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View Full Version : Which camera? Canon A520, Sony S90, Sony W5


deboonie
11-10-2005, 10:30 PM
Hi,

I'm looking to buy a camera, been looking at the three mentionsed (Canon A520, Sony S80/90, Sony W5). Reason I picked them was because they seem to be good choices by any margin, turn in good reviews and have the potential to expand with the optional accessories. I've also looked at the Sony P200, but at 7MP it might be a little overkill? Just wanted some views and advice, maybe something I hadn't thought of or seen, or perhaps a different camera I hadn't considered either :D Any input would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks

Budget

Ideally $200 (for the camera, not accessories), but I'm flexible

Size

Definitely compact, something I can carry around easily for point and shoot.

Features

4-5MP

3x zoom is a minimum, I looked at the mentioned models because they have the flexibility of attachment lenses if I should want/need them.

Probably go with 7-9 Image Quality here, definitely want nice pics, especially as I might be enlarging some of the better ones.

Manual control would be nice, just to give me more flexibility, as well as a platform to learn more advanced photography.

General Usage

Will be used for all sorts of everything :D From day to day point-and-shoots to amateur photography to taking it on my travels (where it might get rough- trekking and the like). Underwater photography might come up to - I'm a diver.

Big prints are a definite possibility, have done them in the past.

Indoor/low light will probably come up, I really want a jack of all trades camera that is flexible.

Sports and action is a possibility, but not a priority.

Miscellaneous

I previously owned an Olympus mju 400, which I loved even though it lacked many features. Am looking to go one up on that region.

Models I've considered are the Canon A520, Sony S80/90, Sony W5.

I really like the expandability of the models listed above, I'm not sure if there are any other models out there with similar capabilities and price ranges. Regarding the three models I mentioned, I've read every review I could get my hands on pretty exhaustively, but I just want to get another opinion from people who know what they're doing :)

Thanks again!

deboonie
11-13-2005, 09:55 AM
nobody have any views? :(

jessie25
11-14-2005, 02:31 PM
I love my Canon A520... it would be the perfect camera if it were a little bit snappier. It's kind of on the slow side. But otherwise, it has everything you could possibly want.

Sonys are nice but I'm not sure about the 1/40 default shutter speed for flash photos - that might just be on the P-series, I don't know. And the memory sticks are more expensive than SD cards. Aside from that they seem like good cameras.

My mom just got a Kodak Z730 and, amazingly, I find myself jealous. It's got everything my Canon A520 has but faster, bigger, more, better, as the saying goes. If you haven't considered this camera it's worth a look.

deboonie
11-17-2005, 05:39 PM
thanks for the input! i found a canon a520 new on ebay for £96, works out about $160 i think? so i took it, love it! :D

just looking to pick up the add on lenses and stuff (and memory and batteries too!)