Sony's 7.2 megapixel Cybershot DSC-W70 reviewed

Wasn't it just a few years ago that $300 wouldn't buy you much of a digital camera? How times have changed, because these days, you can not only score a compact 7.2 megapixel model for under three C-notes, but a good one at that -- especially if it's the Sony DSC-W70, says Digital Camera Review. We've known all about the W70 since before this year's Photo Marketing Association show, where it was introduced along with four other Cybershot models, but this one really seems hit that sweet spot of providing the most features for the least amount of dough. As you probably recall, the W70 sports a 3x optical zoom and 2.5-inch display, along with 54MB of internal memory and a 300-plus-shot battery in a case barely bigger than a deck of cards, yet according to DCR, still manages to capture quality images with good color accuracy, white balance, and detail -- although it does produce visible noise at ISO settings above 200. Still, with almost no shutter lag, ergonomic controls, and intuitive menus, the W70 sounds like a serious contender for consumers looking for a hassle-free model that takes a good picture at a fair price -- which is probably, like, most of them.

[G. Snyder @ May 11th 2006 4:31PM]

Is it me, or do these look just like a slightly older Canon Elf? Particularly around the lens bezel and flash? I have an old Elf S230 that is a dead ringer for this (despite the different texture on the case).

[ilovejedd @ May 11th 2006 4:50PM]

Are you guys sure this is a Sony product? Because I didn't see any bashing in the article... Was it just me?

[brian @ May 11th 2006 5:34PM]

I have the 6MP version of this camera and it really is very nice and easy to use, especially when you hand it off to your mother or grandmother to take a shot. The programmable ISO settings might need some experimenting with to find exactly the right setting, but the LCD screen is huge, it takes those miniscule SD cards (sold seperately) and the shutter lag is non existent. I strongly recommend it, and it fits in a shirt pocket during vacation travels.

FYI-this was a replacement to an older model Sony PSC-9 camera that all of sudden lost focus one day and the LCD screen showed nothing but waves on the display. I took a chance by sticking with Sony, but I'm happy.

[dootimestwo @ May 11th 2006 5:35PM]

MAN THE XBOX 360 IS TOTALY GONNA BLOW THIS THING OUT OF THE WATER.. .I MEAN EVEN AT 400 DOLLARS I WOULD STILL RATHER GET THE XBOX.... THIS IS SIMPLE MATH TO ME... WHAT YOU THINK?

[Jeffler @ May 11th 2006 5:39PM]

Dootimetwo, I think you should get off the crack and realise this is about a digital camera, not the Playstation 3.

Cool camera though, considering it as my next one.

[dootimestwo @ May 11th 2006 5:47PM]

it is soooo obvious that xbox wins this one

[craptacular @ May 11th 2006 5:50PM]

yeah being a sony digital camera user myself, i have to admit they make fine cameras.

plus memory sticks are getting cheaper every day now.

[bowlhed @ May 11th 2006 6:03PM]

5. MAN THE XBOX 360 IS TOTALY GONNA BLOW THIS THING OUT OF THE WATER.. .I MEAN EVEN AT 400 DOLLARS I WOULD STILL RATHER GET THE XBOX.... THIS IS SIMPLE MATH TO ME... WHAT YOU THINK?

Posted at 5:35PM on May 11th 2006 by dootimestwo

LOL to that one

[Vas @ May 11th 2006 6:27PM]

Not a bad camera. In what ways is it better than T30? has it got anti blur?

[TZK @ May 11th 2006 6:41PM]

Jeffler : He didnt spew out anything about the PS3, you dip. ;)

[adm @ May 11th 2006 6:48PM]

so what's the new prorietary format for use with this? ultra-mega-memory stick/shaft/bar/disc trio pro instructor?

[j0sh @ May 11th 2006 7:19PM]

Let's get some more DSC-T30 .nfo up in here.. I need to hear a few more reviews before I pull the trigger on that one..

[js @ May 11th 2006 7:33PM]

adm, you better watch what you're typing here in engadget. There are (Sony) camera fundamentalists that are sick of hearing "who in the bloody hell is going to buy this when it supports memory stick format, bla bla bla". Try posting a comment like yours in any news announcing the Sony dSLR. You'll get your ass slapped.

[Pete @ May 11th 2006 7:36PM]

As PSP owner, I'm glad that I can get an inexpensive, good Sony cam. I'm sure it takes the Memory Pro Stick Duo which I have a few of.

[Nishant Srivastava @ May 11th 2006 7:42PM]

am i the only one intrigued by the "visible noise at ISO settings above 200" visible noise? thats new...

[DJ @ May 11th 2006 7:57PM]

My wife's DSC-P200 that this replaces had a much better form factor and design, especially the rounded side. At first glance, it appears the biggest difference between the two is the 2.5" LCD on the new vs the 2" on the old, a few extra modes, built-in 54MB of memory (WOW, like that's gonna make a difference on a 7.2 megapixal camera and that 1GB sticks are less than $40 now) and it weighs half an once less. But the biggest difference is the P200 is $100 less than the W70 now.

