Here we go again…a question on Digital Cameras.
Which one would your recommend? Sony DSC-P71 (3x optical zoom (6x precision digital zoom)) or Olympus D-520 (Optical Zoom 3X, Digital Zoom 2.5X) ?
Olympus D-520
The Olympus Camedia D-520 Zoom is an easy-to-use, pocketable, 2-Megapixel digital camera with a 3x optical zoom. It replaces the D-510 Zoom, and is 30% smaller with a sleek metallic silver body.
The D-520 Zoom offers a choice of four resolution levels, an assortment of image edit effect modes, such as black & white, sepia and file resize and also includes the ability to record full motion video and view images and movies on a TV. The movie mode records up to 60 seconds of full motion video (160x120 size) at 15 frames per second with the included 16MB SmartMedia card.
The D-520 Zoom creates high-quality prints up to 8" x 10", as well as providing settings for different image quality and file sizes depending on the application. Even at the lowest resolution setting, the D-520 Zoom delivers quility images for e-mailing photos or for posting images on the web.
For fast and simple downloading, the D-520 Zoom features USB AutoConnect technology. The Olympus USB AutoConnect feature allows users to plug the camera directly into any USB- configured computer. No drivers, additional software, or the additional cost of docking stations are required for PCs running the latest operating systems including Windows® XP, Windows® 2000, Windows® Me and Mac OS™ 8.6 and higher - these computers will mount and recognize the D-520 Zoom automatically.
The 1.5" LCD display allows for enhanced playback and viewing options, including 4, 9 or 16-frame Index Display Mode, Single Frame Display with 1.5X, 2.0X, 2.5X and 3.0X Zoom Inspection, plus sequential image scrolling. The LCD monitor also serves as the camera's control panel, with an easy to use jog dial and arrow keys to select modes and settings.
Camedia D-520 Zoom Features:
2-Megapixel imager for images up to 1600x1200 pixels
Olympus all-glass 3X Optical Zoom f2.8 - f4.4
1.5" color LCD display
QuickTime Movie mode at 15fps, 360x240 or 160x120
ESP matrix or Spot metering
USB AutoConnect technology
30% smaller and lighter than previous D-510 zoom
2-in-1, Portrait and Panorama modes.
Sequential shooting at 1.8 frames per second (max. 5 frames in HQ).
2 in 1 image merge perfect for business cards, real estate shots and before and after shots.
The D-520 will be available April 2002 with a suggested retail price of $349 (street retail approx. $299). It includes an Olympus CAMEDIA Master Software 4.0 for photo manipulation and management, 16MB SmartMedia Card, USB cable, strap, 2 AA Alkaline batteries, user manual, and warranty card.
Sony DSC-P71
Sony's Cyber-shot P-71 camera concentrates on the essentials of good picture-taking: sharp focus and accurate exposure. Technologies like multi-point auto focus, multi-pattern and pre-flash exposure metering, and scene modes work transparently to give amateur photographers the head start they need.
Better Focus and Exposure - Automatically
Sony's newly developed multi-point auto focus is one feature that takes the guesswork away from the picture-taker. It allows the camera to intelligently evaluate three different focus areas and select the best focus setting for the subject instead of the background. This ensures that the star of the photo is always the clearest part of the picture, even if they aren't in the center of the frame.
For greater exposure accuracy, Sony's pre-flash exposure metering calculates exposure with light from the flash itself. When the picture is taken, the flash fires twice; once to illuminate the subject and determine the correct exposure, then a second time to record the image with the best exposure possible.
To provide accurate exposure in uneven lighting, multi-pattern metering divides the scene into a matrix of 49 separate cells, each of which can be metered independently. This feature calculates exposure when highlights and shadows exist outside the center of the frame, like a beach scene with the sun in one corner and a shaded hammock in the other.
Special Lighting Problems Solved
It's difficult for most amateur photographers to take a flash picture that correctly exposes both the subject and the background. So, for example, nighttime pictures of people standing in the middle of New York's Time's Square can lose the exciting backdrop details.
The new Twilight Portrait scene mode, is designed to automatically control exposure and flash in a heavily backlit scene when you want to illuminate your subject with flash and not loose the darker background. To best capture the light and image from the background, it slows the shutter speed for a long exposure AND, to properly illuminate the person in the foreground, it adds the flash.
