The Sony DSC W170 is a 10 megapixel digital camera with a 5x optical zoom lens. When you shoot at lower resolutions you can boost the zoom to a maximum of 28x. 10x digital zoom is available too.

The maximum aperture is f/3.3 - 5.2. The focal length is equivalent to 28 - 140mm in 35mm format. That makes the lens wide angle and is great for squeezing extra width into the shot.

The lens has a filter diameter of 46mm. You can add conversion lenses to the camera to increase the capabilities of the lens.

• Special resolution for 6 x 4 inch prints
• Image stabilisation
• Self timer
• Colour options - vivid, sepia and black and white
• Setting to boost detail in shady areas of a shot
• Smile shutter setting to automatically snap a photo when someone smiles
• CCD size 1/2.3 inches
• Retouch options - including red eye correction

In macro mode the camera can focus from 10cm away from the subject. This is also a face detection mode for sharper portraits.

The LCD screen is 2.7 inches in size. The screen is made up of around 230,000 dots. There is also an optical viewfinder for composing photos.

The built in flash unit has a range of 4.2m. This falls to 2.7m when the zoom lens is in use. The flash modes are Auto, Forced Flash, Slow Syncro and No Flash. Red eye reduction and Auto Daylight Synchronized Flash can be turned on and off through the menu.

A selection of scene modes is available. These are Twilight, Twilight portrait, Soft snap, Landscape, Beach, Snow, Fireworks, High speed shutter, High Sensitivity, Smile shutter and Underwater.

The maximum resolution for a movie is 640 x 480 pixels with a top speed of 30 frames per second. Sound can be recorded and zoom can be applied before recording starts.

Advanced features include:

• Exposure Compensation - +/- 2.0 EV, 1/ 3 EV step
• White Balance - Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent1, Fluorescent2, Fluorescent3, Incandescent, Flash
• Metering - Multi Pattern, Centre weighted and Spot
• ISO Sensitivity - Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
• Burst mode - Up to 100 shots at a maximum rate of one shot every 0.48 seconds.
• Bracketing - 3 shots. +/- 1 step.

Shutter speed are set automatically and work in the range ¼ - 1/1600 seconds.

Sony supplies all the required software and cables to connect the DSC W170 to a computer, television set and compatible printer. Sony DSC W170

Description:	10 megapixels with a 5x optical zoom lens
Ease of Use:	9
Features:	8
Colour:	8
Macro:	5
Indoors:	8
Value for Money:	8
Style:	8
Movie Mode:	8
Image Quality:	7
Build Quality:	8
Total:	77
Verdict:	This is a decent camera and I am sure the wide angle lens will come in handy for many people. It is easy to use and has the added attraction of a viewfinder. You can also slip this camera into most pockets without a problem.
Review Date:	May 2008
Click for:	Specification Sample Images Features

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Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information on this site, please make sure you double check the feature set and specification at the point of purchase.

Sony DSC W170