Canon Cameras

Canon SD 900 - Sony N2 - Canon A640 - which is best quality pocket camera to buy- Price no bar-?

Public Comments

1. sony n2
2. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_sd900%2Ccanon_a640%2Csony_dscn2&show=all The A640 is the more capable camera (manual controls, etc.), but if compact size is important - I'd take the SD900 over the N2.
3. Although it may be more versatile, the A640 is not really a pocket camera. While they appear quite similar, I think I like the Canon SD900 better than the Sony N2, although it costs about $40 more. First of all, it has an optical viewfinder. There are times when you just need this feature. Trust me. (I'm sparing you my stock answer about optical viewfinders...) The Canon uses the slightly cheaper, easier to find SD memory cards instead of Sony's own Memory Stick Duo. If you shot in the continuous mode at all, the Canon is limited only by the size of the memory card and the Sony only captures THREE frames and quits. The Canon continuous mode is more than twice as fast, also. I bought the SD900 for myself. Here's a canned answer that I use when people ask about getting a nice "pocket" camera. Canon Powershot SD900 After answering questions here for about 8 months, I finally decided to get a Canon Powershot SD900. I was going to go for the SD700-IS, but they were out of stock everywhere and it gave me time to re-think my purchase. This is going to be a pocket camera to use when I don't want to carry one of my SLR's with me, but I still want really great image quality from the camera. Anyhow, after months and months of reading reviews, the SD900 was my top choice. I found a review in Popular Photography the day after I ordered my Canon that suggests that maybe the Pentax Optio A20 would have been a better choice, but, I don't believe it. The Pentax does have shake reduction, but I doubt this will be necessary in a camera that only zooms to an equivalent of 114 mm and I just can not believe that 10 MP on a smaller 1/2.5" sensor (Pentax) will be better than 10 MP on a 1/1.8" sensor (Canon) that is nearly twice as large. Anyhow, go here to see the comparison article on 5 compact camera and see what you think. If you really don't want to read reviews, I am still happy that I am got the Canon SD900 and this would be my recommendation for anyone at this point, since it is what I chose for myself. I ordered from B&H Photo where the price is $345 (today) for the SD900. They have been playing with the price point for this camera since Christmas and that's why I say "today." Every time I check back, it's got a different price. After about one month of using the SD900, I am so happy with it that I bought one to give to my niece as an engagement present. I am that confident in the camera. I also bought a 5-year Mack warranty for $50. If you are even a little paranoid or clutzy, I feel that it is money well-spent. These are somewhat delicate compared to SLR's. http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/3471/high-5-10mp-compacts.html Click on the name of each camera to read a detailed review. Here is a comparison page with all five cameras. Click on "In-depth review" and "Read Owner Opinions" for each camera. Be sure to note that the reviews are many pages long so you don't stop after page one. Check the sample images, also. You can enlarge these to full size images if you click on the link below the picture. You will have to then put your cursor in the white space to the right of the picture and click once. After that, you can pass your cursor over the image and it will turn into a magnifier. Click it as a magnifier once and the image will go to full size and you can really examine the detail or look for artifacts like fringing or noise. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_sd900%2Ccasio_exz1000%2Coly_stylus1000%2Cpentax_optioa20%2Csamsung_nv10&show=all http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/sd900.html Here is one photo I put on-line that I took with the SD900. Click on "All Sizes" and view this as large as possible and check out the birds. This was taken right after sunset and there were no enhancements in afterprocessing. http://www.flickr.com/photos/7189769@N04/409551806/
4. Sony two words, optics and reliablity