Sony CyberShot DSC-W5

There are so many good options when it comes to digital cameras that it becomes difficult to say one beats all the rest. In FunkyFoof style, we always want to get the most specs for the money and the Sony Cybershot DSC-W5 is an all around great camera.

It makes a perfect choice for those wanting a compact, durable, and easy to use digicam. The DSC-W5 received the Top Camera award from Consumer Reports and the people at PC World gave it a Best Buy award 4 times.

Here's a quick review of why this is a great camera for the money.

Sony CyberShot DSC-W5

Our favorite digital camera for the money

1. Resolution - Five megapixels. This will give you pictures that can make photo-quality 13x17 inch prints that are indistinguishable from prints made from regular film cameras.

2. Lens - The Sony Cybershot line of cameras are equipped with highly-rated Carl Zeiss lens, and the DSC-W5 has 3X optical zoom. It has a built-in lens cover, so no lens cap to fiddle with. The neat thing with this camera is that you can buy a separate lens adapter that allows you to use other lenses, such as a wide-angle or telephoto lens.

3. Start-Up Time - This is one of the most impressive features of this camera. After pressing the power button, the camera is ready to take a photo in about two seconds. This is one of the fastest times amongst non-professional cameras.

4. Lag Times - This camera does not disappoint in this feature either. There is no noticeable shutter lag, especially when using a MS Pro card. And after taking a photo, the camera is ready to take the next photo in 1.5 seconds. Again, this is very impressive when compared to other similarly-priced cameras.

5. Screen Size - The DSC-W5 offers an impressive 2.5 inch LCD monitor. Once you get accustomed to using it as a live viewfinder or for image review, you will find any smaller screens extremely unsatisfying. When reviewing photos you can zoom into the image and scan the photo. The screen is also very bright and easily seen in the outdoors.

6. Battery - This camera runs on two regular AA-size batteries, but it comes with a pair of NiMH rechargeable batteries and a charger. You can take more than 300 pictures with the batteries. It is not like Sony to have nonproprietary batteries, and that's another reason we love this camera. It is nice to know that if your rechargeables ever die in the field, you can always stuff a pair of regular alkaline AAs into the W5 to get you through the day.

7. Memory Card - As in all Sony cameras, this one uses the Sony MemoryStick. You can use either a regular MemoryStick or a MemoryStick Pro, but the latter is necessary if you want to shoot movie clips in fine mode (640x480). With the popularity of the Cybershot series, other manufacturers (e.g. SanDisk) have begun making MemorySticks and prices are changing daily. Check our Tech Deals section to see if there are any current deals. MemorySticks are available in capacities up to 128MB and the MS Pro goes up to 4GB (but these are as high as $1000).

8. Interface - Using a USB cable, you can connect to either USB 1.1 or 2.0 input on your computer. There is also an A/V output so you can connect it to a TV to watch the movie clips.

9. Look and Feel - The DSC-W5 is a compact and stylish all-metal camera that can go virtually anywhere. It's easy to hold, and the important controls are all within easy reach of your fingers. It can be mounted on a tripod.

10. Main competitors - The Canon S500, Casio Exilim, and Fuji FinePix F700, but the Sony has this war won on all counts.

The 5.1-megapixel W1 has almost everything you'd want in a point-and-shoot: low cost, small size, an impressive 2.5-inch LCD, fast startup, and a quick trigger. As usual, you are likely to save a significant amount by buying this camera online. This is one of the cameras that we track and when any deals are announced, we list them in our Tech Deals section.

Update (6/18/05): ≈$13 price drop at Amazon - now $299.99

Update (5/21/05): $16 price drop at Amazon - now $313.45

EXPIRED - Update (4/26/05): Found a new deal. Amazon increased their price today by almost $20.

EXPIRED - (4/21/05): With one of DELL's coupons, the DSC-W5 is now $297.70. Details here.