Sony Cybershot DSC-HX5V, Canon Powershot SX210 IS or something else?

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Hi all,

I'm looking at getting a camera for Christmas and i've come across the two in the title;

Sony CYBER-SHOT DSC-HX5V Digital Camera - Black - Jessops

Canon Powershot SX210IS Digital Camera in Black - Jessops

I'll be using them mainly for point-and-shoot and recording videos on nights out - mainly in the club it self (recording the DJ mix at the DJ booth and etc.).

Obviously i want the best i can get for the price range, £200, so was wondering which of the two you'd go for, or if there's anything else i should be looking at for that price?

Thanks in advance :)
 
You will want the best low light performance that you can. Coincidentally I am after a new compact for work after the missus bust mine on holiday. I am trying to stay within the same budget of £200 or to bump it up to £300 which, if you shop around, brings in much higher performance compacts such as the Canon S95, Panasonic LX5 and the Samsung EX1. DPReview did a test of travel zoom compacts back in July, see here ...
'Compact Super Zoom' Camera Group Test (Q2 2010) Review: 24. Conclusions and ratings: Digital Photography Review
The Canon you are looking at doesn't fair too well for low light photos. Having said that, if you don't mind bit of a grudgy/grainy look then you could probably get some pleasing results. Jim posted some good low light shots of the Samsung WB600 (the model below the DPR test winner) and this can be picked up for £160 odd from Jessops: http://www.avforums.com/forums/photo-sharing/1307436-night-out-long-set.html
 
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Thanks, i'll continue to look around and £200 is definitely my max budget, unfortunately.
 
What about the Canon s90? Is it worth the extra 50/60 quid? I mean if i got one of the one's first posted, that extra money could be used for a decent SD card and/or cover.
 
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As I was researching similar cameras (decided on the TZ10, outdoor close ups and zoom were priorities) my conclusions on your short list:

quickly ruled out on the basis that the pop up flash pops up every time - apparently you can hold your thumb over it to stop it coming up, we thought it would be too much of an irritation

decided against in the end as reviews conflict - some say sluggish performance, other say fast :rolleyes:

The Imaging Resource! - I like these reviews best as they seem to be the most conscientious and thorough. Digital Photography Review is pretty good. Two more review sites that are OK: PhotographyBLOG & Cameralabs


Perhaps read up on the IXUS 300 - I've an idea I came across positive remarks about low light performance, but zoom is more limited than the two above. EDIT: A.K.A. Canon PowerShot SD4000 IS (review in link) You need to move fast to catch the BestBuy 15% cashback deal (via a certain cashback website) to get it near your £200 budget.
 
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Sony CYBER-SHOT DSC-HX5V Digital Camera - Black - Jessops

Canon Powershot SX210IS Digital Camera in Black - Jessops

I'll be using them mainly for point-and-shoot and recording videos on nights out - mainly in the club it self (recording the DJ mix at the DJ booth and etc.).

:)

Which magazine rates both at 71%.

Sony summary:

Pros: Slim, 10x zoom, 25mm wide angle, GPS functions, good video quality
Cons: No viewfinder, some graininess in low-light shots


Canon summary:


Pros: Huge 14x zoom lens, 14Mp resolution, good picture quality in most conditions, great video mode, manual control options
Cons: Some graininess in low light shots, no viewfinder, slow burst mode
 
Perhaps read up in the IXUS 300 - I've an idea I came across positive remarks about low light performance, but zoom is more limited than the two above. EDIT: A.K.A. Canon PowerShot SD4000 IS (review in link) You need to move fast to catch the BestBuy 15% cashback deal (via a certain cashback website) to get it near your £200 budget.
And where might that be? ;)
 
And where might that be? ;)
have sent you a PM as I don't think the name is allowed to be mentioned? competing affiliate...

bestbuy ixus 300 search: 'Ixus 300' - Best Buy UK £207.40 after 15% cash back from alternative site. I believe the 15% may end at midnight as it was for this weekend only
 
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Perhaps read up on the IXUS 300 - I've an idea I came across positive remarks about low light performance, but zoom is more limited than the two above. EDIT:

Which says: "If you're shooting in artificial light, the 300 HS maintains its top-rate performance, and colour reproduction remains faithful under indoor lighting" although concluson says "low-light shots not as improved as claimed".
 
