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Sony Cybershot W300
Sony Cybershot W300
B
HQ Grade: B
A is outstanding and exceptional, rated in the top 10% of digital cameras.
B means they are good, with some standout features.
C means they are mediocre, and probably more trouble than they are worth.
D & F mean they are absolutely awful or old. Avoid at all costs.
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Dick Corbin (Corbs) 5 pts
April 7, 2008 12:32 PM
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How does sony DCS-W300 compare with Canon SD 950- IS?

Which one should I buy, or is there another similar camera that I should consider?
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Answers This question has been answered!
by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58449 pts
April 9, 2008 3:44 PM
23 people rated this answer helpful, 7 people rated this answer not helpful
 
For picture quality, I think there's too much MP here to work with. Let me explain. I came across an interesting article today about how more mega pixels is not necessarily a good thing. According to Image Engineering – a company that does testing of digital cameras for photo magazines in Germany – the quality of digital pictures has steadily decreased since the state of the art was six megapixels back in 2004. And because they don’t have a “dog in this hunt,” they put forth a compelling argument for buying new digital cameras with less mega pixels and not more.

The argument is essentially this: CCD chips on point and shoot cameras a smaller and as such, fitting in more pixels causes them to lose light sensivity. Sure, there’s more data on the chip, but the chip can’t absorb the light data and what it ends up with is a picture that has more noise than image quality. In addition, the more megapixels a camera has, the larger the lens it needs to provide the clarity it deserves and prevent diffraction due to a loss of detail with smaller apertures. But since we’re talking portable point and shoots here, those large lenses simply aren’t being made.

Finally, with larger mega pixels comes longer saving time due to their requires huge storage capacity, or more compression if not storing images in RAW format. The result is a noisier image and a dissatisfied camera user who thirsts for high quality and speed but fell into the trap of "more must mean better."

In the end, relying on a smaller MP that can balance all these needs may indeed be a better answer.
Best Answer
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Dick Corbin (Corbs) 5 pts
April 17, 2008 8:48 AM
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This was very helpful many thanks
Dick
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fredbillie (fredbillie) 251 pts
April 19, 2008 12:30 AM
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Right on James with your answer. Now, if this message could only become more widely known by the general public who seem to think that "more pixels is better".
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fredbillie (fredbillie) 251 pts
April 19, 2008 1:17 AM
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One other thing James. Sony may have used one redeeming feature re having too many MPs. They went from a 1/2.5 CCD to a somewhat larger 1/1.7 CCD. I have forgotten some of my Geometry but I think the divisor (1.7) is the Hypotenuse of (normally a 4:3 ratio) CCD and an increase in the Hypotenuse (I think) increases the size of the chip in a greater proportion than the increase of the Hypotenuse size.

The result may (or may not) actually increase the size of the individual light gathering pixels in this case (over what they were in the prior models of this series of Sony's Point & Shoot Cameras.

If I am right, credit my memory. If I am wrong, well, I am 79 and haven't seen a Geometry Text Book in about 62 years.
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by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58449 pts
April 19, 2008 6:21 PM
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I still don't think it's a large enough chip to address the noise issue sufficiently. But it's a start.

Now I need to go laydown after all that math!
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Tarek 2 pts
July 5, 2008 7:05 AM
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Actually, am not a professional photographer. However, i want to buy a digital camera with very high quality photos. Now i have two choices either Canon ixus 960 (12 MP) or Sony W300 (13.6 MP). Please advise.
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by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58449 pts
July 5, 2008 4:31 PM
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Honestly, I'm still saying neither. The thing is that he more MP you stuff on those chips, the more insensitive they are to light and the more noise comes to the party. But if I was forced at gunpoint, I'd choose the Canon Ixus.
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Sarah Sam 2 pts
July 15, 2008 8:11 PM
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I am in need for your advice. i need a very high quality photos for indoors and outdoors. Please reccomend one of the following choices.

