Digital Camera Blog

Today, Sony has announced four new entry level digital cameras, the Cyber-shots DSC-W55, DSC-W35, DSC-S700, and DSC-S650. The entire quartet can capture 7.2 megapixel images and will range from $150 to $200 when they hit the market in February and March.

I mentioned in my CES wrap-up that it seems as if the “magic” price point for entry level cameras this year is $150. Sony is backing me up on this one. The cheapest model announced (the S650) has a pretty nice spec sheet - nice resolution, a typical zoom lens, and decent performance (at least on paper). The metal bodies on all of these cameras are a great touch since they add about $50-100 to the “feel” of the camera.

While the cameras are all very simliar (same resolution and 3x optical zoom), minor differences lead to the slightly different prices. The W models use lithium-ion batteries, have focus assist lamps, more internal memory, and better operating speed. The S models get slightly smaller screens, AA battery power and a lower resolution movie mode.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W55

• 7.2 megapixels
• 3x optical zoom
• 2.5 inch LCD
• Metal body
• Available in Caribbean blue, pale pink, elegant black and sleek silver
• Auto, program auto, and scene (7 presets) exposure modes
• Sensitivity up to ISO 1000
• Clear RAW?„? noise reduction
• AF assist lamp
• VX Fine/Std (640×480 30fps/16.6fps) and Video Mail movie recording
• Startup time - 1.6 seconds
• Shutter lag (AF + AE + release) - 0.3 seconds
• Release lag (click to capture) - 0.01 seconds
• Minimum cycle time (7MP) - 1.4 seconds
• Powered by lithium-ion rechargeable battery good for an estimated 380 shots
• Memory Stick Duo or Pro Duo media (up to 8GB)
• 56MB of internal memory
• Available in February for $200

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W35

• * 7.2 megapixels
• * 3x optical zoom
• * 2 inch LCD
• * Metal body
• * Available in silver
• * Auto, program auto, and scene (7 presets) exposure modes
• * Sensitivity up to ISO 1000
• * Clear RAW?„? noise reduction
• * AF assist lamp
• * VX Fine/Std (640×480 30fps/16.6fps) and Video Mail movie recording
• * Startup time - 1.6 seconds
• * Shutter lag (AF + AE + release) - 0.3 seconds
• * Release lag (click to capture) - 0.01 seconds
• * Minimum cycle time (7MP) - 1.4 seconds
• * Powered by lithium-ion rechargeable battery good for an estimated 380 shots
• * Memory Stick Duo or Pro Duo media (up to 8GB)
• * 56MB of internal memory
• * Available in February for $180

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S700

• * 7.2 megapixels
• * 3x optical zoom
• * 2.4 inch LCD
• * Metal body
• * Available in silver
• * Auto, program auto, and scene (7 presets) exposure modes
• * Sensitivity up to ISO 1000
• * Presentation (320×240 30fps) movie recording
• * Startup time - 2 seconds
• * Shutter lag (AF + AE + release) - 1.3 seconds
• * Release lag (click to capture) - 0.38 seconds
• * Minimum cycle time (7MP) - 2 seconds
• * Powered by AA batteries (100 shots on included alkalines and 460 shots with optional NiMH cells)
• * Memory Stick Duo or Pro Duo media (up to 4GB)
• * 24MB of internal memory
• * Available in March for $180

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S650

• * 7.2 megapixels
• * 3x optical zoom
• * 2 inch LCD
• * Metal body
• * Available in silver
• * Auto, program auto, and scene (7 presets) exposure modes
• * Sensitivity up to ISO 1000
• * Presentation (320×240 30fps) movie recording
• * Startup time - 2 seconds
• * Shutter lag (AF + AE + release) - 1.3 seconds
• * Release lag (click to capture) - 0.38 seconds
• * Minimum cycle time (7MP) - 2 seconds
• * Powered by AA batteries (100 shots on included alkalines and 460 shots with optional NiMH cells)
• * Memory Stick Duo or Pro Duo media (up to 4GB)
• * 24MB of internal memory
• * Available in February for $150