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emellaich · 08-02-2009, 02:00 PM

I am putting this here. This is the early days yet, but I am trying to spell out the differences in order to get additional feedback from the community so that I can clean up my comparison. (Also see E-book_Reader_Matrix.)

I know there are a few other choices, but these are the ones I am comparing. Of course, the Bebook Mini is essentially the EzReader from a different company. However, I don't have the detailed differences and as a US buyer the EzReader is more appropriate.
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Summary
Opus: The only support for DRM mobipocket, but you will have to download alternative firmware and give up PDF/EPUB DRM to get it. Available now (August 2009)

Pocket Pro: Many more features than Sony 300; Much cheaper than Opus. Supports the most file options, includes a leather case, text-to-speech, and an MP3 player. Available in 6 different colors. (Expected to be available end of August 2009)

Sony: Stripped down model that is the cheapest. If Sony offers their credit card deal on this you might be able to eventually find it for under $100. (Availability unknown as of 8/1/2009)

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Detailed Feature Comparison
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O:Opus; P:Pocket Pro; 3:Sony 300
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Price
O:$280 P:$229 3:$199 (Plus possible Sony credit card rebate)

Comment: Sony is clearly the winner here. However, the Pocket Pro has some extra features that may justify the price. If you are a U.S. resident it does not appear that the Opus offers any return for the extra $$.
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Display
Identical displays, but
O: 4 grayscale; P: 8 grayscale; 3: 8 grayscale
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Performance
O:400Mhz Samsung; Last generation Apollo display controller
P:400Mhz Samsung; Fast Epson display controller
3:Last gen CPU (not sure I believe this); Controller unknown

Comment: From the known spec's the clear nod is to the Pocketpro. I really question the accuracy of the 300 information. The 300 chip quoted is not just last-gen, but from a model that is over a year old. I'm not sure why they would package a display controller supporting 8 levels with a very old CPU.
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Storage
O: 1 GB internal plus MicroSD
P: 512MB internal plus SD up to 16GB
3: 512MB internal no card slot

Comment: I really wondered about the no card slot on the Sony 300 and thought it might be a oversight. However, J&R notes that the 512MB lets you carry up to 350 books. It seems to confirm that there is not an external card slot. Opus has an edge with its internal memory, and the Sony has a serious disadvantage.
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Formats
All three readers support: Txt, EPUB*, PDF*

O: HTML; Also JPEG, PNG, GIF. Alternate firmware supports Mobi instead of EPUB/PDF DRM;
P: PRC(Mobi),PDB,DOC,HTML,FB2,LIT,PRC,WOL,CHM; Also many non-book formats including: MP3,PPT,TIF,PNG,GIF,RAR,ZIP,DJVU,JPG,BMP
3: BBeB Book*,RTF file,Word file

* indicates both DRM and non-DRM format support

Comments: none of the units support DRM .mobi out of the box. However, the Pocketpro will support non-DRM mobi. In addition, the Opus allows a firmware change that enables DRM mobi instead of DRM EPUB/PDF

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Size
O: 4.2 x 6 x 0.4 5.3 oz
P: 4.1 x 6 x 0.4 6 oz
3: 4.2 x 6.2 x 0.4 7.76 oz

Comment: I call this a tie. Size is essentially the same. If weight matters, the Opus is the lightest. Although the Sony is the heaviest, it might be that they have chosen to use a metal case -- The Sony 500/505 has a metal case that has a good, solid feel.

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Fonts
Epub Font Sizes: O: 12; P: 5; 3: 3
User Replaceable fonts are a mobi feature so are supported in the pocketpro and the Opus with the alternate firmware (probably).

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Accessories
O: Leather sleeve, USB cable
P: Leather case, USB Cable, ear buds, A/C charger, wrist leash, battery-door screwdriver
3: Sleeve, USB Cable

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User Replaceable Battery?
O: Yes
P: Yes
3: ???

