Sony Cyber-shot DSC M2 - Expert Reviews

Review summary: This is a bold design from Sony. Digital compact cameras normally shoot video as a bonus feature, and no one really expects the quality of the footage to look or sound that good. But Sony is essentially saying that this hybrid camera...

Pros: Good quality stills, Twisting view panel, Easy to use

Cons: Short battery life, Poor sound recording, Hard to hold steady

Verdict: All in, it's not a bad stills camera, but the hybrid design doesn't live up to its promise

Review summary: The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-M2 takes decent pics, but awful movies

Pros: Good quality stills, Twisting view panel, Easy to use

Cons: Short battery life, Poor sound recording, Hard to hold steady

Verdict: As mentioned, the still shots are much better. We took several snaps under different lighting conditions, then piped them into iPhoto using the boxed USB cable. Image quality is fine, although the flash is weak and ISO options are limited

Review summary: The Sony Cyber Shot DSC-M2 is a jack-of-all-trades and a master of some. Thanks to good image quality and a big, bright LCD that's usable in sunlight, this hybrid still camera/camcorder update to the DSC-M1 remains a surprisingly good point-and-click 5-me

Pros: Still/movie double threat; 2.5-inch LCD with excellent visibility in daylight; versatile slide-show/album mode; speedy burst mode.

Cons: Awkward to use; few manual controls; weak flash with poor red-eye mode; no in-camera movie editing.

Verdict: The Sony Cyber Shot DSC-M2 takes quality stills and videos, if you can get past its awkward design.