The DSC-W200 combines the amazing detail of 12.1 MP resolution with high sensitivity for shooting without a flash even in very low light. Super SteadyShot image stabilization keeps... more
to get the most out of your digital devices, thanks to advanced engineering and state-of-the-art manufacturing. 100% compatible with original charger they can charge original battery as well as PowerDuplex battery.
A review by JayDM on Sony Cybershot DSC-W200 July 23rd, 2007
Author's product rating:
Picture Quality
Excellent
Range & Quality of Features
Excellent
Ease of Use
Very Easy
Durability
Good
Overall Look & Design
Excellent
Value for Money
Satisfactory
Advantages:
High Pixel Count, Sharp Images, Face Detection, Image Stabilization, Stylish, Manual Setting
Disadvantages:
Cost, High Compression
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
I bought this camera to replace my 7 megapixel DSC-P200 which was suffering from excessive dust on the sensor which was ruining otherwise perfect images. I was attracted by the 12 megapixels of the W200, but upon comparison between the 2 cameras, it is almost impossible to tell the difference in image quality. The main difference is the High Definition output, meaning the images are much brighter and colourful on the computer screen than non HD cameras like the P200. Although the images are not true High Definition on regular computer screens, they are still of better quality than non-HD models.
I am quite an investigative shopper and spend hours and days reviewing and comparing models and specifications. It has always proved useful and I hope to pass on my findings from endless researching, and lately testing of the Sony Cybershot DSC-W200.
The all metal body is very light, well balanced and stylish and only available in silver colour. One thing that I immediately noticed upon comparison with the P200 is that there's no dedicated area to rest your thumb, which I thought would pose a problem, but the slightly indented mode dial fulfills this purpose without incident. The buttons are a bit small, but manageable and well laid out.
The W200 can produce extremely large photos and prints, but 12.1 megapixels seems too much to be crammed into a camera like this and isn't any better than 7 megapixels quality wise, it simply means you'll get a larger image. It is apparent that the compression on the images is too high, this is to reduce the file size and cannot be selected by the user which would have been preferred.
The cheaper Sony W90 has an 8 megapixel sensor, and can be purchased for less than the W200 but doesnt incorporate an 'M mode' or manual setting.
In the manual mode it is possible to adjust all of the features of the camera including shutter speed, aperture and ISO great for photographers wanting greater control over their images. The shutter can be set to open for over 20 seconds, which is a really long time with the ISO set to 400, and I got great pictures of cars headlights from a dual-carriageway bridge at night which created a very clean black and ungrainy image. Setting the ISO to 800 produced slight grain for such a long shutter speed but was purely due to lack of light.
The Sony remembers these settings, which the Canon Ixus series doesnt'. The Sony keeps all the settings you used in manual mode even when you change modes and change the battery. The Canon resets all settings to default when going from manual to automatic mode.
The W200's Face Detection works well as long as it can see both eyes and recognizes multiple faces in a group. It tends to be inconsistant, in a group of 3 or 4 people it would usually choose one, occasionally all three faces, and a couple of times none, all under identical conditions.
High sensitivity allows for shooting without a flash in very low light, setting the ISO to 3200
Super SteadyShot image stabilization minimizes blur, and works in a similar way to Nikon's Vibration Reduction and Canon's Image Stabilisation which are only availiable on SLR lenses and have not made the transition to Point and Shoot models.
In-camera retouching and red-eye reduction is included as a tool, but in my opinion is a waste of time as the majority of users have a computer and photoshop or equivalent software which will do a much better job, as I have the found the in-camera option often only corrects one eye!!
Talking of red-eye, this camera has a problem of creating images with red-eye when using flash even with the red-eye reduction flash setting activated. This was not a problem with the P200 as the flashbulb was offset a small distance away from the lens, meaning the light is not bounced directly from the retina of the eye into the lens which creates the problem.
