Ultra Compact Choice? (Narrowed down to Sony vs Nikon)

jeremy3721

I've been struggling to find the right camera for my girlfriend for Christmas and I thought I'd share the two cameras I've narrowed things down to (Actually ordered both and will have to send one back)

She wants an ultra compact but prefers a pink or red camera (I know :scratch ). I've looked at available models with her a couple of times and she's mentioned that she also liked a large lcd screen.

With those two things in mind and my maximum budget of $200 I've narrowed those choices down to either a Sony Cybershot DSCW80 (for $185 on Amazon) or the Nikon Coolpix S50 (for $179 on J&R). From what I've read the Sony got a little more critical acclaim but I do frown on having to use Sony's Memory Stick although I do have an extra 1gb laying around that was used on my PSP. Both have about the same resolution, same zoom, a form of image stabalization and similar battery packs. I believe the Sony is a little bit of an older model so I'm not sure about the speed. I really hate shutter lag and I did read a review on the Nikon that it's a bit slow.

Can anyone share anything else I might want to consider? I think I found pretty good deals on both cameras but I'm leaning towards keeping the Sony as it looks a little nicer in my opinion and aethetics being important to the girlfriend I have to take that into account.

gus

I think in that range ...its a cigarette paper between them re photo quality however one thing many overlook is the software supplied with the camera. I would check out what one offers against the other with the software like red eye reduction etc. It may be almost identical but some are more user friendly than others.

Chrissiebeez_NL

prefers a pink or red camera (I know ).

sorry, can't help you but that just cracked me up!! thnx!

Grainbelt

some panasonics are 28-100mm
Not sure if they come in pink or red, but the panasonic Lumix FX30 is a nice, stylish camera, and unlike the two listed has 28-100mm range. That extra width on the wide end would be great for indoor social pics - not sure what your GF will be using the camera for, but if the color is important, I assume this kind of use will be common.

I know some folks who shoot with DSLRs, and picked the Lumix as their P&S for the additional width. Leica lenses, apparently good IQ. My $0.02

Here's a comparison with the two you listed and the FX30

jeremy3721

Grainbelt wrote:

Not sure if they come in pink or red, but the panasonic Lumix FX30 is a nice, stylish camera, and unlike the two listed has 28-100mm range. That extra width on the wide end would be great for indoor social pics - not sure what your GF will be using the camera for, but if the color is important, I assume this kind of use will be common.

I know some folks who shoot with DSLRs, and picked the Lumix as their P&S for the additional width. Leica lenses, apparently good IQ. My $0.02

Here's a comparison with the two you listed and the FX30

thanks for the recommendation. I probably would have jumped at this had I already not ordered two other cameras. They make this in pink but I can't seem to find one in that color for sale online. Otherwise it looks like a very good camera. I really like the wide angle option as well.