DSC-WX300/R 18 MP Digital Camera with 20x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3-Inch LCD (Red)

This was my first upgrade as far as cameras are concerned. I am not a photographer by any means, but I was interested in getting a camera that is a step above a simple point and shoot. While I originally looked at digital SLR cameras, I was put off by the price and since I do not have the knowledge base in this area I decided to stay away from them. A staff member at my local electronics retailer showed me this camera and I was very impressed. I purchased it here as the price was better than in the store.This camera takes incredible pictures, at least in my opinion as a typical user and not a professional. I took it to the arboretum to photograph wildlife and flowers the first weekend after I received it. The zoom allows for great pictures from a distance. In fact, I caught a great shot of a hummingbird on approach to a flower from about 15 feet away. The image came out like something from a National Geographic magazine.The camera's operation is simple and intuitive. I found the features that allow for color enhancement to be not only a fun addition but also very easily accessed. The camera's start up time is fast so you can quickly start taking pictures after turning it on, which is a huge difference from my last camera. There is one criticism, but this may be more due to my lack of experience using a Mac than anything else. For some reason I cannot figure out how to watch the high-definition videos on my computer. The camera records them in a format with which I (and apparently my MacBook) are not familiar. I imagine this is a simple fix, so I plan to check the forums online to get some direction. As I said, this is probably due more to my limited knowledge rather than a true problem with the camera itself. I am still experimenting with the other features, so I imagine I may be updating this review as I get more acquainted with the camera. That said, I only expect more positive attributes at this point.Lastly, battery life is worth mentioning. I was skeptical at first but the battery actually lasted longer than anticipated. I have only charged the camera twice since I bought it and I got about four days of heavy use out of it before I had to charge each time. While I expect this to go down with age as most batteries lose their ability to hold a charge over time, I was favorably impressed with the life of the battery. This is particularly impressive since the camera does not have a viewfinder and you must use the screen.Overall, this is a great camera to get your feet wet if you are moving in the direction of taking more artistic photos or just want a solid camera that captures fantastic images. Though the price was on the higher end for me, I have found it to be worth all of what I paid.

Got this for my wife who needed an inexpensive compact pocket camera. I'm very impressed with it's abilities although, as expected, the tiny image sensor limits the maximum picture quality. I wasn't expecting much for this price range but this camera far exceeds other cameras I've tried, at least in its major features. The stabilization works amazingly well. I can take handheld pictures at full optical zoom with no blur. In fact it is so steady I found myself using the camera as a "spotting scope" to get a closer look at wildlife on a recent outing. Since this camera is going to be used mainly by someone with little photography experience I did most of my testing in Enhanced Superior Auto mode. In this mode the camera is taking multiple burst exposures and then averaging them to get the best picture. The results are very acceptable. I found it hard to take a bad picture with it. Focusing is very quick and accurate. MUCH faster than either of my much more expensive Canon cameras! The smart phone camera link is easy to set up and seems to work well for basic camera control. It will NOT download Sony apps which was disappointing.Some negatives - One thing I don't like at all is the lack of any exposure or flash adjustments. I find the flash is too harsh most of the time resulting is slight over exposures. It's very irritating to not be able to correct this. I have read several reviews of this camera stating it has 1080p video. It does not. The video is 1080i (as stated in the specs) which makes a difference. The interlacing is definitely noticeable when viewing video on a big screen TV. As far as the actual picture quality goes - don't expect miracles since the sensor is only 1/2.3". Don't plan on making prints over 4 x 6 inches or viewing at 100% on your TV screen. The fine details are just not there.I'd prefer a good image sensor over more bells and whistles but at this price I guess that's too much to ask. Overall it's a good camera and quickly nails the focusing every time and that's the most important thing for catching pictures of the grandkids!

It does NOT come with a battery wall charger. It comes with a USB charger that connects to the camera via micro-USB cable. Not the standard micro USB that works with a phone or other Sony cameras, but an extra small, mini micro cable connection that is very touchy. Now after two chargings, the USB connection no longer works. The computer recognizes it as a device, but it won't charge through the computer or USB wall charger.I had to order a battery wall charger for $10. What a pain in the butt.The camera takes nice photos, but what does it matter if you can't charge it?