The 2.5-inch LCD screen makes viewing exceptionally easy, except when outdoors in bright sunlight when taking and viewing photographs is almost impossible, although this is a problem with most digital cameras, and not specifically this model. There is a Brightness Up setting which is practically indistinguishable from its standard state.
High Definition output lets you share your photos and videos on compatible HDTV screens, although images still appear more colourful and vibrant on non-HD screens than non-HD model cameras.
I hope this review was informative and I endeavour to add more details as I learn more from the camera!
Specification:
12.1 megapixels
3x optical zoom / 6x digital zoom
Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar Lens
Super Steady Shot image stabilization
Face detection technology
HD Ready output
MPEG VX Fine video recording
Auto and manual exposure
ISO 80-3200
2.5-inch LCD
Memory Stick storage (31MB internal)
Lithium-ion battery
More Reviews
Quick review of Sony Cybershot DSC-W200 Review ofSony Cybershot DSC-W200by
ashkirk
I purchased this camera in June. It is absolutely brilliant. I have used it mostly on auto, the photos are extremely clear, no blur, a little bit red eye but this is easliy amended. The quality of the photos at 12.1 mega pixel is unbelievable. If you play back through your TV there is quite a few options which is great. The video and sound is also excellent quality. It is easy to download photos onto PC. I would certainly recommend this for a novice as is is very easy to use. AN EXCELLENT PRODUCT.
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: it's small, quite lightweight, stylish, got lots of features and options Disadvantages: havn't been using it long enough to find any disadvantages yet.
Very good camera by Sony it's got 12.1 megapixels so it takes very high quality pictures and all the options and features available ensure you get great pictures. The price range for the camera is £157 - 220, i got mine from BestPricedBrands.com for just £157 which was the cheapest price i could find. Compared to the last camera i had which only had 5 megapixels it takes much better pictures. It's a good size and quite lightweight. It uses the Memory ... ...type of memory card to put in it because all formats are slightly different sizes. The camera also takes up to about 300 pictures before the battery runs out.
The only problem is that there's so many buttons and because the camera's small it could be fiddely but I think it's a very good camera. It has a lot of lastest technology, for example apparently it has the latest Bionz processor or something, that doesn't mean alot to me but it sounds good. ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: Everything-vast amount of features, small and stylish Disadvantages: nothing
...Technical Details:
Product Description: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W200 - digital camera
Product Type: Digital camera - point and shoot
Dimensions (WxDxH): 9.1 cm x 2.2 cm x 5.9 cm
Weight: 116 g
Colour: Silver
Supported Flash Memory: Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo
Sensor Resolution: 12.1 Megapixel
Shooting Modes: Frame movie mode
Lens Aperture: F/2.8-5.2
Focus Adjustment: Automatic
Min Focus Range: 50 cm
Focal Length: 7.6 mm - 22.8 mm
... ...Description
The Cyber-Shot DSC-W200 from Sony is the first compact camera with a 12 million-pixel CCD sensor.It features a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens, a 12.3-megapixel Super HAD CCD sensor and a Super Steady Shot stabiliser for beautiful photos in large formats. The Cyber-Shot DSC-W200 includes a built-in flash, while the high 3200 ISO sensitivity works to eliminate blur in photos taken without a flash in low-lighting conditions. What's more, ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: stylish, compact, pretty sharp, , excellent video quality, in camera retouch, nice features Disadvantages: Expensive, ISO problem, can be fiddly if you want a perfect image in certain conditions
...stylish, like most of the sony cameras. An extra suprise was that if i kept it at 8mp there is a smart zoom mode which means you can actually crop the image, in the camera! Every image a took was blur free and the face detection is a lot more useful than expected. The video quality is exceptional at 720p, better than most other camera's. Overall it's quite a good camera but probably not worth the amount of money you pay.
The ISO may also be a problem, ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Picture Quality
Range & Quality of Feat...
