Crazy88

Well I started out with a Minolta DiImage XT 3.2mp camera and the internal lens busted. Replaced that with a Canon Powershot A520 4.0mp camera, this took good pictures but I dropped it on the carpet from 18 inches high and now it doesent even work . I am in the Market for a $250-300 6 or 7mp camera. I am not interested in the bulky cameras, just the point and shoots.

I was looking at the Canon Powershot A620 7.1mp camera and the Sony DSC-W7 7.2mp camera.

The Canon has a retractable LCD which is cool but it looks too bulky to carry around. I have read reviews on this and it seems like a good camera with minor problems.

The Sony is a full aluminum case, and is much smaller than the Canon. I have read dozens and dozens of reviews and this has the highest rating out of any camera in this price range. I could pick this one up for $265.

I just read that Sony came out with a replacement for the W Series cameras, and I could preorder a 6.0mp sony for a late March Delivery. Are first year models of cameras reliable? or should I just go with the Sony since its a proven product?

(I have read countless reviews of the Canon SD series, which would seem logical for me, but the LCD breaks alot and just doesent get good ratings. Ive also tossed around the idea of the smaller Sony 7mp camera, but the reviews say its no good in the dark and is blurry without a steady hand, and im not always steady)


Have any of you guys had experience with any of the cameras Ive mentioned? And also, what else do you reccomend thats in my price range.

Basically its the Canon A620 vs. Sony DSC-W7 vs. Sony DSC-200

ChodTheWacko

Well, if you look at the specs of 520 vs 620:
520:91 x 64 x 38 mm (3.6 x 2.5 x 1.5 in)
620:105 x 66 x 49 mm (4.1 x 2.6 x 1.9 in)

so you're talking half an inch wider, and half an inch thicker.
I don't think that should be such a big deal.

Sony overall makes decent cameras, if you don't mind memory stick.
The people I know with sonys were happy with them, except for someone who got the uber small sony.

And cameras these days barely change in basic functionality, so it's rare to have 'first model' problems, unless it's pretty revolutionary.

ChodTheWacko

Cripes, Canon is going to announce 70 (!) new products on February 20/21.
Assuming some are cameras, they won't be available for a couple of months after though...

fast-tl

MacMall Digicam sale on Olympus SP-310

MacMall Digicam sales on Olympus SP-350

7 or 8 megapixels. your choice for less that $300.

Sarlacc

Olympus = sucks.

fast-tl

Care to elaborate? The reviews on those two cameras have been pretty good, with the SP-350 even haveing a hotshoe to accept an external flash. Uncommon on most point& shoots , which is what he's after.

Sarlacc

Biggest reason xD card media has got to be the worst form of media invest in.

Cons listed from dpreivew.com for the 310:
Images a touch over-sharpened
Occasional white balance problems in scenes with one predominant color
Some smearing of low contrast detail (such as foliage and hair) - no worse than most competitors
Mild exposure problems in high contrast / bright scenes
Slow flash recycling
Writing to xD picture card slow
Raw mode has 10 second shot-to-shot time
Focus can be slow in low light

They don't have a review for the 350...but Olympus just arent huge sellers. They dont the support a Canon would.

fast-tl

Some other cameras in this class worth considering include the Canon PowerShot A620 and S80, Casio Exilim EX-P700, Fuji FinePix E900, HP Photosmart R817, Kodak EasyShare Z760, Nikon Coolpix L1 and P1, Olympus SP-310 (a lower resolution version of the SP-350), Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ2, Pentax Optio S60, Samsung Digimax V800, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S90 and DSC-W7.

Street Spirit

I have the Canon A610 and have really been enjoying it so far, but definitely only for my simple and quick shots. It doesn't sound like you need or even want any advanced options anyway. I find the size of the camera, and especially the grip makes it extremely comfortable to use and fits my hand well. The buttons and controls are well placed and pretty easy to use. I didn't realize just how much I'd like the swivel LCD screen! It's great!

My bro has the Sony W7 CyberShot. Just based on some of the older Sonys and how they arranged their menus, etc. I wasn't ever too impressed. But the W7 is a better design than many of their previous models my friends have had. I much preferred the size and shape of the Canon, especially having the hand grip to hang onto. It makes holding the camera and even taking shots with one hand a breeze. The one thing I enjoyed on the W7 was the live histogram. I thought that was a neat feature. I don't remember for sure if the Sony had a digital viewfinder or not, but I can't stand 'em, if it does.

I think I'd definitely keep my A610 over the W7.

A610 is essentially the same camera as the 620.

It's best to go see them in-store and try them out. Hold them, play around with the menus, try taking some pics....See which one you like best.

ChodTheWacko

Biggest problem with Oly is that they've basically been making the same freakin' camera for YEARS. Their cameras are decent, xD is dumb.

Too bad, too, because my first two cameras (2020, and 2100) were both olympus cameras and I loved them both.

Crazy88

I went to best buy today.

I saw the Sony W7 and 200 and also the Olympus 350.
The W7 was less bulky than I thought, and if this deal keeps goin i can get it for $265. The W7 felt extremely solid and responded very quickly. I also like the fact that the lens retracts fully into the body of the camera, leaving nothing exposed. However, I am not big on the Memory Stick. My hand kept getting in the way of the lens on the Sony 200. The Olympus 350 seemed like a very capable and solid camera. I noticed tons of credit card sized cameras. I'm sure the flashes are underpowered in those cameras and there is no where to even get a good grip. Best Buy didnt have much of a Nikon collection, because I was looking for a P1 and didnt find one. I also checked out the Canon A series, and those looked like nice cameras but i have the A520 and im ready for a new look, design, and manufacturer. (I'm sure all of these cameras produce great quality pics)

I really wish Best Buy put memory cards in ALL the display cameras, because its hard to tell the quality of a pic when it doesent save or just seeing it from the LCD.


Thank you guys for all your help and suggestions. I'm going to keep looking around, seeing and holding the camera in person is worlds better than judging them from online pictures.