Digital camera - 7.2 Megapixel - Optical Zoom: 3 - Digital Zoom: 6x - Weight: 116 g - Flash memory: Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo - Viewfinder: Optical Viewfinder more
The slim, compact DSC-W55 model sports 7.2-megapixel imager and precision Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lenses. It combines traditional, eye-level viewfinder with large LCD screen for... more
allows a Micro SD/SDHC to be converted into a Memory Stick Pro Duo for use in Sony Digital Cameras, Camcorders and Sony Ericsson Mobile Phones. Please note that all Sony devices are not compatible with Pro Duo. Please check if your device supports Pro Duo.
allows a Micro SD/SDHC to be converted into a Memory Stick Pro Duo for use in Sony Digital Cameras, Camcorders and Sony Ericsson Mobile Phones. Please note that all Sony devices are not compatible with Pro Duo. Please check if your device supports Pro Duo.
protection to your camera from bumps and scratches ! All camera cases come with a neck strap making it easier to carry around, the strap can also go around your shoulder making your camera more secure whilst out or use the belt clip carabina also included with your purchase. Colour of the product purchased is designated in the image and the title line. Wide range of other colours available.
protection to your camera from bumps and scratches ! All camera cases come with a neckstrap making it easier to carry around, the strap can also go around your shoulder making your camera more secure whilst out or use the belt clip carabina also included with your purchase. Colour of the product purchased is designated in the image and the title line. Wide range of other colours available.
allows a Micro SD/SDHC to be converted into a Memory Stick Pro Duo for use in Sony Digital Cameras, Camcorders and Sony Ericsson Mobile Phones. Please note that all Sony devices are not compatible with Pro Duo. Please check if your device supports Pro Duo.
allows a Micro SD/SDHC to be converted into a Memory Stick Pro Duo for use in Sony Digital Cameras, Camcorders and Sony Ericsson Mobile Phones. Please note that all Sony devices are not compatible with Pro Duo. Please check if your device supports Pro Duo.
allows a Micro SD/SDHC to be converted into a Memory Stick Pro Duo for use in Sony Digital Cameras, Camcorders and Sony Ericsson Mobile Phones. Please note that all Sony devices are not compatible with Pro Duo. Please check if your device supports Pro Duo.
protection to your camera from bumps and scratches ! All camera cases come with a neck strap making it easier to carry around, the strap can also go around your shoulder making your camera more secure whilst out or use the belt clip carabina also included with your purchase. Colour of the product purchased is designated in the image and the title line. Wide range of other colours available.
protection to your camera from bumps and scratches ! All camera cases come with a neck strap making it easier to carry around, the strap can also go around your shoulder making your camera more secure whilst out or use the belt clip carabina also included with your purchase. Colour of the product purchased is designated in the image and the title line. Wide range of other colours available.
A review by digitalenvironmentalist on Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W55 May 6th, 2009
Author's product rating:
Picture Quality
Excellent
Range & Quality of Features
Diverse
Ease of Use
Very Easy
Durability
Excellent
Overall Look & Design
Good
Value for Money
Good
Advantages:
times
Disadvantages:
the battery and memory stick are quite expensive and no panoramic shot
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
SPRING AND SUMMER ARE THE BUSIEST TIMES of the year for travelling and I can not imagine myself of not having a digital camera to take photos during these seasons. Camera is always my priority gadget to be carried along both in travelling and attending important gatherings.
Despite the threat of Swine Flu this week, I could not stop myself planning my next trip to Scotland (where the first case of the infection started in the UK) in June. This is also the time again to test and prove that Sony DSC W55 has the "x-factor" - topping the digital chart.
The model hit the market in the early of 2007 and I bought it in April of that year. My brother influenced me to buy this unit after I have used his W70 model when I forgot to bring the battery charger of my old Olympus IR500 during my short visit to the Philippines. There are no major differences in the functionality between these two models (W70 and W55), except for the price which I chose the cheaper one in Curry's at a promotional offer of £149.99, excluding the memory card and carrying case.
Having used this unit for almost two years now, it really served its purpose - documenting my passion in photography as well as my interest in filming. This is the reason why I want to share my experience on its functionality that is comparable to other brands available in the market today. The highlights of my review mainly focus on the things beyond the basic specifications of the unit. I discovered them by accidental or experimental while exploring its built-in buttons and menus which are easy to navigate. In other words, these are the "x-factors" of the unit that really stands out from the rest of the cyber-shot models, and delivering the same quality of photos taken from SLR units.
What are these x-factor features and minor inconveniences of Sony DSC W55?
