Advice please: Sony DSC-W300 or Sony DSC-T900

[kevs]

I'm too confused at this point and need some insight...

I'm looking for a good, compact point-and-shoot camera, and I like the shutter speed of these cameras...

The W300 has features like ISO6400 (in 3 MP mode) and things like "fishbowl" lens, but the T900 is just newer and can record video in HD.

I know, I'm getting carried away with all these features if I'm just looking for a point-and-shoot, but I want to get the best bang for the buck.

What would you recommend? Thanks for your advice.

SONY W300 LINKY (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665309164)

SONY T900 LINKY (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665775572)

[Jeffbx]

Not the answer you're looking for, but I'd recommend that you ditch the idea of a Sony camera & get one from a camera company, not an electronics company.

I'd recommend a compact Canon instead.

[zippyjuan]

Sony has been doing better since they aquired Konica Minolta but for a point and shoot Canons are the best overall.

Don't get too caught up in how many pixels it has or what ISO it can go up to. Are the shots good at that high of an ISO? ISO 6400 at three MPs is going to look terrible- unless you want a really grainy look. I keep my ISO as low as possible.

Picking a digital camera can be VERY confusing. My consideration has been picture quality. To help get started (I know you have put a lot of time into it already which is probably why you are getting confused) I might suggest starting with Steve's Digicams http://www.steves-digicams.com/best_cameras.html . He has some good lists of recommended cameras and from there you can go and compare reviews. Check out some of Steve's reviews and also try here http://www.dpreview.com/ . You can also google search the specific cameras.

Let me know if there is more I can try to help you on. I do not know about specific cameras but I can try to compare some if you like or try to answer general questions you may have. I hope some of this helps!

I shoot Nikon on my DSLR and have a Fujifilm six MP camera (F31fd- now discontinued) I use for my infrared shots. I have won some awards with both. I also used to have a Nikon point and shoot and a Konica Minolta A200. Even with all these, I would say definately take a look at Canon.

Features I would look for- bigger LCD (easier to view but they use more battery power). Through the lens viewing (a window to look through and see what you are pointing at- the LCDs can be hard to see in bright light).

[kevs]

Thanks for the replies, guys. Yeah, I'm totalling battling over Sony vs. Canon right now, even though every review boasts Canon over Sony.

One thing I really like about the Sony is their "Smile Shutter" feature where it sets itself to take pictures as soon as it detects a smile (can be set to different smile levels, too). Yes, I'm that cheesy. But in my defense, my 16 month old son isn't at the smile on demand stage (yet).

BUT, I'm seriously now considering the Canon Powershot SD780IS.

Here's my thing though, below is the same object from the Sony DSC-W300 and the Canon SD780IS, respectively. I can't tell the difference! I know the lighting's a little different, but they both look like great pics...

Please help! :)
SONY DSC-W300
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y273/Delicious88/SonyResize.jpgCANON SD780IS-->http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y273/Delicious88/CanonResize.jpg

[InfiniteNothing]

ISO 6400 at three MPs is going to look terrible- unless you want a really grainy look. I keep my ISO as low as possible.
It's only 3 MP because it uses pixel binning. Not sure how well it works in practice though.

[InfiniteNothing]

Here's my thing though, below is the same object from the Sony DSC-W300 and the Canon SD780IS, respectively. I can't tell the difference! I know the lighting's a little different, but they both look like great pics...

Neither can I. You need to be looking at 100% zooms of fine detail stuff like hair or something. You probably need to look at high iso shots too (again at 100%)

My vote is for the W300. Why? Bigger sensor: 1/1.7 vs 1/2.3 in the SD780IS and the T900

Not to overwhelm you with options but I'm partial to Samsung (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001BS80ZM/ref=noref?ie=UTF8&s=photo) point and shoots for price to performance reasons.

One more: In the used market, the Fuji F31fd is pretty legendary.

[kevs]

Neither can I. You need to be looking at 100% zooms of fine detail stuff like hair or something. You probably need to look at high iso shots too (again at 100%)

My vote is for the W300. Why? Bigger sensor: 1/1.7 vs 1/2.3 in the SD780IS and the T900

Not to overwhelm you with options but I'm partial to Samsung (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001BS80ZM/ref=noref?ie=UTF8&s=photo) point and shoots for price to performance reasons.

One more: In the used market, the Fuji F31fd is pretty legendary.

That's a good point about having to view at 100% and having to look at all the detail. I think that, the purpose of this point and shoot for me is not what photo enthusiasts critique (although I do want some element of quality), but more ease of use by me and my wife where we just need something to literally point and shoot.

Thanks for all the continued opinions! :)

Please feel free to continue contributing. It's much appreciated!

[InfiniteNothing]

Ease of use is probably the hardest thing to judge. What might be easy for one person isn't necessarily easy for another. I think the best advice I can give you for ease of use is to go into a store.

Personally, I generally like the Samsung interfaces.

[kevs]

Ease of use is probably the hardest thing to judge. What might be easy for one person isn't necessarily easy for another. I think the best advice I can give you for ease of use is to go into a store.

Personally, I generally like the Samsung interfaces.

I agree. Honestly, I do believe that Canon probably makes a better camera, but the Sony interface (IMO) was pretty user friendly...

I'll have to make a run into a local Best Buy one more time (even though the W300 was replaced by the W290)...

[Jeffbx]

That's a good idea - sometimes you have to pick them up & play with them for a while until you decide what you like.

Also keep in mind the storage cost - even though the prices are down dramatically, the memory stick will still be more expensive than SD or CF.

[zippyjuan]

In all honesty, there is probably not really significant differences in the end pictures from point and shoots- yes there will be minor ones. Unless you are printing say 8x10 or bigger you probably won't see that much. As important is ease of use and will you enjoy using it. Some people are perfectly happy with the shots their cell phone takes (and they have improved quite a bit) and that is fine. Try them out and see what you like.

Just thought of another possible consideration. Batteries. Some use special batteries, some can use basic AA or AAA. If you forgot to charge your camera before you headed out and they die, you can pop into a store and pick some up. But as a usage suggestion, don't spend too much time reviewing and zooming in on each photo you shoot= that LCD is what uses up all your power- and they should last quite a while between charges.

As for memory, Sony and Fuji (as mentioned) tend to use special ones (memory stick for Sony and XD card in my Fuji although they may have changed to SD by now) which do cost more but you often do not need more than one or two. You will probably want to get a bigger one that what comes with the camera (I would say a GB should do in most cases).

Just some thoughts popping into my head. Decide what is important for yourself.

[kevs]

Alright, after moping around for too long, I decided to go for the Sony DSC-W300. I didn't get to play with THAT specific model, but I looked at the model that replaced it, the DSC-W290.

The user interface was just too easy and I also bought (on eBay for $40 shipped) a Memory Stick Pro Duo Adapter that allows 2 8GB MicroSD cards to fit in it.

If I waited any longer, even newer models would come out. We'll never win with technology, people! :)

I'll keep ya'll posted. Thanks again for all your help!

[zippyjuan]

Excellent. It is so easy to drive yourself crazy trying to pick out a camera. It should do a very nice job for you. Enjoy it!

[kevs]

Thanks to all...I received my DSC-W300 yesterday and I'm really enjoying it.

Maybe it's because the next youngest camera I have is 8 years old, but this little guy (IMO) takes better pictures that my Sony DSC-F707!

Now it's time to hunt for a D-SLR... ;)

[ramazank2]

i just bought a canon sx200is point and shoot and so far it is great. (12MP, 12x opt zoom, 720p video rec)