Expert Camera Reviews

The Sony Cyber Shot DSC – W80 priced at around $250 is a midrange model in Sony’s W-series line of compact cameras. It has a number of step up features from other lower end models including image stabilization, a faster image processor, face detection, and component video output. The Sony Cyber-shot W80 incorporates a 7.2 effective megapixel CCD image sensor, 2.5 inch wide LCD screen and a 3x optical zoom lens with a focal length of 35 - 105mm

The Cyber-shot W80 includes Sony’s new face detection technology, capable of detecting up to eight faces simultaneously. The Sony Cybershot W80 supports PictBridge for direct printing without the need of having a computer. Another good feature which has been included on the DSC W80 is you can view a high definition slide shows with MP3 music support.

Strengths:
• In-camera red eye reduction
• High ISO 3200 settings that give faster shutter speeds
• Performs well in low light conditions
• Face detection
• Good continuous shooting mode features

Weaknesses:
• Noisy at ISO settings of 800 and higher
• Small buttons which are awkward to use

Specifications:
Megapixels – 7.2
Weight(oz) – 5.4
Optical Zoom – 3x
LCD Size – 2.5 inch
Flash range (ft) – Built-in
Image Stabilizer – Yes, optical
Batter Type – 1 x Rechargeable Custom Lithium Ion
Special features - RAW and JPEG file format support, ISO 100 – 3200, PictBridge Support, Memory Stick Duo flash memory support, VGA movie mode, Slide show with MP3 music support

Summary:
The Sony Cyber Shot DSC-W80 is currently the king of the Cyber-shot W-series. Although its the most expensive camera in the series but this factor is overlooked by the impressive features that have been packed into the camera. Its solid picture quality, fast speed and good features like face detection and red eye reduction make it a great choice for a small and reliable snapshot camera.

The Sony DSLR-A100K is one of the most commanding consumer-level digital cameras available, offering more than 10.2 megapixels of resolution and extremely quick response times. However at $1000 minus the add-ons which one would need to purchase, it is a bit expensive. The DSLR comes with a 18 – 70 mm lens and the DSLR-A100K can create professional-quality prints at sizes of 20×25 inches and larger. Image quality with this digital camera is outstanding under all conditions. This camera uses anti-dust coating on the image sensor, which prevents statically charged dust from clinging to the sensor while charging the lenses. The DSLR-A100K accepts Maxxum AF lenses, so for anyone with an existing collection of these lenses should be happy to use this camera

Features that work for the camera are:

• Offers very high image resolution
• In-camera image stabilization
• Easy to use although being a high-end camera
• Good add-on lens selection
• Very good response time

Features that work against the camera are:

• Large camera body
• Costly add-ons units such as lens and focus units
• Sensor based image stabilization

Specifications:
Megapixels – 10.2
Weight (oz.) – 16
Optical Zoom – 3x
LCD Size – 2.5 inch
Flash Range (ft) – Built-in
Image stabilizer - Yes
Battery type – Rechargeable Lithium Ion
Special features – Red-eye reduction technology, Compact flash I/II card slot, microdrive and FAT32 compatible, PictBridge compatible, Pentaprism viewfinder

Summary:
There are only two major factors, the high price and the body weight and size that work against this camera, else it is a very good high end DSLR camera for any photographer to have in his arsenal.

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The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T50 is an update to the existing DSC-T30 model. The ultra-slim and stylish Cyber-shot DSC-T50 is equipped with a 7-megapixel Sony CCD image sensor, a 3x optical zoom lens, a large 3.0 inch Touch panel LCD display, VX Fine movie mode, and 56MB of internal memory. This camera is available in three different colors, red, black and silver. The camera is provided with elective options of either a 4 GB Memory Stick Duo or Memory Stick PRO Duo media cards which allows play back of not less than 1100 high-resolution images in slide show mode.

Strengths of the camera:
A large LCD monitor usable in full sun and in surprisingly dim lighting too
A very good flash range for a compact camera
Excellent lens which provides sharp images
Excellent image stabilization for photos even in dim lighting
Excellent photo quality for 13×19 inch prints

Weaknesses:
Strong blues in images are oversaturated
Shots at High-ISO are very noisy
White balance performance under household incandescent lighting not good enough
Continuous shooting mode is slow
Touch screen interface requires more touches for many settings

Specifications:
Megapixels – 7.2
Weight (oz.) – 5.9
Optical Zoom – 3x
LCD Size – 3.0 inch
Flash Range (ft) – 4 ft to 11.2 ft
Image stabilizer –Yes, optical
Battery type –lithium ion
Special features –Touch Screen User Interface, In-Camera slide show, white balance adjustments with six modes, Movie mode with MPEG VX option, DPOF and PictBridge compatible

Summary:
The Sony T50 looks like another winner. Apart from the touch screen awkwardness, the T50 looks like a great small digital camera, with a huge, beautiful LCD screen and great anti-shake technology built in. The slightly larger body also gives it better battery life and a very better flash range than other cameras in this category. The camera is great for indoor photography.

