Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom and Super Steady Shot Image Stabilization (Black)

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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom and Super Steady Shot Image Stabilization (Black)
	Manufacturer: Sony Customer Rating:   List Price: $229.99 Sale Price: $245.45 Availibility: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Available On:

Product Description

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 camera combines style with power and intelligence. The W290 comes in 4 sophisticated colors and has a stylish look. With the W290 taking great pictures is now easier than ever. The iAuto mode goes beyond the traditional auto mode, thinking and working for you; recognizing scenes, lighting conditions, faces, and automatically adjusts camera settings resulting in clearer images, and faces with more natural skin tones and less blur. The W290 also features HD Movie mode, recording in 720p for capturing your precious moments on video. Compose, review, and share your memories on the large 3.0” (230k pixels) LCD.

Product Details

• 12.1-megapixel Super HAD CCD image sensor
• 5x optical zoom, 28mm wide-angle Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens; Optical SteadyShot image stabilization
• 720p high-definition movie capture; BIONZ image processor
• 3.0-inch (230K pixels) Clear Photo LCD; Face Detection and Smile Shutter technology
• 11MB built-in memory; capture images to Memory Stick Duo/PRO Duo Media (not included)

Video Reviews

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Customer Reviews

Sharp

Review Date: April 17, 2009

Reviewer: R Lovan, USA

+This camera takes amazing pictures. Sharp, vivid, crisp, (insert synonyms here). +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...)

Easy to use, fantastic photos

Review Date: April 27, 2009

Reviewer: Bay Wiz, SF, CA

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.

This is one great camera!

Review Date: May 26, 2009

Reviewer: nycebo, New York, NY

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.

Excellent Camera

Review Date: April 1, 2009

Reviewer: CARM, Huntington Beach, CA

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!

Great "little" camera!

Review Date: May 23, 2009

Reviewer: Zippy!, Texas

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!

Great Camera

Review Date: April 8, 2009

Reviewer: Jerry Flores Jr., Bronx, NY

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!!

DSC-W290

Review Date: May 1, 2009

Reviewer: Osvaldo Fernandez, Asuncion, Paraguay

Takes excellent crystal clear pictures with less effort, if you don't mind to have a camera with minimum manual configurations but a lot of automatic features this is a must have, plus its great HD video recording capabilities makes the best choice you can do.

Super performer

Review Date: April 21, 2009

Reviewer: Massapequa Bill, Massapequa, NY

My short-time experience with my new W290 has been nothing shy of satisfaction. The picture quality is excellent, both indoors and out. I thought the "Smile" feature was just a gimmick, but it has allowed me to capture those oh-so-difficult happy pictures of my 19-month-old grandson, besides the smiles of my relatives and friends. The 720mp HD video is very clear and the anti-shake works very well. I bought the HD cable and hooked it to my HD TV and the quality is extraordinary, for both the stills and the video. The slideshow feature is amazing. The built-in music, four styles and transitions make my so-so pictures look like a million bucks! Get this camera...

A top of the line camera with great features!

Review Date: June 30, 2009

Reviewer: Rollin' Nolan, Denver, CO

The camera is great! The picture quality is stellar. It is easy to use too! Unlike most other cameras, the on board menu options give you a description of what every option does - taking the guess work out the equation. It has excellent optical zoom that is better than average for its size and it is far better than my previous Canon PowerShot A640. As an added feature, you can shoot movies in HD. This is the best point in shoot that I have ever owned. The only thing it lacks is the ability to zoom while shooting a movie and the ability to rotate the pictures to fit the screen while in playback mode (unlike my old Canon). While this item was a refurb, it looks and operates like it is brand spanking new. A great buy for anyone who is looking for a higher end compact point-and-shoot camera. I would highly recommend it in comparison to any other camera in its class (including any of the Canons). Last, don't just take my word for it - [...]

GREAT CAMERA

Review Date: May 2, 2009

Reviewer: M. SKOR, GREEN BAY, WI.

MY SECOND SONY CYBER SHOT. I WAS HAPPY WITH MY 7.1 SO I GOT THE 12.1, I USED MY OLD ONE SO MUCH AND DROPPED A FEW TIMES THAT I NEEDED A NEW ONE. I RECOMMEND GETTING A CYBER SHOT. NO BLURRING PICTURES.. JUST A GREAT CAMERA.

Sony Digital Camera

Review Date: April 30, 2009

Reviewer: R. Haag,

Very impressed with this model, I waited for it's release before upgrading our existing Sony Camera. The intelligent shot feature is very good. This camera rarely takes a bad shot. The 720p video is very good and is especially clear in brighter settings. Extremely happy with the investment. Some may be discouraged at the proprietary Sony Memory format. For that I believe the quality of the camera out weighs this negative.

Sony DSC-W290 Review

Review Date: July 10, 2009

Reviewer: James D. Rodgers, Mid-Atlantic, USA

This is my fourth digital camera and I researched many point and shoot cameras before choosing the W290 and, after one month of use, I think I made the correct decision. I don't know what more you could ask of a point and shoot -- wide angle lens, 5X zoom, stabilization, simple to use, fast, small, etc. Picture quality is great - outdoor/daylight pictures beat many SLR's.

Excellent feature packed smart camera

Review Date: October 5, 2009

Reviewer: Arun Thuraiarasan, Minneapolis, MN

The DSC-W290 is a amazing little camera. Its feature packed and easy to use.To be honest, I needed a camera just to point and shoot and take excellent pictures whether day or night. The DSC-W290 fits the bill perfectly with its Intelligent mode which identifies all different shooting modes and environments automatically, day or night and adjusts appropriately. The LCD screen at the back is large and clear. The picture quality is amazing with crisp pictures and life-like rich colors. Even more amazing is the high-def video in 780i, total treat to watch on the big screen. The shoot-when-smiling mode actually works great too. Another little thing - On the second day I bought the camera, I dropped it while it was still turned on. It fell hard, lens first on a rock and went bouncing. The impact bent the cylinder holding the lens. Once retracted it was stuck for good with the motor whirring trying to extend out the lens anytime I turned it on. It also suffered some dings and scratches. Even though it was my fault and the warranty was void as it was an accident, Sony service center repaired it for free and shipped it back within a week. I have to commend Sony on the quality and timeliness of the service provided. The camera worked like new and I couldn't be happier with this product and Sony's service. Cons - The battery life is just around an hour or probably less when you are in video mode quite a bit. But you should be able to get a replacement battery for about $15. There is no zoom while in video mode. A good add-on would be a 8Gb Sandisk memory card and a replacement battery to extend your shooting experience.

great HD videos

Review Date: November 13, 2009

Reviewer: L. Pascual,

this camera takes excellent HD videos and it can take photos at 16:9, what makes it ideal for wide screens displays

USER FRIENDLY!!

Review Date: November 16, 2009

Reviewer: Lisa Stewart, Burley, WA United States

Just got this camera for my b-day and I'm very happy with it! Super easy to use - I don't want all the bells and whistles - I just wanted something that would take clear pictures easily. It is replacing a camera I could never get to work properly with terrible directions. If you want a camera that's easy to use, has clear directions and takes nice pictures and video - this is the one for you!