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Other
O: Accelerometer-flip the reader over and it flips the page; 1 case color; no bookmarks
P: Text-to-speech, MP3 player & equalizer; 6 case colors
3: 2? case colors. Possible deal if you apply for new Sony credit card

08-02-2009, 02:00 PM	#1
emellaich Wizard Posts: 1,101 Karma: 4388403 Join Date: Oct 2007 Device: Palm>Ebookman>IPaq>Axim>Cybook>Kndl2>IPAD>Kndl3SO>Voyager>Oasis	Comparing Opus, EZ Reader, and Sony 300 I am putting this here. This is the early days yet, but I am trying to spell out the differences in order to get additional feedback from the community so that I can clean up my comparison. (Also see E-book_Reader_Matrix.) I know there are a few other choices, but these are the ones I am comparing. Of course, the Bebook Mini is essentially the EzReader from a different company. However, I don't have the detailed differences and as a US buyer the EzReader is more appropriate. ====================================== Summary Opus: The only support for DRM mobipocket, but you will have to download alternative firmware and give up PDF/EPUB DRM to get it. Available now (August 2009) Pocket Pro: Many more features than Sony 300; Much cheaper than Opus. Supports the most file options, includes a leather case, text-to-speech, and an MP3 player. Available in 6 different colors. (Expected to be available end of August 2009) Sony: Stripped down model that is the cheapest. If Sony offers their credit card deal on this you might be able to eventually find it for under $100. (Availability unknown as of 8/1/2009) ====================================== Detailed Feature Comparison ====================================== O:Opus; P:Pocket Pro; 3:Sony 300 ====================================== Price O:$280 P:$229 3:$199 (Plus possible Sony credit card rebate) Comment: Sony is clearly the winner here. However, the Pocket Pro has some extra features that may justify the price. If you are a U.S. resident it does not appear that the Opus offers any return for the extra $$. ====================================== Display Identical displays, but O: 4 grayscale; P: 8 grayscale; 3: 8 grayscale ====================================== Performance O:400Mhz Samsung; Last generation Apollo display controller P:400Mhz Samsung; Fast Epson display controller 3:Last gen CPU (not sure I believe this); Controller unknown Comment: From the known spec's the clear nod is to the Pocketpro. I really question the accuracy of the 300 information. The 300 chip quoted is not just last-gen, but from a model that is over a year old. I'm not sure why they would package a display controller supporting 8 levels with a very old CPU. ====================================== Storage O: 1 GB internal plus MicroSD P: 512MB internal plus SD up to 16GB 3: 512MB internal no card slot Comment: I really wondered about the no card slot on the Sony 300 and thought it might be a oversight. However, J&R notes that the 512MB lets you carry up to 350 books. It seems to confirm that there is not an external card slot. Opus has an edge with its internal memory, and the Sony has a serious disadvantage. ====================================== Formats All three readers support: Txt, EPUB, PDF O: HTML; Also JPEG, PNG, GIF. Alternate firmware supports Mobi instead of EPUB/PDF DRM; P: PRC(Mobi),PDB,DOC,HTML,FB2,LIT,PRC,WOL,CHM; Also many non-book formats including: MP3,PPT,TIF,PNG,GIF,RAR,ZIP,DJVU,JPG,BMP 3: BBeB Book,RTF file,Word file indicates both DRM and non-DRM format support Comments: none of the units support DRM .mobi out of the box. However, the Pocketpro will support non-DRM mobi. In addition, the Opus allows a firmware change that enables DRM mobi instead of DRM EPUB/PDF ====================================== Size O: 4.2 x 6 x 0.4 5.3 oz P: 4.1 x 6 x 0.4 6 oz 3: 4.2 x 6.2 x 0.4 7.76 oz Comment: I call this a tie. Size is essentially the same. If weight matters, the Opus is the lightest. Although the Sony is the heaviest, it might be that they have chosen to use a metal case -- The Sony 500/505 has a metal case that has a good, solid feel. ====================================== Fonts Epub Font Sizes: O: 12; P: 5; 3: 3 User Replaceable fonts are a mobi feature so are supported in the pocketpro and the Opus with the alternate firmware (probably). ====================================== Accessories O: Leather sleeve, USB cable P: Leather case, USB Cable, ear buds, A/C charger, wrist leash, battery-door screwdriver 3: Sleeve, USB Cable ====================================== User Replaceable Battery? O: Yes P: Yes 3: ??? ====================================== Other O: Accelerometer-flip the reader over and it flips the page; 1 case color; no bookmarks P: Text-to-speech, MP3 player & equalizer; 6 case colors 3: 2? case colors. Possible deal if you apply for new Sony credit card Last edited by emellaich; 08-03-2009 at 12:50 PM.