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17 out of 18 people found this review helpful
4.5 stars
"Canon SD500 vs Sony DSC P200"
Pros: small, fast, great picture quality
Cons: underpowered flash
Summary: I am probably one of the first people that now can say they have owned the new Sony DSC P-200 and the new Canon SD-500. In another review, I noted why I was not pleased with the picture quality of the Sony (lots of blurry pictures and unnatural color). I went out and got the Canon today. WOW! Big difference! I've taken about hundred shot with the Canon, in varying lighting situations, all in auto mode, and not one blurry picture!!! The quality, detail and clarity is much better than the Sony in my opinion. I did not conduct a rigorous test, but just took some identical shots in identical lighting with both cameras, and the Canon won hands down. Sharper pictures. More detail. More natural color.
The Canon is very small, definitely pocket sized, but still easy to hold firmly. It powers up quickly, so you won't miss that quick shot. I can't comment on most of the manual features of the camera because I've been shooting in auto mode, but based on my experience so far, manual adjustment, while available, won't be needed for most of the shots I will be taking. Once I have the time, I plan to explore all the high end features of the camera, but for now, I can't comment intelligently or fairly.
The only knock I have is that the flash is underpowered. This is a common problem with all ultra compacts, but I think I will probably go out and buy an external flash at some point. A few of my indoor shots could have benefited from a stronger flash, but even those shots were not all that bad.
Perhaps I have a defective Sony camera, but I have seen some other reviews where people had problems with blurry pictures, and it seems to be a known problem with the camera. After playing around with the Canon, I don't even want to take the chance of returning the Sony and getting a replacement. Its getting returned right away.
- 4 replies to this review
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Thanks for the information. It's very useful.
I have question? How do you attached external flash to SD500. Which flash would fit?
Thanks -
mgibson99-I actually bought the Sony Cybershot DSC P200 today because a few test shots at B&H showed that the Sony had slightly better image quality. I figured I would try it out at home since I have seven days to return it (still fiddling around with it). Thanks for comparing the very two that I was mulling over.
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First off, I would like to say that both the Powershot SD500 (aka IXUS 700) and the Sony DSC-P200 are outstanding cameras, and I think most will find them acceptable.
The SD500 certainly does not have an underpowered flash, in fact it is one of the strongest of any digicam of similar dimensions, with a range of up to twice similar cameras.
I am surprised also at the comments on the P200. Certainly the P100, P150 and W1 cameras did have a minor and infrequent issue of blurred pictures. I have used the P100 quite a lot, and it is exceedingly rare. This is caused by the firing of shutter not being barred by the lack of an autofocus lock. This is one of the methods that Sony use to achieve the very good shutter response in their cameras. It should only ever be an issue where focus is difficult and certainly not all the time. I expect this trait has been inherited by the P200. The solution is to momentarily pause the shutter at the halfway mark.
The P200 can also be more prone to camera shake depending on how you hold the camera due to the positioning of the lens. It is not a good camera to use 1-handed. -
Canon is one of the few manufacturers I've seen that is addressing this problem. They offer a high power external flash to assist the camera's flash when more range is needed. See the HF-DC1 flash which mounts to the camera using the tripod mount and an accessory base.
Where to buy
Canon PowerShot SD500:
$579.97
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Amazon.com Marketplace
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$579.97 | Yes |
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