sony cybershot dsc-p73 or canon A85

[michaell]

Hey,

i'm a multimedia student and want to buy a decent digicam to experiment with. I like to use the pictures for websites,graphical design and portfolio.

I'm considering the dsc-p73 and the canon a85. Both are 4mpixels and have some manual controls. They both support add-on lenses too.

I'm leaning towards the cybershot because of the vga movie mode and the included rechargeable batteries.

Though some people say to stay away from sony, is there a good reason not to buy one?

I kinda studied these images:

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/sony_p73/samples/dsc00268.jpg

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/a85/samples/img_0423.jpg

and found the sony to give more detail to the flague's texture

On the other hand I find the sony to be more blurry on these sample pictures:

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/sony_p73/samples/DSC00126.JPG

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/a85/samples/img_0378.jpg

Maybe it's just because of a different aperture or focusing or lense mode.

The sony should also be a much faster camera then the canon.

I'd like to hear what experienced users can tell so i can make the good decision. I don't know anything about the durability of these cameras.

[PhilR.]

Hey,

Hey back at ya.

Though some people say to stay away from sony, is there a good reason not to buy one?

Within the extended family there are three Sony digitals. All of them have performed admirably. There is no reason to stay away from Sony. Their cameras are made as well as any other when comparing equivilant prices. If Sony has a camera that has the features you want at a price that is right, I would say go for it.

I don't know anything about the durability of these cameras.

The potential durability of either camera is essentially the same.


Personally, I would go for the Canon since I don't do movies, and I would prefer the easily accessible aperture/shutter priority modes and the slightly larger lcd. But then again, I am fortunate in that I don't have to worry about the cost of 8 rechargeable batteries and a charger.....

PhilR.