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/canon/powershot_s410_s500-review/index.shtml
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/sony/dsc_w1-review/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/com...byside&cameras=canon_s500,sony_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

 

Canon make Cameras, Sony make toys and walkmans..

 

Just so you know, the lens isn't actually a Zeiss lens, rather it is a Zeiss
style lens. That doesn't necessarily mean anything, I just thought you
should know. Anyways, as much as I am a Canon fan, I say get the Sony.
Richard

 

marlin typed:

Also noise isn't dependant on lens, but rather on CCD sensor. Good lens
provides less distortion, not less noise.

 

Because of Carl Zeiss lens used by DSC-W1, it seems to better pictures

The Carl Zeiss lens is a joke, just marketting hype and profitting from a name,
it has little to do with the legendary Zeiss quality. Don't be fooled by that.
Same is for Manual control; it's marketting hype ("aperture range is limited --
you only have two choices: at wide-angle they are F2.8/F5.6 and at telephoto
they are F5.2/F10"). No one cares if your image was automatically or manually
exposed; all anyone cares about is whether it's well exposed or not. I suggest
you just use spot metering and exposure compensation if necessary for difficult
shots, anything beyond that for a compact digital is hype.

BTW, have you looked at the Casio QVR-51? This is the one i'd buy if i was
looking for a compact digital.

 

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

What is a Zeiss "style" lens?

Arthur Kramer
344th BG 494th BS
England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany
Visit my WW II B-26 website at:
http://www.coastcomp.com/artkramer

 

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

The lens is a Zeiss design made under tight Zeiss supervision every step of the
way right through to final quality control.

Arthur Kramer
344th BG 494th BS
England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany
Visit my WW II B-26 website at:
http://www.coastcomp.com/artkramer

 

[]

One that has a Zeiss styling?

 

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

 

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.

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/canon/powershot_s410_s500-review/index.shtml
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/sony/dsc_w1-review/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/com...byside&cameras=canon_s500,sony_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!

 

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.

 

Yeah, I did, but after having read the reviews, the movie mode (yeah,
I know, you really shouldn't be using a dcam to take movies) on the
Casio was dismal and there wasn't anything the reviewers mentioned
that jumped out at me.

 

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)

 

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.

 

Hmmm... I haven't considered the movie mode. The thing that stands out about it
is its excellent 5mp image quality, compact size, AA batteries, SD cards.

What jumped at you in the others?

 

Oh, one thing I forgot to ask was, but if you had to choose between
just S500 & W1, which would you choose?

 

Gymmy, thanks for your feedback based on your real life experience.
I'll certainly take that into considerating as I comtemplate between
the two cameras.

And if I may trouble you for one more question, having read the
reviews I had provided, which camera would you choose, if you had to
choose just between S500 & W1? Thanks.