Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W180 10.1MP Digital Camera with 3x SteadyShot Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-inch LCD (Silver) Compare Prices
- Smile Shutter technology automatically captures a smile
- Face Detection technology captures faces naturally
- SteadyShot image stabilization helps reduce blur
- Scene Selection modes adjust for shooting conditions
- 10.1 megapixel Super HAD CCD image sensor
Best Review: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W180 10.1MP Digital Camera with 3x SteadyShot Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-inch LCD (Silver) - Are you confused by the most polarized set of reviews on Amazon? I was. Some said it took wonderful pictures; some said it took terrible pictures. It was as though half the cameras were defective. They weren't and they aren't. Here's the deal: this camera is a little more prone to bluring than some other, mostly larger, cameras. In technical terms, it has only one aperture setting, and it's pretty wide, which means the depth of the image that is in focus is somewhat shallow. Also, the sensor is not the most sensitive, so, even with the large aperture, it needs plenty of light or it will set for longer exposures and get bluring from camera shake. Finally, the built-in image stabilization is limited and will only help if you don't shake it much. This all adds up to a tendency to take blurry pictures, especially indoors.So with all that, why did I give it four stars? Because the little camera is fully capable of taking sharp pictures. Believe me when I say I know what sharp pictures are: I have an A850 with a Zeiss 24-70 lens. I also have an excellent (and highly recommended) DSC-100 with Zeiss optics, two aperture settings, and the option of full manual control.The first pictures I tried with the DSC-180W were indoors in available light (no flash). The results were abysmal. The next thing I tried was using the flash. The results were mixed, because the camera's autofocus system was confused by the complex scene, and the depth of focus is shallow. Then, still indoors, I aimed at something fairly flat with the flash, and voila, it produced a picture sharp enough that it took full advantage of all the pixels. That's all the resolution you can ask for. I tried it at long range and short range, with zoom and wide-angle, and continued to get good results.The next day, I took it outdoors along with my DSC-100 and shot a number of scenes with both cameras for comparison. The DSC-180W did well. It was a little more contrasty than the 100, and the colors were a little more saturated, both of which I attribute to in-camera processing. I put the images into Photoshop and was able to extract the shadow detail that had been lost to the contrast. Of course, the 180W's more contrasty, saturated pictures looked better in some ways. Saturation aside, the two cameras agreed well on color rendition, indicating no major chromatic aberation.Understand that I was looking at these images on a 24 inch monitor and then blowing them up even more. And I've shot some amazing things with the DSC-100, which, when new, cost four times what the 180W costs today. Used DSC-100s command rediculously high prices today for what they are. My point is that I was not easy on the 180W.Other notes: The screen is very bright. You have to press the shutter button harder than I'm used to, so squeeze when you shoot, or you'll create camera shake.I gave the camera four starts, because it's a good deal for the dollar. It's way more compact than the 100. If you buy it, don't set unrealistic expectations. Shooting indoors, use the flash (which will only work on fairly close subjects) or use a tripod or set it on a bean bag. Don't shoot into complex scenes of varying distances and expect it to put everything into simultaneous focus. You CAN have high expectations when you shoot landscapes and almost anything outdoors from a reasonable distance. Depth of focus grows with the distance from the camera. The optics are not bad, in spite of what some reviewers have said. I got good resolution many times in many circumstances, so the optics are just fine. Those reviewers caused the bluring with camera shake and focus issues, just as I did on my first few shots.I bought this camera for my wife so that she could do some independent picture taking on our upcoming trip to Europe. I could have sent it back, but I decided it was a keeper.I hope this helps you with your decision.Update: After 18 months, my wife still enjoys using the camera and doesn't want to trade it in for a later model. She has made some superb shots with it.Tim
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