To make the picture even more clear, Sony has added a mechanism that was previously found only in more expensive, professional-grade cameras, slow shutter noise reduction. It eliminates the "visual noise" that often appears in long exposure time digital camera images as grain, by capturing two successive pictures. The first captures what the photographer sees. The second closes the iris and captures the noise. The camera then subtracts the noise pattern from the picture, resulting in a beautiful low light photograph that is virtually noise-free.
Useful Recording Options
Multi-frame burst mode is a recording option that captures action by taking 16 rapid-fire sequential pictures at any of three selected intervals. Saved as a single digital file, these images can be beneficial in analyzing a golf, tennis or baseball swing.
The P71 also features the new MPEG Movie HQX video mode that allows users to capture nonstop, full-screen, high-resolution MPEG videos to the capacity of the Memory Stick media.
Tools for Added Convenience
In low light situations, advanced LCD auto bright monitoring automatically increases the brightness of an image on the LCD display so photographers can see and frame objects.
For reliable, long-lasting operation, The CyberShot DSC-P71 is supplied with two high-capcity rechargeable nickel metal hydride AA batteries and a charger.
DSC-P71 features include:
1/1.8" Sony Super HAD 3.2 Megapixel Effective;
Sony 3x Zoom, 8-24mm (39-117mm equivalent) + 2x digital zoom
Still Image: 2048x1536, 2048x1360(3:2), 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 640 x 480, 320x240
MPEG Movie: 320 x 240 HQX, 320 x 240, 160 x 112;
Scene Selection (3 modes: Twilight / Twilight Portrait / Landscape);
New Focusing System with 3 Area Multi-point AF;
New Noise Reduction: Auto at 1/2 second or longer shutter speeds;
14bit A/D Conversion - allows a wider dynamic range from highlight to shadow;
Adjustable Flash with Red Eye Reduction;
1.5" TFT color (123,000 pixels) LCD Screen with Auto Brightness;
Fast USB Output to computer;
2 x AA NiMH rechargeable batteries (1750mAH included with BC-CS1 charger).
Sony Memory Stick media, 16MB included.
The DSC-P71 is available now for about $400.
^ From above comparison I would recommend Sony :k:
But how much are you paying for both of them??
Wow, thanks a bunch Salman!
$329.99 CDN for Olympus and $500+ for Sony. (as I've recently checked.)
I was leaning towards the Sony camera, myself. I've seen the result..it's awsome. But it's a tad bit more than how much I was planning to spend on it. :-\ (My friend got it on sale for around $350CDN..which is awsome.)
Maybe someone can also suggest where I could get a good deal.
The Sony DSC-P71. Your two choices are aweful anyway.. Olympus on general has better digicams. The 520 is really bad quality. It feels like your holding a paper plane.
Sony has terrible photos, and old technology. They still manage to preach that memorystick is good. The fact is : its not! I have a dsc p7 and an olympus c-3020. The memory stick sucks, and its expensive too.
In your price range the best thing to do is - go with a *Canon S series. They all are good *
If you want a good deal - Go downtown. You'll find several mom and pop shops. Bargain with them. And also, Dont buy from the Sony Store if you pick the p71. They rip people off. I was a sucker and fell for the trap. I eventually paid 100 bucks more than another expensive place, and fell into the warranty trick. Sony has terrible warranty turn overs. Takes 1 month.
hskhan, kid, stick to the question, please. I didn't ask whether anyone approves of my choices or not. I simply asked which of the two people recommend.
Gracias!
[QUOTE]
Originally posted by CareBear: *
hskhan, kid, stick to the question, please. I didn't ask whether anyone approves of my choices or not. I simply asked which *of the two people recommend.
Gracias!
[/QUOTE]
I recommend the SONY from the two. The choices suck anyway. Gracias Amigos.
Thanks for the other suggestions.
Whoaaaaaaaaaaa…they’re hecka expensive 
i wanted to get one too but sighs
paisay aanay day din badalnay day 
CareBear I’ve heard rave reviews abt the Sony from ppl who use them…my roommate has the Sony one too…I’d say go for the Sony :k:
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by hskhan: *
I recommend the SONY from the two. The choices suck anyway. Gracias Amigos.
