Which point and shoot?

[Nuhtty]

Finally narrowed it down to 2 cameras:

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H5

or

Canon PowerShot S3 IS


I have $500 credit at best buy...trading in a broken Cybershot T1.

Looking for an all around good point-and-shoot camera that can do decent macro as well as quick photos at sporting events and daily use.

I have one in mind that has a slight edge but would like others opinions.

Thanks

 

[Nuhtty]

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/canon_s3is.asp


http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Sony/sony_dsch5.asp

 

[Nuhtty]

Oh, any insight into either camera is appreciated as well!

Thank you mucho!

 

[Nuhtty]

Any comments at all?

 

[VoidRaven]

I say go with the Canon S3......the S2 got awesome reviews and is a great camera so I'm pretty sure you can't go wrong with the S3.

 

[Mykayel]

My dad has the S1 IS which takes great pictures, so I'd have to say the S3 IS will only be better. The IS really helps for the long zoom range. That and its a Canon, they make some of the best lenses which will only make the camera better. And the other thing I love about any canon camera is that batteries last a long time with them... like 300+ shots on a battery.

 

[CrystalAZ]

While I've heard nice things about the Sony, you can't go wrong with a Canon!!!!

Crystal

 

[greenstarman]

I have had a Sony Cyber shot.. The problem with it is that for the focus adjustment they use plastic gears that wear down and therefore has to be sent in and trust me on this, they will charge you labor even though its under warranty.

 

[gregr]

If the cameras were dead equal I'd vote Canon just because I've had such horrible experiences dealing with Sony. They didn't even honor their own warranty

 

[gregr]

I took a look at the two cameras side by side and they are pretty closely matched. Some things to note: the Sony has one more megapixel but the sensors are the same size. There may be slightly more detail in the Sony images however there may also be more noise. I base that on theory- I haven't seen pics from either camera so try to look at some [full size] samples if you can.
The Canon has 1/3200 max shutter speed and the Sony only 1/1000-- if you plan on shooting outdoors mid-day that may be an issue (the Sony being relatively slow).
In the specs the Sony only has a 10 second self-timer (no 2 second setting)- if that's true that would be annoying. Using a two second delay is very helpful for extreme close-ups. Sometimes these details get left out of the specs so check on that if you plan on getting the Sony.
The Sony lcd is much bigger and theoretically should look better. The Canon is flip/twist (which I love dearly).
Sony takes memory sticks which is not that common of a storage medium. Canon takes sd card which is extremely common.

Those are some of the important differences I see and based on them I'd probably choose the Canon BUT not til I've played with both and seen in person how they operate and how the pics look.
Hope this helps,
Greg

 

[Nuhtty]

Thanks for all the opinions, especially your analysis Greg.

I am going to go hold the cameras today and get an overall idea of their "feel". The new Sony isnt out yet so I will have to look at the predecesor.