Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-W180 brings you a variety of intelligent features in a compact, easy-to-use design. Smile Shutter technology captures a smile the moment it happens. Face Detection technology automatically detects up to eight faces and optimizes focus and exposure settings.
Product Details
Color: Black
Brand: Sony
Model: DSCW180/B
Dimensions: 2.20" h x
6.20" w x
7.30" l,
1.20 pounds
Display size: 2.7
Features
Smile Shutter technology automatically captures a smile
Face Detection technology captures faces naturally
SteadyShot image stabilization helps reduce blur
Scene Selection modes adjust for shooting conditions
10.1 megapixel Super HAD CCD image sensor
Editorial Reviews
From the Manufacturer
Combining a variety of intelligent, easy-to-use features, the DSC-W180 Cyber-shot digital camera comes equipped with Smile Shutter technology which captures a smile the moment it happens and Face Detection technology that automatically detects up to eight faces and optimizes focus and exposure settings. Powerful and pocket-sized, the W180 also offers superb 10.1-megapixel imaging, 3x optical zoom, seven Scene Selection modes and High Sensitivity ISO 3200 for low-light shooting. Compose shots, read menus and view images on the bright 2.7-inch LCD screen. Also available in red and silver.
Cyber-shot DSC-W180 Highlights
10.1 megapixel Super HAD CCD Image Sensor A powerful 10.1-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 10.1 megapixels, you can create stunning prints up to A3 size, or crop your images and still come away with high resolution shots.
3x Optical Zoom Lens 3x optical zoom lens captures sharp images, even from a distance, and enables close-up shooting up to just under 2 inches (5cm) from the subject.
2.7-inch LCD display (230K pixels) A large 2.7-inch (230K pixels) LCD¹ display features sharp, natural color that makes it easy to compose shots, read menus, and view photos.
Smile Shutter Smile Shutter technology captures a smile the moment it happens. Simply choose the Smile Shutter button and the camera does the rest. You can also select subject priority and indicate the degree of Smile Detection Sensitivity.
Face Detection Technology Face Detection technology detects up to eight individual faces and adjusts flash, focus and exposure to deliver crisp, properly lit images of family and friends.
SteadyShot Digital Image Stabilization SteadyShot digital image stabilization compensates for camera shake and helps prevent blur by capturing two photos at high shutter speeds and combining them into a single clear image.
Scene Selection modes Choose from seven convenient Scene Selection modes to quickly adjust for specific shooting conditions, including High Sensitivity, Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Landscape, Soft Snap, Snow, and Beach.
High Sensitivity Mode (ISO 3200) High ISO allows for faster shutter speed, so you can take photos indoors or in low light without the need for a flash. In addition to High Sensitivity Mode (ISO), you can select up to seven ISO settings (Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200) when shooting in Program Auto Mode to adjust sensitivity to your shooting conditions.
Histogram Display Histogram display gives you more control over your images with the ability to optimize exposure adjustments for better detail in both light and dark areas of a photo.
Function Guide This beginner-friendly optional function helps navigate through the various functions and settings displaying the description of chosen functions or settings on the LCD screen.
Lithium-ion battery Included lithium-ion battery provides added convenience with longer lasting power than alkaline batteries.
In-Camera Retouching Tools Retouch and enhance your photos on the go with in-camera Trimming and Red-Eye Correction functions.
Multi-purpose Resize Function The Multi-purpose Resize function lets you change the aspect ratio of an image right in the camera from 4:3 to 16:9.
Picture Motion Browser ver. 4.2.01 Sony PMB (Picture Motion Browser) PC software provides a simple, easy-to-use way to transfer video and still images to your PC, as well as sort, edit, and output to data disc and the Web (PC with internet connection required). Finding your images with PMB is easy with Calendar view and Face Search. Face Search allows you to filter by faces (one or many) and also a specific person’s face. Share images and videos on popular sharing sites with Media Services function.
