Sony’s latest addition to their point and shoot Cybershot line is the DSC-W220. The truth is, not only does it look generic, but there’s nothing significantly different about it over the dozens of other cameras Sony has in this same Cybershot line. The updates are minor over earlier models, but good enough to warrant a few review.
Features
The biggest feature this camera offers is its new 12.1 megapixel sensor, which is large enough to create half-wall posters if you were so inclined. To be honest, you’ll never need these many megapixels unless you’re creating very high-quality art with a highly detailed level of processing. For the average person, these extra megapixels simply take up hard drive space.
Other features include: Carl Zeiss lens so common on Cybershots, 4x optical zoom, Smile Shutter/Face Detection technology, the BIONZ image processor, a 2.7″ LCD display, Double Anti-Blur, Optical Steady Shot, ISO upto 3200, widescreen HQ video recording, Dynamic Range Optimizer, Integrated Photo Resizer, and more.
The features are quite decent–such a high ISO is a nice option, and Sony has gone out of their way with the steady shot and anti-blur to make sure every shot comes out clear. Overall, the features are spot on (minus full HD video recording).
The package from Amazon (at the time of this article) came with a wrist strap, USB cord, battery and charger, audio/video cables. Unfortunately, no memory stick.
Image Quality
The first thing I noticed was that the shots are quite sharp, perhaps even a bit too sharp, though that is dependant on personal taste. The colors are quite saturated, the images are very sharp, and the noise is relatively low, though the massive resolution helps make it look ever lower. Minor barrel distortion when zoomed, hardly visible. Overall, I give the image quality two thumbs up.
Macro shots also came out very well.
Cons
Unfortunately, the W220 takes different cables then the W110 and other W models, which destroys any incentive in investing in the same camera line.
Conclusion
For the longest time I felt that point and shoot cameras were overpriced, and I still generally feel that way. The price of the camera (average $175) seems quite fair for the features assuming someone is going to use all those features. The Cybershot W220 is one of those cameras that a pro can use to a very full extent, and that will likely be 90% wasted by the average shooter.
Overall, excellent image quality and great features make this an excellent camera. The only downside is the lack of high definition video recording, which seems like a poor choice on Sony’s part given this cameras widescreen recording and LCD.
by Blair Mathis