Sony's 7mp DSC-v3

[Starling]

Does anyone know about this camera? (Sony DSC-V3) My husband spotted a review of it in one of his magazines.

It takes 7 megapixel photos. It has a 2.5 inch LCD preview screen and a very shot shutter-lag and a 4x optical zoom. Those are the things I understand and they are things I want in a new camera. I can get it for $529 at Amazon, where it has good reviews.

They also have the earlier version of ths camera (Sony DSCW7). It also takes 7 megapixel photos. It has a 3x optical zoom and a 2.5 inch display. It looks like it would run me just under $400.

They both have Zeiss lenses and they both have manual settings available.

I have been to dpreview on the more expensive camera, and they like it. But I think I would get better advice here if anyone has used either of these cameras.

[Candiflip]

I bought the V3 right before I bought my 20D. I love my V3. I don't use it as much as I used to becuase I am trying to get used to my new camera. My husband uses it all the time though. It really is a great camera and for $500!! We paid around $1100 up here when we bought!! What a difference!

Here is a picture take with it

[Starling]

Thanks for the response. It is really good to hear from someone who actually has used the camera in a family situation.

At this point I am also looking into 2 Canon cameras. The Cannon G6 is in the same group as the Nikon. The Canon S2 will be coming out at the end of June. It has 5 mp, but it has an awsome zoom. They are all in the about $500 range.

[lscott1817]

The V3 is an upgrade to the V1. I have had the V1 for almost two years, and it is an awesome camera. I now have a Rebel XT, but I will never get rid of my V1. The only issue I know of with the V3 is that at some of the smaller apertures the pictures can get soft. All you have to do is use aperture priority mode, and set the aperture to f4.

[Starling]

One of the reasons I want a camera at this level is that I don't know how to use the manual settings. I know that all of the cameras I am looking at have "modes" which is half way to the manual settings. It that a good way to learn how cameras work?

[Candiflip]

I have the V1 too and that is a great camera also. My V3 was to upgrade my V1. I personally don't use my V1 anymore but my husband does.

I found the V1 & V3 great cameras to learn manual settings on. I knew a little about what I was doing when I got my 20D. The auto works good too. Here is a picture I took today on auto on the V3 becuase I didn't want to mess with uploading from the 20D's card in the card reader this morning, I just wanted to upload quick :P

Candice

[lscott1817]

Almost any camera will take ok pictures on full auto. If you want to take great pictures it is best to use one of the creative modes or manual. Aperture or shutter priority can be used as "traning modes" to help you quickly learn how the settings change the picture. It may also help you to look at some of the camera review sites to see sample pictures before choosing a camera. A few of the best are http://www.dpreview.com , http://www.dcresource.com , and http://www.steves-digicams.com .