Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-W50 Digital Camera

It's not everyday that I'm impressed with a particular digital camera. In fact, I come across several digital cameras monthly due to the nature of my hobby. Last month, I worked with the DSC-W50 to photograph some cars for a local automobile dealer. Having already worked with the DSC-W30, I wasn't expecting too much from the DSC-W50. But, boy, was I wrong. The DSC-W50 might look similar, but its a dramatic improvement from its predecessor. Let me share a few things I found particularly impressive.

1. Good Photo Quality
Of all the ultra-compact cameras I've used, the DSC-W50 stands out when it comes to taking pictures. I hundreds of pictures, all of them colorful, vibrant, bright, and lively. I was particularly astonished at how well this small camera was able to focus. Most of the pictures I took were in outdoor daylight. But I did take a few shots inside of a low-light traffic tunnel. I noticed virtually no difference in the quality, so the ISO 1000 sensitivity works well. Many of the pictures I took were of moving vehicles. Unlike the DSC-W30, the DSC-W50 didn't blur the pictures. I can't tell you how much easier it was to photograph moving cars not having to worry about blurry images. The point is, if you're looking for sharp, lively, high-resolution pictures, you've met your match.

2. Long Battery Life
Ultra-compact cameras are notorious for having ultra-compact battery life. But the DSC-W50 was a breath of fresh air. Although it didn't last as long as the DSC-W30, I still was able to take 354 shots, both with and without flash, before it ran out. I took shots without turning off the huge LCD screen. If I'd done that, I'm confident I would have been able to squeeze in at least 50 more shots. In case you run out of battery life, just plug it in and it charges to full capacity in a few hours. Buying a spare isn't necessary, but it's a good investment. In any case, 350+ shots without refueling is excellent for an ultra-portable.

3. Easy to Use
The buttons aren't that small enough to cause problems for most people, and the in-camera user interface is excellent. Less experienced photographers will love that it displays text explanations next to icons within the menu. I turned this feature off because I'm experienced, but it was a nice touch. You'll end up relying heavily on the in-camera interface as it only has a few direct button-operated functions (due to its size). I like the menu in general since I don't have to press more than three buttons to change a particular setting. This is especially important if you're a beginner or otherwise not technology oriented.

Those were the three things that I thought were particularly important. That's why it earned five stars. But there are a few other things you should know. First, it uses a Sony-exclusive Memory Stick to store pictures. I recommend you buy the SanDisk Memory Stick Pro instead of Sony's version, since the SanDisk is usually a lot cheaper. Still, it'll cost you $20 more than the CompactFlash cards. Second, it can record MPEG1 video clips, perfect for viewing on your computer or television. The quality is very high, but as good as that of Sony's bigger cameras (such as the DSC-P200). Third, never buy it at its list price of $300. I found it at $259.99 a while ago, and you can probably find it for even lower nowadays. Overall, it's an all-around great camera that will preserve your special moments very well. It's also an excellent value for the money.

If you've got a higher budget, I've also reviewed the Canon PowerShot SD630 Elph.