db999's Full Review: Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-W5 Digital Camera
Background
This Sony is our third digital camera. We purchased a Kodak DC215 (1MP) in December 2000 following the birth of our son. This quickly replaced our Pentax mid-grade SLR as the camera of choice. This Kodak was replaced in August 2003, after our shots became interlaced with white dots, significantly degrading picture quality. The chosen replacement was a Canon A70 (3.2MP). We had looked at the Sony line-up at the time but the lens quality was supposedly below that of the average camera. The Sony DSC-W5 has just been purchased (early-June 2005).
For the record, I like Sony products. Almost all of our electronics (VCR, DVD player, Receiver, TV, Camcorder) are Sony and we've had good success with their product line. I am hopeful that the DSC-W5 lives up to this expectation as well.
Reasons for an Upgrade
There are several main reasons for the upgrade:
(1) We've missed many potentially great shots as a result of the seemingly long shutter lag in the Canon. The Kodak was always pre-focused and would take an immediate picture - we were spoiled!
(2) Additionally, standards are shifting and increased resolutions are required for the best pictures.
(3) Limited movie mode to only 30 seconds or so in VGA (640x480) and 3 minutes in 320x240 pixels.
(4) Many pictures have seemed to be "washed-out" and frequently require "auto correction" to enhance the images. They are just not meeting the expected colors as observed.
Initial Observations
There are several features which attracted us to the Sony:
(1) One of the first points is the large LCD screen. This certainly giants over that in the Canon. Quality of this LCD unit is great. Some people mentioned a low number of pixels for the size.... the images in the store's test unit did not seem as sharp as those of my purchased unit. I have absolutely no complaints about the screen and view it as a positive feature.
(2) Improved Movie Mode. This allows for 30fps video at 640x480 pixels. "Fine" details require a Memory Stick Pro.
(3) Smaller size. The smaller the better for ease of carrying!
(4) Robustness. The case is metal rather than plastic and should be more robust in the long-term.
Memory
I purchased a Sandisk 512MB Memory Stick Pro Duo with adapter. This should capture almost 200 shots at maximum resolution and quality - more than adequate for a daytrip or weekend but probably not enough for another trip to Disney. The camera is compatible with Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro and Memory Stick Pro Duo and is accessed in the bottom of the camera.
To the Test... Advantages
The best way to test a camera is to buy it and put it through the paces. Connection to my PC should have been easier - my USB2.0 ports from my motherboard all resulted in the PC locking-up when the camera was first plugged-in. I believe that there must be some type of conflict. I connected to a powered USB hub (unsupported according to the Sony documentation) and the camera was immediately recognized. This is definitely not an issue with the Sony camera. I can also remove the Memory Stick and use my external card reader as another option.
Picture quality with the Sony was fantastic. I was very impressed with the color representations, especially as compared to our Canon. I inserted both images into an editing program and compared many pictures in great detail. The Sony greatly exceeded the Canon in all but one shot (a particularly difficult background with a lined chair) which the Sony blended together.
The response time for the Sony is fantastic. As already mentioned, this is one of the reasons for choosing the Sony line-up. My Canon is still thinking about the focus / exposure long-after the Sony has successfully captured the shot.
The movie mode is good, for sure. Fine mode uses a lot of memory (understandably) and a 512 MB MS is limited to only 6 minutes or so of 640x480 video in fine mode.
The review feature is handy and is accessed with the "left" button as compared to the Canon's selector switch. Self-timer is much more accessible than the Canon and uses the "down" button.
Battery status is clearly displayed for the camera, unlike the Canon which only indicates that the batteries have finished and must be changed (little warning).
Easily accessible dial for photo selections.
Ability to change from "SAF" to "MAF". The camera is always auto-focusing on the subject, independent of the shutter being semi-depressed. This further helps to get those quick shots.
Multiburst setting allows you to capture 16 very quick images in one images - great for capturing a quick action. The time interval is selective between 3 different times.
I like the review options for multiple pictures. Multiple deletions can be easily selected from this menu.
