Are sony digital cameras just as good as Canon's?

what camera would you suggest buying? including 10x zoom or more and sharp image, fast recycle time

There are many different answers to this question, depending on the photographer's level of requirement and knowledge of both companies product lines.

Canon is better known as a "camera" company because of its long history of making good cameras. They also make some very excellent professional cameras that cost thousands of dollars. Some people believe that because they make these pro cameras, their consumer level must be the best.

Sony is better known as an "electronics" company because they make many different products. So some people think that means they cannot be the best at anything. However, Sony camcorders are widely thought to be the best at the consumer level, and certainly better than Canon's. And digicams are are definitely related to camcorders in their engineering.

My own view is that model for model, at the same category and price range, Sony and Canon are both excellent. The differences are too small for me to detect.

I got started with Sony five years ago, and have had nothing but good results from my pocket DSC-P8. Now I also have a DSC-H1 with a 12x zoom (plus 1.7x telephoto adapter), image stabilization, and a choice of manual controls. It is great for everything except high ISO shots, which have too much noise. (My daughter's similar Canon S2 IS is also great and also has high noise at high ISO.)

Based on our experience, I can recommend the current models Sony DSC-H2 and H5 and the Canon S3 IS. These all have improved the high ISO performance according to the pro reviews. Sony has announced that H7 and H9 models will be available later this spring/summer. Canon probably will announce a new model too.

Good Luck

Don't know but I would say they are all following each others designs and engineering etc.I would like to know which one is small, functional for an edit like me and takes as good a pic. as my SLR -AE Cannon.

not really. i've owned both the Canon SD600 and Sony W-50 and the Canon beat the sony in almost every category. Picture quality on the Sony was washed out and when you thought the picture would come out nice, it would look grainy or pixelated when downloaded to a comp. Canons been in the business and committed to making quality cameras for more than 20 years while Sonys only been doing it for 10 years or so. Go Canon... you wont go wrong. i would recommend purchasing the SD800IS or SD1000. check them out on the canon website.

The Sony HC2 is very good. Probably better than the more expensive Canon S3.

You can't go wrong by buying the Sony CyberShot DSC-H2.
Can be bought for $300- . 6 megapixels, 12X optical zoom, makes excellent 8X10s when enlarged. Has image stabilizer, 1 sec delay between shots, very good on batteries and comes with battery charger.
Some people say that Sony is not a true camera maker such as Nikon and canon...maybe ....but it does have a Carl Zeiss lens. Anyway, I love it!