1. Accident happens and I dropped this unit several times. Due to its compactness and exterior finishing metal casing, it does not really make a mark from the hard fall. Even the wide screen, only slight scratches are noticeable and not affecting the quality of the photos. Because of its lightness, weighing 116 grams, the unit can easily carry inside the pocket or in small compartments of a backpack. Thus, it is more durable than the stylish touch-screen models nowadays.
2. Due to its design and size, it is comfortable to carry and hold it while taking photos like "paparazzi" style. No instruction manual needed for asking other people to take my own poses or even taking it by myself. In some situation, blurredness can not be avoided, however, using tripod or having a stable location to place the unit somehow eliminate this problem. This is also the time when the self-timer function is used which allows everyone to be included in the photo.
3. It also survives in extreme situations. I used it while visiting Spain, Italy and France in summer last year and my 2007 Xmas holiday in Canada and the US. The camera could stand in high and low temperatures without affecting the clarity of the images. Sometimes moisture and dust are accumulated at the surface of the lens, but this is not a problem. Make sure to wipe it with a dry cloth or just a quick blow towards the lens. Always turn-off if it is not in use and it keeps inside your pocket or inside a small carrying case.
4. Having a viewfinder in the camera is an added comfort especially during sunny days when the rays of the sun are directly reflected to the LCD screen which causes nuisances to the eyes. It is more convenient to hold the camera closer to the eyes for steady focus and grip of the unit. Majority of the current digital cameras disregard this functionality.
5. The presence of a large liquid crystal display (LCD) measuring 2.5 inches (larger than DSC W35 and similar to DSC W70 models) provides an excellent view of the image itself, including access to the menu system of the camera. It allows to show or display useful information such as follows: remaining capacity of the battery and the memory card, histogram and other functionality to improve the quality of the image in terms of colour, ISO and flash levels, and formatting.
6. It can also capture a minimal number of images without a flash memory card. With a limited internal memory capacity (56 MB), it can only store few images (approximately less than 20 shots), and then easy to transfer these images to the memory card duo media for sharing and printing. The size of the memory card is also compatible with my Sony Vaio notebook's card slot.
7. Having a 7.2 megapixels allows larger prints (A4 size) and to minimise distortion of the image while using the 3X times optical zoom lens. The camera has a high sensitivity level of ISO 1000 which is beneficial when there is a limited source of light or flash is not allowed. However, maximising this functionality affects the quality of the image and "noise" is visible.
8. A full-charged Lithium ion battery can take up to a maximum of 380 images. In my experience, I can use the camera for a whole day shooting. The main concern is when video function is used requiring additional power to continue filming, consequently draining the battery easily. For this unit, the battery is rechargeable and included in the purchase which is more convenient than having disposable batteries.
9. The longevity of the battery is a common concern to all cameras especially when the flash memory card can hold up to more than 300 images, including short video clips. But this is not a major issue if you have an extra battery to back-up as well as having a regular charging of the battery every day. To avoid disappointments while travelling, it is recommended to transfer the photos from the camera to the computer every day.
10. Aside from still images, the camera can capture VGA (640X480) audio-video clips which can be easily edited using Windows movie maker and shared them through YouTube website. YouTube creates functionality for embedding videos to my existing travel blogsites. In addition for a larger viewing, the cables and software for television set or projector connection are also included in the purchase. My only concern with filming using this unit is that, zooming in/out function can not be used on the time of filming, but will be adjusted before filming a scene or subject which is not a hassle at all. In taking videos, it is manageable to record not more than 2 minutes for easy downloading/uploading, editing or sharing the clips online.
11. In terms of the quality of the image, there are several ways to test this camera's functionality. The menu system provides all the various options to get the best image depending on the subject being shot and its location. For example, ISO function is recommended for indoor location; landscape mode for panoramic and outdoor settings; snow function can be used in foggy and night scenes; while auto adjustment and program auto modes suitable for normal conditions. The macro function is also noticeable which gives an excellent result. However, this unit is not intended for this feature but still it can captures a closer angle of the subject (almost 1.5 inches to the subject, without using the zoom lens). Other functionalities include colouring modes, lighting modes, flash levels, red eye reduction, and zoom in/out.
Unfortunately, there is no panoramic function in the camera comparable to my old Olympus IR500. Another minor dissatisfaction of the unit is taking moving objects and during dark/night scenes which always show blurry results. Unluckily, until now I could not find the right adjustments to get a satisfactory outcome. Another thing to remember is always "turn-off" the flash or set it in an auto mode especially outdoor location. Excessive exposure to light somehow ruins the clarity of the photos and frequent usage of flash deteriorates the battery life.
