Howard_Creech's Full Review: Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-W5 Digital Camera
With the exception of its five megapixel Real Imaging Processor the DSC W5/DSC W15 is almost identical to its big brother, the very popular (7 megapixel) Sony DSC W7. The Sony DSC W5/DSC W115 was designed to appeal to veteran snap-shooters and family shutterbugs looking for a compact digicam that performs like a full sized camera. The W5’s dead simple P&S (Auto) mode makes it a perfect choice for casual photographers looking for an imaging tool that can keep up with active lifestyles. The Sony DSC W5/DSC W115 is so user friendly that even beginners will be able to instantly shoot striking images, but this brick shaped little digicam also provides enough creative flexibility to satisfy more demanding photographers.
NUTS & BOLTS
Viewfinder/LCD
The W5’s coupled (zooms with the lens) optical viewfinder is fairly bright and covers about 85 per cent of the image frame. The offset between the optical viewfinder and the lens is fairly radical, which means that up to 6 or 8 feet the viewfinder sees a slightly different view than the lens. So what the shooter sees (through the viewfinder) will be a bit different from what is captured by the camera. There's no diopter correction for those who wear eyeglasses.
Larger LCD screens make it easier for photographers to preview compositions, review and save or delete captured images, and access the camera's menu system. The W5 uses the same large 2.5" LCD screen featured on the W7. The W5's LCD screen is bright, sharp, color correct and quite fluid and the excellent anti reflection coating keeps everything surprisingly clear, even in bright outdoor lighting. The W5’s LCD info/status display provides lots of information (resolution setting, shooting mode, aperture, shutter speed, and battery status), but it is a little too busy and occasionally interferes with composition. I would have liked it better if all the information had been displayed along the bottom of the image frame. The W5 also provides a live histogram display for checking over/under exposure and a static histogram display for evaluating saved images.
Zoom
The W5’s f2.8-f5.2/38-114mm (35mm equivalent) Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar zoom extends from the camera body automatically when the camera is powered up. The lens retracts into the body when the camera is powered down and a built-in lens cover closes over the front element.
Sony's advertising makes a big production of the Sony Cybershot DSC W5/DSC W15 digital camera's Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar zoom, but the optics for this camera are actually manufactured in Japan by Sony (under license) to a patented Carl Zeiss optical formula.
Zoom operation is smooth, fairly quiet, and very fast. Resolution (sharpness) is excellent. Barrel distortion (straight lines bow out from the center) at the wide end of the zoom is about average, however pincushion distortion (straight lines bow in toward the center) at the telephoto end of the zoom, is well below average. Chromatic aberration (purple fringing) is visible in high contrast color transition areas at maximum aperture at the wide-angle end of the zoom range, but virtually disappears at the telephoto end. There is some very minor corner softness, but no vignetting (darkened corners).
Minimum focusing distance (in macro mode) is about two inches. Macro images are very sharp with excellent detail and very saturated color, especially in natural lighting. When the on-board flash is used to add light for macro subjects, the zoom partially blocks the flash and the bottom third of the image will be noticeably darker than the top two thirds. The W7’s zoom is threaded for the optional Sony VAD-WA lens adapter so optional supplementary lenses can be used.
Auto Focus
The W5 features a capable, but unexciting 5 AF area (Closest Subject Priority) contrast detection Auto Focus system. Slightly depress the shutter button and almost immediately the camera locks focus and a green confirmation light appears. AF is dependably fast and consistently accurate even in poor light (in low light the focus aid beam automatically kicks in).
Manual Focus
The W5 provides a useful, but limited and somewhat cumbersome (5 steps plus infinity) Manual Focus option.
Flash
The W5’s built-in multi mode (Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Fill, Slow-sync, and off) flash is small, but it does a very good job. Output can be adjusted to better balance flash and ambient lighting. Sony claims the maximum flash range is about 15 feet, which seems to be fairly accurate, based on my limited use. The flash is too close to the lens (due to the diminutive size of the camera) so redeye will be an ongoing problem. Sony offers an optional auxiliary slave flash unit, for shooters who want/need expanded flash capabilities.
