Camera advice

[uforgot]

I've spent the last two weeks researching and looking at small digital cameras. My beloved Kodak is just too big, and I want something I can slip into my pocket. I have it narrowed down to two cameras and I have a few questions for anyone who has these. The Canon elph sd600 6.0mp and Sony CSD-W70 Cybershot 7.2mp

The problem with the Sony seems to be that the case is a little flimsy. It appears to be completely plastic and when you open the battery cover and ac connecter, it IS plastic. There also seems to be a lot of people out there who have their Sony LCD crack on them easily, without any reason (according to the reviews.) I'm concerned about all this because I mostly want to take it on rides with me. I looked at both cameras at the store, couldn't decide and they told me to take this one home and try it out for 14 days, and bring it back if I decide against it. I like the features, I can buy an adapter and use lenses/filters on it, and I get excellent photos with it. I will have to change to memory stick, as I already have sd. I'm just sort of scared to do much with it, it seems so delicate. Anyone have one of these and care to comment?

All the reviewers, c-net, Steve's digicams, etc. love love love the Canon SD600 Elph The case is metal, and it appears much sturdier. I like to take closeups, flowers and such, so I was wondering if there would be a significant difference between the 6mp and the 7.2mp Sony. There is no battery meter, and battery life is shorter than the Sony, but the battery life over all is better than with AA. C-net ranked this camera much higher than the Sony. Steve's digicam ranked it #1 in ultra-compact cameras and the Sony about #4 in compact digital cams, it's cheaper and I can use the SD cards I already have.

After all the reviews and trying these cams in the store, I would go with the Canon, but the only drawback is the difference in the 6 and 7.2 resolution. I'd like to hear from anyone who has either of these or comparable cameras.

The things I insist on are:
1) optical viewfinder
2) movie mode (yeah it's not great, but I still like it for my physics class)
3) small enough for my pocket.
4) under $250 (with all of the sales coming up this week, I thought this would be a great time)

Thanks for any help you can give me!

[7rider]

What kind of pictures are you thinking of taking with it?
6 mp seems plenty for walkin' around snapshots that could blow up fine and still give you plenty of clarity for cropping.
Unless you are doing some serious photography with it - at which point I'd say you are probably looking in the wrong market segment - then I think given the pros and cons you spell out, the Canon is perfect for you.

[mtbdarby]

Can I add my request as well? I'd like a digi camera I can take on the bike AND take at least a 30 second video of (so I can catch the cute little things my son does and email them to his dad). Does the sony do this?

[SR500]

We love our Olympus Stylus 720 SW, shock proof, water proof, ultra compact so it fits perfect in a jersey pocket. 7.1 megapix. Great pics!

[Bluetree]

7 megapixels is a lot of overkill for a pocket camera. It's like paying extra $$$ for a car with a top speed of 250mph instead of 200mph... not much point to it.

mtbdarby, Sony does video, but so do a lot of cameras. With video capabilities, its better to invest in memory. A 4GB card can hold alot of memories! (pun intended)

[uforgot]

7 megapixels is a lot of overkill for a pocket camera. It's like paying extra $$$ for a car with a top speed of 250mph instead of 200mph... not much point to it.

mtbdarby, Sony does video, but so do a lot of cameras. With video capabilities, its better to invest in memory. A 4GB card can hold alot of memories! (pun intended)

That's what I needed (wanted) to hear. I'll get the Canon. As far as the video is concerned, both of these cameras I described have it as well as my 5mp Kodak camera. While it doesn't replace a real digital camera, they were great for email, or just ones I wanted to keep on a computer. During all of my research, I was surprised to find that it's actually hard to find one that DOESN'T have the video.

Thanks everyone for the help!

[Morphine]

Can I add my request as well? I'd like a digi camera I can take on the bike AND take at least a 30 second video of (so I can catch the cute little things my son does and email them to his dad). Does the sony do this?

If you are looking for handy DC to shoot while riding, why not try the Canon i zoom ? its 5MP, fits nicely (size of the mobile or even smaller !) and works wonders when spinning.

[snapdragen]

The case is metal, and it appears much sturdier. I like to take closeups, flowers and such, so I was wondering if there would be a significant difference between the 6mp and the 7.2mp Sony.

I can't speak for the differences in mp - but having dropped my new Canon in a parking lot I can say the case is very sturdy. A few cosmetic scratches - it still works perfectly.

The macro function works well too