[/QUOTE]
I agree with hskhan. Canon would definitely be a better choice. But if you want to limit your choice to those two, I'd go for the Sony as well.
irem, yeah my friend was raving about her sony camera too. 
Umer, thanks. Actually I should’ve mentioned in my initial post to recommend any better ones. So I don’t mind if I get better suggestions.
I just felt like picking on hskhan. 
( 
)
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by CareBear: *
I just wanted to pick on hskhan. :-D
[/QUOTE]
:) Ok.
One of the biggest disadvantages of Olympus cameras is their low battery life (at least until a few months ago). They might have improved that in the newer models, but I'm not sure about that.
CB,
Before you buy anything just browse thru different websites, if you have time on you. Try printing the lowest cost from the web and take it to future shop or sears, they will certainly match the price for you. That way you’ll get what you want but for the lowest price.
Here are some of the URLs to start with… Good Luck :k:
Toronto Camera Stores
Blacks Photography http://www.blackphoto.com/
Compu-Smart http://www.compusmart.com/
Camera Canada http://www.cameracanada.com/
CompuCentre http://www.compucentre.com/
Computer Systems Centre SHOP-CSC.COM
Dell Canada http://www.dell.ca/
DV Shop http://www.dvshop.ca/
Downtown Camera http://www.downtowncamera.com/
ebay Canada http://www.ebay.ca/
Factory Direct http://www.factorydirect.ca/
FutureShop Canada http://www.futureshop.ca/
Henrys Camera http://www.henrys.ca/
(ok bus aub meray haath dukh gaeay) 
Harrys Pro Shop http://harrysproshop.com/
Just Cameras http://www.justcameras.com/
Japan Camera http://www.japancamera.com/
Merkle Camera http://www.merklecamera.com/
Microwarehouse Canada http://www.microwarehouse.ca/home.asp
Misco Canada http://www.misco.ca/
Office Depot Canada http://www.officedepot.ca/
PhotoCreative http://www.photocreative.com/store/default.cfm
Photo 123 http://www.photo123.com/
Staples/Business Depot http://www.staples.ca/
RadioShack Canada http://www.radioshack.ca/
Toronto Image Works http://www.torontoimageworks.com/index.html
Wilkie’s Cameras http://www.toronto.com/map?mode=geo&id=212314&lat=436506&lon=-794789
West Camera Toronto http://www.toronto.com/map?mode=geo&id=187803&lat=436477&lon=-794017
Vistek
Zellers Canada http://www.hbc.com/zellers/
2001 Audio and Video 2001 Audio Video - Canada's Best Prices on Home Audio and Video
Umer, I was reading through the manual for the sony camera. Recharging takes 13 hours! Can you believe that? So much for recharging overnight. :-\
Salman, just what I was looking for. I browsed through a few sites like staples, futureshop, etc. ..but I couldn't remember any other ones. Thanks ever so much. I'll go through each site and do some comparison. You rock!
CB- If you decide to go with the P71, congrats - You compromised quality and long term benefits just to save 20bucks.
You can get a Canon S230 for a mere 599. Look around and you WONT find a camera like it. 3.3mp, Great Photos, and Cheap memory. The 16mb stick in Sony’s kit is nothing. You’ll probably get 18 high res photos on it. My dscp7 gets a mere 12 on high res. You will need to buy more memory. Equate that in your calculation. If you buy a 128mb stick for the sony it’ll cost you 130. About a buck per mb. Thats alot. A 128mb for a Canon is only 80bucks. And a 192mb is for $130.
Secondly. I have used Sony digicams, and they suck. The colours are not vivid. And I must use programs such as PhotoShop Elements to refine them. Doing so takes a long time and is a pain in the ass.
Canon has vivid photos. I think
See these pages . They contain photos from guppies who have Canon cams.
Pakistan99’s A40 350CDN only : http://www.gupistan.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=78625
Jal Pari’s S series Max 600CDN : http://www.gupistan.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=89328
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by hskhan: *
CB- If you decide to go with the P71, congrats - You compromised quality and long term benefits just to save 20bucks.
[/QUOTE]
Bachay, tung nai karo.
Thanks for the other details. I'll go through it. :-)
That’s compliment of the day 
Thank you jee!
CB,
If you have time just visit what I posted on GS few days back and let me know what do you think?
I used Canon AE-1 Program