$189 buys a very capable digital camera at Sam's Club. To that purchase you'll need to add a 1GB (or better) Memory Stick Duo Pro ($33), screen protector ($10), and belt-loop case ($15)for basic operations. Total $247.

What makes this camera so great? This is really a "bang-for-the-buck" product that I think sets the pace for the midrange camera marketplace in 2007. The W55 offers versatility in picture taking mode. One has these choices from the single rotary camera control knob:
Automatic mode (most commonly used)
Auto exposure with adjustable settings mode
Movie mode w/sound
Snow scene mode for photos in snow with sun
Beach waterside scene (enhances blues)
Landscape with distant focus
Low light with no flash (see W80 comment below)
Low light with flash
Low light for portraits
Portrait w/soft background

Quality features include the Carl Zeiss lens, a Super-CCD, high pixels, and the matched electronics to take above average shots in most any condition.

Size it is about the size (but half the thickness) of a bar of Ivory soap. Easily fits in pocket or purse. You can always, easily, have it with you.

What the W55 doesn't do well: Does not have image stabilization or "smoothing" electronics. The next higher tier, Sony DSC W80 (at about $250) does. So, if you tend to jerk the camera and blur your shots, or do a lot of low light work, spend the extra $50 for the W80.

Get fancy by adding a Sony lens adaptor ($24) plus a high quality 2.7X telephoto lens ($129) and a quality wide angle lens ($49), and you have a respectable camera for the hobbiest. Total additional $202. Or, add an underwater case for $139, good for 10' depths.

The Technology Curve:
All manufacturers are riding the same Technology Curve, and Sony is riding on the high side with the W55. As with most things of a technology driven nature, most manufacturers have access to nearly the same assortment of available technology features. The question is, who, at this moment, is making the best use of available features for a given price? Right now, at this price point, Sony seems to win. There are similar products from other makers but they fall short of Sony; some have everything but the lens, some fall short on their human interface making their products harder to use, some miss the ball entirely and hope to live on marketing hype. None match Sony on the W55 for the money.

Internal memory of 56MB is built in, but this will only hold 8 photos in the higher resolution modes. In email mode the photos are about 350kb, and these would total about 17 in the internal 56MB. The optional Sony Duo Pro memory stick is a necessity unless the camera use is direct wired to a computer. The 1GB for $33 at Sam's Club holds about 350 shots at max resolution. The memory stick came with an adaptor that allows the Duo to be inserted into the older, but more common, Memory Stick Pro slot on your computer or printer.
Alternatively, one can connect the included cable between the camera and a computer and transfer that way through any USB port. The W55 will not accept the older Memory Stick Pro.

Battery, supplied, is a proprietary type, good for 380 shots per charge. It takes about 6 hours to recharge in the supplied charger. A spare battery costs about $39.

General specifications (w/my comments in italics:)
A. 7.2-megapixel high resolution CCD image sensor note that this is a 2.5" "Super" CCD. The combination of high megapixels (7.2), a good lens (Carl Zeiss multi-element), and a large CCD, combine to deliver above average pictures. Not all 7.2 Mega Pixel cameras are equal - look for all three elements for quality shots.
B. Equipped with 3x optical zoom lens and 2x digital zoom. It is the optical zoom you most care about since digital zoom tends to reduce quality. Also, with the W55 one can enhance the lens with the above mentioned add-ons.
C. Brushed metallic finish in stainless, blue, or pink.
D. 2.5-inch LCD screen. This larger than average LCD allows you to better view the shots you're about to take and those you've taken. Also, this camera provides an index view mode and the larger screen makes it easier to view in this mode.
E. 56MB internal memory
F. Memory Stick DUO/Memory Stick PRO DUO slot.
G. Macro function In two modes, one is at 7/16" and up, and the other is 11" and up.
H. Li-ion rechargeable battery delivers approximately 380 shots in a single charge.
I. Advanced Super HAD (Hole Accumulated Diode)CCD
J. A/V connector Allows showing photos in camera directly on your TV.
K. USB 2.0 interface.
L. MPEG movie capture.
M. Integrated automatic flash. Has several modes user-adjustable.

Included Accessories: Battery charger Rechargeable battery pack USB, A/V cable CD-ROM Wrist strap.

Things that don't usually get spec'ed but make a difference: It feels good in the hand. It is quite small and easily slips into a shirt pocket. Many digital cameras have annoying delay times when turning on and between shots. Not so much here.. this camera is up nearly instantly, and recovery is very fast when using the flash. Recovery is near instant when not using flash. This camera also has two burst modes for taking sequential shots in very rapid order. My use is for work (photos of real estate), and home (photos of people),and occasional product photos. Anything above 3 Megapixels would do for much of this up to about 8"x10" prints (which I would rarely ever want to do). The W55's far higher resolution, great lens, and superb CCD noticably improves the quality, particularly for large group photographs.
This is my fourth $200 range digital camera in ten years, and it is finally good enough that I will likely resume old interests in more creative photography.

Usage Tip: Once the camera is turned on you can select the recorded image quality by pressing the bottom most button on the camera back. When pushed a selection screen will pop up and you can select the desired resolution of your photographs from 7 mega pixel downward. If you know you only want to email a series of photos, select VGA as the image quality and the photos will be taken at email-able sizes which you will not need to shrink on your computer.

Usage Tip:Another useful feature pointed out by an epinions member: With this camera, one may take a photo and edit it right in the camera. For example, I snapped a photo, then brought it up on the LCD screen. I was then able to zoom in on a part of the photo, pan left, right, up and down, then click MENU, then right click to TRIMMING, then press the center button to save. End result is the original and the updated version in camera memory.

Biggest worry? The wonderful LCD display screen is large and possibly more susceptible to breakage. That's why I'm adding a $10 semi-rigid screen protector and $15 case. Sony does offer an array of extended warranty options, including coverage for physical faults including a $69 3-year which includes broken LCDs.

In summary,: A great great product from Sony. Many features. Quality goods.



Recommended: Yes