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-------------------------------------------------------------- This story was printed from ZDNet Australia. --------------------------------------------------------------
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5-megapixel shootout August 18, 2003 URL: http://www.zdnet.com.au/reviews/coolgear/cameras/soa/5-megapixel-shootout/0,139023377,120277364,00.htm
They say three's a crowd but what if you want them all? We stress-test these three 5-megapixel compacts and give you the heads up on the winner.
Avid shutterbugs must be beaming with the recent launch of three affordable prosumer cameras, all sporting similar specs. These cameras often promise--and mostly deliver--everything under the sun. Of the three, only the offering from Sony is of a totally new bloodline. The other two are product upgrades of existing models from Canon and Nikon. The key features binding these compacts are the 5-megapixel sensors as well as the 4x optical telescopic reach. From our reviews, you'd no doubt have guessed by now that these gizmos are very evenly matched. So, before you lay down the dough for one, do check out our feature-for-feature comparison table in the next few pages to obtain an idea of the strength and weaknesses of each camera. This way, you can gauge which unit will ultimately work better for you. 5-megapixel shootout: DesignWhile all the cameras sport a compact form factor and arguably stylish design, each has its own merit and drawbacks. For instance, the Canon G5 is slightly bigger than the rest of the group (at least 13mm longer and a negligible 0.9mm taller) but the extra real estate did not translate to better grip. Most of the extra space can be attributed to the G5's controls which are well-labeled and provide easy access to most of the camera's functions.The Coolpix 5400 had the most comfortable and natural handle because of the extra large rubber handgrip bestowed upon it by Nikon. However, with the slightly smaller size, the tilt-and-swivel LCD screen has also decreased in size to a rather small 1.5-inch. The Sony V1 arrives with the most petite dimensions at an impressive 99 x 65 x 57mm. Even with the more compressed body, the V1 feels comfortable in the hands and is easier to hold and handle than the G5. There are compromises, though. Regrettably, the Sony is the only one in the shootout with a fixed LCD, which limits flexibility in taking shots either overhead or below the belt. This Sony makes up for the shortcoming by hitting the scales at just 300g, minimizing handshake due to a lighter weight. All the shooters come clad in a metal shell except for Nikon's offering. Even so, all have exceptional build quality, giving them a sturdy feel. For cameras that offer professional features, the button and dial placements are important. We're delighted to say all the units have done fairly well in this aspect--some better than others--though we did feel the Nikon caused a little more hassle to get to some of the commonly used options. Verdict: All said, these semi-pro units have their advantages and disadvantages. In the end, we liked the portability and usability the V1 provides. The G5 earns second place with its quick and easy access to shooting settings. 5-megapixel shootout: FeaturesWhile the feature sets of the three units are closely matched, there are some differences. Noticeably, the Canon G5 is the only camera which features a bright and fast F2.0 lens. The Nikon 5400 and Sony V1, on the other hand, trail behind with their F2.8 glasses. In general, larger apertures (small F stop numbers) allow brighter shots and thus the use of faster shutter speeds.For macro photography, it doesn't get much better than with the Coolpix 5400. This Nikon allows shots from as close as 10mm! This is followed by the G5's showing of 50mm and then the V1 by a distant 100mm. Then there's something for the nocturnal shutterbugs. The Sony V1 has the Japanese manufacturer's proprietary HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD sensor. As such it's the only camera in this shootout to incorporate night-framing and night-shooting modes. Verdict: A strong showing from all the cameras, each contributing something into the fray. As such, we can declare no clear winner here. 5-megapixel shootout: Image QualityHaving made it into this shootout, the cameras were generally capable shooters. Although, admittedly the Coolpix 5400 felt more zesty. The quick, precise zoom along with the zippy startup time made the 5400 very receptive of whatever your intentions may be. However, this was slightly let down by the rather loud zoom mechanism as well as the slower write times. The Sony V1 had the slowest zoom performance albeit quietest of the lot. If used without the flash, the V1 proved pretty impressive with its shot-to-shot intervals. With flash on, the story changes as the camera is excruciatingly slow despite the prosumer status. The Canon G5, on the other hand, turned in the most balanced performance, offering a good mix of speed as well as better access to commonly used shooting functions.Image quality depends very much on personal tastes. All said, the quality of the images captured were comparable. Strangely, in day shots the Sony and Canon produced images which look strikingly similar, with only certain photos distinguished by the G5's tendency to go into the yellow end of the spectrum. The Nikon 5400 is the oddball in this roundup. Its images were generally very natural looking with the nature pictures coming out the most vibrant. When it came to night shots, we wouldn't have any other camera other than Sony's V1. When comparing night shots, we were pleased with the V1's results. It didn't make photos too warm or yellowish like the G5 and it didn't go plain and flat like the 5400. Verdict: In terms of performance, the G5 ranks up top followed by the 5400. The Sony with its slow flash performance brings up the rear. For image quality, Sony fights back and emerges with the crown. This is closely followed by both the 5400 and G5. 5-megapixel shootout: Specifications
5-megapixel shootout: ConclusionIt has been a hard-fought battle between these three similarly configured cameras. After losing much sleep and hair, we've decided to give the crown to Sony's V1. At AU$200 cheaper than the other two competitors, the V1 provides the best value for your dollar. With the amount saved, you can put it into a bigger capacity Memory Stick media. We are aware that MemoryStick is more expensive than the CompactFlash cards that the Nikon and Canon uses. However, when the sums are done, we still think the V1 will bring your dollar further. The other added advantage of Memory Stick is the fact that it can be used on just about any other Sony electronic device--a feat that's only just being challenged by HP with the use of SD (Secure Digital) cards.However, if money's no object and performance is all that matters, the Canon and Nikon will go down well, too. The Nikon 5400 is zippy and possesses good macro performance. On the flip side, the Canon G5 is a good all-round performer and is quick when working with RAW images.
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