Check Sony DSC-W300, read the review in Saturday's Sci-tech World in Dawn newspaper
http://www.dawn.com/weekly/science/science6.htm
COOL GADGETS: A Top ShooterHard facts
HARD FACTS
Product: Compact digital camera
Brand: Sony CyberShot DSC-W300
Dimensions: 2.3 in. x 3.7 in. x 1.1 in (HxWxD); 5.5oz
Image sensor: 13.6 megapixels super HAD CCD
Auto focus: TTL contrast detection
CCD size: 1/1.7"
LCD screen size: 2.7 inches
Max aperture: f/2.8
Min aperture: f/5.5
Max focal length: 22.8mm
Min focal length: 7.6mm
Maximum shutter speed: 1/2000sec
Minimum shutter speed: 30sec
Image format: JPEG
Focus modes: Automatic, manual
Exposure settings: Programme, automatic
ISO equivalencies: 100, 800, 400, 200, 80, auto, 6400 (3Mpix), 1600, 3200
Metering characteristics: Multi-segment, centre-weighted, spot
Macro focusing range: 5cm
Zoom: 3x optical zoom/2X digital for 6x digital zoom (35mm-105mm) lens
Memory: Memory stick pro-HG duo, memory stick duo, memory stick pro duo connectors
Connectors: 1 x composite video/audio output, 1 x USB
Features:
Real-image zoom viewfinder
Frame movie mode
BIONZ image processor delivers speed and precision
Self timer
1.9 FPS continuous shooting speed
Smile shutter technology captures smiles
Super steadyshot optical image stabilisation
Intelligent scene recognition mode
HDTV compatibility
Compared to: Sony CyberShot T-300 (Rs29, 400); Nikon CoolPix P60 (Rs29, 200)
Price: Rs28, 900
We have always been big fans of the W-Series of Sony’s line of CyberShot cameras, especially the W-55. So it was with great expectations that we picked up Sony’s latest and top-end flagship camera, the W300 camera, the 13.6 megapixel beauty that has literally changed the playing field for the competition.
You can understand how much by comparing it to the fact that the T-300, which is the top-line version of Sony’s T-Series, is only a 10 megapixel camera, while Nikon’s higher end compact model is only 8 megapixels. More megapixels do give you greater image definition so you can make big prints and tight crops without losing detail.
A question that does come to mind is why would you need a 13.6 megapixels camera? This may be too big for some people (roughly 5-5.5 MB's per image), however, when you turn the notch down to 8M, the Bayer interpolation goes away on the sensor, and the picture quality, in good light, starts to approach starter level SLR's, when the noise reduction is set right. So basically, this is a good camera for people who want professional quality at more economical prices.
Megapixels do not always translate to better imaging quality so we put the W300 to a thorough test. It is literally a sin comparing the stylish T-Series digi-cams to the W-Series models. That is because the T-models are the ones which get all the oohs! And Aaahs! (so the W does lose out here) and, personally, the one thing I really would like on the W models is the T's sliding lens cover. On its own, however, the W300 is a good looking, stylish camera and while it is a bit thick among compacts, the Sony W300's design minimises the appearance so it seems svelte. The beauty of the camera comes from the titanium coating on the body which offers excellent protection from scratches while having a premium look. Sony claims it is approximately five times harder than other anodised aluminium-treated camera bodies.
The W300 sports a large, bright 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD display, includes an anti-reflective coating that provides for excellent visibility to help you compose, view, and share photos with superb clarity and colour reproduction, even in bright sunlight. In terms of picture quality, the W300 features the advanced Sony Super HAD (Hole Accumulated Diode) CCD design which allows more light to pass to each pixel, increasing sensitivity and reducing noise leading to superior colour saturation and exposure. The lens itself is a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar optic with an aperture range of f/2.8 to f/5.5, and a 3x optical zoom range the equivalent of a 35 to 105mm 35mm lens. One thing surprising though is why does the W170, which is a much more economical camera in this series, offers 5x optical and 2x digital for 10x total, whereas the W300 offers only a total of 6X Zoom (3X Optical, 2X Digital). Makes you ask the question which model is the flagship?
Aside from these small qualms, this flagship camera has it all. Starting with child/adult face recognition, smile shutter, double anti-blur, intelligent scene recognition, dynamic range optimisation, date view, face search to in-camera retouching.
The Super SteadyShot optical image stabilisation, for example, compensates for shaky hands and minimises blur with a built-in gyro sensor that detects camera movement and sends correcting signals to a stabilisation lens. The Sony W300 can also detect a moving subject and adjust ISO upward to use a faster shutter speed and thus avoid subject blur too. So that means good pictures without blur in dark lights or high speeds. The Smile Shutter can capture smiles the moment they happen — without the need to press the shutter. The mode can be set to capture when your subject laughs, smiles or even grins, and like Face Detection is able to differentiate children and adults to set priority.
Conclusion:
The compact and scratch-resistant titanium-coated body features an astounding 13.6-megapixel resolution, 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD display, Carl Zeiss 3x optical zoom lens, and Sony's double anti-blur solution for crisp, clear images. Nikon intends to use the Sony developed sensor in this camera on their upcoming ‘P6000’ flagship advanced Point&Shoots which only adds to the credibility of this camera
Overall:
The W300 is Sony's best W-Series digi-cam featuring every single innovation introduced to the W-Series this year. Its image quality sets a new standard for the W-Series. If you want to be a top shooter without the need of owning and carrying a DSLR around, this is the camera to go for. — U.M.