Comparison Sony DSC-N1 to Sony DSC -T30/B

[MMB916]

Hi All,

I am new to the forum. What a wonderful place - so much great information.

Does anyone have thoughts on the comparison between the Sony DSC-N1 and T30/B? I have read many reviews on each and am having trouble deciding which to purchase.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Best regards,
Mara

[che3300]

hi Mara,
i'm a owner of N1
if you wanted to know something bout N1, you can ask and i'll try to help you out.

[MMB916]

Thank you so very much.

-Are u very happy with the camera or do you wish you would have bought a different one?

-Does not having the stabilization feature make a difference to you?

-Is the size of the camera a problem? It's a bit bigger than the T30.

-Did u consider the T30 and if so, why did you go withe the N1?

Any other info. you think might be helpful, would also be welcomed :)

Again, I very much appreciate your help.

Best regards,
Mara

[che3300]

-Are u very happy with the camera or do you wish you would have bought a different one?[/I]
i'm a happy user of N1, and i do wish to have another professional camera (dSLR), something like Alpha (:D )
hehe, actually i'm quite satisfied with this camera, the menu is so much renewed than other series. well, maybe it's because of it's touch screen style, so had to be adjusted. regret?? i think ... No !!


-Does not having the stabilization feature make a difference to you?[/I]
Nope, with N1 , i don't get much problem with blur images. cause with Auto function and Flash setting to "Forced Flash", you can get a 1/40 s shutter speed, which is fast enough and i think it is already enough to prevent blurred image(s). and maybe.... this is maybe :rolleyes: i'm trained how to firmly hold a digicam when taking pictures ..... back in the time when i was still using T1. :D
Which as you know, T1 is very sensitive to hand shaking.
but despite above comment, my friend also can get great pictures (without blur ) even this was her first time using a digital camera.

BUT... actually .... a technology called Super Steady Shot can be very useful in certain situation. hehe...


-Is the size of the camera a problem? It's a bit bigger than the T30.[/I]
i think almost the same.
my point of view is from when you are carrying the camera,
you see..... when you are carrying the camera around, the camera must be in a case, right? and, the camera case's size is bigger than the camera itself right? or.. maybe it's better i say it like this....
i'm using N1, but i'm using a lowepro case which is actually for a camera something like Canon A620's size. now you see, my point is .... it's the same loh, you use T30, but you use A620's case. after you put the camera in a case, it becomes thicker. :p
but this is from my point of view, everyone has their own thinking.:D



-Did u consider the T30 and if so, why did you go withe the N1?[/I]
was... but already bored with sliding concept (just like the old T1), and wanted folded lens, hehe...



Any other info. you think might be helpful, would also be welcomed :)[/I]
my advice ... both T30 / N1 have their own styleand features.
so just pick one, and i don't think you will regret for the decision you made, cause... both are great cameras. just ask yourself, which design / model you like best. :cool:

[MMB916]

The detailed replies were very helpful and hearing you think it through is helping me think it through. I will keep you posted and let you know which one I decide on - I'm really looking forward to getting a new one though:) Who wouldn't be:D

Again, thanks for taking the time to put together such a detailed reply.

Best regards,
Mara

[EWalterJr]

I'm the owner of an N1. I've had it for about a month or two now and I've taken several photos with it. I also own a T-9 and a cheap Aiptek. As far as SLR's go, much like the other N1 user, I'm waiting for the Alpha-100k. Anyways, I'll get to answering your questions now.

-Are u very happy with the camera or do you wish you would have bought a different one?
Recently, I've been wishing I had bought the T-30. I bought the N1 because it had 8.1 MPxls and the huge touch screen. I was under the assumption that it had Image stabilization (the clerk assured me several times that this camera had this feature...). In daylight, this camera is great, you can take some very good pictures and the quality is stellar. However, the controls can be clunky and take A LOT of getting used to (I've had mine for over a month and I find the menus sloppy and clumsy). As well, unless you hold still, the image WILL blur. I've taken several daylight shots only to have the image blurred 2 out of 3 tries. VERY annoying.

