Digital Camera Christmas Disaster

Static EMP

Member
Oct 26, 2004
104
0
0
Hahahaha, well it turns out that both me and my dad bought my mom a digital camera for Christmas. I bought her a Sony DSC-L1, and he bought her a Canon SD200. Our problem now is which one she should use.
Unfortunately, I don't know much about digital imaging, and most of the research I did was with prices and side-by-side comparisons of many specs that I'm not too familiar with.

These are the quick specs, nothing big:
Sony DSC-L1: $299 (paid $285 -- random Circuit City web deal), 4.0 megapixel
Cannon SD200: $299, 3.2 megapixel

She wanted something easy and simple... I knew she wouldn't need a 5 megapixel. However, she did say that she might blow up to 8x10 every once in a while (which means barely if at all), so I was wondering if a 3.2 would be sufficient. I couldn't find a straight answer to this in stores, since most of the salesmen were probably trying to sell me a higher megapixel/more expensive camera.

In my side-by-side comparisons of these two cameras, they seem about the same. I don't really understand most of the specs, but from what I see the only major difference is the megapixel (but I might be wrong, and somebody please call me out on it if I am). The price is the same. Are they very different from each other? If so, which should she choose? It seems like the L1 gives you more bang for the buck based on the megapixels, but with my limited knowledge of digital cameras, the Canon could be better (hence having the same price) and I wouldn't even know it.

Sorry for the long post. Thanks a lot!!!!
 

flexy

Diamond Member
Sep 28, 2001
8,464
155
106
addendum: my powershot "only" has 3.2 MP and i can do really BIG 8x11 prints and it never even came to my senses that 3.2 would not be enough. 3.2 is PLENTY, even for 8x11 prints.
Also..the Canons have a fantastic movie mode !
 

BentValve

Diamond Member
Dec 26, 2001
4,190
0
0
Sony has a 1/2.7" CCD and the Canon has a 1/2.5" CCD ..go for the Canon...though personally id get rid of them both and get a better one.
 

txxxx

Golden Member
Feb 13, 2003
1,700
0
0
Make her try both for 15mins. Then let her use whatever she's happy with.
 

arcas

Platinum Member
Apr 10, 2001
2,155
2
0
Check dpreview.com to see if both the cameras have been reviewed and pick the best one. Given the two companies' past offerings, my gut feeling is that the Canon would probably be the better camera but check the reviews to see.

 

Dennis Travis

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
1,076
1
81
I second reading the reviews but from what I have seen and heard and used, I would think the Canon even at 3.2 would be a better camera. Also the other user that said let her try both and see which she is more confortable with is a good suggestion. I doubt either of them would be a bad choice but Canon always gets the good reviews.

Edit: I just checked dpreview.com and the Canon gets by far the better rating. Everyone was impressed with it. The Sony did well but not as well overall in performance to the Canon. Keep the Canon!!

 

de8212

Diamond Member
Jan 2, 2000
4,021
0
76
I have an older dsc-s85 4.1Megapixel sony cybershot. I bought my wife the sd200 for xmas also. If it means anything I am now going to try and sell my sony and buy a canon.

Tell her to keep the canon.
 

razor2025

Diamond Member
May 24, 2002
3,010
0
71
Canon by far. Just by considering the memory card, Canon is better than Sony. Canon uses the inexpensive and widely available SD memory, while Sony forces you to buy their expensive propietery MemoryStick crap.
 

jvarszegi

Senior member
Aug 9, 2004
721
0
0
Originally posted by: razor2025
Canon by far. Just by considering the memory card, Canon is better than Sony. Canon uses the inexpensive and widely available SD memory, while Sony forces you to buy their expensive propietery MemoryStick crap.

 

DJQuanta

Member
Nov 5, 2004
101
0
0
Keep the Canon... :

I'm not very fond to Sony's cameras, today I was taking a look at one of my co-workers pics from her trip to Disney, she bought a Sony P93 (5 megapixel) the first day she got there, and I don't know if the problem was that she is an unexperienced digital photographer or the camera itself, but most of her pictures look like crap. She took a few pics indoors at the hotel and although the flash was on, all of the pics were extremely underexposed. Also the propietary memory format that other mentioned is another cons of sony's cams, memorystick is usually more expensive.

Although IMHO the best cameras for rookies, moms, grandparents are Kodak. They give Point-and-Shooters the best image/color/focus quality.

My first digicam was a Kodak 6230, but recently I upgraded to a Canon A75. I love all the manual controls and the fine tuning that you can do with the Canon, but sometimes I miss the ability to take a great looking picture with just the "Auto" mode of my Kodak. I've yet to achieve the color accuracy that I used to get with my old kodak. Canon has an "Auto" mode, but you won't get the great shots unless you use the tuning of the manual or semi-manual modes.

My .02

Cheers

Quanta
 

acid45

Golden Member
Feb 15, 2004
1,467
0
0
Originally posted by: razor2025
Canon by far. Just by considering the memory card, Canon is better than Sony. Canon uses the inexpensive and widely available SD memory, while Sony forces you to buy their expensive propietery MemoryStick crap.


so true!
 

Static EMP

Member
Oct 26, 2004
104
0
0
What is it that makes the Canon so much better? I returned the Sony, but now I'm just curious as to why a 3.2 MP Canon is more desirable than a 4.0 MP Sony at the same price.
 

terraphile

Member
Sep 13, 2004
44
0
0
Or you could be a be a cheap bastard like me and get get a VistaCam Freedom LX 3mp for.....50$ +6$ shipping from compgeeks. From everything I can tell it's a damn fine camera. Small, Sleek. I especially like the protective cover that all you do is flip around to reveal the lcd screen, lens and controls.

Ah, good times. love www.compgeeks.com
 
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