Sony Cyber-shot W7 Review
Announced along with a 5MP twin (the W5), the DCS-W7 is part of the second generation of Sony's 'traditionally-styled' compacts designed to appeal to the first-time user moving from a film camera to digital. Essentially the same as a Cyber-shot P200 in a larger more conventionally-styled body (and with a bigger 2.5-inch screen), the W7 builds on the success of the W1, which was something of a surprise hit last year. But does the W7 have what it takes to compete in the increasingly crowded 7 megapixel compact market? Read on to find out. Here's a brief summary of the main spec highlights:
- 7.2 million effective megapixels
- High quality aluminum body
- Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens (3x optical zoom)
- F2.8 - F5.2, 38-114mm (35mm equiv.)
- STAMINA battery life: up to 380 shots per charge
- 2.5” LCD (115,000 pixels)
- Manual exposure function
- Real Imaging Processor
- AF illuminator
- MPEG VX Fine movies with audio
- Scene selection (7 modes)
- Histogram indication
- Optional tele and wide lens adaptors
- 32MB internal memory, plus Memory Stick slot
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W7 key specifications
| Street price |
• US: $399
• UK: £260 |
| Body Material |
Aluminum |
| Sensor |
• 1/1.8" Super HAD CCD
• 7.4 million pixels total
• 7.2 million effective pixels |
| Image sizes |
• 3072 x 2304
• 3072 x 2048 (3:2)
• 2592 x 1944
• 2048 x 1536
• 1280 x 960
• 640 x 480
|
| Movie clips |
• 640 x 480 @ 16.6 / 30 fps
• 160 x 112 @ 8.3 fps
• Limited only by the capacity of the memory card
• MPEG VX with sound
|
| Lens |
• Carl Zeiss 38 - 114mm equiv. (3x optical zoom)
• F2.8 - F5.2 |
| Focus |
• 5-Area Multi-Point AF
• Center AF
• 5-Step Manual
• 6 cm macro mode (Wide) |
| Shooting mode |
• Auto
• Twilight
• Twilight portrait
• Soft Snap
• Landscape
• Beach
• Snow
• Candle
• AE compensation -2.0EV to +2.0 EV in 1/3EV steps
|
| Shutter Speeds |
• 1/8 – 1/2000 sec (Auto)
• 2 – 1/2000 sec (Program Auto)
• 30 – 1/1000 sec (Manual) |
| Apertures |
F2.8 – F5.2 (W), F5.6– F10 (T) |
| Metering |
• Multi Pattern
• Spot |
| Sensitivity |
• Auto
• ISO 100
• ISO 200
• ISO 400 |
| White Balance |
• Auto
• Daylight
• Cloudy
• Fluorescent
• Incandescent |
| Image parameters |
Color effects (Sepia, Black and White) |
| Continuous |
5 Shot 7MP (JPEG fine), 100 Shot VGA (JPEG std.), 0.9fps |
| Flash |
• Built-in
• Modes: Auto, forced on, forced off, slow sync, red-eye reduction
• Range: 11.8 in - 14.8 ft. (0.3– 4.5m) |
| Storage |
• Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO
• 32MB internal memory
• No removable media supplied |
| Viewfinder |
Real Image Optical
|
| LCD monitor |
• 2.5 " TFT
• 115,000 pixels |
| Connectivity |
• USB 2.0 High Speed
• AV out
• DC-IN |
| Power |
• 2x AA type battery (alkaline, NiMH, NiMH)
• NH-AA-DA rechargeable AA batteries supplied |
| In the box* |
• DSC-W7 camera
• BC-CS2 Battery Charger
• NH-AA-DA rechargeable AA batteries
• Software CD-ROM (Picture Package™ for Sony v1.6 (Windows), Pixela™ ImageMixer VCD2 (Macintosh/Windows), USB Driver, Cyber-shot Life tutorial (Windows)
• AV & USB Cable
• Wrist Strap
|
| Other features |
• PictBridge and DPOF compatible
• Live Histogram & playback histogram
• Autofocus Illuminator
• Optional 2.6x Tele converter lens (VCL-DH2630) $130
• Optional 1.7x Tele converter lens (VCL-DH1730) $99
• Optional 0.7x Wide converter lens (VCL-DH0730) $99
• Optional 30mm lens adaptor (needed to use converters) $30
• Optional Slave flash + bracket (HVL-FSL1B) $100
• Optional waterproof case (Marine Pack MPK-WA) $200
• Optional filter kits and filter adapter
|
| Weight (inc batt) |
• 197 g (6.9 oz) (without batteries and card)
• 253 g (8.9 oz) (with batteries and card) |
| Dimensions |
91 x 60 x 37 mm (3.5 x 2.3 x 1.4 in) |
* Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area
|
|
|
|
|
Aug 31, 2005
|
Feb 19, 2005
|
Aug 20, 2008
|
Aug 18, 2008
|
After a rare Seattle snowstorm finally subsided, DPReview editor Jeff Keller was able to escape the snow and spend some time with the impressive Fujifilm X-T30, a camera that offers a lot of bang for the buck.
The EF-M 32mm F1.4 is a welcome addition to Canon's APS-C mirrorless lens lineup. It's a good performer all-around and enjoyable to use on the EOS M50, and we hope to see more like it introduced to the EF-M range.
We don't often get excited about $900 cameras, but the Fujifilm X-T30 has really impressed us thus far. Find out what's new, what it's like to use and how it compares to its peers in our review in progress.
The S1 and S1R are Panasonic's first full-frame mirrorless cameras so there's a plenty to talk about. We've taken a look at the design and features of both cameras and have some initial impressions, as well.
We reviewed three of the more popular 'pocket printers,' the Canon Ivy, Fujifilm Instax Share and Polaroid ZIP. Here's the one we recommend...
Following testing of the Panasonic Lumix DC-LX100 II, we've added it to our Pocketable Enthusiast Compact Cameras buying guide as joint-winner, alongside Sony's Cyber-shot RX100 VA.
If you're looking for a high-quality camera, you don't need to spend a ton of cash, nor do you need to buy the latest and greatest new product on the market. In our latest buying guide we've selected some cameras that while they're a bit older, still offer a lot of bang for the buck.
A question frequently asked on the Internet is 'what's the best DSLR?' In this buying guide we've answered that question – but also whether it's the right question to be asking in the first place.
What's the best camera for under $500? These entry level cameras should be easy to use, offer good image quality and easily connect with a smartphone for sharing. In this buying guide we've rounded up all the current interchangeable lens cameras costing less than $500 and recommended the best.
Whether you've grown tired of what came with your DSLR, or want to start photographing different subjects, a new lens is probably in order. We've selected our favorite lenses for Sony mirrorlses cameras in several categories to make your decisions easier.
Comments