Canon vs Sony... Help!

[MickeyBabe]

So I go to purchase my new Canon SD800 IS (sight unseen) and I find there are more cameras that appeal to my senses.

First, the SD800 IS is bigger than I thought it would be. Not much, but definately bigger. Now it also seems to me to be cheaper looking, plastic and didn't feel as substantial as say the SD630 (which I sort of liked the size and look of). It could be that they didn't actually have batteries in the SD800 IS but that still doesn't make it smaller.

Admittedly I am big on bright and shiny/sparkly things so of course the uber cute looking new Sony DSC T-50 jumps right out at me.

I am also swayed by the small size of the Canon SD630 and the 3 inch screen, but no IS. (Is this a good idea to lose?)

Both of these have the 3 inch screen which is very desirable to me, yet they both must trade off with no optical viewfinder. (Is this a good idea?)

The Sony has a version of the IS that was one of the "selling" points for me on the Canon SD800 IS.

Help me... I am sooooo confused!

Any thoughts on the Sony?

My criteria?



Let's see I wish to have the best product I can buy at this time covering these situations.....

* Least amount of shutter lag possible (don't want to lose precious moments)

* Larger screen size (my current is 1.5 inch)

* Rechargable battery pack

* Great photo clarity/quality

* The abliity to experiment with manual modes.

Since my initial digital was meant to take along with me easily on vacation (WDW) I'm thinking, if possible....

Night time shots

Interior attraction shots (with no flash)

Zoom and wide angle capabilities





That is for me.


***
I also need a camera for my daughter,she broke her last one, a Sony (can't remember the model), which she was quite happy with. (She is hard on electronics) I'd like to stay around the $150 price point but as low as $130 would be nice and I might be willing to go as high as $200 for the right camera.



Thank you so much for your help!

 

[PhotoDave219]

Let's see I wish to have the best product I can buy at this time covering these situations.....

* Least amount of shutter lag possible (don't want to lose precious moments)

* Larger screen size (my current is 1.5 inch)

* Rechargable battery pack

* Great photo clarity/quality

* The abliity to experiment with manual modes.

Since my initial digital was meant to take along with me easily on vacation (WDW) I'm thinking, if possible....

Night time shots

Interior attraction shots (with no flash)

Zoom and wide angle capabilities





That is for me.


***
I also need a camera for my daughter,she broke her last one, a Sony (can't remember the model), which she was quite happy with. (She is hard on electronics) I'd like to stay around the $150 price point but as low as $130 would be nice and I might be willing to go as high as $200 for the right camera.



Thank you so much for your help!

Wow..... thats a lot of requirements. I'm more the prosumer/SLR type, but i'll take a stab at it.

First off - Canon, canon, canon. Better image quality and slower shutter lag on their point and shoots. My point and shoot is a canon PowerShot A520. I like it, it took the lightning shot that's over in the photo contest. Good, fun camera that seems to have everything you want.

Might want to check out dpreview.com .... you can compare and contrast stats there. When it comes to indoor and nighttime shots, you want/need a lens that will go down to f/2.8.

 

[mrtoad]

I have to agree with Dave on Canon. I tried one Sony, the V3 and was amazed at it's speed but past that was very disapointed. All the shots were over sharpened in the camera and things like hair looks matted or something. Lots of noise. I have owned quite a few Canon's and currently have the A620 and love it. Sure it is not a stylish looking camera but what comes out is what counts. I just purchased for my daughter the A530 for Christmas.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Ooooo A620. Next gen from the one i have. Nice!

 

[donsullivan]

I tend to prefer Digital SLR as well and echo the comments made about Canon over Sony. Everyone I've every talked to who had Sony digital cameras that was concerned about picture quality and accuracy ended up replacing them with something else.

I recently bought an SD630 as a throw it in the pocket type of camera when I don't want to carry the whole bag of stuff with the SLR. I've been extremely happy with it and the quality of pictures it generates. I wasn't sure about not having IS but so far it hasn't been an issue for me. The biggest transition for me was the complete lack of a viewfinder; coming from normally using an SLR, that took some getting used to. The ability to quickly switch and record short video segments when I want to is also a nice option.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

To me Canon = photography, Sony = video.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I recently bought an SD630 as a throw it in the pocket type of camera when I don't want to carry the whole bag of stuff with the SLR.

Well, just carry what you need. Bring throw on a 50mm lens and stuff some cards in your pocket. Trust me, weighing yourslef down with camera equipment is just a bad idea.