Sony Cyber-shot DSC-M2

Review summary: The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-M2 ($500) is the latest "hybrid" digital camera from the Japanese electronics giant. The DSC-M1 is a more refined version of the DSC-M1 (introduced in 2004), which was an interesting but awkward mix of camera and camcorder. The ...

Pros: Successfully combines camera and camcorder features ; Very good photo and movie quality ; Snappy performance ; Large, high resolution rotating LCD display with great outdoor visibility ; AF-assist lamp ; Zoom lens can be used during filming ; Built-in ...

Cons: Expensive ; better values exist ; Awkward design with poor control layout ; No internal memory or memory card included, so the real price of the camera is even higher ; Weak flash ; redeye a problem ; Lacks movie editing features (surprising given the ...

Verdict: The usual caveats about proprietary batteries apply here. They're expensive ($50 a pop) and you can't use "regular batteries" to get you throw the day in an emergency. Unfortunately these batteries are standard features on ultra thin cameras like the ...

Review summary: Can Sony's innovative new snapper's performance match its looks?

Pros: Great swivel open design; Fantastic one-handed operation; Unusual features

Cons: Average picture quality, and strictly average spec

Verdict: The cool design, great ease of use and fun extras go some way to masking this swish camera's rather average performance

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