1- Sony DSC- H50 (9.1MP, 15X, LCD 3")
2- Canon PowerShot- G9 (12MP, 6X, LCD 3")
3- Nikon Coolpix-P80 (10MP, 18X, LCD 2.7")

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by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58449 pts
July 16, 2008 12:51 PM
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The Sony H50 isn't all that. It invites alot of noise to the party at higher ISOs. In fact, all them will to a point. The G9 is the choice of professional photographers who use it as a portable option or backup. The Nikon P80 gets higher marks. Dump the H50 and then toss up to the rest.

Recommend that for comparison, you may want to check out this resource. It takes pictures with each and you can compare them side by side.
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Kat 0 pts
September 4, 2008 4:17 PM
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I've been struggling with the MP as well and not sure to go with the Sony DSC W300 or the Canon PowerShot SD870. I have a 4 year old so there are features the Sony has that are enticing (quickness of the consecutive shots, smile detection and I can crop photos that will look much cleaner when printed). However the Sony's lack of zoom while videotaping is not helpful.

Any advice would be helpful!
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by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58449 pts
September 4, 2008 6:37 PM
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Well, you can zoom before recording. Not much help, I know, but you can do that. Also, cropping in software like Adobe Photoshop Elements (best $60 you'll spend) gives you a lot more control over the cropping process without having to take up more space on the SD card. And if you don't like it, you can press "undo."

That Smile shutter though is a great advancement.
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Kat 0 pts
September 4, 2008 8:34 PM
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Have Adobe photoshop and love it. After all is said would you recommend the Sony DSC W300 over the Canon PowerShot SD870? I lost my Canon PowerShot SD800 which I did like, but tried my brother-in-laws Sony DSC W300 and like it.
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by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58449 pts
September 5, 2008 1:00 PM
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No, I wouldn't. Sony's W300 has poor low light performance at high ISO settings. The image really breaks down. My recommendation is to go to the link above and check them out side by side.
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Han 2 pts
September 13, 2008 10:01 AM
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I am planning to buy Sony Digital Camera.
here is my choice so far.

Please give me your advice on this two camera

Sony DSC-H10(JE)

or

DSC-W300 (JE)

Thanks
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fredbillie (fredbillie) 251 pts
September 13, 2008 11:51 PM
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Neither. I would suggest the Panasonic Lumix TZ5.
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by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58449 pts
September 15, 2008 1:47 PM
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While I agree that you can do better on the Sonys, you can also do better on the TZ5. Like Canon's SX100.
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Byaut (ynulppigsss) 1 pts
November 8, 2008 7:29 AM
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May I know which one is better in Nikon D 40, D60, D 80 and D 90?
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by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58449 pts
November 10, 2008 10:56 AM
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Well, they're all essentially the same camera design with the exception of a few features. One being that there's MP differences from 6.1 on the D40 to 12.3 on the D90. The D60/D80 have 10.2 MP. I also think that the D90 is full frame, but I could be wrong about that.

Same platform, IIRC.
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March 1 pts
December 12, 2008 9:47 AM
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Canon cameras are praised, but what about E18 problem?
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by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58449 pts
December 12, 2008 1:39 PM
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We get this often. Essentially, it may have gone out of alignment off the rails slightly.

There's an entire website devoted to this. In a nutshell, Canon E18 error happens when the lens gets stuck while trying to extend. The camera will beep a few times and the LCD will display a little E18 in the lower-left corner. The lens gets stuck in the extended position, and refuses to move either to focus the lens or to retract when powered off. But it doesn't happen to every camera or model.
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March 1 pts
December 13, 2008 10:52 PM
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Well, if you fork over $250 or more for camera and you are one of the unlucky ones, what do you do? It is not very comforting that only 4% get the problem; home repairs and/or fixes are pretty scary even to look at... So, if you have any alternative to Canon that you can recommend, I'll greatly appreciate your straight forward help.

I was looking at Cannon SD-990 until I got discouraged by E18.

Also, it is better to buy now, or after holidays?

Thanks a lot beforehand.
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by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58449 pts
December 15, 2008 6:24 PM
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Lens alignment issues will happen with just about any camera, March. The e18 is just more noticable because it has a catchy name. The bottom line is that as cameras get smaller, so do the alignment gears and that makes it more easy to knock a lens of the rails, no matter who makes it.

