The Sony DSC-W50 digital camera provides a nice mixture of price, features, performance, and size, making it one of the better current models aimed at beginning photographers.

The DSC-W50 offers 6.0 megapixels of resolution, which is enough for high-quality prints measuring 11x14 inches. The 3X optical zoom lens produces photos of very good quality, regardless of the lighting conditions. This camera works surprisingly well in low-light conditions, with or without a flash.

Response times for the DSC-W50 are very good, especially for a sub-$250 digital camera. Our tests showed that you can shoot your first photo less than 2 seconds after pressing the power button (a little longer if you are using a memory card). The DSC-W50's shutter lag measures only a fraction of a second and isn't noticeable most of the time. Shot-to-shot delays usually measure 1-2 seconds, but if you're using the flash and shooting over a long distance, the delay can approach 4 seconds. The DSC-W50's continuous-shot mode is somewhat limited; the best option gives you three photos in about 1.5 seconds.

You'll find some nice help features with the DSC-W50. For example, the digital camera will display an explanation as you turn the dial to each feature. And you can turn off this feature once you're familiar with the digital camera's functions. Sony has aimed the DSC-W50 at beginners, thanks to its point-and-shoot simplicity. But this digital camera also has a few manual setting features for more experienced photographers.

The DSC-W50's 32MB of internal memory is handy, too, and photographers shooting at lower resolutions might not need to purchase a memory card. You may want to purchase a second battery, though, as the DSC-W50 runs from a rechargeable proprietary battery only.

Sony offers this digital camera in a silver body that is about the size of a pack of playing cards. The DSC-W50's controls are easy to use, and Sony included an optical viewfinder with this model, which is something manufacturers of low-priced digital cameras often skip. So there's a lot to like about the DSC-W50.

Perhaps the biggest disappointment concerning the DSC-W50 is its LCD screen. Although the 2.5-inch LCD is one of the larger ones you'll find in a sub-$250 digital camera, it's not as sharp as we'd like to see. But that's a pretty minor drawback in what is a very good, overall option for beginning photographers.


Pros: Great value, great overall performance, very good response times, extremely easy to use, small camera body
Cons: Probably will need to buy a second battery, LCD could be sharper, continuous-shot mode is somewhat limited

Warranty
1 year, limited