Carl Zeiss lens or not

[candrr]

Hi - I'm trying to decide between Sony's DSC W1 and Sony's DSC P93. The main differences between the two are that the W1 has a Carl Zeiss lens and a 2.5" LCD. While the P93 has the 1.5" LCD and non Carl Zeiss lens.... there is about a $50 price difference between the two and I'm just wondering how huge of a difference there is between the Zeiss lens and the other. Both cameras appear to be identical in every other way.

Thanks - Risa

[D70FAN]

To Zeiss, or not to Ziess, should not be the question. Pick the one you think will be the best for your everyday use. With a few early exceptions Sony makes some great little cameras.

Ergonomically these two cameras are very different, so use each one for 10-20 minutes to see which is to your liking.

As an afterthought you may want to try the Canon A series, and Nikon 4200, 5200 competitors as well. Just to broaden your horizons a bit.

All cameras have their good and not-so-good points. For the most part you can't go too wrong with any of the name-brand cameras.

[Nick]

I would choose the W1. While this might not be important to some - this camera does NOT use a proprietary battery, unlike the P93.

Like George noted, ergonomics on these two are rather different. I prefer the W1's shape to the somewhat elongated P93. I have large hands so both are actually a bit small for me, but in terms of how I'm used to handling a 'regular' camera, the W1 gets my vote too.

To add to all that, Zeiss is nice. Rhymes, too! Cheers and good luck with it.

[candrr]

Thanks for the input! It is more convenient to be able to pop in a regular battery if you run out of charge - so that is an important factor to me. I'm hoping I'll find a good 4th of July sale somewhere and get a good deal. I know Circuit City is running some specials where you a get a $50. gift card with the puchase of a digital camera (comes in handy when buying extra batteries and media)! I'll probably end up going with the W1, cuz knowing me I'll always end up wondering if I would have gotten better pictures with it, and drive myself crazy! That is the most important factor to me - a nice clear picture

Thanks again - hope everyone has a great holiday!

Risa

[Nick]

I seem to have slightly misguided you. Since there are so many of the P series floating about I seem to have muddled myself telling them apart - the P93 actually doesn't use proprietary batters; it uses NiMH.

Sorry Risa!

[candrr]

All is forgiven, don't worry about it - so many cameras, so much confusion!
That's what makes it all so hard to choose, which brand, what size, what kind of lens, resolution, manual controls...... like I said earlier, most people just want a camera that will take a good picture and not break the bank at the same time.

Great link on the tips/technique board, it makes things easier to understand in terms of aperture, shutter speed...

Thanks again for the info. I'm dying to get my hands on a digital camera again - think I'm going through withdrawal. I sent my Toshiba PDR-m70 out for repair and when I got the estimate for a new lens assembly - figured I'd be better off getting a new camera!! Oh how far cameras have come just since I bought the M70 about 3 years ago.

Risa

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

I think the larger LCD you mention is the killer feature. It'll be so much more pleasant to use and see what you're doing in it. Well worth any $ difference. Last time I settled for a cruddy viewfinder I commented on it every single time I used the camera.

[Rooz]

perhaps they already made their mind up mate considering the OP was 4 years ago.

[tim11]

Whattahell? Bringing an old thread from the dead just to promote your viagra?

Reported as spam.