Memory Media
The W5 saves images to Memory Stick /Memory Stick PRO Cards, or to its 32MB of internal memory. Sony doesn't include a memory card.
Image File Format
JPEG
Connectivity
USB 2.0 and A/V out
Power
The W5 (like its big brother) is powered by 2 AA batteries (Sony says only alkaline or NiMH batteries should be used). Sony claims the included NiMH rechargeable AA’s are good for up to 380 exposures with full time LCD use and up to 500 exposures when using the optical viewfinder. My use indicates those numbers are overly optimistic, 250 exposures (full time LCD use, occasional flash use, and heavy review/delete) is a bit more accurate. AA batteries are universally available, so purchasing a pair of back-up rechargeable batteries may not be necessary for most W5 users (Sony says the W5 is good for up to 70 exposures with full time LCD use when powered by over the counter alkaline AA’s). The included charger is incredibly slow, it requires up to 6 hours to fully re-charge the included NiMH AA’s.
EXPOSURE
The W5 offers a nice range of exposure options including Auto, Program, Scene (Night, Night Portrait, Candlelight, Snow, Beach, Landscape, and Portrait) mode, and Manual Mode. Sony’s design folks expect typical users will opt for the Auto, Program, or the Scene modes, so the Manual Mode feels like something of an after thought. Users have only a minimum or maximum aperture choice (f2.8 or f5.6 at wide-angle or f5.2 or f10 at telephoto), which is a fairly limited range of manual exposure options.
Movie Mode
The W5 captures video clips (duration is limited only by the capacity of the Memory Stick installed) at 640x480 @ 30 fps.
Metering
The W5’s default Digital ESP (multi-pattern evaluative) metering mode consistently provides accurate exposure information to the Real Imaging Processor, even in tricky lighting. A Spot metering option biases exposure on a small area at the center of the frame (useful for portraits, back lit subjects, and high/low contrast subjects). The center-weighted option allows savvy users to create traditional looking landscapes and Classic style portraits.
White Balance
The W5's Auto White balance setting is consistently accurate in most lighting, but images shot under fluorescent lighting (at the Auto WB setting) show a slight pinkish cast. Other WB options include Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Incandescent, and Flash.
Sensitivity
The W5’s Sensitivity range is adequate for the camera’s target audience, but may cause some heartburn for more demanding shooters. The camera provides (default) TTL Auto and user selected settings for 100, 200, & 400 ISO (equivalent).
In-Camera Image Adjustment
The W5 offers a very basic level of in-camera image parameter tweakability. Exposure Compensation ( /- 2EV in 1/3 EV increments), Saturation (low, normal, high), Contrast (low, normal, high), Sharpness (low, normal, high), and Flash Output ( 1EV, Normal, -1EV).
CONTROLS, DESIGN, ENGINEERING, & ERGONOMICS
The stylishly retro brick shaped W5 is reminiscent of the elegant little 35mm P&S cameras (like the Rollei 35S, the Olympus Pen EE, and the Minox 35EL) from the sixties and seventies. The W5/W15 is similar in size and “feel” to Canon’s upscale “S” (S60, S70, S80) models. The camera was designed for casual photographers who may want to experiment with composition and manual exposure occasionally, but who will primarily use the camera in P&S mode. Controls are logically placed and easily accessed, menu navigation is straightforward, and build quality (stainless steel body) is very good, but a small textured handgrip, rather than the raised finger-stop, would have provided a more secure hold.
