Sony DSC W1 Digital Camera

The Sony DSC W1 digital camera is one of Sony's latest in the long(and incredibly broad) line of digicams that reflect Sony's commanding position in the digicam marketplace. The Sony P-series digital cameras have been hugely popular in the compact and subcompact markets for some time now, but they've also recently introduced three cameras that divert significantly from the P-series form factor. These are the rangefinder-style V1, the ultra-slim T1, and now the mid-size Sony DSC-W1.

The Sony DSC-W1 may be described as a more rangefinder-styled DSC-P100 with a few of the features of the V1 and T1 thrown in for good measure. Most of the primary functions and the 3x zoom lens and the small built-in flash are the same as (or at least very similar to) those on the P100. However, the W1 has the 2.5 inch LCD screen of the T1. Then there is the more standard rangefinder body style of the V1, which gives it the ability to accept accessory lenses. The thing it doesn't share with the other models is its use of two high capacity NiMH AA rechargeable batteries, the others use InfoLithium batteries.

The DSC-W1 has a 5.0-megapixel CCD, 3x optical zoom lens, with an expanded range of seven preset Scene modes to choose from. It also offers a manual mode for greater exposure control if desired, though no Shutter or Aperture priority mode is included. The 3x zoom lens offered (with Macro mode) is great for recording a wide range of subjects, from close-up portraits to scenic vistas. Like the DSC-P100 and most other new Cybershots, the DSC-W1 has greater speed than previous cameras thanks to the company's new Real Image Processor. The very same Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar lens that graces the P100 is on the W1

The Sony Digicam offers more than great still pictures. With the optional Memory Stick PRO Duo cards, the T1 camera captures and plays back high resolution moving images in MPEG-VX Fine mode—it is good enough to make onlookers believe that it was captured with a digital camcorder.

No Sony digicam is complete without its interesting and often innovative features. There are some really cool new ones and one is what is actually known as GIF animation, often seen on many Internet Web sites. These are the nifty animated images that grab a Net surfers attention, such as on ad banners. The Sony digicam can shoot up to 10 separate still images, and the camera will create a GIF animation based on the captured shots.

Canon offers their versions of a Canon digicam that competes very well with other digicams. A new Canon digicam is the PowerShot S1 IS, a 3.2-megapixel digicam with an estimated street price of $500. This Canon digicam also record movies.

Sony DSC W1 digital camera offers many great features, which if your in the market for a digicam, you will want to look at. For great historical quality you just have to consider the Sony DSC W1 digital camera.