Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650 16.1 MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom and 3.0-Inch LCD (Black) (2012 Model)

I purchased two of these cameras, one for my fiancee and one for myself. We both wanted something that we can always take with us. This camera fits in a men's dress shirt pocket and is completely concealed. We have used these cameras for the past six months and they have produced amazing pictures. We are both extremely happy with these little photographic wonders.I own three cameras ... this one...an Olympus XZ-1 ... and a Nikon D7000 DSLR, and I use all three ...mostly the DSLR whenever I can.This camera gets 5 stars for the following reasons and considering that it is a pocket camera (not a DSLR ;-) - digital single lens reflex camera):1) The size of the camera is only 3.8 inches x 2.2 inches with a 3" back review LCD screen (230k dots resolution, awesome for this little wonder) and less than an inch thin (0.8") with control elements that even a grown man can reasonably operate. So very compact but well designed elements.2) The camera has 16.1 MP and has outstanding Carl Zeiss optics (5x optical zoom).Carl Zeiss optics are flawless in quality, and without the optics nothing else matters. That this camera has such a high quality lens is a great sign of what's behind the lens. The lens is image stabilized.Lens Type : Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar®Optical Zoom : 5xFocal Length (35mm equivalent) : Still 16:9: 28-140mm / Still 4:3: 25-125mm / Movie 16:9: 29-145mm(SteadyShot Standard), 30-150mm(SteadyShot Active) / Movie 4:3: 35-175mm(SteadyShot Standard), f=37-185mm(SteadyShot Active)Lens Construction : 6 elements in 5 groups (including 3 aspheric elements)Minimum Focus Distance : iAuto:AF(W:Approx..5cm(0.16') to Infinity, T:Approx.100cm(3.28') to Infinity) / Program Auto:AF(W:Approx..5cm(0.16') to Infinity, T:Approx.100cm(3.28') to Infinity)Aspheric Elements : 3Steady Shot Mode:Active : YesRegarding the 16.1 MP image sensor. I shoot this sony with 10MP resolution because I don't like to deal with huge files and it makes little difference to my perceived quality of this image from this camera. However the results from this camera are truly outstanding. You can produce a good looking 20" X 30" poster from this 10MP image, so with 16.1 MP full resolution you will get all you ever need for casual photography ( for what this camera is really meant for). The resolution is adjustable with the easy to use menu screen: 16.1 MP, 10MP, 5MP (straight uploadable resolution to Facebook), VGA resolution (640x480 pixels for direct computer screen for a blog for example) all in 4:3 aspect ratio. You can also choose wide screen shooting modes (aspect ratio 16:9) in these resolutions: 12 MP and 2 MP.So really plenty of options to adjust to your needs/preferences.3) The camera can be operated in different camera modes including P (for most manual control):Intelligent Auto (works great), Program Auto (most control for the user), Picture Effect (for the instant artist ;-), 4 modes ), and scene mode (11 scene modes wow).a) Intelligent Auto: This is my main mode to use this camera for plain fun snap shots without having to think. This camera is great in focusing, choosing modes and getting the best picture for you most of the time and instantly. In iAuto you get to further select EASY mode (simplified menu and larger font for the true point and shooter who just rather not deal with anything except take a great picture), image resolution, single shooting or continous shooting (1 fps up to 100 shots), EV (exposure correction -2.0 to +2.0) basically to adjust image brightness, iScene auto and advanced,smile detection sensitivity (three settings),Face detection (off,auto,child priority,adult priority,in camera guide,operation settings menu (time,date,sounds).b) Program Auto: this gives you more choices for those more familiar with photography. It is actually quite amazing to me how many cool features have been carried from advanced photography into this one-click-wonder. same controls as in a) above but in addition these... ISO settings: Auto, 80,100,200,400,800,1600,3200; White Balance: Auto,Daylight,Cloudy,Fluorescent 1,2,3, Incandescent,Flash,One Push and One Push Set (for custom white balance, cool!); Auto Focus: Multi AF,Center AF,Spot AF; Metering Mode: Multi,Center,Spot; DRO (recovering of tones in image): Off,standard,plus;c) Picture effect: I haven't used these...you can do it with photoshop etc, but why bother with complex software as a poin and shooter with these fun features?! ...and instant gratification with Toy Camera: shoot images with the effect of a toy camera ... i guess it sounds like a toy camera (the shutter release haha) ... Pop effect: shoot images in pop and colorful colors ... Partial color: shoots dramatic images coloring only the extracted colors (extract red, green, blue, yellow)...like a red rose in a black and white pic ...sweet...Soft High key Effect: shootswarm fresh photos emphasizing the bright areas.4) It takes amazing video (i didn't buy it for video, but it does do a great job) but hey I take it and it is a bonus to me.Video Format : MP4(AVC/H.264)Video Mode : 1280x720(Fine)(1,280x720/30fps)/1280x720(Standard)(1,280x720/30fps)/VGA(640x480/30fps)Audio Format : AACMicrophone/Speaker : Mono/monoThat sums up my reasons why I consider this a great 5 star camera and a fantastic buy for ANYONE.This is a complete one-click-wonder and may become even a serious photographers little angel in the pocket (it is for me for sure) ... because the best camera is the one you have with you ... and if it has to fit in a pocket, this definitely the best!