Technical Specifications
Resolution: 5 megapixels (2592 x 1944)
Viewfinders: Optical viewfinder & 2.5" LCD screen
Lens: f2.8-f5.2/38-114mm (35mm equivalent) all glass (7 elements in 5 groups with 3 Aspheric elements) Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar zoom
Auto Focus: 5 area contrast detection autofocus system
Exposure: Auto, Program, Scene modes, Manual mode, and Movie Mode
Flash: Built-in multi mode
Metering: Multi-Pattern (evaluative), Center-Weighted, or Spot
White Balance: TTL auto and presets for Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Incandescent, and Flash
Sensitivity: TTL Auto and ISO 100, 200, & 400 (35mm equivalents)
Exposure Compensation: Yes /- 2EV in 1/3-step increments
Memory/Storage Media: Sony Memory Stick & Memory Stick Pro Image File Format: JPEG
Connectivity: USB 2.0 & A/V out
Power: 2 AA batteries
Included
Wrist strap, 2 NiMH AA batteries and charger, USB/AV cables, Software CD, and Printed manuals
Optional
VAD-WA lens adaptor, WA & Telephoto conversion lenses, Photo & Special Effects filters, HVL-FSL1B slave flash, MPK-WA underwater case
In the Field/Handling & Operation
My friend (who sells new and used digital and film cameras) has been going crazy (more than half of all digital cameras sold every year are purchased during the four months between Labor Day and the end of December) and I have been spending an inordinate amount of my free time helping him with this annual exercise in stress management. I wasn't too surprised when he turned up on a recent Saturday with a brand new Sony W5 in hand. The first thing we did was to run some color tests (we shot some very colorful children's plastic beach toys spread out over a sheet of white background paper. The W5 showed consistently accurate (hue) color balance, although typically (for consumer digicams) colors are noticeably oversaturated.
Our first adventure with the W5 was a trip to Cave Hill Cemetery to shoot some late fall/early winter scenics. The weather has been nasty here in Louisville, with daytime temps in the twenties and thirties and (mostly) ugly gray skies. We wanted to shoot some of the native limestone grave markers in the 19th century section of Louisville's oldest burial ground. Cave Hill started out as a small heavily forested farm on the outskirts of the city and became Louisville's primary burial ground in the mid 1830's. Since that time the area has been planted with thousands of trees, shrubs, and bushes. Many of these plantings are rare and exotic which makes Cave Hill absolutely gorgeous in the spring, summer and fall. Things are a bit different in the winter. The cemetery was completely deserted when we got there and we were able to quickly drive to the oldest area and shoot some of the ancient headstones still dark from a recent rain and surrounded by an ankle deep carpet of fallen leaves. The sky was gray and the light was pretty diffused, making it easy to convey a "dark" sort of gothic look to the weather worn hand-carved native limestone grave markers.
For our second outing with the W5 we headed for Cherokee Park. Skies were blue and the light was bright and sunny, but it was freezing cold. Hillsides in this old Frederick Law Olmsted designed park are covered with old growth trees. During Spring, Summer, and Fall Cherokee Park is absolutely gorgeous---but during the winter Kentucky is pretty depressing -- gray skies, leafless trees, and dead yellowish grass highlight a landscape that is essentially dull, brown, and pretty boring from early December until the end of February. Here's something to keep in mind if you live where it gets very cold and you want to shoot winter scenes (or you plan to take a digicam snowboarding, hiking, cold camping, or cross-country skiing) compact digital cameras absolutely cannot be used with gloves---you'll have to expose those tender pinkies to old man weather in order to use the camera. Battery life is also noticeably shortened in very cold weather. Our shots from Cherokee Park were so dull and boring we just deleted the whole lot.
The Friday night after Thanksgiving my friend took the W5 down to Jefferson Square to watch the annual "Light up Louisville" festivities (in company with more than 100,000 other Louisville residents). Louisville's Metro Government administrative district becomes a holiday wonderland (Jefferson Street in front of the Fiscal Court building is temporarily re-named Santa Claus Lane) that includes fireworks, Carolers, a parade, and more than 1,000,000 Christmas lights. My friend wanted to test the night/low light capabilities of the little W5. Fortunately I had a previous appointment so I was able to avoid the freezing cold and the terminal gridlock that follows this popular event. After Light up Louisville ended (rather than deal with the mad traffic crush) my friend walked down to the foot of Fourth Street and spent half an hour shooting the Belle of Louisville.
