Canon S1/IS vs. Minolta DiMage Z5

[judie]

I have pretty much limited my choice to the Canon S1/IS or the Minolta DiMage Z5. I can get the Canon for $347 and the DiMage Z5 for $450 locally(plus Konica Minolta is currently offering a $50 rebate for the Z5).

I am not sure if I really need the 5MP since I do not ever plan on printing anything larger than an 8x10, but I love the 12X Optical Zoom option on the Z5.

I plan to take vacation photos, nature, family snapshots, outdoor photos, close-up photos (that is why I like the 12X a little more), indoor and outdoor photos.

The Canon seems to offer a little more in it's package than the Z5 (32MB Compact Flash Card vs. 16MB Card on the Z5), but I realize that I will still need to purchase a higher card.

I like the thoughts of the 5MP over the 3MP (which just seems outdated nowadays), but really wonder if I need that much. Too bad they don't have a 4MP with 12X Zoom, that takes AA's batteries with an image stablizer! I looked at the DiMage Z3, which has 4MP with 12X Optical Zoom, but for the very same price I can get the Z5, which is newer. Does anyone have a preference regarding the Z5 and Z3?

Both the Canon S1/IS and the Z5 seemed to do quite well in the reviews on this site.

They both have auto and manual focus. They both have image stablization which is definetly something I want. I was originally looking at the Kodak z740, but it doesn't have image stablization, so I took that off my list because I wasn't sure how it handled in zooming in with camera shake. If anyone feels that it isn't a problem with the Z740, please let me know, because I do like the fact that it can use 3 different types of batteries, but I believe that it only has a 10X Optical Zoom.

I also was looking at the FinePix S5100, but it didn't seem to do as well in the review I read on this site, and it only has a 10X Zoom, I believe

...again I really like the 12X Optical Zoom option.

Some of the questions I have are as follows: I want something that uses AA Batteries instead of prop. batteries. Does one camera have longer battery life than the other since they both use 4 AA's? (It looks to me like the Canon has a longer battery life.) Will the Z5 use up the battery life quicker with a 2" LCD? Is one camera more "user-friendly"? This will be my second digital camera, but my first "good" digital camera, considering my first was a Polaroid PDC1300 (old, old old), so I think "user-friendly" may possibly be a consideration. I don't care so much about the software that is offered, just the camera itself.

My husband says, "go with the Z5; it is newer and nicer", and for only $50 more (after the $50 rebate for the Z5), I can have a better camera. I think I am also siding for the Z5 over the Canon, but would appreciate any help you can provide. This camera will hopefully be a purchase that will last and satisfy me for years to come.

Thank you for your help in advance.

[judie]

Would someone please, please help me with the above post....I really would appreciate someone helping me out...thank you.

[jessie25]

This is my opinion only:

12x optical zoom will make next to no difference compared to 10x.

The extra megapixels will come in handy to give you cropping leeway on those 8x10 prints. If you plan on only printing 4x6 prints though, then 3 megapixels should be plenty.

AA battery life is always crappy using disposable alkalines. You should get decent battery life out of a high-powered set of rechargeable NiMHs though.

The Canon S1 seems to get preferable image quality ratings to the Minolta Z5 from most people around here, though that may be personal preference and that ol' "halo effect" that Canons enjoy around here. (Not without reason, I have a Canon myself and it's great, but they are rather exalted here).

Newer doesn't always mean better.

Sounds like the Canon S2 might be right up your alley if it wasn't so pricey. If you wait for the price to drop you might get everything you want in one camera.

[judie]

Thanks Jessie25! Yes, I wish that the Cannon S2/IS was available locally and that it wasn't as expensive. I've still not made a decision. I definitely will purchase rechargable AA's either way. Cannon S1/IS and Dimage Z5 both seem to have good reviews....both have their pros and cons, and it appears that most of the cons are the same on both cameras.

Any other suggestions out there on which camera?

[Zane-O]

Hi,

I bought the S1 the other day. I brought it home and played with it for a few hours.

To cut a long story short, what everybody says about the autofocus being bad in low light, is under emphasised!

I sat in my house, at night, with the lights on, and could not ever get the S1 to auto focus correctly on a persons face at full, or close to full zoom.

If it had a ring thing for manual focus, I would consider holding on to it, but you have to switch from full auto, to a semi-auto mode, and then press this, and that, and it's all just a bit clunky if I'm going to have to do it for every shot in those conditions.

I'm just gonna have to bite the bullet, and spend more money! The S2 is not available to me yet either, but I'm going to wait.
I've been toying between the S2 and Panasonic FZ5, but I think the AA batteries, manual focus ability, Swivel LCD, & ergonomics will push me to the S2.


Good luck!