Compare Prices : Sony Cyber-shot DSC W7

Review summary: In early 2005 Sony updated their popular Cyber-shot DSC-W1 model with two new ones: the DSC-W5 ($350) and the DSC-W7 ($450). The W5 is a 5 Megapixel camera like its predecessor, while the W7 has a 7.2 Megapixel CCD. I'll be covering the W7 in this ...

Pros: Very good photo quality (though see issues below) ; Fairly compact metal body ; Huge 2.5" LCD is usable in bright outdoor light and in low light too ; Robust performance ; AF-assist lamp ; good low light focusing ; Excellent movie mode ; Support for ...

Cons: Images a bit soft ; some corner blurriness ; Redeye ; Disappointing burst mode ; 32MB of built-in memory is way too little ; Memory Sticks cost more than other card formats ; Except for the tutorial, bundled software is lousy ; Can't swap memory cards ...

Verdict: Like the DSC-W1 before it, the W7 uses two AA batteries to supply power. One area in which the W5 and W7 have improved compared to the W1 is in terms of battery life. Using the two supplied 2100 mAh NiMH rechargeable batteries you can take a whopping ...

Pros: Excellent 2.5-inch LCD. Very good performance.

Cons: Camera is a bit bulky and heavy. Picture quality could be a little better.

Verdict: The zippy Cyber-shot DSC-W7 is a very good choice for a high-megapixel point-and-shoot.

Award: Recommended!

Pros: Good clean results with excellent color and resolution, Very well built, Very low noise for a camera in this class, Fast focus, generally responsive operation, Easy to use and good handling, Good movie mode (MPEG), Excellent battery life (with NiMH), ...

Cons: No aperture or shutter priority mode, Some highlight clipping in bright scenes, Minimum ISO 100 (50 would be nice), Results a bit soft and slightly over-sharpened, No manual/custom white balance mode, Flash recycle slow unless batteries very fresh, ...

Verdict: In a market where the trend is towards ever-smaller compact cameras Sony has, in the W series of cameras, provided an alternative for those who prefer something a little more substantial, and something a little more traditionally-styled.

Award: Recommended!

Review summary: Announced along with a 5MP twin (the W5), the DCS-W7 is part of the second generation of Sony's 'traditionally-styled' compacts designed to appeal to the first-time user moving from a film camera to digital. Essentially the same as a Cyber-shot P200 ...

Pros: Good clean results with excellent color and resolution, Very well built, Very low noise for a camera in this class, Fast focus, generally responsive operation, Easy to use and good handling, Good movie mode (MPEG), Excellent battery life (with NiMH), ...

Cons: No aperture or shutter priority mode, Some highlight clipping in bright scenes, Minimum ISO 100 (50 would be nice), Results a bit soft and slightly over-sharpened, No manual/custom white balance mode, Flash recycle slow unless batteries very fresh, ...

Verdict: In a market where the trend is towards ever-smaller compact cameras Sony has, in the W series of cameras, provided an alternative for those who prefer something a little more substantial, and something a little more traditionally-styled.