Cyber-shot DSC-W290 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom and Super Steady Shot Image Stabilization (Silver)

I originally bought a Sony DSC-S950, for around half the price of this camera, but I returned it the same day due to a faulty flash bulb. I decided to upgrade to the W290, because I wasn't very happy with the S950 - it felt cheap, and lacked features. I've put together this list of pros and cons of this camera. Don't let the seemingly long list of cons scare you though, as they are all quite minor and not even important enough for me to rate this camera anything less than 5 stars. I just felt it was necessary to list everything I could think of. Sorry, I couldn't properly review the HD Video capability, because I don't have the HD cables (see below), and my computer seems to be too slow to properly play back HD video. Pros: -BRILLIANT colors! I am very very impressed with the colors in my shots, especially when shooting outdoor scenery shots (which is primarily what I purchased this camera for). -Night-time shots using a tripod turn out very well also, giving as much detail as one could see with their naked eye. -Smile shutter, as mentioned in previous reviews, works flawlessly. One thing that doesn't seem to be mentioned anywhere, is that when it's in Smile Shutter mode, it will continue to snap photos automatically as long as it keeps detecting smiles, which is very cool. So if you are taking a group picture, and you're one of those people that likes taking 3 shots of the same thing "just in case", just keep on smiling and the camera will take care of that for you. -there's a 3-shot burst mode, where it automatically takes 3 pictures when you click the button: one with your default EV, one at -1EV, and one at +1EV (or different intervals even, if you choose). That once-in-a-lifetime shot you take will have 3 different versions automatically, and you can choose the one you like the most and delete the rest later. -The Intelligent Auto mode works fantastically, it takes a lot of the stress out of taken urgent pictures. The only time I ever don't use it is when I have plenty of time to plan for a shot. -Startup time is great! I've seen other complaints from people that say this camera takes too long to startup and be ready to use, but those people must be the most impatient people ever, because this thing is faster than any other camera I've owned, digital or otherwise. When you click the power button, the lens fires out lightning fast and the screen immediately displays the picture and is ready for action. Probably takes about 0.5 seconds from pushing the button to being ready to use. Cons: -Plastic cover on LCD screen protrudes from the camera body, making it more easily scratched. I would recommend getting some screen protectors, as I'm about to do. -the jack for the all-in-one cable is on the bottom of the camera, which will be great once a dock is available, but in the meantime it's a very inconvenient place to plug in the cable. It forces you to lay to camera on either the lens side, or the LCD side (which, as mentioned above, is designed in such a way that it could be scratched quite easily without a screen protector) -Doesn't come with HD video cables, only the typical yellow/red/white RCA analogue cables. Seeing as how this camera records HD video, it would be nice to be able to play it back in HD on my tv without burning it to a DVD first. You can buy the HD cables from sony if you really need them, though. -Comes with an NP-BG1 battery, which disables the camera's ability to show you the remaining minutes. You have to buy the optional NP-FG1 battery to see that. That's the only difference, both batteries have the same capacity. It was obviously designed that way to force us to buy a second battery... but that was fine with me, since I planned on buying one anyways. I would definitely recommend this camera to anyone looking for a great quality point-and-shoot digital camera!

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 12 MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom and Super Steady Shot Image Stabilization (Blue) When I broke my last camera (also a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290) while I was on vacation, I replaced it with another Sony DSC-W290. I had the first one over a year before I stupidly stuffed it in the pocket of my cargo shorts and jumped on the wild and crazy Simpsons ride at Universal Studios, in Florida. As Bart says, "Eat my shorts..." and that's what the camera did. Had the DSC-W290 been equipped with a view finder to supplement its sizable color display, I would still be using my old W290. But, alas, there is no such view finder on the W290, and when the display shattered I was operating in the blind. Other than that the W290 has everything I want in a snapshot-style camera. There are a few things you should do if you plan to purchase the W290: (1) Buy at least one Sony Memory Stick PRO Duo Magic Gate Mark 2 that holds at least 2GB (I have a 2GB and a 4GB as a backup); (2) Purchase a Sony carrying case that is compact enough to fit on your belt, but has a storage pocket large enough to hold a spare memory stick and a spare battery; it's much safer than your pants pocket; (3) Buy a Sony NP-FG1 Lithium battery; the camera comes with a Sony NP-BG1, but the NP-FG1 displays the minutes of battery life remaining before a recharge is necessary; (4) Don't carry the camera in your pants pocket unless you want to hear your wife express her opinion of your I.Q. and/or you plan to purchase a new camera shortly thereafter; (5) If you do plan to carry the camera in your pants pocket, you might want to buy accidental damage insurance for it, along with a set of wife-resistant earplugs. My replacement W290 is fully covered through a three-year Square Trade Warranty. Sony guarantees the W290 for the first year, but not against accidental damage or stupidity. You can find Square Trade Warranty on Amazon, at http://www.amazon.com/SquareTrade-Camcorder-Warranty-Accident-Protection/dp/B002I03UQG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1293929931&sr=8-1. It's well worth the $39.99! Or, buy directly from Square Trade Warranty and you might find a better bargain. The W290 has been around for awhile, but the price keeps going up while most of its counterparts are going down faster than the Simpsons ride at Universal Studios. That's likely because Sony has packed this little gem with a bunch of quality features and it works like a charm. Finally, if you want a camera that allows you to take a snapshot with the touch of one button, or if you want to play with the settings, this is the camera you're looking for. Our now seven-year-old has been taking beautiful pictures with the W290 since she was six, while I like changing the camera settings. Either way, the pictures come out great.

This is the single worst Sony product I have ever owned. I'm a BIG Sony fan as you can see by the currently owned Sony Cameras in our family: - DSC-W170: Wonderful camera, buy it if you can find it! - DSC-H7: Super family camera, takes excellent sports shots of the kids! - DSC-P73: Older 4meg camera that the kids use now, very nice photos for 5x7s - DCR-HC46: Descent Compact Digital Tape Camcorder with fair camera, good value. - MVC-FD91: Old Floppy disk <1meg digital - amazing in its day!! This w290 one has fewer controls on the body, they are hidden in the software but nowhere near the level you used to get with the DSC line from Sony. No option other than the 3in screen (which is beautiful) so no way to save power with an optical viewfinder. The absolute kiss of death for me is that the W290 took terrible indoor photos, about 1 out of 10 were usable. I thought, well it doesn't do low light well. So I took it on a field trip with my daughters Kindergarten class to a nature center on an absolutely beautiful clear day - same story, horrible pictures. The W170, under identical conditions, produced 8 out of 10 usable photos. The HD videos are worthless without the HD cable that is not included. They just plain won't play well on any of my computer based video players and I updated all their CODECs. So, stay away, far away and get a different Sony. Sad, I really wanted to like this model. I have returned mine to Amazon, first time ever with a Sony.