Opus Opus and Sony PRS-350 comparison

[simplyparticular]

I thought that the folks here at the Bookeen forum would be interested in seeing some pictures comparing the 5" Opus to the Sony PRS-350. Attached are a few of the pictures I took - there are more on my blog, along with my thoughts on the two readers and my needs.

Link to blog: Sony Reader PRS-350 and Bookeen Cybook Opus - a comparison

[Billi]

Thank you very much.
Maybe one should see it in real, but judging from the pictures the pearl display doesn't impress me much, at least not in comparison with a 200dpi screen.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Billi

Thank you very much.
Maybe one should see it in real, but judging from the pictures the pearl display doesn't impress me much, at least not in comparison with a 200dpi screen.

Take a good look at the third photo. The difference is very noticeable and very much in favor of the 350. The contract is much nicer and the black is much blacker.

[Terisa de morgan]

Looking at the photo, I'm afraid it's TOO MUCH dark. I've got an Opus, and I can imagine the difference between photo and real screen, and I feel the PRS-350 as bold text, something I don't like a lot. I have to see it at a store to catch the real feeling.

[Billi]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Take a good look at the third photo. The difference is very noticeable and very much in favor of the 350. The contract is much nicer and the black is much blacker.

I've taken a good look at the third photo and I wasn't impressed. Perhaps the black is much blacker but the background is much darker, too, so the contrast is the same or even in favour of the Opus. But I don't want to argue with you as long as I have only seen pictures, maybe I agree with you after seeing a pearl screen in a shop.

[simplyparticular]

The 350 background is lighter and the black text is absolutely much sharper and has more contrast than the Opus.

If I wasn't doing 90% of my reading one-handed nursing a baby in a dark room with a clip light, the 350 would be a better choice on screen and price, but I'm a special case.

But if you've already got an Opus and are happy with the text and screen, I don't know that the Sony touchscreen is compelling enough to switch.

[doreenjoy]

I was comparing these 2 devices side-by-side with a friend today. The 350 definitely has a crisper, clearer screen, plus the touch screen is a bonus.

But it's not better enough to justify a switch, IMO.

Also the Sony 350 is just a touch heavier.

[Terisa de morgan]

I could compare both of them at the shop at last and my guess was right. Too bold text for me, so I won't try it By the way, thank you for your link about the light, I bought a similar one (Kandle light for Kindle) and it lights my Opus in a nice way.

[Nina182B]

Originally Posted by simplyparticular

But if you've already got an Opus and are happy with the text and screen, I don't know that the Sony touchscreen is compelling enough to switch.

I bought the Sony 5" touchscreen last week. I imported the Bitstream Vera Sans font I've been using on the Opus into the Sony but no matter how much I played with it, since there's only 5 font sizes in the Sony, I just didn't like it. The font itself was clearer on the Sony but felt like I was loosing too many words on the screen and it was always either too small for me or too big.

Another con for me on the Sony is collections - I couldn't do folders within folders like how I could with the Opus.

I did love the Sony's touch screen and dictionary (dictionary being the main reason why I bought it), but I ended up returning the Sony after 2 days. I'm sticking with my Opus until people start posting reviews of the Orizon. If the touchscreen is as good as the Sony's, I'm sold!