Good Performer. Review on Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-W5

After a long time I have purchased a costly hardware and performance is better than what I expected. So, let me share the experience with you. We have purchased a Cyber-shot DSC W5 just before dewali from one the show rooms of Sony World in Vadodara. Major reasons for choosing this model is brand name Sony, its metallic look, 3X zoom and 5.1 effective Mega pixel resolutions. Let me analysis some of the features Sony’s Cyber-Shot DSC W5. It has a Steel Metal Look however body is made of very shining and tough Aluminium sheet. Metal sheet makes it tougher and scratch proof. This may be only metal body digital camera available in India.

Optical- It has Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens with a 3X optical zoom. Optical zoom of 3X at a focal length of 38-114mm is a good performer. 3X zoom is to keep the camera compact by operating within the body and extending out when required. It’s really convenient. I have taken about 300 photographs. Results are exceptionally good even in VGA mode. Zoom is not as powerful as traditional SLR cameras but it works well with three different options. One may use it for creative photography but I have yet to explore it. You know today’s photography depends on ones computer application proficiency. Software does almost all the tricks and it’s the fact. DSC W5 has quite a few fully automatic modes for shooting and at the same time there are manual exposure settings suitable for the innovative professional photographers.

Optical system is supported by a 2.5-inch LCD display. Large LCD display has the advantage of proper framing of the object and at the same time reading displayed menu is easier. This Cyber-shot (W5) features Manual Exposure, Auto Exposure and Programmed Auto Exposure mode. It has seven Scene Selection options to give automatic presets for all most all occasions such as shooting portraits, movies, landscape, candlelight, night mode etc. One has to read the guide book to know all the features of this feature rich camera. I feel, 90% of the user may be using only 25% of all the features. Because professionals will not go for it and average people usually does not require so many features.

Memory – The camera features 32MB of internal memory for storing images. You can store only few photographs if you select 5.1 MP resolutions. However, in 5.1 Mega pixel resolutions, the pictures will be pin-sharp. Further editing with available software’s does the wonder. I have now inserted one 512 MB Sony Memory Stick. One has to purchase memory stick separately and cost is Rs.4990/- (item code- MSX 512S). 1 GB memory stick is available. Normally VGA mode is good enough and it occupies very less space. VGA quality is good for sending photos by Email. Short video clips in MPEG Movie (480 x 460, 30 frames per second) format can be recorded with the DSC W5 with Sony Memory Stick PRO.

Power supply - Sony's energy-efficient STAMINA system has good stamina if I compare with the few other brands. Cyber-shot W5 camera comes with rechargeable two batteries and a charger. As per the claim theses cells are capable of up to 420 shots on one charge, but my experience is different may be because initially I have selected 5.1 MP resolution and flash light. So, not in a position to support this claim. But charger is must faster compare to charger of Eveready which I am using since long. Ofcourse, life of the battery is much longer than those we are using for Olympus Camera in factory.

Software - They supply a CD with easy to install software. With USB 2.0 high speed connectivity, the transfer of images to a PC is reasonably fast. Camera can also connect directly to a PictBridge printer without PC but I do not have one. I am not impressed by its editing software. I still use software of my old Intel camera for editing.

General Comment – Cost of the camera Rs. 16,500/- in October 2005 (+ carry case + batteries with charger + software + USB cable) Cost of the 512 memory stick is Rs. 4990/- Cost of additional carry case is Rs. 1400/- with two cells and charger. Not a good buy because one charger and two batteries I received free with the camera. Carry case is not spacious enough to carry all accessories. Cyber-shot DSC W5 is overall a good camera According to one of their soft-advertising material “W” stands for Worry-Free. Not a bad slogan. Its good to have a free carry case, a charger with batteries so that one need not start searching for such must have accessories as soon as one buy the camera. LCD display is much better and clear.

Look, very compact size and performance should satisfy everyone. Sony should increase size of it internal memory so that one need not buy the memory stick along with the camera. In that case one may buy a memory stick after gaining some experience. 512 MB memory stick is good enough if you go for VGA resolution other wise I will suggest to go for 1 GB memory stick.

USB cable is one more disadvantage. They supply it with the camera but one cannot use normal USB cable. So you have to carry this with you if you want to download photographs at any other place other than home. In case replacement one has to go to Sony and price will be much higher. Well, overall a good buy and No Disappointment

Keep Smiling, Be Safe and Enjoy Holidays

Dec 2005