At first glance, Sony's DSC-F88 digital camera might look like one of those "gadget" cameras, thanks to a moveable lens housing that can rotate up to 300 degrees. However, the DSC-F88 carries an impressive list of features that make it an outstanding choice for beginning and intermediate photographers alike.

The DSC-F88 offers 5.1 megapixels of resolution, which will easily meet the needs of most photographers. Beginning photographers can use the DSC-F88 as a point-and-shoot model, while more experienced photographers can set several options manually, such as aperture and shutter speed. The DSC-F88 further simplifies things by offering a 3-to-2 ratio mode that creates perfect 4x6-inch prints with no cropping needed.

The DSC-F88 features a 3X optical zoom lens, which is standard for digital cameras in this price range. It produces extremely sharp and vibrant prints, regardless of the lighting conditions. The DSC-F88's built-in flash works very well, adjusting its intensity depending on the distance to the subject. However, the flash is a little small and has a limited range.

Overall response times for the DSC-F88 are very good. Its shutter lag essentially isn't noticeable at a fraction of a second. You can shoot your first photo less than 2 seconds after turning on the camera. Shot-to-shot times are less than 2 seconds as well, and using the flash doesn't noticeably lengthen shot-to-shot times. The DSC-F88's burst mode is especially impressive. You can determine the performance of burst mode by setting the image quality settings. At one setting, you can shoot about 16 photos in half a second.

Then there's the rotating lens. By rotating the lens, you easily can take odd-angle photos and self-portraits. The DSC-F88's 1.8-inch LCD is extremely sharp and bright, even outdoors, making it easy to frame your photos when using the rotated lens. Because only a section of the upper half of the camera rotates, the camera body remains easy to hold and operate. The DSC-F88 camera body is only 1 inch thick, making it easy to carry in a pocket for those spontaneous photos.

The Sony DSC-F88 can accept only its proprietary, rechargeable battery; you cannot use throwaway AA batteries in a pinch. A backup battery will cost about $60. However, the DSC-F88 has outstanding battery life, and an AC adapter is included with the package.

Pros: Interesting rotating lens design, good response times, good mix of intermediate and beginner features
Cons: Flash too weak for some settings, proprietary battery only

Warranty
1 year