I had been looking for a digital camera around the same time I met the man who is now my husband.  He had this really nice Sony camera so I stopped looking for one of my own and just started using his.  Since I just sort of overtook the camera I never read the instruction book and probably missed out on a lot of features.  On the other hand, that is the proof that this camera really is easy to use because I have many years worth of great pictures and short movies - all without a clue as to the full features this camera offers.

THE LAYOUT:
This camera is approximately 4 1/2" wide, 3" tall, and 2 1/2" thick - all at the largest points.  It probably weighs close to a pound.  On the top of the camera is a spot that looks like you could slide in a powerful, professional-style flash but since we don't own one I've never used that slot. 

Towards the middle of the top is a sort of microphone/speaker which is probably where the "ba-bung" sound comes from where the camera is turned on.  I imagine it is also used for capturing sound when the movie feature is used.  The shutter release button is towards the front right.  It is a circular button approximately 3/8" in diameter and surrounded by a silver ring.  Behind that button is a dial with seven options.  Around that dial is a lever that slides forward and toggles the camera on or off.  As I mentioned, when it does come on it makes a "ba-bung" sound which I find annoying when you are trying to sneak a picture of someone so it's probably best to turn the "Beep" off by going to the "Set Up" function on the dial and paging through the menu.  In addition to the Set Up option the dial also contains: SCN, M, A, S, a green camera icon, a "review" icon, and a filmstrip icon.  The filmstrip is for shooting brief movies.  You wouldn't want to shoot a Hollywood feature with this camera, but it is great for capturing a bit of sound and motion when a still photo just won't capture the memory.  Keep in mind - when in Movie mode you must keep the camera in it's standard position.  You cannot turn the camera on its side like you would to take a picture of a giraffe because when you play back the movie you will see everything sideways.  The review option lets you page through all the individual pictures that you've taken and that are on the memory card.  You can also review movies in this mode.  Pictures are displayed on the full LCD screen which is approximately 1 1/2" wide by 1" high.  Movies do not show in the full screen.  It is easy to move through all the images by using the left arrow key.  From this mode individual items can be deleted.  The green camera icon is the mode used for standard picture taking.  The SCN mode has pre-programmed settings for taking pictures in special lighting situations such as twilight.

On the right side of the camera is a very securely attached wrist strap.  Around the front of the camera there is a very nice "ledge" on the right side, edged in a bit of a rubber grip, that makes a nice sort of handle to rest your fingers and steady the camera.  The lense, even in it's off state, sticks out from the camera about a half inch.  When powered on in a photo mode the lens automatically moves out another 5/8".  When the camera is not used for a short time the lens automatically zips back in and the camera powers down.  On the left side of the camera is a slot where you could attach a neck strap or some other type of carrying device or the lens cap could be attached.  There is also an accessory door on this side that could accomodate a couple of cables.The bottom of the camera includes a hole for a tripod and a door that opens to reveal the battery compartment and memory stick slot.  Just above that door, on the backside of the camera, is a soft door labeled "DC IN" that you can use to recharge the camera's battery.

Above that door, towards the top right on the back side are a square grid of nine dots which help steady your thumb as it secures the camera.  Above the dots is a lever which zooms in or out.  To the left of the zoom is a digital readout screen which indicates battery life, how many pictures are on the memory, what the flash is set out, and possibly other information depending on the situation.  If you use the "display on" feature the LCD screen where the picture shows up also shoes you battery life including minute calculation, flash status, ISO setting, how full the memory stick is as well as a number indicating the volume it currently has on it.

To the left of the LCD screen is a four directional button.  The button is debossed with arrows showing up , right, down and left.  Around the button there are also indicators to help you adjust functions such as flash, review mode, timer, and macro.  When a "select" command is needed you simply push in the middle of this button, where there is an embossed small circle.  Underneath this button are six smaller buttons which control: menu, display, contrast, focus, and AE lock.

THE SHOOTING:
I was always happy with every picture I took with this camera.  If anything was poor in the photo it wasn't the camera's fault as much as the subject's or the photographer's.  At times though I did feel like the camera wasn't fast enough.  The time it takes to power on, zoom out the lens, and react to the shutter button feels like an eternity when you're trying to grab a spontaenous action shot of a child.

Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): unknown
This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Flexible Enough for Enthusiasts