Ability to resize a picture from the camera. This could be great if you find that memory is getting tight for the day. You can resize individual images from the captured 5MP to, say, 3MP and then delete the original 5MP to free-up memory. This is a handy feature.
The AF illuminator has enough power to allow for autofocusing. I stood 10' away from a sofa in a dark room. The Sony was able to focus and captured the shot whereas my Canon could not focus.
Improved flash support. The Sony regularly captures images with the flash with improved accuracy as compared with the Canon. Even light backgrounds are not washed-out (the case of the Canon).
Metal case. As already discussed, this should be more robust. The case has "finger" points on the front and back to help grasp the camera firmly.
Lots of accessories are available for this camera, including waterproof cases and lenses.
To the Test.... Disadvantages
Apparent lack of shutter and aperture priority. There is a manual mode in-which these can be manually configured. However, aperture selection is VERY limited - only two selections are possible for any particular zoom. For example, f2.8 or f5.6 only when in WIDE and f5.2 or f10 when zoomed-in. Only f3.5 or f7.1 are available in the middle. The reality is that these features are not used extensively by the casual point-and-shoot photographer, so this should not be a big issue.
Speaker is on the bottom of the camera. I find it difficult to hear the movie due partially to this location.
Lack of a "stitch" mode for panoramics.
Bundled software is cumbersome. Perhaps I am just more familiar with the ZoomBrowser from Canon, but I find this Sony software to be very restrictive (e.g. resizing photos for e-mail, etc.)
Battery life seems lower than with my Canon. Perhaps this should be expected due to the larger screen and the fact that it only requires 2 AA batteries rather than my Canon's 4 AA batteries.
Cannot add voice records for special shots. This is a feature of the Canon which I have rarely used but which could be nice to have at times.
Cannot control the camera directly from the PC. Again, this was available with the Canon but this is another function which I never used.
Summary
This camera is a keeper and will allow us to better capture life's moments! This is a worthwhile upgrade!
UPDATE - 14 JULY 2005
After 6 weeks and approx 450 pictures, the camera seems to be faulting. I'll take two pictures in a row, both using the flash and same f-stop and shutter speed. One will be a great exposure and the next will be VERY dark (or the order will be reversed). In taking 12 pictures, any 4 to 5 will be dark. I do not know if this is problematic with the camera line or more specific to just this camera. I will be contacting SONY tomorrow. So far, this only seems to be a problem when the flash is used.
I've slightly reduced my rating from almost 5* for now.
UPDATE - 15 JULY 2005
I called Sony Customer Service. Their only recommendation (over the phone) was to re-initialize the camera through the menu settings. This did not remedy the problem. They next recommended to deliver the camera to a certified Sony repair shop.
Lucky for me, I had purchased the camera from Sears. Sears offer their own 1-yr exchange warranty. Once the problem was demonstrated, an exchange was easily provided. Even better yet, I used the opportunity to add another sum of cash and upgraded to the DSC-W7. I cannot speak highly enough about this service from Sears, which I expect would not be duplicated from other vendors.
As previously indicated, I really do like the camera. I am hoping that the robustness of the W7 is better than that of the previous W5.
UPDATE - JULY 24, 2005
Some people have been quite critical of my high rating for this camera given the problems which were experienced with the exposure control. I lowered from 5 stars to 4 stars. The DSCW7 has been working well thus far - no problems at all. My feeling / hope is that the problems with the DSCW5 were related to "infant mortality" - a common mode of failure in electronics. My hope is that this problem is unique to the previous DSCW5 and will not be repeated. The picture quality of the camera remains very high and greatly surpasses my Canon A70. Would I recommend it? Absolutely! I could have returned the W5 for a refund but instead chose to remain with the product line and used the opportunity to jump-up to the W7. Now if the W7 exhibits problems, then I would report a potential problem with the line.... All of this is based upon the fact that the DSC-W5 and DSC-W7 are essentially identical units, except for the size of the CCD (5MP vs 7MP).
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 320 This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Easy Enough for Anyone to Use
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