Overview
The Sony Cybershot DSC W210 is one the cheaper digital cameras that fit into a pocket. It has 12 megapixels and a 4x optical zoom lens. If you reduce the amount of megapixels you shoot at extra zoom becomes available. To further increase the capabilities of the lens you can add conversion lenses to the camera with a lens adapter.
Why Buy The Sony DSC W210
The Cybershot DSC W210 gives you the chance to buy a pocket camera, from a recognised brand at a lower price. The camera scores well for ease of use and includes one or two extra features you do not always find on cameras in this price bracket.
Main Features
Megapixels:
Zoom:
LCD Screen:
Dimensions:
Weight:
12
4x
2.7 inches
95.2 x 56.5 x 21.8mm
117g
Macro:
HD Movies:
Manual Controls:
Batteries:
Memory Cards:
4cm
No
No
Lithium ion
Memory Stick™ Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo™
Image Quality - See Sample Images Below
Outdoor Scenic Shots in Good Light
Outdoor 1 (Medium Zoom):
The Cybershot DSC W210 handles the brighter areas of the shot very well indeed. There is more detail showing on the boats than I am used to seeing where they are in full glare of the sun. Darker areas pose more of a problem and the definition is not so hot in these areas. For example the name on the front of the boat on the left hand side the photo lacks clarity.
Outdoor 2 (No Zoom):
Although this camera gives you 12 megapixels to play with you will notice the odd problem if you make extra large prints. In this photo I can see purple fringing around the tops of the trees and at the edges of windows. The sky also becomes pixilated when print size is increased. Darkness creeps into the corners of the photo as well.
Outdoor 3 (Maximum Zoom):
With the lens zoomed in quality is better. Sharpness increases with only a small amount lost towards the edges of the shot. I cannot detect any purple fringing here either.
Outdoor 4 (Building):
As with my previous shot focusing works quite well. If you blow the scene up the brickwork can be seen quite clearly. Again there is some loss of sharpness as you move out towards the edges of the shot.
Portraits
Outdoor Portrait:
I would describe this as a standard effort. Maybe the colours are not quite as warm as some cameras produce, but other than that the photo is more or less what I have come to expect from this level of camera. You should have no problem taking portrait shots with the Cybershot DSC W210.
Indoor Portrait with Flash:
The Cybershot DSC W210 gets this picture just about spot on. There is enough flash light to create brightness across the photo, but not so much that the face begins to look shiny or the colours washed out.
Indoor Portrait without Flash:
This is a decent effort too. Perhaps a shade too dark, but the camera manages to bring far more detail into the shot than a lot of cameras do.
Macro, Colours and Noise
Macro
In this picture taken under artificial lighting I can see some purple fringing starting to show in the shot as I increase the print size. The level of detail in the shot is o.k. There are certainly better cameras out there for taking close up shots, but it is unlikely anyone buying a straightforward, snap shot camera like this one is too serious about macro photography.
Colours
The colours throughout my shots are a fair reflection of how the scenes looked on the day. There is plenty of depth to the colours and you should be able to produce appealing, vivid photos.
ISO 400 and ISO 1600
In the darker areas of a shot at ISO 400 you start to notice colours can take on a purple tinge. Noise levels step up quickly from ISO 400 onwards.
Summary
For one of the cheaper, pocket cameras the Cybershot DSC W210 does a solid job. As you would expect it's not perfect, but it handles most photo opportunities well.
Style
There is not anything specific to mark the Cybershot DSC W210 out as different to so many digital cameras. It has the usual rectangular design. It comes in a choice of colours; silver, pink, green and a dark grey.
Shutter Lag Times
Single Shot
Five Shots
Single Shot With Flash
Five Shots With Flash
Turn on Time
0.27 seconds
9.58 seconds
0.38 seconds
12.38 seconds
2.7 seconds
Ease of Use
Sony does offer a couple of extra features such as being able to adjust the level or flash. Therefore if you want to get the most out of the camera you will need to spend some time experimenting. Otherwise it is a fairly, straightforward point and shoot camera.
Points I Like
Ease of use - shutter delay times
Where it Could Improve
Macro shots could be better - darkness can creep into the corner of shots when the zoom is not being used
Verdict
The Sony Cybershot DSC W210 sits somewhere in the mid range when it comes to cheaper pocket cameras. It does a solid, if slightly unspectacular job.
Product Shots
Front View
Back View
Top View
Sample Menus
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Related Pages
Sony DSC W210 Review Sony DSC W210 Specification Sony DSC W210 Sample Images Sony DSC W210 Features Panasonic Lumix DMC FS7 vs Sony Cybershot DSC W210
Review Date
March 2009
