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View Full Version : SD900 or DSC-N2? Or SD800IS? :?


Sporon
11-07-2006, 09:58 PM
Budget
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Q: What budget have you allocated for buying this camera?
A: Under $500


SIZE:
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Q: What size camera are you looking for?
A: Compact or Ultra Compact--want to carry comfortably in pant pockets. Also, the cool factor.


Features
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Q: How many megapixels will suffice for you?
A: 8 to 10MP, I know, I know, but it's the "ahh" factor.

Q:What optical zoom will you need?
A: None really required, but nice.

Q: How important is “image quality” to you?
A: 10 - This is the most important factor, but not only factor for my decision, which is why I am hesitant on the Sony DSC-N2, while I am aware that some the barrel distortion, corner bluriness, low ISO tolerance, etc is to be expected with smaller cameras, it seems much worse on the N2.
Do you care for manual controls? Unknown


General Usage
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Q: What will you generally use the camera for?
A: Golden hour shots, night time outdoor/indoor shots--no tripod used.

Q: Will you be making big prints of your photos or not?
A: I do not plan to.

Q: Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos?
A: Yes, mostly.

Q: Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos?
A: Spontaneous action photos, but otherwise, only on occasion.


Miscellaneous
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Q: Are there particular brands you like or hate?
A: Not really.

Q: Are there particular models you already have in mind?
A: Canon SD700IS, Canon 800IS, Canon SD900, Sony DSC-N2, Fuji F30. I like the higher MPs on the SD900 and N2. The lower MP is something that really turns me off of the F30, but I love the feature of taking two shots (one with, one without flash) automatically. With the Canons, I prefer the higher MP of the 800 over the 700, but I really like the idea of IS which the SD900 doesn't offer. I love the Sony DSC-N2...love it, but it has the worst image capture quality of the lot....

Q: Do you need any of the following special features? (Wide Angle, Image Stabilization, Weatherproof, Hotshoe, Rotating LCD)
A:Small, Low light photo with no tripod (yes, yes, I know), IS is preferable, ability to open & close aperture manually.

tim11
11-08-2006, 04:44 PM
If image quality is 10 why N2 is in the list since you are aware "that some the barrel distortion, corner bluriness, low ISO tolerance, etc is to be expected with smaller cameras, it seems much worse on the N2."?

What is the AHH factor? The size of the image? Or its quality? Unless you want to print your own wall paper or lifesize cut our image of your subjects, I don't see why anyone should be excited over the manufacturer induced MP fever. MP is not a measure of quality, it's just the physical size if the image.
All for that Large MP, you don't plan to make any large prints anyway.
In fact, with these 10MP+ image with tiny sensor you will be more likely to see the flaws when viewed 100%. That's contradictory.

bascom
11-09-2006, 09:11 AM
Maybe the "ahh" factor is: "ahh, why do you want so many MP instead of a good photo?". I vote for Fuji F30 with the SD's and Casio Z850 as close runner up. But F30 is the cheapest.

Sporon
11-09-2006, 04:12 PM
Well the DSC-N2 is off the short list. The leader is now the 800IS. Any thoughts on that? The review of its nighttime shooting capabilities leaves me to wonder....

tim11
11-09-2006, 07:41 PM
.....
..... ability to open & close aperture manually.

That's manual controls. Only F30 offers that.
If you want a camera to use mostly in lowlight where flash cannot be used for whatever reasons, F30 is the best bet. And you can use the control manuals to get the best out of its potential.
SD 800 lowlight capability is not bad - it's normal, it's just Fuji made a freak by the name of F30.