Pulled the trigger on a SONY H5!

[matt]

I decided on a field test. I wore my fully skeletonized Android Predator and went digital camera shopping. The Canon S3is didn't impress me that much with it's macro capability. The SONY H5 made me exclaim "WOW!". It really did a pretty good jog of catching the details of the gears and such. I liked the feel of both cameras and the layout of the features. So I decided to read some online reviews and what I found was that they were basically neck to neck. In the end, I was impressed with the H5's macro clarity and the large LCD screen. So I ordered it through Amazon.com at a good price and with the money I saved I basically added a 2 gig memory stick for free.

[Houston]

Good for you Matt

I used this camera before, being conscripted to take pictures at a friend's birthday party a month ago. It was very impressive and the 3 inch screen is such a bonus. Didn't do any macro work though

However I gather the Canon has a Super Macro mode which allows for close focusing down to 0cm, meaning the lens touches the subject. Probably be quite fun to play with. But you're right, the distortion level with the Sony is very low.

We can't wait to see the pictures - both of camera and watches


Best WIShes

ZIN

[diver88]

hey matt,
since you have done much more research than i can you tell me what you would have given up by getting the H2 instead , other than the 1.2 mp ? I'm still looking too. thanks,
;D diver88

[matt]

:)Hey Diver88,
I have to tell you I'm a simple minded shopper!
I liked the larger LCD view screen and I liked it's macro ability.
I'm still in the air concerning the Canon S3is. I like them both.
Go to www.DPreview.com/reviews and read their in depth analysis.
Here is a quote from the review of the SONY H5:

“Compared to the most obvious competitors - the Canon S3 IS and Panasonic DMC-FZ7 - the Sony H5 scores highly in handling, features, overall image quality and ease of use, and only really falls short in a couple of areas; burst mode, focus speed in low light (specifically at the long end of the zoom), and the purple fringing. The Canon S3IS wins hands-down when it comes to movies, the FZ7's lens and superior image stabilization means that at lower ISO settings it still, just, rules the roost when it comes to edge-to-edge sharpness, but the H5 offers a very attractive overall package that handles better than either, and - if that's what you like in a camera - has that nice big screen to boot.”

I hope all of this helps

[JBHII]

Congrats Matt!