| Likes |
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- Excellent color reproduction
- Fits easily into the palm of one hand and will travel in a purse or pocket without being noticeable
- Menu system is simple
- Flash is surprisingly consistent
- On-screen information regarding shooting modes
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| Dislikes |
|
- Body construction and durability is questionable
- Optical viewfinder is undersized and terribly positioned
- The LCD has a sluggish refresh rate and a pathetic 85,000-pixel resolution that shows no improvement over the DSC-W30
- Altered wrist strap eyelet design from the DSC-W30 makes threading an unnecessary hassle
|
Conclusion
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W35 combines the sleek looks of more expensive digital cameras with the simplicity and ease of use necessary for the novice photographer. Packed into the slim portable body is a 3x optical zoom with conversion lens capabilities, a 2-inch LCD screen, a basic external interface and function guide information for shooting modes that will embolden the hesitant point-and-shoot camera user.
Shooting modes are limited on this camera when compared to offerings by manufacturers like Casio, but with options like the High Sensitivity mode, consumers will find a unique offering not normally found on lower priced cameras. Shooting at ISO 1000 of course does have its drawbacks, and users should expect to see noisy images starting at ISO levels as low as 400. A movie mode that doesn’t struggle in performance is a great benefit considering the reasonable price of the camera. The camera offers users the option to shoot at 640 x 480 at 30 fps with audio when capturing with an optional proprietary memory card.
Handling a small camera like this can be a hassle though, especially for large-handed individuals, and the lack of grip on the smooth surface made shooting in low temperatures a problem. Other concerns for the camera include construction quality with the body feeling fragile and port covers fitting loosely in place.
But with these detractions considered, it should be emphasized that this sleek little pocket-sized camera is priced at $179.99 MSRP, that is well under the price of the DSC-W30 and with more features to boot. Adding to this low price and polished finish are a High Sensitivity mode and some manual controls in a well-equipped movie mode. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W35 is definitely a contender in the low priced point-and-shoot digital camera.
