The Sony DSC W80 is one of the many pocket sized digital cameras on the market. This model has seven megapixels and a three times zoom lens. With so many digital cameras of this type to choose from it is often hard to say why a camera stands out from its competitors. The attractions of thw DSC W80 include value for money, ease of use and a fast shutter response.
Image Quality Sony DSC W80 test shots
It is almost as if I could have written this review when it came to photo quality without taking any photos. My test shots are certainly closely inline with test shots produced by other Sony digital cameras. Therefore I see good levels of focusing (although not quite top drawer) and well balanced colours. The camera is good in lowlight, but red eye is a problem.
Running through the tests starting with the first outdoor shot, focusing is sharp enough, but not quite in the league of more expensive models. Focusing levels are retained as you move out towards the edges of the shot. The glare of the sun causes a small amount of detail to be lost where the sun reflects directly off the boats in the picture. Colours look good to me, although if I am being fussy there is a degree of noise showing in the sky.
The DSC W80 finds the next outdoor shot a tougher test and focusing is not as sharp in this photo. This is a common theme in my tests and the distance between the camera and the scene makes it harder to maintain focusing.
With the lens zoomed in to its full capacity the third outdoor shot works quite well. Again I can see the glare of the sun causing a problem on areas of the boats. Detail is lost in these areas.
As I have already mentioned I like the colours produced by Sony digital cameras. Looking at all the outdoor scenic shots together with the specific colour test I think the levels are about right. This is a matter of personal taste, but the colours are vivid without overpowering you.
The outdoor portrait is another example of the way the colours work. Here they add some warmth to the photo without adding too much of an orange tint as some cameras do. This is another sharp photo.
My lowlight tests are passed easily by the DSC W80. Even in very lowlight I found the camera was able to focus as long as it is within range for the auto focus illuminator to work. Focusing is some way above average in both my portrait and extreme lowlight test. Unfortunately as with other Sony digital cameras red eye is a problem.
The macro shot is o.k. without being anything special. It is sharp enough, but there is a very slight blue tinge to the photo as the camera doesn't quite cope with the artificial lighting.
Up to ISO 400 the camera performs reasonably well. After this level picture quality slides down hill. The maximum ISO rating you can use is ISO 3200. Personally I wouldn't look to use this setting!
Shutter Lag
This is an area where the DSC W80 excels. It is the fastest camera I have tested for sometime. I was able to take a single photo in 0.15 seconds and five photos in 5.08 seconds. That's an outstanding performance. With the flash on it took a single photo in 0.28 seconds and five photos in 12.69 seconds. That beats the time recorded by many cameras with the flash off.
You can compare this camera to other models by taking a look at the Shutter Lag Comparison Table.
Style: You can take your pick when it comes to colour. The DSC W80 is available in silver, black white and pink. It has an aluminium body. Otherwise it is a fairly standard looking digital camera and is just about small enough to fit into a pocket.
Dimensions: 91 x 58 x 22.9mm
Weight: 124g
Batteries: Lithium ion. Battery and charger supplied. Sony suggest you should be able to take in the region of 340 shots between charges.
Memory cards: 31mb built in memory (enough for around fourteen photos). Also compatible with Memory Stick Duo and Memory Stick Duo Pro cards
Click here to save money on Memory Stick.
Ease of use rating: Very Good - I can't come up with any reasons why you will find this camera difficult to use.
Points I like:
Low shutter lag - viewfinder - ease of use
Where it could improve:
Red eye
Verdict:
I like the Sony DSC W80. With virtually no shutter delay you should always get your shot with this camera. In lowlight the camera performs well (shame about the red eye!) and is capable of taken a decent shot outside. Worth a look if you are looking for a good value for money, pocket sized digital camera.
Front View
Back View
Top View
Sample Menus
| Sony DSC W80 Summary |
| Description: | 7 megapixels and a 3 times zoom lens |
| Ease of Use: | 8 |
| Features: | 8 |
| Colour: | 8 |
| Macro: | 8 |
| Indoors: | 8 |
| Value for Money: | 8 |
| Style: | 8 |
| Movie Mode: | 8 |
| Image Quality: | 8 |
| Build Quality: | 8 |
| Total: | 80 |
| Verdict: | The Sony DSC W80 is a mid priced, pocket sized digital camera. It performs well in most situations. I was also impressed by the speed of the camera when taking a photo. In fact when it comes to shutter lag it is the fastest camera I have tested for a long time. |
| Review Date: | May 2007 |
| Click for: | Specification Sample Images Features |
|
