W1 -- a good camera
I passed on the T1 for a few reasons -- no optical viewfinder, poor low-light LCD perforance, and hefty price. But it's a good-looking camera that should produce images roughly equal to that of the W1.
Outdoor performance on the W1 is fine; I get consistently crisp, richly colored images in a variety of conditions. The variety of picture-taking modes allows some small flexibility, though the final differences can be subtle. Full size prints are detailed and rich.
The W1 has a sensational ability to see just about anything, even under darker conditions, and I've been kind of amazed at how far I can push it. It has three flash modes, plus several natural light modes that are sensitive to murkier scenes. Very dark scenes will requires a flash; the current one is fine up to 15 feet or so. You can purchase the W1 auxiliary flash for under a hundred bucks.
Even in complete darkness, the AF assist light sends a red beam to focus, and then you click to produce a clear flash picture.
Like the T1, the W1 has a large LCD screen; the W1's has nice contrast and color.
The W1 has a variety of features outlined in a 100 page booklet. Some have complained about "blur" and "soft images," but careful reading of the instructions will solve most problems. However, high-contrast glare may produce unsatisfactory shots -- much as they would for an SLR.
Negatives: the USB door is plastic, you'll need to buy a 256 or 512MB memory stick, and the camera doesn't come with a case.
|