The Sony Cybershot DSC W220 is a straightforward, pocket sized digital camera. It has 12 megapixels and a 4x optical zoom lens. Sony has given the camera some extra features compared to other models in this category and price range. These include image stabilisation and the ability to add conversion lenses to increase the capabilities of the lens.

The Cybershot DSC W220 is easy to use and fits easily into most pockets. This is a mid price, smaller compact. You can also shoot High Definition movie clips.

Outdoor 1 (Medium Zoom)
As I have seen with other Sony digital cameras in this series the Cybershot DSC W220 handles light coloured areas well. There is no real problem with glare from the sun. Darker areas in the shot are not so hot and this camera shows less definition in these areas compared to similar cameras.

Outdoor 2 (No Zoom)
This is a tough shot for smaller digital cameras with their relatively small lenses. In this instance picture quality does not match up to the better cameras of this type. To be fair problems are going to be negligible with snapshot sized prints, but if you make larger prints you may start to notice a general lack of sharpness. The sky shows signs of pixilation. Purple fringing also starts to creep in around windows and along the tops of the trees.

Outdoor 3 (Maximum Zoom)
With the lens zoomed in to its full capacity the result is better. Overall sharpness improves. If I make a larger print I can still see rough pixels in the sky.

Outdoor 4 (Building)
The centre section of the shot is crisp, but as you move away towards the edges the shot becomes softer. I can also detect a fair amount of noise creeping into any shaded areas of the photo.

Outdoor Portrait
There are no problems with focusing as you move in closer. I used face detection to help the Cybershot DSC W220 with sharpness and general exposure. There are one or two areas where a bit of extra light would have lifted the photo.

Indoor Portrait with Flash
This is probably my favourite test shot from the Cybershot DSC W220. Here the lighting levels are more or less spot on. This is also a sharp photo.

Indoor Portrait without Flash
I much prefer the photo taken with flash. This photo is on the dark side and there is a green / grey colour caste to the shot. Be prepared to use flash where necessary when the lighting starts to drop.

Colours
I like the colours the Cybershot DSC W220 produces. They give the pictures a vivid feel.

Macro
My macro shot is o.k., but there is a touch of purple fringing showing. This will not be a problem if you are taking close ups of say nature subjects, but could be a problem with any reflective objects.

ISO 400 and ISO 1600
Colours start to break down quicker than with other digital cameras. Noise is also more noticeable in general as ISO levels are increased.

Overall
If you are planning to produce large prints of your photos then you are likely to notice some of the imperfections I have mentioned creeping into your photographs. There are better small compacts around when it comes to picture quality.

The Cybershot DSC W220 is quite rapid. I was able to take a single shot in 0.24 seconds and five in 12.39 seconds. With flash on times increased to 1.72 seconds for a single photo and 15.17 for five.

To turn the camera on and take the first photo took 3 seconds.

You can compare this camera to other models by taking a look at the Shutter Lag Comparison Table.

The Cybershot DSC W220 is a fairly typical rectangular camera. It is small enough to fit into most pockets. It is available in black, silver and light blue.

95.2 x 56.5 x 21.8mm

118g

Lithium ion (NP-BG1). Sony suggests you should be able to take around 370 shots in between charges.

The Cybershot DSC W220 is compatible with the following memory cards: Memory Stick™ Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo™. Memory Stick PRO Duo™ High Speed(No Speed Advantage), Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo. The 15mb of memory built into the camera by Sony is enough for just three photos.

Click here to save money on SD cards..

Very good. I like the layout of the menu system. There are a few more features to get used to than with some cameras in this price bracket, but you should have no problem getting started.

Ease of use - shutter delay times - High Definition movie clips

Macro shots show purple fringing - overall picture quality could be a shade better

Similar cameras, perhaps with a little extra quality include the Panasonic DMC FS6 and the Panasonic DMC FS7.

The Sony Cybershot DSC W220 is not a bad digital camera. I found the camera easy to use and it has a low shutter lag time compared to other cameras in its class. When it comes to picture quality it has some tough competition and does not quite match up to some of its competitors.

Front View

Back View

Top View

Sample Menu

Description:	12 megapixels and a 4x optical zoom lens
Ease of Use:	8
Features:	8
Colour:	8
Macro:	7
Indoors:	8
Value for Money:	8
Style:	8
Movie Mode:	9
Image Quality:	8
Build Quality:	8
Total:	80
Verdict:	This is a fairly standard, mid priced, smaller compact. It is easy to use and recorded one of the faster shutter delay times. Picture quality does not quite match up to the best in this class.
Review Date:	May 2009
Related Pages:	Sony DSC W220 Specification Sony DSC W220 Sample Images Sony DSC W220 Features

	GBP 125.43
	GBP 137.48
	GBP 139.5
	GBP 142.75
	GBP 142.99
	GBP 159.99
	GBP 160.00
Click a flag for prices from other countries:

Camera	Rating
Panasonic DMC FX60	86
Canon IXUS 120 IS	86
Sony DSC TX1	86
Canon IXUS 110 IS	86
Canon IXUS 100 IS	86
Panasonic DMC FS62	85
Samsung ST550	85
Nikon Coolpix S570	85

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 W220