Likes

- Manual control of aperture and shutter speed - Accessory options: additional lenses and flash - Well sculpted front and idiosyncratic nooks (help with grip and stabilization) - Good overall feel - shape makes it comfortable to hold, while weight gives it a feeling of stability.

Dislikes

- limited ISO range (100, 200, 400) - No manual white balance setting - No hot shoe (would ease assistance of additional flash) - Slow shooting - shot to shot, long start-up time lag

Conclusion
Those looking for a simplistic point-and-shoot camera with a sharp imager and enlarged LCD, along with the necessary space to expand their knowledge, should look no further. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W1 is the solution to the curious beginner’s plight. If you're looking for an advanced compact camera but fear being overwhelmed by a barrage of controls and options before you're ready, the W1 will help ease you into the digital camera realm. With manual aperture and shutter speed controls as well as optional accessory lenses and flash, the developing point-and-shooter can hone their skills and expand their vision. Reliable automatic settings and portability ease will help the DSC-W1 accompany you in the learning process and record distinct images along the way.