But currently, Canon seems to have gotten a handle on the dreaded e18 and I wouldn't let that prevent you from buying what is a very solid camera.
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Mini 0 pts
December 31, 2008 1:07 PM
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I am thinking of buying a digital camera (not digital SLR) in the $300 range - - mostly pictures of family gatherings indoor and travel photos. I bought a Nikon S60 and was disappointed with pic quality and returned it - - what camera would you recommend I buy for good clear images and sometimes enlarging of a few pics (e.g., for personalized calendars)? Thanks for your help.
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March 1 pts
January 1, 2009 5:33 PM
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My dd gave me a present for holidays - fujifilm f100fd. What's your opinion about this camera?
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by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58449 pts
January 1, 2009 9:58 PM
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March, it's not the top of the list, it's ranked about 12/17 in the 12 MP category. But it does get a "B" overall and user reviews are fairly positive. The only realy gripe is the flash is in a odd position. But it gets good marks overall for taking good pictures.

And hey, it's free!

Mimi, in that price range, I like two Canons ... the SD880IS and the SD990IS. Although both have more MP than you need, the SD990 has the new DIGIC IV processor which controls noise very well and takes fantastic images.
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March 1 pts
January 1, 2009 11:13 PM
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Thanks James. I'll be following your other responses.
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Mini 0 pts
January 4, 2009 8:13 AM
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James, thank you for the advice; I'll take a look at them and come back if i have more questions.
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Mini 0 pts
January 4, 2009 8:22 AM
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James, I just checked the specs online and the camera has 14 MPs - - doesn't this suffer from the problem you explained above about having too many MPs to work with? The lens doesn't seem large enough to adjust to such a high MP count as you explain above. Thanks for your advice and help!
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by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58449 pts
January 5, 2009 5:10 PM
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Well, the advantage the SD990 has is that it's chip is larger. This gives those MP more room and as such, the CCD becomes more sensitive to light than cameras that have the smaller CCD chips. As such, noise in low light is less of an issue. As for the lens issue, yeah, there is that.
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Hira 0 pts
January 8, 2009 5:00 AM
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I am looking for a camera for normal indoors and outdoors use, famil gathering, functions etc. Should be around $200 or less. Can you please suggest a best deal? Plus i always thought of Sony to be a best brand for cameras, but cannon seems to have outcasted sony :). I would wait for your advice.
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fredbillie (fredbillie) 251 pts
January 8, 2009 5:08 AM
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Here is the conclusion page of two recommended budget cameras:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q408budgetgroup/page15.asp

You might want to read ALL of the review. The Sony mentioned retails about $179.95 but I have seen it several times being advertised for $129.95. (Best Buy had it for this price.) I know NOTHING about this camera but the review site is highly respected.
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doubleC 0 pts
March 8, 2009 9:51 PM
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I'm looking for the new camera too. And now I'm debating between... SD880is, SD990is, and W300

Please give me some advice.

What's good/bad thing about wide angle lens? and What is manual exposure controls?
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by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58449 pts
March 9, 2009 10:12 PM
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As stated above, for comparison, you may want to check out this resource. It takes pictures with each and you can compare them side by side.

Also, for comparing Canon models side by side, you can also go to the SD 990 IS Canon site. In the upper right hand corner you'll see a button for "choose the right product." Then, click on "product comparison." A popup window will let you compare up to three cameras for features. This will give you a chance to compare them side by side to see the differences, and more importantly, the similarities.

And while you may be tempted to go with the larger amount of MP, if all your shooting are snapshots 99% of the time (which is what most point and shoot cameras are used for) or even an 8x10 or two, you will never really notice those extra 5MP of the SD990 unless you're enlarging to poster size. So why get it? Maybe for the manual controls. Manual exposure controls mean that you can manually set the exposure and shutter speed. A nice option is your a more advanced user.

But I think I'd rather have that wide angle advantage for landscape and group shots.
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