Sony has updated its Cyber-shot DSC-W series of digital cameras with the announcement of four new models, the Cyber-shot DSC-W120, W130, W150, and W170. Sitting squarely between the company's budget-priced Cyber-shot S-series and its more upscale, style-minded T-series, these new cameras should appeal to users looking for a colorful, modestly-featured camera between $200 and $300.
All four new cameras feature a handful of new options based around an improved face detection system. According to Sony, these new cameras can now distinguish between adult and child faces, letting you decide whether the camera will base its auto-focus and auto-exposure on children or adults in your shot. The face detection systems also include Sony's "smile shutter" mode, a shooting mode that automatically takes pictures when your subject smiles. Like the standard face-detection modes, users can decide whether the camera automatically shoots smiling children or adults.
The 7-megapixel Cyber-shot DSC-W120 and 8-megapixel W130 sit at the bottom of the new batch. Both models feature 32 to 128mm-equivalent, f/2.8-5.8 optical zoom lenses, 2.5-inch LCD screens, and optical viewfinders. The DSC-W120 will retail for about $200 and come in black, silver, blue, and pink versions. The W130 will have a suggested retail price of $230, and come in black, silver, and pink. Both cameras are expected to ship in March.
Larger lenses, bigger screens, and a broader feature set justify the 8-megapixel W150 and 10-megapixel W170's premiums over the lower-end models. The W150 comes with a 30mm- to 150mm-equivalent f/3.3-5.2 lens and the W170 features a 28mm- to 140mm-equivalent f/3.3-5.2 lens, and both models feature 2.7-inch LCD screens and optical viewfinders. Both higher-end cameras also include Sony's intelligent scene recognition feature, which Sony claims enables the cameras to automatically choose the right scene preset mode to fit the shot. They also include more playback and storage options than the W120 and W130, including slide shows with multiple music tracks and transition effects, photo filtering by date and smile, and a favorite photo folder for marking your preferred shots. The DSC-W150 and W170 ship in April and will come in black, silver, red, and champagne versions. The W150 will retail for about $250, and the W170 for around $300.
7 out of 10 - Very good not objective
I totally disagree with the review posted earlier. It is not objective. It looks as if it is posted by ...
I totally disagree with the review posted earlier. It is not objective. It looks as if it is posted by a Sony Employee.
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by blueoceanhighsky (see profile) -
May 20, 2008
1 out of 10 - Abysmal Rubbish,cannot even produce decent 4 x 6 prints indoors.
I bought the new Sony W150 (8mil pix) camera thinking it would be a big improvement on my excellent 4 ...
I bought the new Sony W150 (8mil pix) camera thinking it would be a big improvement on my excellent 4 year old W1 (5 mil pixels). The first one I got apart from producing terrible grainy picures taken indoors had several faults including difficulty focusing and was replaced after one month. I take 95% of my pictures indoors and the new W150 apart from confirming that it had a very poor flash, still produced lousy grainy pictures, not even suitable for making a 4 x 6 print. I sent the Sony Service Center several examples of photos taken first with the W150 and immediately after with the W1 to show that there was something wrong with the W150. This what they said ?? and would like to inform you that due to differences in product specifications, so the image is not same when compared with DSC-W1, although you are setting and shooting at the same condition.? I have seen other reviews of the W90 and T100 and they seem to have the same problem ie lousy grainy pics when shooting indoors. So if you take photos indoors do not buy a Sony. They should forget all these gimmicks like Face and Smile Detection and go back to producing a good camera like they used to.
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by Gemini294 (see profile) -
July 5, 2008
9 out of 10 - Spectacular Very good camera for the dollar with Sony quality and loaded features!
I am a Sony fan and this is my 3rd Sony Cybershot Camera. My first being the pocket sized U40 ...
I am a Sony fan and this is my 3rd Sony Cybershot Camera. My first being the pocket sized U40 which was very limited, then I moved up to the T1 which was a huge improvement but picture quality was only so so. Now with the W150 it's a whole step up!
