Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W35

Model Design / Appearance (7.0)
The appearance of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W35 offers a clean design with an unfettered aesthetic that is sure to appeal to the novice photographer. With its matte silver finish and 'chrome' plastic highlights, the camera is sleeker than point-and-shoot models made by manufacturers like Kodak in this price range. The problem with the camera becomes apparent once the camera is picked up and handled by the user however. The construction just doesn’t feel as rugged or durable as more expensive Sony cameras that rely on metal components in their construction. Many early model digital cameras by Sony are still being resold online and in stores because of the strength of the camera construction. However, the durability and longevity of this model is questionable.

Size / Portability (7.25)
Being both slender and lightweight, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W35 is an appealing candidate for point-and-shooters looking for a camera that can be slipped into a pocket or purse when not in use. Carrying this camera in a book bag or luggage is not recommended though, since the plastic body isn’t going to withstand rough-and-tumble treatment. The camera measures 3 1/2 inches in length, 2 1/4 inches in height and 7/8th of an inch in depth.

Handling Ability (6.0)
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W35 does not provide for ergonomic handling. Shooting in cold weather with this small, smooth-bodied, grip-less camera was about as enjoyable as juggling greased eggs. This camera is definitely intended for the occasional snapshots rather than extended periods of shooting. With such a small camera body and so many key features located near straying fingers, the user is advised to keep their hand position in constant check. The flash and in-camera microphone were particularly susceptible to accidental masking by errant fingers when shooting quickly.


Control Button / Dial Positioning / Size (6.5)
By limiting the number of external controls and features, Sony manages to avoid many of the claustrophobic cramming found with many petite digital cameras. Most controls for the camera are located on the back face to the right of the LCD, and all but the mode dial work with ease. The four-way control lacks in the quality department, but it is large enough to use without hassle. The menu, display and delete/image size buttons are all well-labeled and large enough that users shouldn’t have to strain when making adjustments. The mode dial is oddly sized, and upon turning, its long-term durability is questionable.The location is also not the most advantageous for adjustment. The mode dial would benefit from being moved closer to either the top or right edge of the camera so that the thumb of the right hand could snap to different modes quickly.

Menu (6.5)
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W35's menu system shows little to no difference when compared to previous incarnations of the Cyber-shot line up. All menu systems employ a text-based layout with the shooting and playback menus being displayed along the bottom of the LCD screen as semi-transparent overlays whose sub-menus are scanned using the left and right arrows of the four-way control. The setup menu opens onto an opaque screen and is scanned vertically using the up and down arrows of the four-way control.

The shooting menu options appear when the menu button on the back of the DSC-W35 is pressed. The number and kind of options included in the shooting menu system varies with mode, and the shooting menu displayed beneath is from the camera’s program mode. This still image mode will provide users with the most control over shooting and image parameters. When sub-menus are highlighted, the contents of each parameter will appear above the category in a semi-transparent screen. Each sub-section of the menu appears as an icon in the menu system, but when highlighted, the category of each sub-menu appears as a full text description.

The size and shape of each screen is dependent on the content of the sub-menu. This menu is a bit awkward to navigate with users not having the ability to move from the final setting to the first setting in one motion. Instead, users will need to backtrack through both the sub-menu settings and then the menu system. This would mean that moving from the sharpness menu to color menu could take upwards of 12 button presses. If a continuous menu system were in place, the user would only need to press three controls to enter the color menu from the sharpness control menu.

The playback menu is similar to the shooting menu in overall design, although sub-menus of the playback menu will appear as graphic text overlays in the lower left corner of the LCD once selected. The gray low-resolution text on a dark gray background made reading some of these sub-menu settings difficult, and it did require a slower more methodical interaction. The playback menu is accessible only when the camera is in playback mode. The user can enter the playback mode by pressing the play button located on the back of the camera body. Once the camera is in playback mode. the user can open the playback menu system by pressing the menu button located to the right of the LCD.

Playback Menu
Folder	folder information, ok, cancel
Protect	protect, exit
DPOF	DPOF, exit
Print	all in this folder, DPOF image, select, this image, cancel
Slide	interval, repeat, image cancel, start
Resize	7 m, 5 m, 3 m, 2 m, VGA, cancel
Rotate	rotate left or right, ok, cancel
Divide	divide, OK, dividing point left or right, cancel, exit
Setup	access to setup menu

The final menu structure for the Sony DSC-W35 is the setup menu that can be entered through either the shooting or playback mode menus of the camera. The setup menu is designed in a vertical orientation with sub-menus listed on the left side of the LCD. As sub-menus are highlighted, the contents of each category appears on the rest of the LCD screen. The setup menu is easy to access and navigate and quick adjustments can be made to these settings. The setup menu is the only menu system that doesn’t provide a live view to users.

Setup Menu
Camera	AF mode, digital zoom, function guide, red eye reduction, AF illuminator, auto review
Memory Stick Tool	format, create REC folder, change REC folder, copy
Setup 1	beep, language, initialize
Setup 2	file number, USB connect, video out, clock set

Ease of Use (7.0)
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W35 is a camera that excels in the ease of use category in terms of layout and simplicity of included features. The camera’s stripped down external design makes quick intuitive adjustments possible without struggling to read labels or discern esoteric iconography. When making adjustments to mode settings, the user will find a corresponding graphic display will appear on the right side of the LCD that provides a full text label for each shooting mode in a large font. The menu design for the W35 doesn’t vary from previous incarnations in the W-series lineup, and the design is still simple but awkward in layout with users having to sputter and stutter in order to make adjustments.

Sony could improve on the external layout through better quality controls and a more conscious placement of features like the mode dial, the in-camera microphone, and the flash. Users will find the last two features to be easily compromised by fingers of the left hand if holding the camera in two hands.