Sony W1?

[manty62]

I am interested in buying a digital camera and I have never owned one before. I have heard a lot of good things about the W1, however after visiting this forum, I read a bad posting about the quality of this cameras pictures and the lighting. Does anyone have any suggestions for me being a first time buyer? I am looking to spend between 300-350 and I'm willing to buy any brand. Thanks.

[poikkeus]

I bought a W1 before the holidays on the recommendation of DCRP, and I take consistently sharp, well-saturated images.

As the instruction booklet os over 100 pages long, many choose not to read. Operating the camera is actually pretty easy, but you have to do some reading.

Indoor lighting is an issue with many point-and-shoot digital cameras, but the W1's mode dial allows you to take good pics with or without flash. I have yet to come up with an image that's not crystal clear. The key is to pick the right shooting mode (easy) and hold the camera still through the entire shot (which on dark indoor shots could mean a few seconds).

I recommend the W1 for value and quality.

[Digideb]

I decided against the W-1 because of the many negative comments about fuzzy pix. I've since seen posts on this forum about the same problem. I've also read Sony owners recommending reading the manual carefully. Although that's good advice for any new "toy", I'm a newbie, so that doesn't make the Sony sound like an easy camera to use. :(
Another thing you should keep in mind is extra $ spent on accessories. Although most camera "bundles" come with what you need, to get started, extra batteries & film card(s) can be almost a "necessity" & quite pricey. Even a basic camera bag is really kinda necessary.
Once you're hooked, money will start flying out of your wallet for all sorts of wonderful goodies, like glossy photo paper for your printer,etc. but by then, you'll be on a digicam "high" & will hardly notice. ;)

[poikkeus]

If you're dead set against the W1, at least you can say you've made an informed choice. It's too bad someone can't share their W1 with you so you can judge things first hand.

However, you might investigate the cameras from Canon and Panasonic. I've found the DCRP recommendations to be very well founded. You really can't go wrong with a Canon A75 or A95, or the very cool G3.

[PhilR.]

I am interested in buying a digital camera and I have never owned one before. I have heard a lot of good things about the W1, however after visiting this forum, I read a bad posting about the quality of this cameras pictures and the lighting. Does anyone have any suggestions for me being a first time buyer? I am looking to spend between 300-350 and I'm willing to buy any brand. Thanks.

I don't think you need to spend that much money if you are a newbie. The Canon A series of cameras are highly regarded, and do just about everything well, especially given the price. The nice thing about them is that they have manual modes that are easily accessible via a mode dial, and this is handy if you ever decide to go beyond point&shoot. Take a look at the newly introduced A510. It retails for about $199, has enough megapixels to do up to 8x10 prints, and has a whole host of features that would suit any newbie quite well. I don't know when they will show up on the store shelves, but they are listed on some internet sites. The price is low enough that you can get a larger memory card and spare rechargeable batteries/charger and a case and still stay within your budget. If 3mp isn't enough for you, then you can also consider the new A520.

One other camera that is close to this price and has some nice features is the Fuji E500, which has 4mp and a 3x zoom lens that starts at wide angle. This camera also has manual modes as well. Newegg.com has if for $199.

PhilR.

[Digideb]

If you're dead set against the W1, at least you can say you've made an informed choice. It's too bad someone can't share their W1 with you so you can judge things first hand.

However, you might investigate the cameras from Canon and Panasonic. I've found the DCRP recommendations to be very well founded. You really can't go wrong with a Canon A75 or A95, or the very cool G3.
I was never dead set against the W-1! In fact, it was one of the "final 3" in my research. Much of the info. I read was from DCRP & their "links". I would've liked to have had "hand's on" experience with the Sony & some of the Canons I was interested in, but I think that's why alot of us are on this site, because we don't have the luxury of "test driving" all the cameras.
It was the user comments that caused me to go with the Olympus. Now, I'm reading more negative things about the W-1 taking fuzzy pix on this forum, which leads me to think there's an issue here. Sony owners claiming thorough reading of the manual as a solution is not reassuring for newbies.
I feel I made as much of an "informed choice" as possible from my remote locale. Please don't take it personally that I didn't choose (or recommend) your W-1. I'm just a beginner with digicams & more than a few complaints about fuzzy pix is all it takes to scare me into choosing another camera. The other folks asking about the W-1 on this forum seem to be newbies, like me.

[Numnum]

I found it today ...looks very nice, even though it doesn't cotain alot user reviews, I found any camera I looked for inculding up-2-date reviews.

www.viewscore.com

[poikkeus]

Please don't take it personally that I didn't choose (or recommend) your W-1. I'm just a beginner with digicams & more than a few complaints about fuzzy pix is all it takes to scare me into choosing another camera. The other folks asking about the W-1 on this forum seem to be newbies, like me.

No offense taken whatsover. Fact is, any of the DCRP recommended cameras will make you a very happy camper. (I just wanted to stem the tide against the W1, some of whose online reviews initially bothered me, too.) I wish I'd had a chance to try the Olympus models myself.

Be sure to tell us how things go, shooting-wise! :)

[Digideb]

No offense taken whatsover. Fact is, any of the DCRP recommended cameras will make you a very happy camper. (I just wanted to stem the tide against the W1, some of whose online reviews initially bothered me, too.) I wish I'd had a chance to try the Olympus models myself.

Be sure to tell us how things go, shooting-wise! :)
Thanks poikkeus, for your encouraging words. Your good attitude is a rare treat. I'm looking forward to participating in this forum,sharing info. & learning from others. See ya! :)

[aphonic]

review (http://www.viewscore.com) thnks for the review