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05/26/2003 12:42:30 AM · #1 |
I've been in the market for a new digital camera for the last few months. I've spent these months comparing cameras, mainly the Sony F717 and the Nikon 5700. After straining my eyes on comparison photos (like DPreview, imaging-resource etc), to me at least, the images of the CP5700 look a little better. The Sony seems to have a good lens, very sharp, however many people who recommend it to me fail to mention the really bad barrel distortion, especially in macro. But the real issue for me, from what I can tell, is the colors. It seems as though in an attempt to fix some of the unnatural oversaturation of the 707, they have muted the blues and darker colors, and now reds, oranges, browns, etc, seem to stand out more and are kinda pukey. Of all the DPC F717 photos I've seen, I don't think I saw a single one with nice looking blues... though of course, this could be coincidence, and furthermore colors and saturation can all be changed later, but still. From what I've seen so far, the photos from the 5700 look much more natural, and much more like film. The colors manage to be saturated while not artificial. Unfortunately, the feature-set of the 5700 can't match that of the Sonys... So that's certainly a tradeoff. Okay so perhaps I'm answering my own question here... but I wanted to know if anyone else felt the same way, or had any suggestions or disagreements, because I'm still considering both of them. I, by the way, and coming from a Nikon analog SLR, which was borrowed for a long time; and I shoot a lot of nighttime and later-in-the-day photos, so I'm often trying to capture a lot of deeper colors like blues,violets,reds, etc. Also a lot of nighttime timelapse, as well as skylines and landscapes. Occasional portraits and some flora macros.
Here's my second problem. It looks like both cameras may have sucessors on the horizon. Many stores have stopped carrying the 5700, and Nikon is offering rebates. The F717 price dropped recently, too. But without knowing for sure if they will be replaced soon, it's a tough choice for me, because #1: the rebates will end in June, and #2: I am going on a couple of vacations in June and July and really need a good camera for them. But at the same time of course I don't want to buy one just to have them release a successor next Fall, which seems likely. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
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05/26/2003 12:43:55 AM · #2 |
| oh, i might add, I don't mean to offend anyone with my negative comments on the sony colors; colors are obviously a matter of preference to some degree, so let my preference be noted. Feel free to disagree with that as well :] |
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05/26/2003 01:12:58 AM · #3 |
And the reason for waiting for a successor would be? I could see if either camera had a major flaw that has caught the attention of a large scale audience, but I don't believe this is the case. Both are equally capable cameras, both give excellent results. What's bad about getting one of them at a cheaper than usual price?
Yes a new F7x7 or a new CP5700 might be coming soon, but so what? Get what's out there now and start learning about the camera and how to use it effectively. In a year or so if you want something else with more features or better quality or whatever. You can move up and not have to spend the majority of your time learning what every little function is. Technology might increase, but the last time I checked, it still took 4-5mp to make an 8"x10" print. F/stops are still F/stops, shutters are still shutters and ISO ratings are still ISO ratings. These things don't look like they're going to be changing anytime soon.
Message edited by author 2003-05-26 01:15:26. |
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05/26/2003 01:45:54 AM · #4 |
I looked at and and compared the SonyDSC-F717 and the Nikon CP5700
for a couple of months. I knew that I would buy one of these cameras.
I finally took the plunge and bought the 717. I have had it a little
over a week now. I think it is a wonderful camera.
I am really working to learn to use it. I have had a SonyFD91 for several
years and have been very pleased with it. I feel sure that I am going to
be very happy with the F717 also.
Message edited by author 2003-05-26 01:47:40. |
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05/26/2003 02:36:50 AM · #5 |
It really comes down to how it feels in your hand also. I though the 717 was "unweildy" and felt awkward with it. Plus I like the 8x zoom available on 5700. As for the other technical stuff...I think they compare pretty close and the shortcomings can be overcome with practice and a little experience with the camera. That seems to be the big thing...learn to use your camera.
tracy
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05/26/2003 07:34:42 AM · #6 |
If price is also a factor, the f717 is alot less in price. This was the deciding factor for myself.
newegg.com prices:
Sony f717 = $769.00
CP 5700 = $909.00
$140.00 differance.
I used that extra money for a few accessories for my f717, and I am generally happy with the camera. I like the extra bulk of the camera, simply due to the fact that it feels to me like it won't break if I breathe on it (this is a problem I had with my CP 995), and seems more durable.
The autofocus is amazing, better than most digital's from what I hear.
It's a nice camera, I am happy with my purchase. |
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05/26/2003 12:05:35 PM · #7 |
So much depends on the care and effort most of us are prepared to invest in post processing. This is where the fine-tuning happens.
If you are of a truly pedantic nature :-), you may also want to invest pixel SIZE, as opposed to number of pixels. This, IMO, does make a difference.
If you have a concern for the way colours are rendered, bear in mind that the samples you see are often shot in auto mode. People DO use this mode, sometimes exclusively as long as the camera is new and still unfamiliar. I use it occasionaly, when there is no time/light or opportunity to check or do anything else. Here, the calibration differs between models and manufacturers.
The best auto calibration I have been able to find (for my taste!) was in a Sony S 85.
Things to consider.
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05/26/2003 12:42:32 PM · #8 |
| I had the 5700 and really loved it! However, I had two that broke and know of several other people that have had problems with them alos. I finally took mine back to Costco, got all my money back and traded up for a Canon 10D. It's a wonderful camera, I'd just be sure to get it at a place you can be sure will stand by their merchandise in case you have a problem. My first 5700 locked up after three weeks, so I exchanged it for another one. That one lasted four months, then the flash stopped working. I compared the Sony when before I bought the 5700 and liked the Nikon a lot more. The only benefit the Sony had IMO is the wonderful night shot feature. I got great results with the macro on the 5700 and found the photos to have excellent clarity and color. |
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05/26/2003 01:56:25 PM · #9 |
I owned both of these cameras. I had a Nikon 5700 for 7 months, but it was stolen in March.
I loved the image quality and the great macros, as well as the range of the zoom. I did not love the short battery life, the flash taht would not pop up, the way the camera would lock up and I had to remove the battery to 'reboot', and i absolutely hated the auto focus and the lack of an effective manual focus.
The autofocus was slow, and pretty much non-existent in dim light (I'm not even talking about low light...just a little dim).
I struggled with the decision to replace it with a Sony 717. I didn't like the fact that it has dedicated memory media, and I've owned 5 Nikon SLR's over the last 15 years, all of which were wonderful.
I bought the 717 for $658 at www.abesofmaine.com and I got some new 256MB Pro memory sticks as well.
The image colors are not as great as on the Nikon, but I've taken some great shots with it, including macro shots. I am super happy with this camera (way more that I was with the 5700).
Any differences in image quality can be corrected in post processing.
I woudn't trade the 717 for a 5700 for anything now...
I think it will serve me well until DSLR's are better and more affordable.
JD Anderson
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