i am a new camera user and confused about which camera shall i buy so i wanna take your opinion?
1. Canon SD970
2. Canon SD990
3. Sony DSC-WX1
4. Sony DSC-G3
Hello Mohamed!
Being in the same situation as you I know what to look for in a P&S camera.
1. When connected to a computer the camera must allow me to use it as a removable disc. I like being able to use the camera as a storage device for files when I move between different computers instead of using a USB memory pen. The Canon P&S cameras we have at work won't allow this.
2. I prefer to just press a button when reviewing photos instead of sliding a switch back and forth between record and review mode. A slider switch is never in the correct position when I want to take a picture. When the camera features a review button I just have to half press the shutter button to make the camera instantly return to record mode if it is in review mode. (Or press the review button a second time.)
3. When reviewing photos the camera must change to the next picture immediately when I press the forward/backward button. Looking through a lot of pictures to find the one I need can be quite time consuming if the camera needs 1-2 seconds to display the next picture.
4. Charging the camera battery in an external battery charger. If the battery has to stay inside the camera when charging it means I am without the possibility to take pictures for as long as it takes the battery to charge.
5. A fast lens. At least 1:2,8. I don't mind even faster. (This makes the lens bigger and heavier, though). A sharp zoom lens, with a focal length giving a field of view equal to 24-25mm on 24x36mm film, and up to the equal of 120 - 150 - 200mm. The longer the focal length gets the slower the lens often gets, too, putting a strain to the image stabilizer that I also want in a camera. A zoomlens with a focal length giving the field of view equal to (at least) a 28mm lens on 24x36mm film might be enough wideangle, but I have gotten accustomed to the 24mm lens on my SLR. So I wouldn't mind the same angle of view on a P&S camera.
6. An effective focus assist lamp bright enough to work even at the longest focal length where the lens is at its slowest.
7. An exposure compensation function that is easy to reach and adjust.
8. No shutter lag.
Besides sharp, colourful and correct exposed pictures these are some of the things I want in a P&S camera. I have been looking at the Sony DSC-WX1 and I am curious of the Sony DSC-HX5. Working with the Canon P&S cameras we have at work dosen't make me want to buy one.
Regards