What's in the Box
Rechargeable Battery - NP-BK1
Picture Motion Browser
CD-ROM
Battery Charger - BC-CSK / BC-CSKA
Dedicated A/V Cable
Wrist Strap
Dedicated USB Cable
Note: Memory Stick DUO Media or adaptors are not included.
Customer Reviews
The Reason for the Mixed Reviews Are you confused by the most polarized set of reviews on Amazon? I was. Some said it took wonderful pictures; some said it took terrible pictures. It was as though half the cameras were defective. They weren't and they aren't. Here's the deal: this camera is a little more prone to bluring than some other, mostly larger cameras. In technical terms, it has only one aperture setting, and it's pretty wide, which means the depth of the image that is in focus is somewhat shallow. Also, the sensor is not the most sensitive, so, even with the large aperture, it needs plenty of light or it will set for longer exposures and get bluring from camera shake. Finally, the built-in image stabilization is limited and will only help if you don't shake it much. This all adds up to a tendency to take blurry pictures, especially indoors.
So with all that, why did I give it four stars? Because the little camera is fully capable of taking sharp pictures. Believe me when I say I know what sharp pictures are: I have an A550 with a Zeiss 24-70 lens. I also have an excellent (and highly recommended) DSC-100 with Zeiss optics, two aperture settings, and the option of full manual control.
The first pictures I tried with the DSC-180W were indoors in available light (no flash). The results were abysmal. The next thing I tried was using the flash. The results were mixed, because the camera's autofocus system was confused by the complex scene, and the depth of focus is shallow. Then, still indoors, I aimed at something fairly flat with the flash, and voila, it produced a picture sharp enough that it took full advantage of all the pixels. That's all the resolution you can ask for. I tried it at long range and short range, with zoom and wide-angle, and continued to get good results.
The next day, I took it outdoors along with my DSC-100 and shot a number of scenes with both cameras for comparison. The DSC-180W did well. It was a little more contrasty than the 100, and the colors were a little more saturated, both of which I attribute to in-camera processing. I put the images into Photoshop and was able to extract the shadow detail that had been lost to the contrast. Of course, the 180W's more contrasty, saturated pictures looked better in some ways. Saturation aside, the two cameras agreed well on color rendition, indicating no major chromatic aberation.
Understand that I was looking at these images on a 24 inch monitor and then blowing them up even more. And I've shot some amazing things with the DSC-100, which, when new, cost four times what the 180W costs today. Used DSC-100s command rediculously high prices today for what they are. My point is that I was not easy on the 180W.
Other notes: The screen is very bright. You have to press the shutter button harder than I'm used to, so squeeze when you shoot, or you'll create camera shake.
I gave the camera four starts, because it's a good deal for the dollar. It's way more compact than the 100. If you buy it, don't set unrealistic expectations. Shooting indoors, use the flash (which will only work on fairly close subjects) or use a tripod or set it on a bean bag. Don't shoot into complex scenes of varying distances and expect it to put everything into simultaneous focus. You CAN have high expectations when you shoot landscapes and almost anything outdoors from a reasonable distance. Depth of focus grows with the distance from the camera. The optics are not bad, in spite of what some reviewers have said. I got good resolution many times in many circumstances, so the optics are just fine. Those reviewers caused the bluring with camera shake and focus issues, just as I did on my first few shots.
I bought this camera for my wife so that she could do some independent picture taking on our upcoming trip to Europe. I could have sent it back, but I decided it was a keeper.
I hope this helps you with your decision.
Tim
AWESOME CAMERA! The Camera is great for the price. It takes wonderful pictures and video's. The other reviews are false that say the picture quality is bad. The picture quality is very good, I love this camera. Three things you look for in a camera: Great pictures, Portability, and Easy to use. This camera has all three!!
Excellent camera I am not an expert in digital cameras and cannot compare this camera to other brands, but for my personal use it is fantastic, I love it. It is easy to use and the picture quality is very good. Of course, as usual, Amazon delivered the camera in excellent condition. Highly recommended.
