Sony Cyber-shot W80 Review
Announced at PMA in February 2007, the Cyber-shot W80 is one of three almost identical models that differ only in their pixel count (the range-topping W200 is 12MP, the W90 is 8MP and the W80 is 7MP). The W series has been gradually refined over the last few generations and now offers a more affordable alternative to the ultra-slim 'T' series whilst still offering a compact body, optical image stabilization and - new for these models - HDTV (1080i) output - albeit with an optional composite video cable or Cyber-shot Station dock. Also new to the W series is a new multi-point AF system and - of course - face detection AF/AE. Otherwise the spec is pretty standard ultra compact fare; 3x zoom, 2.5-inch screen and a claimed 340 shot battery capability. This is a crowded part of the market and Sony is one of the most successful players, and the W80 has proved very popular since it arrived in stores a few months ago. But is it any good? Let's find out, starting as usual with the headline features:
- 1/2.5" CCD sensor, 7.2 million effective pixels
- 3x Carl Zeiss branded optical zoom
- 2.5" LCD screen
- HDTV video output (requires optional cable or dock)
- Super Steady Shot image stabilization
- 4cm macro
- ISO 80-3200
- 7 Scene modes
- 2.8 fps continuous shooting
- Available in 4 colors (black, silver, white and pink)
Sony DSC-W80 specifications
| Street price | • US: $220 • UK: £150 |
|---|---|
| Body Material | Metal |
| Sensor | • 1/2.5" Sony Super HAD Type CCD |
| Image sizes | • 3072 x 2304 |
| Movie clips | • MPEG Movie VX (VGA 30fps movie mode with audio) |
| File formats | • Still: JPEG • Movie: MPEG1 |
| Lens | • Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar |
| Image stabilization | Super Steady Shot (optical image stabilization) |
| Conversion lenses | no |
| Digital zoom | Precision 2x, TTL 6x |
| Focus | • Auto • Macro • Single • Monitoring • Manual focus (presets) |
| AF area modes | • 9-point Multi • Center • Center Spot |
| AF assist lamp | Yes |
| Focus distance | • AF: 50cm • Macro: 4cm (wide) 35cm (tele) |
| Metering | • Multi-pattern • Center-weighted • Spot |
| ISO sensitivity | • Auto • ISO 80 • ISO 100 • ISO 200 • ISO 400 • ISO 800 • ISO 1600 • ISO 3200 |
| Exposure compensation | +/-2EV in 1/3EV stop increments |
| Exposure bracketing | • +/- 0.3EV • +/- 0.7EV • +/- 1.0EV |
| Shutter speed | • Auto: 1/4-1/1600 • P: 1"-1/1600 |
| Aperture | • F2.8-8 (W) • F5.2-14.8 (T) |
| Modes | • Auto • Program Auto • Scene • Movie |
| Scene modes | • Twilight • Twilight Portrait • Landscape • Beach • Snow • High Sensitivity • Soft Snap |
| White balance | • Auto • Daylight • Cloudy • Fluorescent 1, 2, 3 • Incandescent • Flash WB |
| White balance fine tune | no |
| Self timer | 2 or 10 sec |
| Continuous shooting | 100 shots, 2.8fps, 7MP (max) |
| Image parameters | Color modes: Natural, Vivid, Sepia, B&W |
| Flash | • Auto • On • Slow synch • Off • Red-eye reduction • Range: 0.2-3.3m (wide) 0.4-1.8m (tele) |
| Viewfinder | Optical real image |
| LCD monitor | • 2.5-inch • 115,000 pixel |
| Connectivity | • USB • HDMI (via optional cable) • AV w/multi-jack |
| Print compliance | •PictBridge • DPOF |
| Storage | • Memory Stick / Pro Duo • 31 MB card internal memory |
| Power | • Lithium-ion battery NP-BG1 • BC-CSG Charger (included) |
| Weight (no battery) | 124 g (4.4 oz) |
| Dimensions | 91 x 58 x 22.9 mm (3 9/16 x 2 5/16 x 7/8 in) |
If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read the Digital Photography Glossary before diving into this article (it may help you understand some of the terms used).
Conclusion / Recommendation / Ratings are based on the opinion of the reviewer, you should read the ENTIRE review before coming to your own conclusions. Images which can be viewed at a larger size have a small magnifying glass icon in the bottom right corner of the image, clicking on the image will display a larger (typically VGA) image in a new window. To navigate the review simply use the next / previous page buttons, to jump to a particular section either pick the section from the drop down or select it from the navigation bar at the top. DPReview calibrate their monitors using Color Vision OptiCal at the (fairly well accepted) PC normal gamma 2.2, this means that on our monitors we can make out the difference between all of the (computer generated) grayscale blocks below. We recommend to make the most of this review you should be able to see the difference (at least) between X,Y and Z and ideally A,B and C. |
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