When we got together Saturday afternoon my friend’s shots of Jefferson Square were a bit too harshly lit, but I was impressed with his shots of the Belle. The old red, white, and blue sternwheeler covered with Christmas lights really looked pretty neat and a couple of his shots made me a bit envious. Sony digicams are well known for their dim/low light capabilities and after reviewing my friend's images from Light up Louisville, it's clear the W5 maintains that tradition.
PERFORMANCE
Image Quality
The W5’s color saturation is noticeably higher than average, but colors are consistently hue accurate. The punched-up color, slightly hard contrast, and the tack sharp resolution result in the kind of dramatic "pop" that will appeal to most amateur shooters. ISO 100 images are consistently excellent with sharp resolution, very bold colors, and lots of snap (although some very minor pattern noise is visible in shadow areas). ISO 200 images are very good, but with a little less “pop” and slightly higher noise levels than ISO 100 images. Results at ISO 400 are a bit flat and detail is softer, due to higher noise levels. The W5's images are as good or better than its competition and the W5's noise levels are a bit lower than the W7's (everything else being equal, higher resolution sensors generate more noise than lower resolution sensors).
The W5 does a remarkably good job in challenging lighting. Images captured in Low/Dim lighting and Night shots are surprisingly good, making the W5 an excellent choice for those who need a bar/party/event digicam.
Timing/Shutter Lag
The W5 is a very quick digital camera. The Boot-up cycle is less than two seconds. Shutter lag won’t be a problem, since the shutter fires almost instantaneously. AF (with pre-focus) is essentially real time and from scratch only requires about half a second. Shot-to-shot/write-to-card times are noticeably faster than average.
A Few Concerns
I really liked the W5 (and its big brother), but I found its exposure compensation function (a feature I use a lot) particularly aggravating. Instead of a dedicated exposure compensation button, users have to access this function through the menu which was cumbersome and time consuming enough to cause me to miss a couple of shots that I should have gotten.
Who is this Camera best suited for?
The W5 is a very good choice to replace a first or second entry-level digital camera that’s starting to show its age. It’s also an excellent choice for casual photographers, weight/space conscious travelers, family chroniclers, and those looking for a bar/party camera that works well in dim/low light and indoors.
Conclusion
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W5/W15 is an excellent entry-level digital camera that offers a bit more than the average P&S digicam. Image quality and performance are consistently excellent and the camera provides users with some (limited) creative potential. The W5 is silver and the W15 is black and silver.
IMAGES
If you would like to see a selection of images that are very similar to and typical of the sort of test pictures I shoot for my epinions digital camera reviews -- click on the top link under Favorite Links on my profile page (to get to my EPS profile page from this review, just click on my name under about the author above). The Favorite Links link will take you to my forum page at DCR -- Click on the find all posts by Howard Creech link (under Forum Info). My DCR reviews each feature a selection of my images.
The observations, opinions, recommendations, and conclusions provided in my digital camera reviews are based on more than 30 years experience as a photographer and extensive hands on testing of each of the cameras reviewed. I receive no compensation from DCR.com for your visit or any subsequent purchase you may make. You can return to epinions at any time (either open the link in a new window or hit your back button). The Canon Powershot SD500 and the Canon Powershot A520 posts were submitted as text only reviews and the images that illustrate those two posts were shot by a DCR staffer.
Looking to ramp up your digital imaging experience in your own digital darkroom? Check out my review of a very capable (and heavily discounted) Pro quality ink-jet printer, the Epson Stylus Photo 2200 http://www.epinions.com/content_167980076676
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