12. Finally, shutter speed and aperture are two main functions in this unit that are also having big influence in the quality of the images from SLR (single-lens-reflex) cameras as the majority of the professional photographers are patronising nowadays. In this unit, these functions are automatically set which the shutter speeds are within a range between 1- 1/2000 seconds and the available apertures are f2.8 (wide) and f5.2 (telephoto). In simple terms, shutter speed is the duration of time when the shutter is open to allow light to reach the image sensor; while aperture determines the size of the opening of the lens to allow the light to enter. It means that this unit has the characteristic that allows users to adjust the levels of sharpness and contrast (depth of field) in taking photographs.
OVERALL, THIS SONY DSC MODEL did not disappoint me until now even that I have already bought an Olympus 790 for underwater shooting and as a back-up partner in exploring the world of photography and film. This is a compact pocket-sized digital unit that has an appeal for both photo hobbyists and professional users in terms of functionalities and appearance.
'''...the "x-factors" of the unit that really stands out from the rest of the cyber-shot models, and delivering the same quality of photos taken from SLR units.'''
Advantages: sleek, great photos, light & simple to use Disadvantages: internal memory is too small
...Stuff***
Product Description: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W55 - digital camera Product Type: Digital camera - point and shoot Weight: 116 g
Dimensions (WxDxH): 8.9 cm x 2.3 cm x 5.7 cm Colour: Sleek silver Supported Flash Memory: Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo Integrated Memory: 56 MB Sensor Resolution: 7.2 Megapixel Shooting Modes: Frame movie mode Lens Aperture: F/2.8-5.2 ... ...out between chargings.
The Sony name and quality as well as the high class Carl Zeiss lens means this is a top class product at a very reasonable price.
Most people will buy this camera looking for something simple, with no technical awareness and simply wanting to take great photos. In that case this is highly recommended as it does exactly what it says on the tin.
***Where to Buy***
This camera is available at all good online stores (and no ...
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Advantages: Large LCD Screen Disadvantages: 56MB Internal Memory (Crap!!)
...prints at home on your Sony Picture StationTM digital printer (sold separately).
* Function Guide Text/Icon Display - skip the user manual and let the on-screen Function Guide text/icon display teach you the camera functions that you want, giving you greater creative freedom to adjust the photo settings you are interested in.
* Versatile Color Modes - greater creative freedom to adjust color mode for the creative results you want is yours--use ... ...more intense colors, and the Monochrome and Sepia color settings for special effects.
* Convenient Photo Modes - easily adjust to specific shooting situations by choosing from several available photo modes: Auto, P-Auto, and Scene Selections for Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Landscape, High Sensitivity, Soft Snap, Snow, and Beach environments.
* 14X Smart Zoom® Feature - this camera feature intelligently "crops into" the central portion of interest ...
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Advantages: video capability, 7.2 megapixels, Slideshow, Value fror money Disadvantages: quite heavy, have to buy an extra memory card with it
...this slick new camera from Sony in the DSC line. With 7.2 megapixel it produces brilliant quality pictures that you can hang in frames, plus you can take video clips upto 3 hours long depending on how much free memory there is.
Theres a 2.5 inch viewfinder LCD to see the pictures that you are taking. Its crystal clear and doesn't strain the eyes. Theres 3x optical zoom and 6x digital zoom which is really useful when you want to take photos of far ... ...picture.
Theres a fully animated menu which has several options to improve and view your pictures. Firstly you can delete one or all your pictures using an option in the menu. Thens theres an option to view all your pictures as a slideshow which also has background music and effects which you can choose. The next option gives you choices of settings that you can choose for your photos, like having the background brighter or dimmer or making the ...
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I bought this camera a few months ago for a vacation trip abroad. One of the best cameras i've used. The picture quality is perfect for daily use. The zoom quality is something to talk about. The slik design and making of the camera is excellent, another successful prduct from sony. 7.2 pixels are enough to make a brilliant potrait which i did. theres a self timer upto a minute, the flash is perfect and you can even shoot video clips which can be ...
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Advantages: Touch Screen and pocket size Disadvantages: N/A
These camera's are brilliant and the graphics are superb. With a 7.2 mega pixel camera they are brilliant to use at school.
We use them to take fabulous pics of our work to stick in to the portfolio's we make.
They are a cracking camera and come with a lovely leather case and battery charger.
they can also take videos.
if you are looking for a camera they are the ones to buy, yet another good inventions by Sony.
It has got a few features.
1 ...
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The slim, compact DSC-W55 model sports 7.2-megapixel imager and precision Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lenses. It combines traditional, eye-level viewfinder with large LCD screen for easy framing and viewing of photos. The W55 camera makes a splash with a 2.5-inch LCD screen wrapped in a metal body. This model features 3x optical zoom capability, blur-reduction technology (ISO), and substantial internal memory for shooting without a media card. Its storage capacity can be expanded further with an optional Memory Stick Duo or Memory Stick PRO Duo flash media card.
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