+Having such a high resolution is nice and the wide angle lens is great. It also has a little extra zoom than other point-and-shoots, which is another great feature. The smile detection feature is fun for about 30 minutes, but ultimately useless. (At least to me....)...
239 of 256 people found the following review helpful:
Great camera with some set backs
This camera does take great pictures. These days the cameras are very easy to operate with all of the auto settings and advanced face detection and scene recognition - it's hard to mess up a shot. This camera is no exception and makes the user feel like a pro when taking pictures. However, here are some things to think about when buying this camera:
1) The...
This camera does take great pictures. These days the cameras are very easy to operate with all of the auto settings and advanced face detection and scene recognition - it's hard to mess up a shot. This camera is no exception and makes the user feel like a pro when taking pictures. However, here are some things to think about when buying this camera:
1) The controls are on the right rear side of the camera. In particular the W/T buttons and the directional pad/button - the W button is hard to press and the left side of the dpad as well. For some reason they are right up against the right side of the 3" screen which causes a problem and you have to either reposition your finger or use your nail to press the buttons I mentioned. No, I don't have large fingers - it is just a design flaw. The buttons are set below the screen - if they were raised there would not be a problem. If you really want to see what I mean look at the pictures here on Amazon and zoom in on the back panel picture. Something I never noticed before but the directional button even has a part of the 3" LCD frame cut out because it is so close to the button. See for yourself....
2) The video is crisp and clear (720p) but you CAN NOT ZOOM while shooting video. Compared to the T500, T700, T900, T90 ect where you can zoom when recording video. Very disappointing and if someone here mentioned that in their review I wouldn't have bought the camera - I bet people here don't even own the damn thing. The steady shot works well too by the way.
3) There is a rattle when you shake the camera. This is apparent only when the camera is turned on so I think it is the lens cover(s) which retract and automatically opens and closes when you turn the camera on. The lens protector is very fragile and when closed you can push it open with your finger unlike the DSC-N1 that I had which was like solid doors covering the lens.
4) This thing is BIG! OK it's not huge but compared to the W300 It's thick. I know, it has a 3.0" screen compared to a 2.7" screen but it is heavier and thicker than the W300 and the T series but I want to compare apples to apples.
5) Switching from menus and functions is a bit slow. There is definitely a processing delay with video and some pictures that I took too. I wouldn't begin to throw a number out there (seconds) but it is definitely slower than the W300 for good comparison. Turning the camera on - slight lag - lens pops out - it's just a lot slower than the N1 and W300.
6) There is NO docking cradle, memory or a case provided with the camera. I like the new battery charger which does not have a power cord but has plugs that flip out so you just plug it into an outlet and walk away - when the indicator light is off you are done charging - really good idea!
7) You need two hands to operate this camera. With the W300 you can work the zoom and shutter button with your right had with ease. Not so with the W290. Watch that left hand too! The RF illumination is located right where you might put your left forefinger. Careful.
8) The shutter button is on top of the camera along with the power button and a new SMILE button. The smile button will automatically engage the smile detector and will snap a shot automatically when activated. Very cool. However, the button, along with the power button is so small and inset that you really have to wonder if you are pressing it or not. You do feel a click I should say so it isn't that bad I guess.
Canon - who's that? I don't use their products - Sony only baby. This is a great camera but could be better. Like the T700 the T900 came out and fixed a lot of issues. The W300 is a better camera than the W290. I am sure they will come out with a W400? It will be great I am sure! Get this W290 camera for the price and basic functions as a starter camera.
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+Having such a high resolution is nice and the wide angle lens is great. It also has a little extra zoom than other point-and-shoots, which is another great feature. The smile detection feature is fun for about 30 minutes, but ultimately useless. (At least to me....)
+It has tons of little features and settings and even allows for some "editing" on the camera like red-eye removal and such.
-I do wish i could mess with the settings a bit more though. I like to be able to manually set the exposure time and mess with other things as well. These are unaccessible to the user. Regardless, it takes great pictures without me fiddling with things, so perhaps it is best. Though I do wish it had a long exposure setting to take some cool lightning shots or mess with light graffiti, but I think I'll live.
-Also, you can't zoom while shooting video. This is a bit of a frustration as well.
+The camera itself is amazingly small for it's high resolution and hi-def video capabilities.
+Its construction is solid and the black looks pretty slick.
+Great "bang for the buck" camera. Simple enough for the family or girlfriend to use, and enough features and good enough quality for some more creative shots of my own. (and I don't feel girlie carrying it, though there are other colors if that's your thing...)
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I previously owned the Sony T500 because our family needs a camera that can take HD video, but also great photos in one package. I recently upgraded my personal camera and was going to hand down the T500 to my wife, but she did not like the all touchscreen controls. She prefers physical dials and buttons. So I sold off that camera and went in search of one with similar or better features that would be easy to use.
I ended up going with the W290 and it easily surpasses the T500 in photo quality. Right out of the box she was taking great photos on the auto setting. Low light shooting is problematic for all point and shoots, but the W290 did much better than I expected, just don't expect miracles. The 3 inch screen is gorgeous. I don't think I could ever go back to the 2.7 screens anymore.
The W290 is also priced well. It does cost more than a Flip HD or those other pocket HD camers, but purely from a video standpoint it's far superior. From the much larger lense to the bigger screen, there is no comparison. Then you add the full features of a quality camera and it's a no brainer. She's very happy with it.
