Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom and Super Steady Shot Image Stabilization
From the ManufacturerThe Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 digital camera features Intelligent Auto mode, a 28mm wide-angle lens, automatically detects 8 scene conditions and selects the appropriate camera settings. Face Detection captures faces more naturally and helps prevent blur. Also, now record high-definition videos in 720p HD and enjoy your memories on your HDTV. Cyber-shot DSC-W290 Highlights 12. 1-megapixel Super HAD CCD Image Sensor A powerful 12. 1-megapixel, 1/2. 3-inch Super HAD CCD image sensor helps you capture gorgeous images with superb contrast and clarity down to the finest detail. With 12. 1 megapixels, you can create stunning, photo-quality prints up to A3+ (13×19-inch) size, or crop your images and still come away with high-resolution shots. Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar Lens with 5x Optical Zoom The professional-quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 5x optical zoom lens brings distant subjects closer for great outdoor, sports, and travel photos. Wide-angle lens A 28mm wide …more
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13 comments
Zev on July 23, 2009 at 1:49 pm
5.0 out of 5 stars
nice deal
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290/T 12.1 MP Digital Camera in Bronze + 4GB MEMORY STICK PRO DUO + Sony Digital Camera Case + Extra Battery + Deluxe Accessory Kit
Ives on July 23, 2009 at 3:13 pm
This camera does take great pictures. These days the cameras are very easy to operate with all of the auto settings and advanced face detection and scene recognition – it’s hard to mess up a shot. This camera is no exception and makes the user feel like a pro when taking pictures. However, here are some things to think about when buying this camera: 1) The controls are on the right rear side of the camera. In particular the W/T buttons and the directional pad/button – the W button is hard to press and the left side of the dpad as well. For some reason they are right up against the right side of the 3″ screen which causes a problem and you have to either reposition your finger or use your nail to press the buttons I mentioned. No, I don’t have large fingers – it is just a design flaw. The buttons are set below the screen – if they were raised there would not be a problem. If you really want to see what I mean look at the pictures here on Amazon and zoom in on the back panel picture. Something I never noticed before but the directional button even has a part of the 3″ LCD frame cut out because it is so close to the button. See for yourself. . . . 2) The video is crisp and clear (720p) but you CAN NOT ZOOM while shooting video. Compared to the DSCW300, T700, T900, ect where you can zoom when recording video. Very disappointing and if someone here mentioned that in their review I wouldn’t have bought the camera – I bet people here don’t even own the damn thing. The steady shot works well too by the way. 3) There is a rattle when you shake the camera. This is apparent only when the camera is turned on so I think it is the lens cover(s) which retract and automatically opens and closes when you turn the camera on. The lens protector is very fragile and when closed you can push it open with your finger unlike the DSC-N1 that I had which was like solid doors covering the lens. 4) This thing is BIG! OK it’s not huge but compared to the W300 It’s thick. I know, it has a 3. 0″ screen compared to a 2. 7″ screen but it is heavier and thicker than the W300 and the T series but I want to compare apples to apples. 5) Switching from menus and functions is a bit slow. There is definitely a processing delay with video and some pictures that I took too. I wouldn’t begin to throw a number out there (seconds) but it is definitely slower than the W300 for good comparison. Turning the camera on – slight lag – lens pops out – it’s just a lot slower than the N1 and W300. 6) There is NO docking cradle, memory or a case provided with the camera. I like the new battery charger which does not have a power cord but has plugs that flip out so you just plug it into an outlet and walk away – when the indicator light is off you are done charging – really good idea! 7) You need two hands to operate this camera. With the W300 you can work the zoom and shutter button with your right had with ease. Not so with the W290. Watch that left hand too! The RF illumination is located right where you might put your left forefinger. Careful. 8) The shutter button is on top of the camera along with the power button and a new SMILE button. The smile button will automatically engage the smile detector and will snap a shot automatically when activated. Very cool. However, the button, along with the power button is so small and inset that you really have to wonder if you are pressing it or not. You do feel a click I should say so it isn’t that bad I guess. Canon – who’s that? I don’t use their products – Sony only baby. This is a great camera but could be better. Like the T700 the T900 came out and fixed a lot of issues. The W300 is a better camera than the W290. I am sure they will come out with a W400? It will be great I am sure! Get this W290 camera for the price and basic functions as a starter camera.