-Does not having the stabilization feature make a difference to you?
Like I said, it makes a huge difference to me. My N1 seems to be notorious for blurring images unless the flash is on (which is sluggish IMO) or it's absolute daylight outside. If you plan on taking some indoor shots without the flash which takes ages, then you better invest in a tripod.

-Is the size of the camera a problem? It's a bit bigger than the T30.
No, I actually would rather this sized camera as opposed to the T30. It makes it feel like an actual camera as opposed to a toy. The size is one of the few advantages this camera has over the T30 IMO.

-Did u consider the T30 and if so, why did you go withe the N1?
I orignally wanted the T30. However, I'm an impatient guy, and since BestBuy didn't have it, I felt the need to get a camera right there on the spot. The clerk lied and told me the N1 had image stabilization, an "intuitive" touch screen pannel, and an 8.1 MP screen to top it off. Well, the image stabilization was obviously a lie, the touch screen is just plain annoying, but the images that do manage to come out blur free are astounding. However, I just can't help that I'd be able to get the same quality images on the T30 (which has image stabilization).

If it matters, I'm currently trying to sell my N1 in hopes of finally getting a T30. I can't find anyone willing to buy the camera even though I'm selling it for $350.00 with a case included.

Hope that helped.

[MMB916]

I'm sorry to hear of your experience with Best Buy. Frankly, they should take it back!! I was very surprised when a sales rep at Wolf Camera, where there are usually quality sales reps, gave me incorrect info. on the T30 - same kind of situation.

Your answers and experience with the N1 were very helpful. Since I'm new to photography, I don't think I will have the appreciation for the manual controls that many of you enjoy. And I know w/my previous Sony point and shoot, I had way too many blurry images. For that reason, my current thinking is the T30. I think the IS will be very important for me.

I actually think I would find the touch screen fun (I do love gadgets, etc...) But I don't think I should give up IS for it. Also, I wanted the 8 megapx as you say but again, I think in the long run the IS is more important.

Why on earth Sony doesn't have an 8 megapx w/IS available at this point, I don't know. Maybe more experienced photogs know better than I.

$350 for the N1 w/a the case is a good price. Best of luck with that.

I still think the Best Buy Manager should hear from you and they should exchange the N1 for the T30. Just shine it up and make it look new:)
I understand about patience - I too lack patience and hence have made some purchases that would have been better had I waited :D

Let's check back when we have the T30s! Keep me posted.

Best regards,
Mara

[nmamur]

i have had the same exact problem for the last three months.
I decided to go with the n1.
My decision was based on a few different things.
-I was definitly not a fan of the t30 style(it looked like every other t series).
-I would like to dabble in pro photography and the lack of manual controls were a little disheartining.
-the lack of image stablization was a pretty big drawback on the n1 but i was willing to cope.
-on the other hand, the n1 has a unique design that i love.
-I tested both out in the sonystyle store and they both kinda felt flimsy, so that didnt help(embarrasing that i know more about their products than the employees).
-the touch screen looks amazing
-i love the quality of the video

My n1 should arrive in about 3 days, so i'll maybe be back to add more thoughts.
ill also try and add my thoughts about the store(i bought it for $374 from dbuys.com)

[MMB916]

Hi nmamur,

Thanks for the info. I actually bought a N1 from dbuys before I realized it didn't have IS - I like the look and feel of the N1 much better than the T30 (although I love the shiney black of the T30) - I don't like the sliding lens cover - but in the end IS won me over.

So I returned the N1 to dbuys and purchased a T30 from them. I thought for sure if I exchanged the item I would not be charged a restocking fee - naive I guess and I didn't read the fine print - the return for the N1 was in perfect condition - original packing, etc... they charged me a 5% restocking fee anyway.

My biggest problem with dbuys is that it took me 2 days to reach them by phone and they didn't answer any emails. And w/their very short return window, at the end of two days I was getting concerned. When I finally reached someone by phone and told them I had trouble reaching them, they didn't seem to care at all.

Long story short - I would love to hear about your experience with them and see photos from your new N1 - the touch screen is very sweet (I didn't want to give that up).

As long as you don't need customer service or the possibility of a return, dbuys has good pricing.

I hope to post some photos once I have spent more time w/my T30.

Best regards,
Mara