[bliss @ May 11th 2006 9:37PM]

bleh.. seems like digi cams are lossing their flare these days

[jecates @ May 11th 2006 10:43PM]

The problem I have with CyberShots is, I don't think I personally know ANYONE who has owned one that didn't just quit after less than 18 months. I'm sure some of them last, but the two I've had, and those my friends have had, all seem to have been designed to fail after xx pictures have been taken.

[adm @ May 11th 2006 10:53PM]

"adm, you better watch what you're typing here in engadget. There are (Sony) camera fundamentalists that are sick of hearing "who in the bloody hell is going to buy this when it supports memory stick format, bla bla bla". Try posting a comment like yours in any news announcing the Sony dSLR. You'll get your ass slapped."
watch what i say? get my ass slapped? are you 12? i'll do one thing, i'll "try posting a comment like mine" on the alpha update below. and you know what? who the hell cares!? in fact, it'll be the exact post above. oh i'm so scared.

[DirtHerder @ May 12th 2006 12:46AM]

Sony cams are great. That's pretty much all there is to say about them.

Sure they have their duds, but so does every manufacturer.

As for Cybershots crapping out after 18 months... Everyone I know has had theirs last for years.

I've been particularly rough on my beloved V1 and it's held up like a champ.

I don't dispute your experience... but there are plenty of happy Cybershot owners out there.

As for raggin' on memorysticks while lusting after SD cards... that's just plain reta-hded.

[DirtHerder @ May 12th 2006 12:49AM]

Oh yeah, and kudos to Engadget for finally getting off the "I wanna bash Sony's cams/memorysticks" bandwagon.

Those were just unnecessary, cheap, "I want to be with the cool kids 'cause they seem to like to bash Sony" crap writing.

[jeff @ May 12th 2006 1:45AM]

I bought a w100 and it came with a three year warranty from sony. I'm pretty sure the older cameras must have had one also. I suggest that you send yours to sony if it just crapped out after 18 months.

[Joe C. @ May 12th 2006 2:37AM]

V-1, my buddy has one that he takes out with him when we go out drinking and the like. That bad boy has taken a hella beating and takes great pictures still. Blows my T-33 away. This new camera is nice, Made in Japan too, W-50 and W-30 are made in China. Not sure if this makes a difference W-50 and W-30 look great.

[Paul @ May 12th 2006 8:31AM]

I?m with Josh. I'm really interested in the Sony DSC N1 or T30.

Both look amazing. I?m sorry, I just don't find Canon camera appealing to the eye. Ok they take very good pics (as do Sony camera's) but God do they need some new designers.

With regards to Canon and DSLR - I do like the EOS range....just normal digital cameras look boring, chunky and dull

[Jonathan @ May 12th 2006 10:22AM]

I bought a P10 for my mother a few years ago. ~$400 US

Longest shutter lag I've ever seen.

Did quite alot to further my growing grudge against Sony.

[VV @ May 12th 2006 1:45PM]

I've got two Sony digital cameras and neither have ever given me any problems. And who cares if they use Memory Sticks? Works fine for me.

[js @ May 12th 2006 3:16PM]

"watch what i say? get my ass slapped? are you 12? i'll do one thing, i'll "try posting a comment like mine" on the alpha update below. and you know what? who the hell cares!? in fact, it'll be the exact post above. oh i'm so scared." -adm

You've been warned.


"Oh yeah, and kudos to Engadget for finally getting off the 'I wanna bash Sony's cams/memorysticks' bandwagon.

Those were just unnecessary, cheap, 'I want to be with the cool kids 'cause they seem to like to bash Sony" crap writing.'" -DirtHerder

You and adm will get along splendidly!

[DirtHerder @ May 12th 2006 10:33PM]

We're best buds, why?

^_~

[MasterCKO @ May 13th 2006 3:18PM]

for the people (all one of you) who had the shutter lag thing as something to hold against Sony, it's definitely not a problem anymore. I've been a Sony camera user since P72, and that had terrible lag, but Sony's current cameras (I have a W5 now, which isn't even that new anymore) all have that processing chip (forgot the name) that gives them really low lag times. When not flashing, that is.

[Steve Nordquist @ May 15th 2006 10:01AM]

Good pictures for -that size lens- does not bode well; surely refraction/abberation from the aperature has limited this camera somewhat as has the image format....do we have RAW?
Gah! Dunno from that article.

Very pretty design though; filter the flash a bit and have fun.

[lancers @ Jul 21st 2007 8:16PM]

i just bought a kodak and returned it for exchange on a sony DSC-S650. this camera is amazing. the resolution is outstanding for the price. the kodak was junk, i already forgot the model but it was a dollar less than the sony. i find the sony pretty easy to operate and very reliable