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Sony CyberShot

Sony is known for producing high-quality, reputable electronics including a full range of digital cameras  that fit just about any photographer's needs and, most importantly, budget. For tips on buying an advanced camera, you may want to see the article on SLR Cameras, or if you are looking for something that is affordable and simple, see the article on point and shoots. Sony offers an extensive variety of cameras from ultra-compact to full-featured and DSLR to point and shoot. The choice is yours! Read below to learn more.

Point and Shoot Cameras

N Series
  • The DSC-N1  features a 3" LCD touch screen for menu navigation.
  • No optical viewfinder.
  • It has a massive 8.1MP resolution and the Carl Zeiss lens with 3x optical zoom.
  • PC and TV compatible.
  • Has 26MB of internal memory (not much for an 8MP camera). A memory stick is a smart investment.
  • You can edit your photos directly on the camera without uploading or transferring to a computer.
  • Allows you to write notes like the subject's name or phone number directly on the captured image with the colorful paint feature.
  • Plus you can watch a slideshow of your shots just seconds after taking them.
  • People with big hands, beware of the extremely small buttons

P Series
  • P is for petite and powerful.
  • Starting at $350.
  • Close to ultra-compact, but is very versatile.
  • Don't be fooled by its size, or the variety of colors it comes in. It has plenty of power for the average consumer.
  • PictBridge compatible.
  • Offers a surprising amount of advanced features.
  • DSC-P200 
    • Tiny digital, with 2" LCD screen.
    • An impressive 7.2MP resolution, with 3x optical zoom.
    • Small viewfinder isn't very helpful, since it is so small.
    • Like other Cyber Shots, it has a Carl Zeiss lens.
    • It also has a movie mode, lots of automatic features, manual exposure modes.
    • Surprisingly, it is conversion lens-compatible for using wide or telephoto lenses.

S Series
  • S is for standard.
  • 4MP resolution, with 3x optical zoom.
  • 32MB internal memory.
  • Perfect for budget-minded consumers.
  • DSC-S40 
    • 1.5" LCD screen.
    • Compact design, two continuous-shooting modes; good battery life.
    • Manual settings are limited and photos exhibit slight softness.
    • More affordable than the DSC-90. Offers a good value in a point-and-shoot camera.
  • DSC-S60 
    • 2" LCD screen.
    • Manual shooting mode.
    • Takes AA batteries.
  • DSC-S90 
    • 2.5" LCD screen.
    • Rechargeable set of nickel-metal-hydride AA batteries (charger included).
    • Manual shooting mode.

T Series
  • T is for thin.
  • These super compact, skinny cameras come in fun colors!
  • Prices start at around $300.
  • NEW! The DSC-T50  (launched in October 2006)
    • Prices start at around $500.
    • Has a 3.0" Clear Photo LCP Plus screen.
    • 7.2MP resolution.
    • Touch screen capability.
    • Super Steady Shot.
    • Carl Zeiss 3X optical/2X precision digital zoom lens.
  • Note that none of them have viewfinders so you will have to rely completely on the LCD monitor.
  • The DSC-T5  and the DSC-T7  are virtually the same camera.
    • Both have a 5.1MP resolution, 32 MB memory stick, a 2.5" LCD monitor and a Carl Zeiss 3x optical zoom lens.
    • The T7 is slightly heavier, more expensive, but smaller, and the design is modified to be sleeker.
  • DSC-T9 
    • For the same price as the T7, get an upgraded 6MP resolution, 58MB internal memory (that can later be transferred to a memory stick and uploaded to a computer), and a 13x smart zoom feature.

W Series
  • W is for weighty.
  • Perfect for the casual photographer who is looking for an all-around decent performer.
  • The DSC-W5  and the DSC-W7  are virtually the same except for some of these features mentioned below.
    • For $50 more, the W7 may be worth it as a higher quality version.
  • DSC-W7 
    • Features a large 2.5" LCD screen and an optical view finder.
    • Buttons are limited because it's a compact model, so that means that it is mandatory to access many of the features via the menu program.
    • It does have a built-in flash.
    • Several AF modes.
    • It has a 7.2MP resolution, with Carl Zeiss 3x optical zoom lens.
    • 32MB built-in memory.
    • PictBridge compatible.
    • Unlike smaller cameras, this one has a dial mode for setting manual exposure.

