Sony Cybershot DSCW150 8.1MP Digital Camera Review (Silver)

Let me start with stating that most point and shoot cameras are compromise on various basic performance parameters. I bought this camera for my wife for whom any feature beyond the basic auto mode is unnecessary. For a point and shoot it has lots of very advanced features typically available in dslr or prosumer cameras. I am talking about things like bracketing( takes pictures at different exposure level), dynamic range optimizer and my favorite live histogram. Let me summarize its positives and negatives:
- Wide angle lens 30mm to 150mm (5x zoom)
- Image stabilizer is very good, I have taken very good pictures at 1/4sec %26 iso 100. Basically it will let you take good pictures at low iso(to avoid noise), where you can not use flash.
-DRO (dynamic range optimizer): Autmatically adjusts for a balance between highlight %26 shadows, two different levels of DRO available
- Live histogram: I have this feature in my nikon 8400 (prosumer Camera)and is very useful for adjusting exposure in extreme lighting conditions e.g. daylight scenery in Yosemite, Bryce. Metering systems of most camerascan not keep up with such extreme lighting conditions.
- Three levels for flash. Soft flash for closeups, standard, flash+ for far away objects.
- Colors: It has very bright and saturated colors even in basic color mode. If you are mainly going to use it take pictures of kids, you may like prints from it. I am used to subdued colors of Nikon.
Now the negatives, some of which could be a problem for someone.
- In auto mode, it pushes up the iso to 400 therefore producing grainy pictures.
- Flash is underpowered, stated range is 4.3m. I would stick to half that distance for decent pictures.
- You can restrict the iso to below 200 to keep noise low. I have found that even at iso of 100 the detail in pictures is not that good. My theory is that it has a very strong noise reduction algorithm at all iso's. If you are mainly going to take 4x6 pictures this might not be an issue for you.
I hope this review is useful in your decision making.
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