This camera is my fav! Exactly what I was looking for

I have owned many cameras from many makes and models. Currently I have two Canon DSLRs and half a dozen mirrorless compact system cameras from Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, Nikon and Pentax.In short, I know quite a bit about digital cameras, not just the technical details but also the built-quality, the aesthetic and the handling / user interface for example.I purchased this Sony W650 as a gift for my mom.Before deciding to buy it, I was torn between it and Canon Elph 100 HS. I loved the Canon P&S cameras I owned in the past but I also loved Sony ones I had as well.Between these two, Sony W650 is newer and cheaper. It also has sweep panorama. The camera looks pretty in the pictures.However, once I have it on my hand, I can tell immediately that while the front has a nice look of brushed metal finish, the back looks like it's made of cheap plastic. If I hold the back of the camera against a light source, I can see uneven surface as if a result of a bad paint job. I got the red color one by the way.The buttons look and feel cheap as well. The zoom is not smooth / even but rather jumpy. Going through the menu, I can tell that this is not a camera I would love to use. The camera features are very basic. Eg. for the flash, you can only choose either Auto or Off (at least on the intelligent Auto mode).It is a far cry from all other point and shoot cameras I have used in the past including Sony W50/W55.I went to a local brick and mortar store to get a better comparison between many different point and shoot cameras. For a point and shoot camera, the price only makes sense as long as it is below $200. Because above that, you enter into a realm of mirrorless compact system camera which most have significatly larger sensor than typical point and shoot cameras. So I limit my price range to below $200.I went back to the other camera I was originally interested on. At the brick and mortar store, they only have the Elph 110 HS which is the newer model but for the most part identical to the 100 HS.Canon 100 HS has "only" 12 megapixels while Sony W650 has 16 megapixels.However, most point and shoot cameras such as these have tiny imaging sensor, 1/2.3" (6.17mm x 4.55mm) to be exact. Higher megapixels generally means higher noise.Canon 100 HS has a more beautiful finish throughout its surface. No bad paint job LOL.Buttons are flushed, which may irk some people, but I found that they are fine. They are larger than those on the Sony and don't look like they may come off or break off easily like the Sony's.Menus look better. It has more features than the Sony's.In the end, I returned the Sony W650 and bought the Canon Elph 100HS.

I got used (very good) but there are sooo many scratches on the screen. Otherwise it seems to work well

For the price this camera is top notch. I bought this camera because I needed one for college, so was only interested in cheap and easy cameras. I have had it for over a year now and can honestly say it was definitely worth it. Takes clear and clean images. Has a variety of in camera options and picture affects. I have received lots of praise for some of the images Ive taken and would not consider myself a photographer. the video recording is simple, nothing special you can do with the video settings just record in 720 p fine or standard. The still images Is primarily what this camera was designed for, but the video resolution is great for recording everyday events. Would recommend this to first time buyers of digital cameras as it is cheap and easy to use. Sony is always making great products.

This is a simple to use point and shoot camera which i bought on thanksgiving of 2013. The deal seemed good and i wanted a decent camera before my graduation. It did the job as expected. Typical SONY device. It has been doing good so far and i have left it unattended for months and it still springs up and does not drain out battery power.The finish of the camera on the outside is good and holding it feels really nice.This might not be the best if you want to use in winter since the buttons on the top could be difficult to use with the gloves on.The picture quality is decent if you know how to configure and use for different lighting settings.Overall a very good product at less than $100