Just checked the User Manual for the Canon at http://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/0300001224/PSSX110IS_CUG_EN.pdf

One thing I noticed is that the flash has to be opened manually, I have the same in my camera, and there is a strong possibility that you'll forget to do that (happens to me), although there is an indication on the LCD. Especially when you ask someone to click a picture and forget to open the flash before giving the camera.

Something to keep in mind.

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SS
Reiki Grand Master

While at Camera - this is what I stumbled upon today ...

If anyone of you have Canon -
- Camcorders: ZR60, ZR65 MC, ZR70 MC, ZR80, ZR85, ZR90, ELURA 40 MC, ELURA 50
- Digital Cameras A60, A70, A75, A300, A310, S230, SD100, SD110, A40(*), A80(*), A85(*), A95(*), S1 IS(*), S60(*), S200(*), S330(*), S400(*), S410(*), S500(*)

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=PgComSmModDisplayAct&fcategoryid=225&modelid=13390&keycode=2112&id=48264

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Mumbai Maazi Ladki ...

Pratik,

A lot depends on your use of the camera.

1. Most of the cameras are great in outdoor shooting these days so there is not much of a difference. However, what counts is the indoor shoot. Some are sadly very bad, while some (like mine - Olympus) are great. My camera is able to shoot great pictures indoor without a flash at times and with the flash it is simply better than many others that I have seen. So in case you want to take a lot of indoor photos, go for one which has better reviews for night shoot.

2. Do you need a wide angle to cover more area in one photo or concentrate on smaller area? A wide angle camera would be good for indoor shoot when you have lots of people to cover in one photo.

3. Generally I have found Sony to be great in TVs but cameras??? Canon is definitely one of the best brands for cameras (unfortunately we do not get Minoltas here easily otherwise I would recommand that).

4. lens manufacturer - I think canon would have its own lens, but what does Sony have? Look for any of the cameras having Carl-Zeiss.

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Chandresh

Advice is free – lessons I charge for!!

Hi Pratickm,

The segment you are targeting is flooded with cameras that are all at par with one another. You really cannot go wrong with either of your picks to be honest.

Don't look at the megapixels. That is fundamentally garbage. The sensor size is more or less the same on all p&s and the more megapixels they cram into these small sensors, the noisier you pictures will turn out. Also, think of how big you want to print. Did you know even if you want to go as big as 8"x10", you don't need more than 3.2MP? Canon would be my choice here.

The convenience of an AA is great. I would consider this. You can grab and AA anywhere even in a gas station but if your proprietary battery system craps out, you are sort of stuck till you get a power source and you have to wait till it charges.

Look at optical zoom only. Digital zoom is again garbage. So if you are going to go for 10x optical, you will need Image Stabilization close to 10x range. If not, the zoom is a waste unless you plant to carry a tripod.

You are darn right about proprietary memory. Don't go for it. Buy a camera that will take SD cards. They are cheap. They are best. And another thing is that they will be easily read by any card reader that comes in a laptop these days. I am not sure if the 5-in-1 card leader in a laptop takes Sony's memory sticks. I have always HATED sony for this...what's their problem?

With regards to manual controls, make sure you can manually control the following:

ISO
Aperture
Shutter speed
White balance
Flash

Both the cameras you have listed will probably allow you to have some degree of manual control.

But come on now...I am guessing you are buying a Point & Shoot for all the convenience a Point & Shoot offers. Do you really care for these manual controls?

Last but not the least, consider the ergonomics. If we are talking convenience, either one of your camera choices must provide access to its features in the most easy fashion. The last thing you want to do is to keep fiddling with settings as the moment passes by.

If possible, see the "start up" of these cameras. That is, the elapsed time between one photo and the next. Or the elapsed time from when you power on your camera and when it is ready to take a picture. If the times are long, it is very very frustrating.

I hope this helps in some way. Cheers and good luck.

My choice: Canon
Why? Digic processor (tried, tested and true). AA battery. SD card. Less megapixels. These alone are good enough reasons for me.

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If you have a gun, you can rob a bank.
If you have a bank, you can rob everyone.
- Bill Maher

blorean makes some very good points re: pixel counts and the manual settings. You can't go wrong either way.

I went through a similar decision process around a year back and eventually settled on an older version of the Canon you are considering. Been very happy with picture quality.

Although I would choose the Canon for its SD card and AA batteries, the $100 difference in price will get you an MS card, pls card reader with money to spare...

Try dpreview.com to read other users' opinion of these cameras.