Sony Dsc W120

The Sony DSC W120 is a 7 megapixel digital cameraISO 1600
with a 4x optical zoom lens. This camera is easy toNot surprisingly similar, but more extreme results
use and is small enough to fit into a pocket.occur at ISO 1600. I have seen better results from
Why Buy the Sony DSC W120?other digital cameras.
Pocket cameras tend to fall into two groups. TheOverall
first is more stylish and more expensive. The secondI do have one or two concerns about the levels of
is a simpler designed cheap digital camera. Sony hassharpness when scene are distant. Putting those
set up the DSC W120 to fall into the secondqualms aside the DSC W120Sony digital camera does
category. Therefore if you are looking for a digitala steady job and manages to get to grips with most
camera from a reliable brand and don’t want tosituations.
break the bank then the DSC W120 is worth taking aShutter Lag
closer look at. This is also one of the few smallerMost of the shutter lag times I recorded are roughly
compacts to offer a viewfinder.average for this type of digital camera. A single shot
Image Quality Sony DSC W120 test shotstook 0.35 seconds and five shots took 12.38. Turning
Outdoor 1 (Medium Zoom)the flash on produced a fast single shot time of 0.39
My first outdoor shot gets us off to a solid start.seconds. Five shots took 12.38 seconds.
The sharpness of the photo is above averageYou can compare this camera to other models by
throughout the picture with only a small amount oftaking a look at the Shutter Lag Comparison Table.
focusing lost as you move towards the edges of theStyle: This is a small, unfussy pocket digital camera.
shot. The colours are true and I like the blues on theThe DSC W120 has a fairly typical rectangular shape.
boats.It is available in silver, black, pink and blue.
Brightness levels are about right as well.Dimensions: 88.2 x 57.2 x 22.9mm
Outdoor 2 (No Zoom)Weight: 123g
This is not a bad effort, but there is a loss ofBatteries: Power is supplied by a lithium ion battery
sharpness on the right hand side of the photo where(NP-BG1). Sony suggests you should be able to take
the scene gets more distant. Although this is quite aaround 420 shots in between charges.
tough shot when it comes to focusing other digitalMemory cards: The camera is compatible with
cameras have been able to cope with the set upmemory stick duo and memory stick duo pro
better than the DSC W120 does.memory cards. To get you started Sony have built
Outdoor 3 (Maximum Zoom)15mb of storage into the DSC W120. This is enough
With the lens fully extend the camera produces afor around 6 shots.
sharper photo. There is still some softness towardsEase of use rating: The DSC W120 is quite easy to
the edges, but not enough to put me off this digitaluse. Most of the key controls (flash, zoom, macro
camera.and playback) are controlled through buttons on the
Outdoor 4 (Building)back of the camera. The inclusion of a control dial
Other cameras I have tested have been able toalso cuts down on the number of times you need to
really make the bricks on this building stand out. Thedip into the menu system.
DSC W120 Sony digital camera is unable to hit thePoints I like:
same levels of sharpness.Ease of use - price tag - viewfinder
Outdoor PortraitWhere it could improve:
This is a typical outdoor portrait shot. Although ISharpness of distant subjects
have used a cloudy white balance setting to matchAlternatives
the conditions I would still like to have seen moreA couple of alternatives with similar features are:
depth to the colours in this shot.Panasonic DMC FX35 and Olympus FE-340.
Indoor Portrait with FlashVerdict:
Without a doubt this is my favourite portrait shotThe Sony DSC W120 handles most snap shot
taken with this digital camera. What really impressessituations well. It does struggle for sharpness in
me is the amount of colour retained in the photo,places once the subject gets distant. You can’t
especially when you consider other digital cameras Ihave everything at the price though and if you are
have reviewed, can produce shots that look washedlooking for a cheaper pocket camera the DSC W120
out when the flash is on.still does a decent job.
Indoor Portrait without Flash 
This is another good effort. There is plenty of detailFront View
in the photo considering there is less light available 
than for the outdoor portrait shot.Back View
Colours 
I am happy with the colours the camera produces.Top View
They have a natural feel to them and are a fair 
representation of the colours in each scene when theSample Menus
photos were taken.
Macro
When you look through my reasons for buying theSony DSC W120 Summary
DSC W120 Sony digital camera, being able to takeDescription:7 megapixels and a 4x optical zoom lens
great macro shots will not be on the list. This isEase of Use:9
because if anyone is serious about close up workFeatures:8
they would have to be prepared to spend a fair bitColour:8
more on a digital camera than they would need toMacro:8
with this one. Therefore it is a bonus to note thatIndoors:8
the DSC W120 is capable of taking a decent macroValue for Money:8
shot. There are good levels of detail and clarityStyle:8
showing in my test picture.Movie Mode:8
ISO 400Image Quality:7
How the camera performs at higher ISO settingsBuild Quality:8
depends to a large degree on the amount of lightTotal:80
available at the time. If conditions are bright thenVerdict:
picture quality is good. A drop off in light means a"This is a steady, pocket sized digital camera. It is
loss of quality. Therefore if you are using higher ISOone of the cheaper small compacts from a leading
to freeze movement on a bright day you will achievebrand. The camera is easy to use and the emphasis
better results than if you are using ISO to overcomehas been placed on point and shoot simplicity rather
a lack of light in a scene.than more advanced features.