Ease of Use
Durability
Overall Look & Design
Value for Money
helpful
01.02.2008
Quick review of Sony Cybershot DSC-W200 Review ofSony Cybershot DSC-W200by
nostrand
I'm still thinking if I should buy it right now or wait for another month or two for the new series to come out. Any one?
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Light Sensitivity: ISO 100, ISO 800, ISO 400, ISO 200, ISO 1600, ISO 3200, ISO auto, ISO 6400 (3Mpix), ISO 100, ISO 800, ISO 400, ISO 200, ISO 1600, ISO 6400, ISO 3200, ISO auto
Digital Zoom: 2 x
Shooting Modes: Frame movie mode
Special Effects: Black & White, Sepia, Vivid
Image Stabiliser: Optical (Super Steady Shot)
Max Shutter Speed: 1/1600 sec
Min Shutter Speed: 1 sec
Exposure Metering: Multi-segment
Exposure Modes: Programme, automatic
Exposure Compensation: ±2 EV range, in 1/3 EV steps
Shooting Programs: Landscape, twilight portrait, fireworks, soft snap, twilight mode, beach, snow, high sensitivity
Face Detection: Built-in
Camera flash
Camera Flash: Built-in flash
Flash Modes: Fill-in mode, slow synchro, auto mode, flash OFF mode, Fill-in mode, slow synchro, auto mode, flash OFF mode, red-eye reduction
Red Eye Reduction: Built-in
Features: AF illuminator
Manufacturer's product description
The DSC-W200 combines the amazing detail of 12.1 MP resolution with high sensitivity for shooting without a flash even in very low light. Super SteadyShot image stabilization keeps blur to a minimum, and advanced high-tech features like Face Detection, D-range optimization, and in-camera retouching and red-eye reduction help bring out the best in every shot you take. For shooting and sharing on location, there's a large 2.5" LCD screen that makes viewing exceptionally easy. And HD (high definition) output lets you share memories in spectacular high definition clarity and detail on compatible HDTV screens.
Lens system
Type: Zoom lens - 7.6 mm - 22.8 mm - f/2.8-5.5, Zoom lens - 7.6 mm - 22.8 mm - f/2.8-5.2
Focal Length: 7.6 mm - 22.8 mm
Focal Length Equivalent to 35mm Camera: 35 - 105mm
Focus Adjustment: Automatic
Auto Focus: TTL contrast detection
Auto Focus Points (Zones): 9
Min Focus Range: 50 cm
Macro Focus Range: 2cm
Lens Aperture: F/2.8-5.5, F/2.8-5.2
Optical Zoom: 3 x
Zoom Adjustment: Motorised drive
Lens Construction: 5 group(s) / 6 element(s)
Lens Manufacturer: Carl Zeiss
Features: Built-in lens shield, aspherical lens
Additional features
Self Timer Delay: 10 sec, 2sec
Additional Features: Direct print, USB 2.0 compatibility, built-in speaker, auto power save, digital noise reduction, PictBridge support, in-camera red-eye removal, cropping an image, face detection
Self Timer: Built-in
Microphone
Type: Microphone - built-in
Connections
Connector Type:
1 x USB
1 x composite video/audio output, 1 x composite video/audio output
1 x USB
1 x docking station
Expansion Slot(s): 1 x Memory Stick PRO Duo
Software
Software: Drivers & Utilities, Sony Picture Motion Browser
System requirements for pc connection
Operating System Support: MS Windows XP, MS Windows 2000, MS Windows ME, Apple Mac OS 9.2, Apple Mac OS 9.1, Apple Mac OS X 10.0 - 10.4
Digital camera - 7.2 Megapixel - Optical Zoom: 4 - Digital Zoom: 2x - Weight: 123 g - Flash memory: Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo High Speed, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo - Viewfinder: Optical Viewfinder
Digital camera - 10.1 Megapixel - Optical Zoom: 5 - Digital Zoom: 2x - Weight: 151 g - Flash memory: Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo High Speed, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo - Viewfinder: without Viewfinder