I'm not sure where you are quoting from? The review I linked is the Imaging Resource one. Note that the SD4000 is the US name for IXUS 300

from the pros column:
  • Nice 3.8x lens with maximum aperture of f/2 for shooting in low light
  • Better than average focusing in low light
from the conclusion:
Combining high quality with high style, Canon has integrated an f/2 lens into a compact Digital ELPH design and called it the PowerShot SD4000. Don't let the Canon SD4000's diminutive size and attractive touchable design fool you; it's capable of capturing some beautiful images on par with more advanced (and even more expensive) cameras. Though the f/2 aperture is only achievable at the widest, 28mm setting, the Canon SD4000 is a champ in low light. Along with the bright lens, the Canon SD4000's impressive, 10-megapixel sensor with BSI technology did well in keeping noise down at ISO 800. And though it struggled at ISO 3,200, it performed better than most compacts in this class. Plus, the advantage of having an f/2.0 lens is that you won't always need to pump up the ISO in low light. On the downside, though the camera has some features that will make serious photographers take note, its clumsy menu-driven interface can be frustrating to use, especially if you're trying to make quick changes to the settings. Those are fairly minor quibbles, though. The Canon PowerShot SD4000 is one of the best compact style cameras we've tried and makes an easy Dave's Pick.

EDIT:
Which says: "If you're shooting in artificial light...
I realise you probably mean 'Which' the consumer magazine - I don't think their reviews are really expert, and quite superficial in comparison with the specialist/enthusiast reviews. I'd base a purchase decision on a mix of expert reviews + corroborating user feedback in the respective forums
 
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Man i'm terrible when it comes to buying techy stuff, can never decide and all the reviews and advice actually makes it harder :laugh:

Thanks for the info guys, still a month till xmas so i'll keep looking for a couple of weeks.

How is the Sony as i'm leaning towards that atm... should i be...? :rolleyes:
 
A lot of people i speak to are suggesting i get a Panasonic TZ10, how does this perform in low-light environments?
 
A lot of people i speak to are suggesting i get a Panasonic TZ10, how does this perform in low-light environments?

...about as well (or poorly) as most compacts TBH - low light is always going to be a problem for small sensors...

Jim
 
A lot of people i speak to are suggesting i get a Panasonic TZ10, how does this perform in low-light environments?
I don't think in my research it was noted as one of the camera's best attributes - more adequate/typical of the type of camera.

I realised that you are homing in the "travel zoom" style of camera - I'm wondering why? do you need the extra zoom offered by these types of compact? If not, consider that a less flexible camera might actually be better.

Also - how important is video? the though occurred that a camcorder might be better? As the sensors record lower resolution perhaps they are actually better in low light? I don't know the answer, but it's something I'd want to find out if video is important
 
I realised that you are homing in the "travel zoom" style of camera - I'm wondering why? do you need the extra zoom offered by these types of compact? If not, consider that a less flexible camera might actually be better.

Also - how important is video? the though occurred that a camcorder might be better? As the sensors record lower resolution perhaps they are actually better in low light? I don't know the answer, but it's something I'd want to find out if video is important
No particular reason, i know very little about cameras, so had no idea i was looking at "travel zoom" cameras :laugh: Thought a digital compact would just cover the one category and i've simply been looking for the best i can get for my budget.

I'd prefer to stick with a digital compact rather than a camcorder. Pictures come first, won't be a lot of videos. As i say in my first post, mainly recording the DJ do his thing every now and then, not for home video recording or anything.
 
In that case I wonder if you can borrow or demo a camera and get a feel for the typical distance you want to photograph at? As a general rule the more flexible a lens is, the lower the quality (also assuming roughly equal cost) So you may be able to sacrifice maximum zoom in favour of low light performance, which is your highest priority.
 
Distance isn't a major concern, low-light performance is probably more important.

If you watch a couple of videos from this person's Youtube you'll get an idea as to the type of videos i'd like to record and also the environments i'll be taking photos.

However, i do plan a few holidays next year where of course i'll be taking some photos outdoors, so some outdoor capabilities would be nice :smashin:
 
I realise you probably mean 'Which' the consumer magazine - I don't think their reviews are really expert, and quite superficial in comparison with the specialist/enthusiast reviews. I'd base a purchase decision on a mix of expert reviews + corroborating user feedback in the respective forums

Fair comment re not being a specialist magazine (and, in any event, not infallible) but that's all I had!!
 
Any weekend deals worth looking at?
 

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