after6ix

Canon Digital IXUS 70

I bought my first digital camera today.. hmm make that my first camera period.

I was never really into taking photographs but with a great online application like Flickr, I have grown to enjoy snapping pictures during my trips in the past two years. It was just so easy to snap, upload the photos to Flickr and share them. Brilliant application, simple, easy, no fuss to develop the photos out and no storage headaches.

I was considering between getting the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T100 or the Canon Digital IXUS 70. The choice of the DSC-T100 came about because prior to my purchase, I own a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P41. It was a Christmas lucky draw dip that I got from my previous company. The DSC-P41 actually served me quite well, it was a simple to use point-and-click digial camera, no brainer and perfect for a camera-idiot like me.

After a good experience with a Sony Cyber-shot, I figured if I wanted to get a new camera, I should check out the latest from the same product line. Hence, the choice of DSC-T100. Before I go any further, I just want to point out that I am totally clueless when it comes to digital camera or photography for that matter. Based on the specifications (something that techie cannot deviate from), the DSC-T100 comes with a state-of-the-art 5x optical zoom and Carl Zeiss lens. Even a camera noob like me knows that the specifications are quite good for a camera of this category. Top it off with a huge ass 3.0 inch LCD and it swept me off already.

Being quite an impulse buyer, typically I would have just bought the camera on sight. Believe me the DSC-T100 looks good (and comes in 3 different colors!). However, I decided to play safe and do some homework before the purchase. I consulted the mighty Google and some of my camera-saavy friends.

After abit of research and Q&A, the highly recommended alterntative was the Canon Digital IXUS 70. Apparently, it can handle low-lighting shots better and just as compact as the Sony. The IXUS 70 is less pricey compared to the DSC-T100 comes with a smaller 2.5 inch LCD and 3x optical zoom. Both camera can deliver 7+ megapixel photos and despite the lower specs, the Canon seemed to be a more popular and prudent choice. In addition, the IXUS 70 uses the SD card instead the proprietary Sony Memory Sticks.

With some deliberations, I am now officially a proud owner of the Canon Digital IXUS 70.

On a side note, in comparison to the Canon website, the Sony one is way better in terms of organisation and usablity. I totally cannot stand the pop-up approach that Canon uses for each product. As a matter of fact, my link to the IXUS 70 is actually the pop-up instead of a proper page.