SOny vs. Canon

[simm]

The 717 is an awsome camera. Exspecialy with the Carl Zeiss lenses. Iam to interesteed in this camera. However I havent been able to find anything on it that it does have macro mode. You can get telescopic lenses so I would be assure you could get macro. You should be able if it does not purchas a stepping ring with macro filters. But a 5 mega pixel camera for 799 you would think it would.

 

[2jz]

Originally posted by simm
The 717 is an awsome camera. Exspecialy with the Carl Zeiss lenses. Iam to interesteed in this camera. However I havent been able to find anything on it that it does have macro mode. You can get telescopic lenses so I would be assure you could get macro. You should be able if it does not purchas a stepping ring with macro filters. But a 5 mega pixel camera for 799 you would think it would.
don't be fooled by "carl zeiss" lens on sony's cameras. they are nothing like TRUE carl zeiss lens....true carl zeiss lens alone cost way more that that camera and are usually fixed lens for quality purposes. the camera DOES do macro mode though (2cm), but if you want true macro you're going to have to get a lens kit...a regular lens for multipurpose isn't going to do the best macro job in the world. please don't confuse zoom ability with macro, to be considered macro, the lens has to be able to produce 1:1 magnification. many digital camera manufacturer today label their camera "macro" abled when in reality, it is just able to shoot close up and not a true macro mode. i don't know whos the best now, but when i used to keep up with all the products the nikon 990 was the top macro capability with the original non-interchangeable lens. like i said before, don't be foold with all the "features" a camera has and think its a good deal. the more they try to get the lens to do...the more quality you lose out of that lens. that is why fixed lens is far superior than zoom lens and preffered by most pro photographer.

 

[spsfreak100]

If money is no issue, this looks like an awesome buy:Canon EOS-1Ds
They're charging $7,100.00 for that camera!
Here's some information from an online store which sells cameras, about these two products:
Sony Cybershot F717
Canon Powershot G3
The following was copy and pasted from the website:
Sony Cyber Shot F717:
Full Description: Combining point-and-shoot convenience with a host of manual photographic controls, this camera is sure to inspire digital photographers to expand creativity and get better results. Armed with high-quality Carl Zeiss™ optics, ISO sensitivities of 100/200/400/800 and shutter speeds of up to 1/2000 second in auto mode, the DSC-F717 produces stellar results, even in the most demanding of shooting situations.
Features:
*2/3" 5.24 MegaPixel Super HAD™ CCD image sensor, 5.02 MP effective
Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar 5X Optical zoom lens, 2X Precision Digital zoom, 10X Total Zoom
*
Five area Multi-Point Auto Focus, with manually selectable focus points and Hologram AF low light laser assist
*
Clear Color and Clear Luminance Noise Reduction, Slow Shutter NR subtractive noise reduction for long exposures
*
46-step Shutter Priority (30 sec ~ 1/1000 sec), 13-step Aperture Priority (f2.0 ~ f 8.0), Full Manual Exposure
*
49 segment Multi-pattern measuring exposure system, Center-weighted averaging and Spot meter modes
*
NightShot® Infra-red illumination system, NightFraming infra-red assist helps composition in adverse lighting
*
Twilight, Twilight Portrait (slow shutter flash synch) & with 5 presets and 1 push manual calibration
*
Eye-level TTL 180k Pixel LCD Viewfinder, 1.8" 123K Pixel LCD Display, AccuPower™ Meter
*
Through the Lens (TTL) pre-flash met
Specifications:
Lens & Imager: Imager, Gross Pixels: 2/3" 5.24MP CCD Effective Pixels: 5.02 MegaPixel Lens/Optical Z, Aperture: Carl Zeiss, 5X f2~2.4 Focal Length: 9.7 ~ 48.5mm 35MM Equivalency: 38 ~ 190mm Digital Zoom: Precision, 10X Lens Thread: 58mm Lens Cover: Cap Auto Focus: Contrast Detect Manual Focus: Yes, Continuous Ring Visual Focus Confirm: On LCD w/Magnifier AF Illuminator Light: Hologram AF Camera: A/D Conversion: 14-bit DXP ISO: Auto/100/200/400/800 Flash Modes: Auto/Forced/Off Red-eye Reduction: On/Off Flash Level Adjustment: Auto/High/Low External Hot Shoe Flash Terminal for HVL-F1000 LCD/Viewfinder: LCD: 1.8" 123K Pixel LCD Backlight: On/Off, Adjustable Eye level Viewfinder: 180k LCD, Through Lens AccuPower™ Meter Recording: Recording Media: Memory Stick Still Image Formats: JPEG/TIFF 5.2MP Image: 2560 x 1920 3:2 5MP: 2560 x 1712 QXGA Image: 2048x1536 SXGA Image: 1280 x 960 VGA Image: 640 x 480 Compression (Quality): Standard/Fine Burst Mode: 3Frames, 2fps Picture Effects: 5 Modes Movie Modes*: MPEG EX/HQX Packaging Details: Dimensions: 4-3/4 x 2-3/4 x 6" (120 x 68 x 151mm) Weight: 1 lb 8 oz (696g) with battery and Memory Stick
Canon Powershot G3
Full Description: The PowerShot G3 is a combination of high image quality, incredible performance and superior features to satisfy the needs of the most demanding professional or advanced amateur photographer.
Features:
*High Resolution 4.o Megapixel CCD
*
High Speed 35-140 f/2.0-3.0zoom lens.
*
4x optical 3.6x digital14x combined
*
Max resolution 2272 x 1704
*
Low resolution 1600 x 1200, 1024 x 768, 640 x 480
*
Image ratio w:h 4:3
*
Effective pixels 3.9 million
*
Sensor photosites 4.1 million
*
Sensor size 1/1.8 "
*
Sensor type CCD
*
Colour filter array G-R-G-B
*
Sensor manufacturer Unknown
*
ISO rating 50, 100, 200, 400
*
Zoom wide (W) 35 mm
*
Zoom tele (T) 140 mm (4 x)
*
Digital zoom Yes, up to x3.6
*
Auto Focus Yes
*
Manual Focus Yes
*
Auto focus accuracy TTL, FlexiZone
*
Normal focus range 50 cm
*
Macro focus range 5 cm /15 cm
*
White balance override Yes - 6 positions & manual
*
Aperture range F2.0 - F3.0 / F8
*
Min shutter 15 sec
*
Max shutter 1/1250 sec
*
Built-in Flash Yes
*
Flash guide no. 5.0 m (16.4 ft) 0 m
*
External flash Yes, hot-shoe
*
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Anti-red-eye, Slow Sync,
*
Focal length multiplier
*
Exposure compensation -2EV to +2EV in 1/3EV steps
*
Metering Evaluative, Center Weighted, Spot
*
Aperture priority Yes, full range manual
*
Shutter priority Yes, full range manual
*
Lens thread Yes, optional 58 mm adapter
*
Continuous Drive Yes, 1.5 fps, 2.5 fps (max 14 frames)
*
Movie Clips Yes, max 91/242 secs
*
Remote control InfraRed included
*
Tripod mount Yes
*
Self-timer 2 or 10 sec
*
Time-lapse recording No
*
Storage types Compact Flash (Type I or II)
*
Microdrive compatible Yes
*
Storage included 32 MB CompactFlash
Specifications:
lens/wide/zoom 35 mm - 140 mm (4x) (dig: 3.6x) focus/min/macro auto | manual / 50 cm / 5 cm metering mode evaluative / center-weighted / spot aperture auto | manual / F2.0W / F3.0T white balance auto | manual - 8 presets shutter auto | manual / 15s - 1/2000s exposure mode +/- 2EV in 1/3EV steps flash unit/mode internal / hot-shoe - 9 modes / 0.7m - 5m viewfinder optical iso rating 50 / 100 / 200 / 400 image size 2272x1704 / 1600x1200 / 1024x768 / 640x480 image format raw / jpeg (exif 2.2) image compr. super fine / fine / normal remote control self timer 2s / 10s video options Qt m-jpeg / 320x240 / 160x120 (15fps) - 180/180s audio options WAVE (mono) connectivity usb / video (NTSC/PAL) storage compact flash I / II platform Windows 95/98/2000/ME/XP, Mac OS 8.1-9.04
Graham

