Customer Reviews

Sony Cybershot DSCW170/R 10.1MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom with Super Steady Shot (Red)

5 star:		(100)
4 star:		(30)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

This is a great little camera. It takes very good pictures in all light situations, but is especially good in low light when compared to other digital cameras. I brought this along on a recent outing to New York City and didn't use the flash at all. As with all cameras, not every picture taken in low light is perfect, but this camera does a better job than any other camera I have owned which includes other Sonys. It is about the size of a deck of cards, so although it is larger than some cameras in Sony's lineup, it is still small enough to fit into your jeans pocket without feeling like the whole world knows what you are carrying.

This is the 6th Sony camera of camcorder that we've owned. My wife wanted a slim camera to carry in her purse for shots of the children at outings and such. We already own the Memory Stick media and NP-BG1 batteries and chargers so a Sony that uses these was our first choice. No one, NO ONE, else had the new DSC-W150 or W170s on discount other than Amazon when we bought ours. The Smile technology and child first choice are AMAZING. The quality of the pictures is terrific but the ease of point and shoot with presets or all auto is great for pull it out on the spur of the moment, turn it on (fast), point and shoot! The quality of the Very Fine movies is also really amazing. I know that its still 640x480 video but 30fps and the speed of the new Mark 2 cards makes this usable footage - its not the same as our Sony DVCs but its good enough and its with us ALL THE TIME! Wow. Great 5x optics, wider angle than the W150 (which is nice as many slim cameras make it hard to do photos of groups unless you are way back), and it uses the NP-BG1 and newer NP-FG1 battery packs so its compatible with our DSC-H7 and its support materials!!

UPDATE: Nov 12, 2008:
Well, we've had it for several months and two big trips. We took over 2000 photos with it during our week at Walt Disney World. I also had my Sony DSC-H7 with us. After the first day and comparing the two sets of photos that evening, I carried the W170 for the rest of the trip. Its SO much smaller, took great photos, and was easier to use (also was easier on the battery) that I took more photos than I otherwise would have with the bulkier camera. The Videos, when converted with Vista to DVD, are AMAZING! Are they as good as our Digital Video tape Sony? No, but then again this camera is 1/10th the size! Just plain impressed with the performance of this little camera.

I bought this camera because the consumer reviews were excellent, and my first impression of the camera was very good also, based on size, handling characteristics, and the way photos displayed on the 2.7" screen on the back of the camera. However I had business distractions and didn't display my photos on a full-size screen until after the Amazon return time expired. The image quality of my camera (perhaps I have a lemon) is very poor when compared to my three year old Olympus point-and-shoot. I was shocked at how "soft" the images were when viewed on a 15" computer screen. I took identical comparison shots using a tripod and self-timer to verify that I wasn't seeing motion, but in sunlight or low light, the images are visibly and objectionably soft. Around bright patches, such as sky showing through the leaves a tree in the foreground, there is heavy blue fringing, and some sections of the photos are "foggy" as though a fingerprint was on the lens, but there were no fingerprints or debris on the lens. There are noticeable blotches of off-color (like "noise," but bigger) in shadow areas, even at low ISO. I should have tested the camera better, sooner, and I blame myself and my schedule for not doing that. Here is the lesson: (1) Don't buy a camera unless you can thoroughly test it immediately, including judging the image quality on a large screen, not the screen on the camera. (2) Order the correct memory chip the first time, so you don't get delayed waiting for the correct chip to arrive. This Sony is not compatible with all SD memory chips. (3) Compare the camera against another camera of known qualities, but do in time to take advantage of Amazon's return option. I've shipped my camera to the repair center in Texas and it hasn't returned yet. If they fix it satisfactorily, I'll amend this evaluation to say so.

OCTOBER 17, 2008 UPDATE: The camera was promptly returned from Sony service in Texas with no notation or explanation regarding what repair, if any, was done. The post-return images seem very much like the former ones I complained about. However, I have softened my criticism a bit because I think my original expectations were too high. This is a quite small, light, easily carried and concealed camera with intuitive controls and it has a reasonable optical viewfinder. For it's size, it does the job well enough, so, in retrospect, I think I was expecting a bigger camera's performance from an instrument I purchased on account of it's very small size. That expectation might have been unreasonable in some degree. I also have a Canon G10, which costs twice as much and is two and a half times heavier. The Canon takes lovely pictures, but I find myself carrying around the Sony most often because it is so small and so light (6 oz. with battery), which is a compelling argument in its favor.

I just got my Sony Cybershot today to replace my horrible Casio Exilm, that I was so disappointed in. I took this out of the box, and I immediately loved it before even putting the battery in. It is the perfect size. I myself don't like the extremely thin cameras. I find them more difficult to get a good grip on to take a good photo. This is very comfortable to use, and I love how easy the controls are and the handy dial to change the photo settings. It is still small enough to fit in your pocket. The color is so nice. Just so you now it is not really red, it is more of a magenta or deep pink color. So, if you want a deep red color, you might be disappointed. I took some test photos of my cats, and I loved them. They were ten times clearer then they would have been on my Casio camera. The color came out so nice. The video is nice too. I like also you just pop the battery out to charge, and the charger is not big and bulky with a long cord. You just plug the battery in, and the whole charger just plugs into the wall. I have a mac so I didn't need to use the software or install anything for it, so I cannot comment on installation, but I am sure it is not a big deal if you have a PC. It works great with iPhoto. The only thing I was disappointed in, is that you cannot adjust the zoom when filming in video mode. I am so happy with my choice, and I am selling Casio camera on Ebay. Highly recommend!

