens. Canon, Kodak, and Olympus have all been making cameras for quite a while compared to other manufacturers

Some Sony models have Carl Zeiss lenses (supposedly) which probably makes the best lenses in the world interms of optical quality, bar none. But Canon is a better camera company than Sony so I would go with Canon.

 

[Ender510]

Originally posted by: BentValve
Personally I would get as high a resolution as you can afford, right now 1mp cameras will be obsolete shortly as 2mp cameras take over that low end position, 3mp cameras
are a nice step up from them and also the very smallest I would go.

If size were my first priority then I would look into this olympus
3.9? W x 2.3? H x 1.6? D

Second I would go with the Sony P9....
4 1/2" x 2" x 1 17/16"

Third I would choose the Canon S230 ...
3.4 x 2.2 x 1.1 in.

Interesting that you would choose the sony over the Canon.. the sony is just longer by almost an inch, and yuet the other dimensions are similiar.. i didn't realize it was that much closer in size. I'll probably not get the olympus.. so its basically down to either the s230 or p9.. feature wise, i think the p9 is better, but canon has the 'reputation' .. hm

 

[Ender510]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
sony memory stick sucks. i hate their attempts to stick u with proprietary formats. esp when they are inferior.

How 'bout canon's propritary battery? =)

 

[Ender510]

Originally posted by: R2D2
Yo '510!
Really sorry to hear of the demise of your s100. Rotten @#&$%*!!!

You'll be pleasantly surprised that the new s230 is much improved over the s100. (In fact it's at least 2 generations newer). My friend takes his EVERYWHERE with him... Ballgames, barhopping, biking (probably just like you used to). And make no mistake, the Sonys are noticeably bulkier than the Elphs. They really are more suited to a clip-on belt case ala cell phone (like my Minolta F100). Belt cases are kind of like the scarves your mom used to make you put on (better when left at home).

It really sounds like portability is your true priority. Compromise here and believe me, you'll regret it. Weigh your alternatives (literally), and your field will be narrowed considerably.

I would mention that there are a couple of new cameras that are around the same size as the Digital Elph (like the Minolta DimageX, Casio Exilim, and Sony U20). I believe they are all 2MP (although the new Dimage Xi is 3MP). 2MP is Very borderline - quite a large trade-off for ultra-portability, but...). 2MP will get you great 4x6's, and even decent 5x7's, but blow them up any larger and you'd be better off with a 3MP camera or more.

I don't know much about these new cameras. You'd have to research them. Some have very serious trade-offs though (like no optical zoom for the Casio, etc). All in all, you really can't go wrong with the Canon, no matter which way you look at it.

Happy Hunting,
R2

Thanks for the response R2 - I am really either going to pick Sony or Canon because of the brand name.. =) I did indeed take my canon s100 EVERYWHERE.. literally everywhere, so much so my gf got sick of me always taking pics and labeled me the japanese tourist!! =) The real nice thing about the canon was that even w/ the case, it fit in my pocket nicely.. geez, this decision is so tough.. but the longer I'm without a digicam, the more impatient I get.. lol

 

[Ender510]

Originally posted by: RanDum72
would go with a Canon simply because they have been making lenses for a long time. Even though the camera is digital, it still requires a good lens. Canon, Kodak, and Olympus have all been making cameras for quite a while compared to other manufacturers

Some Sony models have Carl Zeiss lenses (supposedly) which probably makes the best lenses in the world interms of optical quality, bar none. But Canon is a better camera company than Sony so I would go with Canon.

The p9 doesn't have the carl zeiss lense unfortunately tho..