Sony W5/W7 vs. Fuji F10

[matts22]

Ok, I had been pretty much set on getting a Sony camera (either the W5 or W7) but now I am really liking the Fuji F10. Could someone please compare these besides the really obvious and give me a recommendation? The guy at Best Buy said Sony is a lot better, but the review for the Fuji sounds better. Most of my photos are indoors of people, and I don't use many manual controls (yet) and won't EVER use a conversion lens or external flash or anything like that. I just want a good point-and-shoot camera. Also, I want a good movie mode which both have, but I don't know which is better. Can someone fill me in on this? Thanks, I want to order soon!

[jessie25]

This may be the "obvious" but the Fuji lacks an optical viewfinder, while the Sonys have them but the Fuji can take pictures up to ISO 1600 which is useful for low-light shooting without a flash. Also, if you prefer AA batteries, you should go with the Sony, since the Fuji sticks you with a proprietary battery. The Sony's W7 review mentions some softness and corner blurriness, the Fuji's review mentions purple fringing, and both cameras probably have redeye problems. Memory stick versus XD card is probably a wash. For indoor photos of people, if you're using the flash, you'll probably be happy with either camera. If you don't want to use the flash, the Fuji will probably suit your needs better.

Have you also considered the Nikon Coolpix 5900/7900 or the Canon Powershot SD400/SD500?

[Donato777]

I am struggling with the same choice issues. I had settled on the Canon G6 but then I stopped by a camera shop today to take a closer look at the G6 and to see how it handles. I know that it is a great camera but there are a few things I do not like about it: flip out LCD, and that awful lens cap that either falls off or hangs by the side of the camera while you try to take a shot.

Can you suggest any other possibilities? I am primarily interested in a small, compact camera - no larger than the G6 that provides excellent photo quality: sharpness, clarity, and detail are all important to me, and it should have a viewfinder. A great movie mode too, and perhaps IS, and a few manual controls, but all of this is less important than image quality, ease of use, and battery life. Any advice?? Thanks

[LawrenceCooper]

I am debating these same issues, but did settle on the F10 due to its lowlight capabilities. I have just read about the upcoming Stylus 800 - it has more scene modes. Should I wait? The F10 does have purple fringing problems, no?

[matts22]

Can anyone compare movie modes?

[matts22]

Can anyone help me out?

[matts22]

Come on, somebody give me some advice....please!

[camerafreak707]

My opinions on the W5/7 is not good. I don't know how the preform, and they do have excellent speed, but when I went to best buy to try cameras, i didn't like this one. It was a little fat for me, and i don't like the circle mode dial wrapped around the shutter, it is just uncomfortable and awkward to me. I also didn't like how the flash works on the W5/7. Whenever I took a picture with the flash, it shot about 6 to 10 flashes before the shutter went off. For me, when taking pictures of people and indoors, most don't like to be bombarded with flashes. Also not many know the flash will fire so many times, and therefore move before the shot is taking. I can see why they do this because even to me, I only expect one flash to fire and after the first one, I move. It is also annoying to be at a party, friends house, or wherever, and have flashes fireing multiple times since they are so blinding. Of course, thats my opinion, and you should see for yourself in person how each one handles. As for the F10, it was a little fatter than I expected, I am not sure how pocketable it is, but it too was very quick. On the F10, there was a shot mode dial wrapped around the shutter, but I did not think that this was awkaward as the sony's. I also took shots with it and found it to seem very responsive. I could not observe noise, LCD was too small(although still very big) to pick up fine detail. I liked the controls on both, but if picture quality is important, you should check out reviews and sample pics. Hope I helped and once again, don't listen to me, go to the store and play with them yourself.

[ishturkish]

Can anyone help me out?

All the cameras you mentioned have very similar movie modes. This is a non-factor in making a decision here.

Some other cameras have inferior abilities (only go to 320x200), or superior abilities (mpeg4, past-movie, etc.), but the ones you mentioned are pretty much even.

I also didn't like how the flash works on the W5/7. Whenever I took a picture with the flash, it shot about 6 to 10 flashes before the shutter went off.

"this is a feature not a bug" ,borrowing from the software world terminology.
It sounds like either the red eye reduction flash was being used, or the AF assist light went off. Both of these can easily be turned off. (and can be turned on for the F10 as well).

[Donato777]

I looked at the Sony W5 & W7 but frankly, I do not want to buy memory sticks. If you can live without an optical viewfinder, the F10 gets the best reviews I have read anywhere for a small, compact camera. It is not ultracompact, but small enough to fit in one's shirt pocket. I bought one yesterday at buydig.com for $313.00 including S&H. I'll let you know how I like it when it arrives.

[speaklightly]

Donato777

You have made an excellent choice in purchasing the Fuji F-10. In the month that I have had the F-10 for a month and taken over 1,000 photos.

Here is an example photo taken with the F-10. It was handheld and taken at ISO 1600.

Sarah Joyce

[ishturkish]

I bought one yesterday at buydig.com for $313.00 including S&H.

You may qualify for a $30 mail in rebate.

http://www.fujifilmrebates.com/orstore/FujiFilm_Z1_F10_Rebate_form.pdf

I bought mine last week from buydig as well, so I couldn't qualify. Cost me $3 more than you, but I'm not complaining :)

There is a phone number there to check if Buydig is an authorized dealer.

[matts22]

I bought mine yesterday from amazon.com over the internet...should be here sometime soon. I got the free shipping, and after the mail in rebate, it will be $299.99 shipped. I can't wait!

[speaklightly]

Here is anothe Fuji F-10 sample photo for you from our recent China trip.

Sarah Joyce

[TheObiJuan]

Donato777

You have made an excellent choice in purchasing the Fuji F-10. In the month that I have had the F-10 for a month and taken over 1,000 photos.

Here is an example photo taken with the F-10. It was handheld and taken at ISO 1600.

Sarah Joyce

Is there an original size version available, somewhere? Or a 100% crop?

How fortunate to be photographing there. What sort of seminar will you be involved in? Where can I sign up? :D

[speaklightly]

ObiJuan-

I just arrived home from China two days ago. I will be working on getting the original images posted to my smugmug account in the next week or so, I hope. This will be a fast turn around here at home as I go again on 06/26 to a contract in Russia for 16 more days.

I have written three popular books on digital cameras and I conduct workshops all over the world both as free standing, five part seminars, and also on cruises (such as your recent Alaska cruise) and land package tours where I help the passengers learn how to take better digital photos and to utilize all of the features of their digital cameras. I have been doing this for the last seven years. Last year I spent 10 1/2 months working aboard cruise ships.

Sarah Joyce

Sarah Joyce