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The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-N2 is an upgrade of the existing DSC-N1 model. The Sony N2 derives its higher ten megapixel resolution from a 1/1.7″ CCD imager coupled with the same Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar zoom lens, which offers a 3x optical zoom range equivalent to 38-114mm on a 35mm camera. Also included in the Sony N2 is a slideshow mode with a range of transitions including zooms, fades, pans, and wipes, all selected automatically by the camera. The feature that sets the DSC N2 apart from all other digital cameras is its big 3 inch LCD screen

Some positive features of the Sony N2 are:

• Fast response with a good shutter lag time and very good shot-to-shot speed
• Good color accuracy and contrast adjustments
• ISO sensitivity up to 1600
• Very good low-light shooting capabilities
• Very fast Multi-burst mode
• Image noise at ISO 200 and below is pretty good
• The touch screen LCD is wide, efficient and simple to navigate
• Stylus to keep fingers off the LCD screen

Drawbacks of the Sony N2 are:

• Slow continuous shooting speeds
• High chromatic aberration lens distortion which is noticeable at the edges in some images
• Image noise high at ISO 400 and up; at 800 and 1,000 images are almost unusable
• Auto white balance is unsuitable with household incandescent lighting

Specifications:
Megapixels – 10.0
Weight (oz.) – 6.5
Optical Zoom – 3x
LCD Size – 3.0 inch
Flash Range (ft) – Built-in
Image stabilizer - No
Battery type – Custom Lithium Ion
Special features – Email mode, In-camera editing and cleaning tools, Movie recording with sound, DPOF and PictBridge compatible, White balance adjustment with 6 options

Summary:
Though the higher ISO settings do produce a bit of noise while capturing images, the Sony N2 is still quite capable of capturing useable images under very bright or dark conditions. Not to forget that the touch control features allows you to alter images with the in-camera paint tools and pinpoint focus exactly where you want it as you shoot. The DSC-N2 offers a lot in its small package and we certainly feel it’s a deserving case to recommend.

Built with a colossal 12x optical zoom lens comparable to 36 - 432mm on a 35mm camera, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H2 is Sony’s current envoy in the ultra-zoom class of compact digital cameras. The DSC-H2 has a 6 megapixel sensor and features Sony’s Super Steady Shot image stabilisation system which ensures sharper results when hand-holding the camera at the longer focal lengths. Some other highlights of the Sony DSC-H2 are, it has a large 2 inch LCD monitor screen for easy composition of shots and playback, 7 different scene modes to select from for the beginner and artistic shutter-priority, aperture-priority and manual exposure modes for experienced photographers.

Strong features that make the Cyber-shot DSC-H2 an ideal choice are:

• Sony’s Clear RAW noise reduction technology minimizes picture noise, making it easier to shoot at faster shutter speeds. • The anti-blur features are an advantage when shooting in low-light conditions
• The zoom feature can be used either slowly or quickly, by changing the pressure applied to the buttons
• Very fast multi-burst mode
• Image noise at ISO 200 and below is pretty decent
• Very good battery life

Some negative features of this model are:

• Image noise high at ISO 400 and above, at ISO 800 and 1000 images are almost unusable
• Anti-noise processing trades away some subtle subject detail at all ISO levels
• Small 2.0 inch LCD screen compared to its predecessors

Specifications:
Megapixels – 6.0
Weight (oz.) – 20.7
Optical Zoom – 12x
LCD Size – 2.0 inch
Flash Range (ft) – Built-in
Image stabilizer – Yes, Optical
Battery type – AA (x2)
Special features – 32 MB built-in memory, USB 2.0 support, Support for Mac and PC, MPEG Movie format with sound, Macro lens adjustment, Email mode

Summary:
Except for the disappointing high chromatic aberration and softness in the corners of telephotos, the Sony DSC-H2 is fairly fast among the others, with faster than average shutter response, a smooth and responsive zoom, and very good shot to shot cycle times. Optical quality is very good. The Sony DSC-H2 is ideal long-zoom camera for novices and experts to have.