Sony CyberShot DSC-W1 Review

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Sony CyberShot DSC-W1
4.3 stars
Average rating for this product is: 4.3 out of 5

From 1 rating and 6 reviews

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pkivolowitz's Review of Sony CyberShot DSC-W1

30th Dec 2004

Overall Rating

4.5 stars
  • Value for money
    4.5 stars
  • Image Quality
    5 stars
  • Features
    4.5 stars
  • Time Digital Camera Owned
    6 - 12 Months
  • Battery Life
    4.5 stars
  • Ease of Use
    3.5 stars
Good Points

Very fast action, standard batteries, large screen, good manual mode, small size, metal tripod receiver.


Bad Points

Custom settings don't "stick".


General Comments

I have been shooting (amature) for 30 years. My "other camera" is a D1X.

I purchased a Nikon 5700 before the W1 without doing much research. I figured "Hey. It's a Nikon. What could go wrong?" Plenty. The 5700 went on eBay within one week. Then I did my homework.

The action of this camera, both the time to power on and the lag between shutter actuation and moment of capture, is fantastic. Power on time is a little more than a second. There is no perceived shutter lag time. In this regard, a film photographer will not be disappointed.

The build quality is very good. I am appreciative of the metal tripod receiver which will not wear out as readily as a plastic receiver will. The tripod mount is not exactly under the sensor but I have not have any trouble with shooting tripod mounted panoramas.

The screen is wonderfully large, bright, and clear. While it doesn't pivot, I have been able to take over-the-head shots successfully because the screen is visible over a wide angle.

Focus speed is good and very accurate in the center AF mode. I gave up on the multi-point AF mode. This is the "custom feature" that doesn't seem to stick. That is, I find the camera resetting to multi-point mode (default) at odd times.

Manual mode is essential for good panoramic photography. The W1's manual mode is good for a point-and-shoot limited by the aperture range of the lens.

Flash is powerful, and located exactly over the lens - not offset.

The W1 takes standard batteries and can use rechargeables.

I used its video capture mode for the first time today (have had the camera for about 6 months) and was amused by it. It's not a video camera, but it was really fun to be able to capture my kids rocking and rolling in a full motion flight simulator.

I really enjoy this camera. I am continually pleased by picture sharpness, exposure quality, low noise, and the very, very fast action.

I recommend this camera very highly.

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