Bahari on July 23, 2009 at 4:06 pm
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great video, okay pictures
I bought this camera because of the 720p video. The video quality is really quite good. The picture quality was not as great as I expected.
Irem on July 23, 2009 at 4:33 pm
+This camera takes amazing pictures. Sharp, vivid, crisp, (insert synonyms here). +Having such a high resolution is nice and the wide angle lens is great. It also has a little extra zoom than other point-and-shoots, which is another great feature. The smile detection feature is fun for about 30 minutes, but ultimately useless. (At least to me. . . . ) +It has tons of little features and settings and even allows for some “editing” on the camera like red-eye removal and such. -I do wish i could mess with the settings a bit more though. I like to be able to manually set the exposure time and mess with other things as well. These are unaccessible to the user. Regardless, it takes great pictures without me fiddling with things, so perhaps it is best. Though I do wish it had a long exposure setting to take some cool lightning shots or mess with light graffiti, but I think I’ll live. -Also, you can’t zoom while shooting video. This is a bit of a frustration as well. +The camera itself is amazingly small for it’s high resolution and hi-def video capabilities. +Its construction is solid and the black looks pretty slick. +Great “bang for the buck” camera. Simple enough for the family or girlfriend to use, and enough features and good enough quality for some more creative shots of my own. (and I don’t feel girlie carrying it, though there are other colors if that’s your thing. . . )
Jennyl on July 23, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Everything you could want in a digital camera. High MP, multiple modes, high ISO, easy to use, takes great pics, shoots video in 720p, large and bright LCD screen, etc. I was weary about buying a Sony because of memory card prices and capability. Bought the memory card/battery/case on Amazon. Great price, but the camera does not fit in the case with any kind of screen protector on it. With the memory card adapter, it plugged right into my Toshiba laptop. Camera does come with a battery and a charger. Even tells you how many minutes of battery life you have left. This camera is designed a lot like the Canon (the two previous cameras I have owned) in terms of functionality, size, and looks. I could not be happier. Buy this camera!
Yazid on July 23, 2009 at 6:20 pm
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sony DSC-W290 Review
This is my fourth digital camera and I researched many point and shoot cameras before choosing the W290 and, after one month of use, I think I made the correct decision.
Rini on July 23, 2009 at 7:52 pm
5.0 out of 5 stars
A top of the line camera with great features!
The camera is great! The picture quality is stellar. It is easy to use too! Unlike most other cameras, the on board menu options give you a description of what every option…
Waldina on July 23, 2009 at 10:30 pm
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great out-door photos, mediocre low-light photos.
I recently used this camera to take pictures at California’s Electric Daisy Carnival in Los Angeles.
Biton on July 24, 2009 at 1:27 am
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome Sony Digital Camera
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom and Super Steady Shot Image Stabilization (Black)
I recently bought the Sony DSC-W290 digital camera…
Cy on July 24, 2009 at 3:58 am
3.0 out of 5 stars
SONY DSC-W290
Many have discussed all the cool features of this camera so I will just mention what I found important here.
Amory on July 24, 2009 at 5:33 am
3.0 out of 5 stars
decent camera, nice features, not much control
I bought this camera as an upgrade to my sony W50. It’s got a nice wide angle zoom, HD movies (mp4s that I couldn’t edit in windows movie maker), and all the latest automation…
Yaxha on July 24, 2009 at 8:07 am
1.0 out of 5 stars
I thought this camera was too good to be true…–and it turns out I was right.
This is one of the worst cameras I have ever used. Yeah sure–12.1 megapixels sounds great, right?
Anonymous on July 24, 2009 at 9:01 am
4.0 out of 5 stars
don’t buy for more than $350
No reason places should be selling this above $350. I see one retailer on amazon selling it for $700. Don’t get suckered.