Expert: John Oliverio - 1/9/2004

Question
Hi! I am having a hard time deciding which digital camera to buy...have been deciding for the last 6m since my son was born. Gotta decide before my son goes to college. LOL!

Right now the contenders are Sony DSC-V1-(pros-Carl Zeiss lens, decent telephoto range, light weight for SLR type / Cons-memory stick technology), Canon A 80 (great reviews, , Nikon Coolpix 5400 (pros- reviews, and don't know much abt camera though seems heaviest in the lot) and Canon S400 (love the compactness, panoramic features/ cons- doesn't have a good range). As you can see I am all over the place for the choice of cameras.

My criteria are light weight, manual controls- like focus and aperture, interchangeable lenses (doesn't make or break the deal if the range is decent enough like the Sony), like the ability of shooting panoramics (not sure if Sony does it.), cheap memory for pics, decent battery life and ease of use.

I was going to go with the Canon A80, though am not sure about the Alkaline battery life, or using rechargeables. It doesn't seem to have a powerful enough range to for close ups. The Sony seemed to fit the bill as it is reasonably light weight for what it offers, though from all of what I hear memory stick is getting outdated. What is the difference between the memory stick and compact flash cards- price wise and performance wise? Also which of these camera's have the least lag time or delay while shooting? I do have a SLR that I don't use as much, though am wondering if I should get the S400 as it is easy to tuck away in the pocket and use. Oh, and which of these camera's have the best quality prints?

Please help. Any other camera suggestions are also welcome.

thanks,
durga

Answer
Durga,

Hello.  Thanks for the question.....   uh..  questions??  Well, look.  Please don't take offense, but I'm going to have kind of a hard time helping you.  You appear to have some mis-conceptions about the type of camera you have been shopping for and I really don't know where to start.  So I'm just going to read thru your post and comment on what you wrote as well as answer your questions.

First:  The Sony V1 is not an SLR type camera.  It is a rangefinder/point and shoot (advanced).  It does not have interchangeable lenses.  (none of the cameras you mention let you change the lens.)  Though on the V1, A80 and 5400 you can add an auxiliary lens (or filter)with a dedicated adapter tube.  But this does not make it an SLR type.  

The S400 has no manual exposure mode or manual focus.  Canon doesn't offer the ability to add aux. lenses on it, (I think this is what you mean by interchangeable lenses.  For the record, there are interchangeable lens digitals.  The Canon Rebel is one of the latest.) but there is an aftermarket company that does called CKC Power.  

None of these cameras actually shoot panorama images.  The panorama function is done in editing software after you download.  Some cameras (like canon and olympus) offer a mode that helps you compose your images so that they overlap by about 1/3.  (you take 3 or more actual pictures then stitch them together)  This helps the software make a better pano.  But if a camera doesn't do that, you can still use the pano stitch software.

About price of memory:  I really suggest you not base you decision on this.  I would never buy a camera that would have been my second choice but for the fact the memory was $15 cheaper.  The same goes for batteries.  Carry a second set no matter what camera you get.  Generally speaking, cameras that have their own rechargeable battery have better life.  But there is a con here you didn't mention.  If you are out away from AC or don't have time to charge, you can always buy a set of alkalines in an AA camera.  Can't do that with the dedicated battery.  But I still wouldn't worry about it.  Just have spares either way.

Memory stick is not "outdated".  They just came out with a 1 GIG pro stick.  Besides, the CF card that the Canon takes is a LOT older than memory stick.  Doesn't matter though.

 Canon doesn't have much of a close-up (macro) ability.  The Nikon probably has the best.

 Price/performance of memory?  Well, that can't be answered simply.  Generally speaking, CF is cheaper.  But not if you count the PRO cards.  Performance doesn't matter in the cameras you are looking at because the cameras themselves can't really take advantage of the ability of the faster cards anyway.  

Of the cameras mentioned, the Sony has the least lag time.  (though in my opinion it still has quite a bit)

Of the cameras mentioned, the Sony V1 and Nikon 5400 have the best lens and thus are capable of producing the best prints.  (but don't forget you have to have a good printer)

 Other camera suggestions??  Seems like you've got enough on your plate now!  But if you insist....  check out the Nikon 4300.  It's classed with the Canon S400, but has a better lens.  Good luck.

John