Please help me to decide between these two cameras! I'm torn.

I've narrowed my selection down to the Sony DSC-W1 and Canon S500.
I've read the reviews of both cameras at various sites (not user
reviews, but indepth expert/editor reviews), but none seem to make a
strong recommendation over the other between these two.

Here are some of the reviews I've read so far:
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/ca...ew/index.shtml
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/so...ew/index.shtml
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/w1.html
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/s500.html
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/S500/S50A.HTM
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/W1/W1A.HTM and the side-by-side
comparisons can be found here,
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/comp...dscw1&show=all

Because of Carl Zeiss lens used by DSC-W1, it seems to better pictures
with less noise and aberration. Also, the W1 has some manual
aperature options, while the S500 has none. However, the S500's white
balance options are supposed to be better than the W1.

Based upon the reviews, which camera would you guys choose? Thanks
for your time and courtesy!

I had the same decision and bought the Sony W1, but why?

1. For spontaneous pictures you need the possibility of normal batteries. Somebody comes for a short visit, you
want to take a picture, but not possible beause of emty accumulator. What then? Wait 4 hours for loading!
2. Manual control of exposure and computing settings, as contrast, sharpening etc.
3. Big display, which allows for a better composition of the image.
4. Powerful flash

Now it is up to you!

AFH

Steve Lee schrieb:

I've narrowed my selection down to the Sony DSC-W1 and Canon S500.
I've read the reviews of both cameras at various sites (not user
reviews, but indepth expert/editor reviews), but none seem to make a
strong recommendation over the other between these two.

Here are some of the reviews I've read so far:
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/ca...ew/index.shtml
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/so...ew/index.shtml
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/w1.html
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/s500.html
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/S500/S50A.HTM
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/W1/W1A.HTM and the side-by-side
comparisons can be found here,
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/comp...dscw1&show=all

Because of Carl Zeiss lens used by DSC-W1, it seems to better pictures
with less noise and aberration. Also, the W1 has some manual
aperature options, while the S500 has none. However, the S500's white
balance options are supposed to be better than the W1.

Based upon the reviews, which camera would you guys choose? Thanks
for your time and courtesy!

Spoken like a true Sony camera supporter. I would buy shares in a battery company if I owned one.

Get LioN batteries. Charge them after use and months later they are ready to go. If not they charge for a few pics in 60 seconds.

"A.F. Hobbacher" wrote in message ...
I had the same decision and bought the Sony W1, but why?
1. For spontaneous pictures you need the possibility of normal batteries. Somebody comes for a short visit, you want to take a picture, but not possible beause of emty accumulator. What then? Wait 4 hours for loading!
2. Manual control of exposure and computing settings, as contrast, sharpening etc.
3. Big display, which allows for a better composition of the image.
4. Powerful flash

Now it is up to you!

AFH

Steve Lee schrieb:

I've narrowed my selection down to the Sony DSC-W1 and Canon S500.
I've read the reviews of both cameras at various sites (not user
reviews, but indepth expert/editor reviews), but none seem to make a
strong recommendation over the other between these two.
Here are some of the reviews I've read so far:
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/ca...ew/index.shtml
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/so...ew/index.shtml
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/w1.html
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/s500.html
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/S500/S50A.HTM
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/W1/W1A.HTM and the side-by-side
comparisons can be found here,
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/comp...dscw1&show=all

Because of Carl Zeiss lens used by DSC-W1, it seems to better pictures
with less noise and aberration. Also, the W1 has some manual
aperature options, while the S500 has none. However, the S500's white
balance options are supposed to be better than the W1.

Based upon the reviews, which camera would you guys choose? Thanks
for your time and courtesy!

On Sat, 03 Jul 2004 08:54:34 +0200, "A.F. Hobbacher"
wrote:

I had the same decision and bought the Sony W1, but why?

1. For spontaneous pictures you need the possibility of normal batteries. Somebody comes for a short visit, you
want to take a picture, but not possible beause of emty accumulator. What then? Wait 4 hours for loading!
2. Manual control of exposure and computing settings, as contrast, sharpening etc.
3. Big display, which allows for a better composition of the image.
4. Powerful flash

Now it is up to you!

AFH

Hey AFH, I certainly appreciate your input into this matter. One
question I have is your point #3. I do like the idea of the W1 having
a 2.5" LCD over the 1.5" LCD the S500 has, which translates into a 40%
bigger viewing area.

But I noticed the pixel count on the W1's LCD is 123,000 and on the
S500, 118,000. So, this means that W1 has (123,000 pixels/2.5" =)
49200 pixels/inch and the S500 (118,000 pixels/1.5" =) 78667
pixels/inch.

So, S500 has close to 37% more pixels/inch count. When comparing the
two cameras and looked at the LCD, did you notice any difference at
all between the LCD image quality? Did S500 LCD images appear finer
in detail and sharper? Thanks.

