Comparison Help? Sony DSC-W5 vs SD400/500

[newphoto]

Just received a Sony DSC-W5 as a gift. Seems to have lots of good features for the novice like myself, and from all of the reviews that I've read it's certainly a quality camera. The only down-side of this camera is its bulkier size.

I have the mantra that a camera is only good if it's on you when a picture opportunity presents itself, and therefore have been evaluating the ultra compact cameras. It appears that the Cannon SD500 and SD400 would be the best, small camera.

Aside from size, could someone help me compare the SD400/500 with the Sony DSC-W5?

Thank you all for the help!

[speaklightly]

newphoto-

The Canon SD-500 wins hands down on both size and photo quality. You will notice that there decided difference between the SD-400 and the SD-500. That makes the SD-500 decidedly different and better than the SD-400.

The Sony W-5 is a very competent digital camera, but not much of a match with the SD-500's excellent photo quality and small size. That is just my personal opinion and your gas mileage my indeed very.

However, I have authored three books on digital cameras and I do conduct digital camera workshops, so my answer is offered not as a newbie, but as the owner of some 60 digital cameras and as an intsructor.

Sarah Joyce

[newphoto]

Ms. Joyce,
Thank you VERY much for the feedback. I will certainly be "test driving" the SD500 given your feedback.

As you didn't mention any other ultra compact cameras, I assume that you find the sd500 as the best choice amongst it's true competitors (as opposed to the DSC-w5's competitors). I'll keep you posted on the potential upgrade and thank you again for your guidance.

- Rob

[speaklightly]

Rob-

If you willing to make some digital camera adjustments, the Fuji F-10 with its high ISO capability, super long battery life, and great flash range deserve a look.

Here is a sample photo. The F-10 has no optical viewfinder, and virtually no manual controls, but it has great capabilities.

Sarah Joyce

[kimnkk]

speaklightly: After i read your first post in this thread, i very pleased that you had refrained from mentioning the Fuji F10... but then i read your second post :p.

I done my research and i went with the Canon SD500 because i thought the extra cropping potential and image quality over the SD400 was worth it. I was also tossing up between it and the Casio Z750. I ended up with the Canon because it takes better "P&S" pictures and a few other niggly things that added up.

The Fuji F10 certainly looks like a nice camera and if i were to get a different camera to the SD500, it would definitely be between it and the Casio Z750.

That said, everyone values different things in a camera so make sure you go out and hold all those cameras you're considering, in your hands.

Just my newbie $0.02 answer.