Love this camera. Great low-light capability, zoom of 5x is very useful (and the wide 28mm is good), nice pocketable size, good control layout, fast response for shooting and playback even with the high 10.1 megapixel, good screen clarity, (but wierd slight lag in "focusing" in reviewing - why?). Also selected this because one of the last remaining series with an optical viewfinder for when it is very bright outside or when my reading glasses are not handy, (just wait- it will happen to you too). I think only Canon still has optical viewfinder models available. Viewfinder is only approximate of real view at various zoom levels, but errors on side of giving more than you see, which is good - you can always crop later. But my real beef is that with all of this face and smile detection junk, (come on, do you really need a smile detection with such settings as child vs. adult, etc?), they should have kept some way to choose aperture or shutter priority. As a minimum, there should have been a "sports" or "action" mode and a "near & far focus" mode. Anyway the camera is fast (high EV), so in many cases, action blur is not a huge problem. The shutter button is elongated and you need to be pretty well centered on it for proper actuation - surprising quality design slip for Sony. Like I say, love this thing but I give it 4 instead of 5 stars because of of the drawbacks indicated. One of the best choices out there overall.

Outstandingly sharp and clear pictures! Movie mode very clear as well even when my niece was jumping on the bed, it was not blurry thanks to the optical image stabilizer. Solidly built, well-made. 5X zoom is more than adequate. Sony didn't goof on this one!

I am not a professional photographer but I enjoy taking pictures.This camera lets me do just that.I find myself looking for things to photograph as I'm driving or walking..somestimes it's very annoying because it's alittle hard to turn that, "lookin for shots", off.It's like ,if I said too you DON'T think of the color Blue!The camera is easy to carry,so I take it everywhere.The batteries have not run out on me yet,but I do recharge it every night.I think the video it takes is really good but not as good a camcorder.So camcorder=9.5/10 and Sony DSC-W170=8.5/10.Also,erasing a shot you just took and did not like is fairly easy, but yet, just difficult enough that you won't erase by mistake.There are alot of "practical" features to this camera,some I've discovered just playing with the camera.But some you must read the user manual.The camera also has a "Users Handbook" which I feel is better than the Owners Manual but they both have very usefull information for the camera.I really like taking a picture,seeing it immediately,and knowing if its a keeper,or,I need to take it again.Result...you have a camera full of pictures you want and no bloopers.Next..upload to a computer or printer for hard copy pictures or e-mail to whomever you wish!One last comment!Another reason I purchased this camera was the combo of 28mm"Zeiss"lens with 5x OPTICAL Zoom.Together they make a fine combination for taking great photos and you don't have too be a genius.I hope you will enjoy this camera as much as I do!Well,as they say..It just does'nt get any better.If you buy it,they will come...beautifull pictures that is!

I don't actually own this camera, but I was looking at buying either this one or the W150, which is slightly cheaper. I went with the W150, but I tried this one out while I was comparing the two, and since I don't see any reviews for this product yet, thought I could help out with what I know about this product.

This camera has a slightly wider lens (28mm) than the W150 (30mm). Another difference is that the W170's battery power is marked on its retail box as slightly less efficient than the W150's.

Obviously the main reason this camera is more expensive than the W150 is because it goes up to 10.1 megapixels, while the W150 only goes up to 8.1. More megapixels in the 8-10 scale shouldn't be a big concern, because unless you are taking large scale poster pictures you don't necessarily need a camera with a megapixel rate of over 5 megapixels. I tend to keep my megapixel setting low because when the photos are uploaded to a computer, I don't like dealing with large file sizes. However, I suppose having the option for that extra megapixel setting can be good to have, in case you would like to take a large cropped picture.

Overall, when I was testing out the camera I didn't find it to be really any different than its counterpart, the W150. Besides what I mentioned above, it's virtually the same; 5x optical zoom, optical viewfinder, 2.7" screen, same camera settings. Pretty much it comes down to how many megapixels you want, and contrary to the popular belief, the average camera user doesn't need double digit megapixels. I bought the W150 simply because I didn't think the 2mm additional lens width and 2 extra megapixels that came with the W170 were enough to shell out an extra 50 bucks. Still, if you feel you want those slight upgrades, then by all means I'd say buy this camera. I enjoyed using it, I just didn't see the need for those slight upgrades when the W150 suited me fine.

I bought this camera to replace my Canon SD700IS which i was never very happy with. I had a sony 7.1 megapixel before but it was stolen and i replaced it with the Cannon due to all of its "great" reviews. I never liked the dreary picture quality of the Cannon and i compared my old SD700 with my new Sony and OMG I finally have a camera that takes great colorful and vibrant pictures. The picture quality is remarkably better than the Cannon. Although i have yet to use many of the other features on the camera, i am extremely happy with the one feature that matters most and that is PICTURE QUALITY

This is a great little camera. I especially like the viewfinder, so that in sunlight, you can see your subjects easier. I purchased a Canon Powershot A720 IS, but sent it back, as the viewfinder and actual view were miles out. Unacceptable by Canon's standards I believe. This Sony is more expnsive, but a better performer. Thr viewfinder is not perfect, but more accurate than the Canon. One doesn't expect single lens reflex standards, but the Sony is good. Using the viewfinder, you need to get as much as you can in the view itself though. The camera manual is only on the CD, but there is a brief version in paper. The sensor seems pretty good tp me, and the preview screen has a high refersh rate (I believe that is the correct saying...) Lastly, this fits in your pocket, yet still gives a great performance.