Canon make Cameras, Sony make toys and walkmans..


"Steve Lee" wrote in message
...
I've narrowed my selection down to the Sony DSC-W1 and Canon S500.
I've read the reviews of both cameras at various sites (not user
reviews, but indepth expert/editor reviews), but none seem to make a
strong recommendation over the other between these two.

Here are some of the reviews I've read so far:

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/ca...ew/index.shtml
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/so...ew/index.shtml
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/w1.html
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/s500.html
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/S500/S50A.HTM
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/W1/W1A.HTM and the side-by-side
comparisons can be found here,

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/comp...dscw1&show=all

Because of Carl Zeiss lens used by DSC-W1, it seems to better pictures
with less noise and aberration. Also, the W1 has some manual
aperature options, while the S500 has none. However, the S500's white
balance options are supposed to be better than the W1.

Based upon the reviews, which camera would you guys choose? Thanks
for your time and courtesy!

"Marli" wrote in message ...
Canon make Cameras, Sony make toys and walkmans..

That's the way I usually go about it, but in this instance, the Sony has
longer battery life, less noise at higher ISO's, a better movie mode, has
manual controls, and takes IMHO sharper pictures. The only mark against the
Sony is that it doesn't have a custom white balance. Like I said, I'd go
with the Sony if I were deciding between these cameras.
Richard

Sony has better battery life? Can you should 3-400 pics over a week with one
charge?

"marlin" wrote in message
...
"Marli" wrote in message
...
Canon make Cameras, Sony make toys and walkmans..

That's the way I usually go about it, but in this instance, the Sony has
longer battery life, less noise at higher ISO's, a better movie mode, has
manual controls, and takes IMHO sharper pictures. The only mark against
the
Sony is that it doesn't have a custom white balance. Like I said, I'd go
with the Sony if I were deciding between these cameras.
Richard

"Gymmy Bob" wrote in message
...
Sony has better battery life? Can you should 3-400 pics over a week with
one
charge?

Hmm, I see what you are saying. By battery life I meant consecutive
pictures. If you took all the pictures in a row, you could take more with
the sony.
Richard

I know that W1's batteries takes much longer than S500's to recharge,
6 hours and 2 hours, respectively. But I from what I read, there
isn't too much of a difference in the battery time itself. However,
Canon's is a proprietary form, while Sony's is not and in case my
batteries run out, I can always use alkaline AAs if needed.

On Sat, 3 Jul 2004 13:55:41 -0400, "Gymmy Bob"
wrote:

Sony has better battery life? Can you should 3-400 pics over a week with one
charge?

"marlin" wrote in message
.. .
"Marli" wrote in message
...
Canon make Cameras, Sony make toys and walkmans..

That's the way I usually go about it, but in this instance, the Sony has
longer battery life, less noise at higher ISO's, a better movie mode, has
manual controls, and takes IMHO sharper pictures. The only mark against
the
Sony is that it doesn't have a custom white balance. Like I said, I'd go
with the Sony if I were deciding between these cameras.
Richard

I have two digitals, a fuji 1400 and a fuji 2600 that use 4 and 2 AA cells
respectively. The 4 AAs last about 2.0 hours on, whether you shoot pictures
or not and the 2 AAs unit lasts about the same or maybe a little less. I
realize this technology is almost two years old but that isn't acceptable
after my Optio 550 LioN life of a week of intermediate shooting. Typical
cycles range from 1 minute on to 30 minutes on with 1 to 20 pictures at a
time. This has been done a few times now over a week for about 400 shots.

Another thing to be noted is the Fuji 2600 with it's 2 AA cells cannot use
Alkaline or Zinc-carbon batteries because they cannot charge to flash heavy
draw and may damage the the circuitry from low voltage. (I have tried...they
die fast)

"Steve Lee" wrote in message
...
I know that W1's batteries takes much longer than S500's to recharge,
6 hours and 2 hours, respectively. But I from what I read, there
isn't too much of a difference in the battery time itself. However,
Canon's is a proprietary form, while Sony's is not and in case my
batteries run out, I can always use alkaline AAs if needed.

On Sat, 3 Jul 2004 13:55:41 -0400, "Gymmy Bob"
wrote:

Sony has better battery life? Can you should 3-400 pics over a week with
one
charge?

"marlin" wrote in message
.. .
"Marli" wrote in message
...
Canon make Cameras, Sony make toys and walkmans..

That's the way I usually go about it, but in this instance, the Sony
has
longer battery life, less noise at higher ISO's, a better movie mode,
has
manual controls, and takes IMHO sharper pictures. The only mark against
the
Sony is that it doesn't have a custom white balance. Like I said, I'd
go
with the Sony if I were deciding between these cameras.
Richard