 

[krishj39]

Graham, have you ordered anything from Cameratopia? They have the cheapest online price I've seen for the G3, but when I looked up reviews for the company, the average overall rating was 2.8/10. Basically, they seem to be very unethical, frequently not shipping the purchased products, products arrive with foreign warranties instead of promised USA warranty, even trying to buy positive ratings to make themselves look better (see resellerratings.com for review). Anyway, just wondering if you had purchased from them and can tell a different story, and if you haven't purchased from them, this a strong warning to re-consider.

 

[spsfreak100]

I actually have had experience with them. While their information they have may be good, their service is the worst i've ever seen.
I ordered the Canon Powershot G2 back in August. The service lady called up 48hrs late, saying that the order has been placed, and that I should expect it to be coming to my door within the next 3-7 days. 10 days went by without anything. Another 20 days went back without anything. Another 30 days went buy without anything. I emailed them back asking what happened. What I got was this:
"Graham,
We are sorry about your order. Due to the high demand of the camera you ordered, the shipment will be delayed. We are very sorry about this event, and we hope you stick with camera topia for your camera services."
So, for that awesome price, I just stuck with it for another month. Of coarse, I never got anything back. I never got any emails, any phone calls, etc. I emailed them back a few more times, yet never received any response. I cancelled the order soon after, and went to best buy to pick up the Sony F707. I would not recommend ordering from Camera Topia, yet their information they have about the camera can be usefull.
Graham

 

[2jz]

when you buy cameras from any new york store besides B&H to consider the following criteria:
1 item has USA Warranty and not grey market
2 the place is not a bait and switch
3 don't be pressured into ordering accessories like filters (some places will say they dont have the stuff in stock, if you don't buy extra items)

 

[spsfreak100]

Originally posted by 2jz
3 don't be pressured into ordering accessories like filters (some places will say they dont have the stuff in stock, if you don't buy extra items)
Great information 2jz! That statement quite interesting...
Graham

 

[simm]

B&H is good. Might look into Ritz online as well.

 

[2jz]

i recommend cameraworld of oregon, they do price matching as long as the place advertising is legitimate.