I like the fact that this camer has buttons rather than the touch screen features on the current T series models. The large LCD is great and having the view finder is great when it's bright outside. The 5X optical zoom really takes you much closer to get those shots you want. The super steady shot feature is great and pretty much eliminates blurry shots which I had plenty of on my old T1. Having a Sony Vaio computer (of course) it's easy for me to just stick the memory stick duo into the adapter piece and plug directly into the slot my computer has to transfer pictures. (did i mention already that i'm a sony lover?) =)
I would recommend this model because it has the slightly bigger screen and the 5X optical zoom with 8.1 mega pixels for only about $20 to $50 then the lower models but you get way better features for. And to move up to the next level you are looking at another $100 to $150 for 10.1 MP or 13.1 MP! I think that 8.1 MP's work for me. =)
Optical stabilization helps prevent blurry pictures, especially for handheld cameras at slow shutter speeds or when using high optical zoom. This camera utilizes built-in Super SteadyShot stabilization to assist in taking sharper pictures.
Sensor resolution
8.1 megapixels
Optical Sensor Type
Super HAD CCD
Effective Sensor Resolution
8.1 megapixels
Optical Sensor Size
1/2.5 in
Light Sensitivity
ISO 200,
ISO 800,
ISO auto,
ISO 400,
ISO 3200,
ISO 1600,
ISO 100
Digital Zoom
2 x
Shooting Modes
Frame movie mode
Shooting Programs
High sensitivity,
Twilight portrait,
Twilight mode,
Soft snap,
Smile shutter,
Landscape,
Beach,
Underwater,
Snow,
Fireworks
3264 x 2176,
Normal,
Bracket 2592 x 1944,
640 x 480,
Burst 3264 x 2448,
1920 x 1080
Flash memory
15 MB - Integrated
Supported Flash Memory
Memory Stick Duo,
Memory Stick PRO Duo
Lens System
Type
Zoom lens - 5 mm - 25 mm - F/3.3-5.2
Focal Length
5 mm - 25 mm
Lens Construction
7 group(s) / 9 element(s)
Lens Manufacturer
Carl Zeiss
Additional Features
Self Timer
Yes
Self Timer Delay
10 sec,
2 sec
Additional Features
Cropping an image,
USB 2.0 compatibility,
DPOF support,
Face detection,
PictBridge support,
In-camera red-eye removal,
Digital noise reduction,
Built-in speaker,
Direct print,
Digital image rotation,
Camera orientation detection,
Auto power save,
Histogram display,
PRINT Image Matching
Camera Flash
Effective Flash Range
4 in - 14 ft
Type
Built-in flash
Flash Modes
Flash OFF mode,
Fill-in mode,
Slow synchro,
Auto mode,
Red-eye reduction
Red Eye Reduction
Yes
Effective flash range
4 in - 14 ft
Features
AF illuminator
Viewfinder
Viewfinder Type
Optical - Real-image zoom
Color support
Color
Display
Type
LCD display - TFT active matrix - 2.7 in - Color
Mounting
Built-in
Resolution
230,000 pixels
Digital Player (Recorder)
Type
None
Microphone
Type
Microphone - Built-in
Connections
Connector Type
1 x Composite video/audio output,
1 x USB
Expansion Slot(s)
1 x Memory Stick PRO Duo
Lens Systems
Auto Focus
TTL contrast detection
Type
Zoom lens
Focal length
5 mm - 25 mm
Focal Length Equivalent to 35mm Camera
30 - 150 mm
Focus adjustment
Automatic
Auto Focus Points (Zones)
9
Min Focus Range
19.7 in
Macro Focus Range
4cm
Lens Aperture
F/3.3-5.2
Optical Zoom
5 x
Zoom Adjustment
Motorized drive
Lens construction
7 : 9
Features
Aspherical lens,
Built-in lens shield,
ED glass
Miscellaneous
Cables Included
1 x A/V cable,
USB cable,
1
Included Accessories
Wrist strap
Power
Power Device
Battery charger - External
System Requirements for PC Connection
Operating system
Apple Mac OS 9.1,
Apple Mac OS X 10.0 - 10.4,
MS Windows ME,
MS Windows XP,
MS Windows 2000,
Apple Mac OS 9.2
Battery
Supported Battery
1 x Sony NP-BG1 Li-ion rechargeable battery - 960 mAh ( Included )
Manufacturer Warranty
Service & Support
1 year warranty
Service & Support Details
Limited warranty - Parts and labor - 1 year
Type
1 year warranty,
- Limited warranty - Parts and labor
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(Credit: Sony Electronics Inc.)
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