Enthusiast

Keep in mind that these enthusiast models are not what one would qualify as SLR. Therefore, despite their seemingly impressive resolution, they aren't going to turn out as great as photos taken with a real digital SLR. They are reasonably priced though, from $500-$1000.

DSC-R1
  • The DSC-R1  is is the top of the Cyber Shot line, going for $1000.
  • This 10.3MP camera with 5x optical zoom is well-rounded, nicely designed and chock full of features, both automatic and manual.
  • It has a 24mm wide Carl Zeiss lens (35mm equivalent).
  • The 2" LCD monitor is seated on the top of the camera, which slightly changes the balance if you want to hook an external flash on the hot shoe since it is pushed over towards the shutter release.
    • It does allow you to set it up on a tripod at waist level and still see what you are shooting.
    • The optical viewfinder is a convenient feature.
  • The buttons are not only on the back of the body, but also on the rounded left-hand side. This may be uncomfortable for some because they can easily be pressed by accident.

DSC-H1
  • For an inexpensive semi-automatic advanced camera, the DSC-H1  is a good deal.
  • It lacks in resolution with a mere 5MP.
  • Has an impressive 12x optical zoom and a big 2.5" LCD monitor.
  • Features an anti-shake processor.
  • Its round design is reminiscent of the Z series  of the Konica Minolta Dimage line.
  • Pop-up flash.
  • A partially rubberized grip.
  • Very simply designed interface for settings.
  • A good-sized optical viewfinder.
  • Texturized mode dial.
  • Has a 32MB memory and room for a memory stick, but no compatibility with other types of memory cards.
  • Allows for interchanging lenses, unlike the DSC-V3.

DSC-H2
  • The DSC-H2  is priced around $400.
  • Has a 6-megapixel imager and 2" LCD.
  • Flaunts Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 12x optical zoom lenses and focal length ranges of 36 to 432 millimeters.
  • Incorporates Sony’s Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization to help reduce image blur caused by hand movement.
  • Features a comfortable grip with controls easily accessible by thumb.
  • Detailed image previews using the H2 model’s two-inch, high-resolution LCD screen, with a pixel count of 230K and Sony’s Clear Photo LCD Plus technology.
  • The H2 model offers 400 shots per charge.

DSC-H5
  • The DSC-H5  is priced around $500.
  • Has a 7.2-megapixel imager and 3" LCD.
  • Features a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 12x optical zoom lenses and focal length ranges of 36mm to 432mm.
  • Incorporates Sony’s Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization to help reduce image blur caused by hand movement.
  • Features a comfortable grip with controls easily accessible by thumb.
  • Detailed image previews using the H5 model’s three-inch, high-resolution LCD screen, with a pixel count of 230K and Sony’s Clear Photo LCD Plus technology.
  • The H5 model offers 340 shots per charge.
  • 32MB of internal memory, which can be expanded with an optional Memory Stick Duo media card or Memory Stick PRO Duo card.

DSC-V3
  • The DSC-V3  is a compact enthusiast camera.
  • With an impressive 7.2-megapixel resolution and a higher than average 4x optical zoom, this camera is sure to please.
  • Has both a large 2.5" LCD monitor and an optical viewfinder with a multi-point AF system.
  • As far as design, it is simple with easy to use buttons and mode dial.
  • It takes memory sticks (essentially proprietary memory chips) but also is compatible with Compact Flash, making this a surprisingly strong point for Sony.
  • Since this camera is semi-automatic, it features all the standard consumer point-and-shoot elements such as flash metering, smart zooming ability, built-in flash, and a selection of scene modes.
  • Of course it still has adjustable manual exposure.
  • Let's not forget the Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar lens.
  • Plus, the DSC-V3 has a hot shoe to hook up an external flash.

Related Buying Guides

Learn More About Other Camera Lines

International Resources

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DE: Sony CyberShot

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