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Everything you could want in a digital camera. High MP, multiple modes, high ISO, easy to use, takes great pics, shoots video in 720p, large and bright LCD screen, etc.
I was weary about buying a Sony because of memory card prices and capability. Bought the memory card/battery/case on Amazon. Great price, but the camera does not fit in the case with any kind of screen protector on it. With the memory card adapter, it plugged right into my Toshiba laptop.
Camera does come with a battery and a charger. Even tells you how many minutes of battery life you have left.
This camera is designed a lot like the Canon (the two previous cameras I have owned) in terms of functionality, size, and looks. I could not be happier. Buy this camera!
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I'm on my fourth digital camera, and by far, this Sony W290 is the best one I've ever had. It turns on quickly, processes pictures rapidly, and charges the flash faster than any camera I've used before.
In terms of picture quality, I am simply astonished. I have 2 35mm SLR cameras that I use when I want to be artistic and tend to be pretty particular about images. What surprises me the most about this camera is that the intelligent picture settings is phenomenal. I have taken photographs directly into sunlight, sunsets, dark rooms, fluorescent lighting, outside, etc and the camera's ability to quickly and properly adjust the ISO, aperture, speed, etc to create a wonderful picture is unparalleled. I actually think it's the first camera to adjust the settings for the environment even better than I would manually do myself by overriding the settings. In fact, I love leaving it on auto almost all the time now, taking a picture without worrying about anything at all, and then pleasant admiring how good the picture came out. Steady shot works well. Focus is terrific. And, the LCD on the back of the camera is enormous given the camera's small form.
If there is one complaint, red-eye subject notification could be set up better. While red eye reduction works great itself, the camera pre-flash is very similar to the actual photograph's flash and confuses subjects in the picture into thinking that I've already taken the photo, whereby the start to look away. I'm trying to get into the habit of telling them that the flash may shine 'twice' so as to get them to stay still. However, since the red eye reduction is automatic, it doesn't always come on, which adds more confusion. I like the blinking flash that cameras I've used in the past had a bit more.
But, that said, I'm really happy with the quality of the photos and the user interface of the camera. Again, it's the best compact I've owned and I really think one can't do wrong using it. Frankly, I think it's the best of its kind presently, particularly since I thought the price was reasonable.
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The first two months with this camera was great. Easy menus, good battery life, simple point and shoot settings, good in all kinds of light. However, when I turned on the camera last weekend, every picture I took was overexposed, no matter what setting it was on. I consulted with the user guide - which has a WEAK troubleshooting section. It offered no help. Finally, I took it back to the Sony Store and the guy told me that the sensor went bad, and I'd have to mail in the camera for service.
The registration process was time consuming, and its a pain to have to mail it in. We'll see how quickly they can fix and return the camera to me.
I didn't get the extended warranty. I always feel like that is a rip-off, but maybe I will have to reconsider.
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I bought this camera for my husband when he goes on his "biker runs" He would always come back with no pictures because he could not carry the camera with him on the bike.We have a Mavica FD-97 and a DSC - F828; both cameras take amazing pictures. (As you can tell we love Sony cameras!) This Sony W290 is perfect. It is extremely easy to use and takes phenomenal pictures! I have not had to open a manual at all. The menus are laid out perfectly and every aspect of each menu is easy to understand. I especially like the 5X digital zoom in such a small camera.
Now he simply straps the camera case to his belt and he's off. Took great pictures on his latest outing!
You can't go wrong with this camera - I'm tempted to buy a second one to keep in my purse!
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Purchase arrive late by a couple of days. Was a bit heavier compared to previous model but still compact enough for pocket. The images were awesome and very clear. Like the 5X optical zoom. 28mm was great and the telephoto lens very pretty clear with the image stabilization. Although the zoom range was wide, the macro was limited to about 10cm and are defocussed below that. I am pleased overall with the images and functions (especially the smile detection function and HD video). BTW do purchase it with the slim case as the 3" LCD will definitely need some protection.
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I have had a number of cameras and this is probably the best one i ever had. I travel a lot and i just got back from a trip and i showed my family the pictures on an HD tv and the photos looked amazing. The picture intelligent shot is amazing. I love the way how it changes to portrait and then to twilight mode. The video in 720p is beautiful. I took of a football game and it looked great. Buy this camera!!
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We loved our old Sony camera, a 3.2MP Cyber-shot DSC-P52, so we were excited to get hold of this new model. Unfortunately, we only held onto it for two weeks before returning it to Amazon.
Yes, there are a TON of fancy features, including exotic things like a smile sensor and true HD video. And when I was outside taking pictures of the roses in my landscape in bright sunlight, the images were gorgeously vivid and lush.
However, once I brought those flowers inside and put them in a vase, I couldn't get a decent shot using ANY of the myriad settings, with flash or without. In anything resembling normal indoor light, let alone low light, the images came out blurry, out of focus, and filled with noise. It wasn't just my house, either. I had the same problem taking pics at a church event. Good outside; terrible inside.
The bottom line? I really wanted to love this camera, but it has such a narrow skill set, we just couldn't keep it. I'm shopping again, and praying this noise issue isn't inherent in all 12MP cameras.
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