Sony DSC-W730/L 16.1 MP Digital Camera with 2.7-Inch LCD (Blue)

The Sony DSC-W730 is all I could expect from a point and shoot camera. We travel extensively, and my wife enjoys scrapbooking, So this light, flexible use camera is perfect for taking all types of photos. The mode of picture/pano/movie is easy to change. The 8x zoom is as much as anyone with normal photographing needs. And with the lithium battery and a 16gb SD card, you are good to go for the entire day. After years of carrying bulky Nikons and Cannons with various lens, this Sony, and others that I've had previously owned, is a joy to own. I really enjoy the panoramic mode, especially when traveling and taking photos of wide vistas of various types. I've taken great photos of PNC Park in Pittsburgh, The Red Rock Canyon in Las Vegas,the rainforest of the Eastern Caribbean just to mention a few. And there are online sites that will print them, or you can crop them to suit your needs. My only downside is the 16 megapixel images. The files are large, and to upload them to an online photo service takes more time than my previous Sony. A 6.5 meg picture is a lot of megapixels. Clear, sharp, absolutely, but my previous camera with 14meg was just as clear. The good thing is you don't need to shoot in the 16meg mode. You can reduce it to 10, and even further down. I would have wished the gap from 16 to 10 wouldn't have been so distant from each other. A 12meg setting would have been a better choice. In closing, if you're not some special effects buff, and the Sony does do some of that, like a fireworks mode, etc, but take photos of vacations, birthdays, sporting events, and all around general use, you can't find better than this Sony for quality and weight.

I was interested in upgrading my existing Canon point and shoot camera. I am very pleased with the features on the Sony and the ease of use. I like the higher zoom which is set according to the size of the prints you wish to produce. Menu is easy to follow without any reference to a manual. I can use flash in bright light with a simple push button on the camera without having to go into the menu as I had to do with the Canon. I use camera for 3 trips we take a year plus all the birthday parties and any other event I like to capture on camera. I then enter the memory card in my laptop, develop pictures by an on line provider and organize my pictures chronologically. Amazon purchasing options such as "open-like new" is fantastic.

Currently, the DSC-W730 is the lowest priced Sony that comes with a Carl Zeiss-licensed lens. And Lumix SZ3 is the lowest priced Panasonic Point-and-Shoot digital camera that comes with a Leica-licensed lens. Leica and Carl Zeiss are legendary German photographic lens designers who are known for their super sharp and accurate color lenses. Not all Sony and Panasonic cameras have Carl Zeiss and Leica marking on the lens, respectively. Those that do not cost less, but I always choose ones that do. I have both of the above cameras and like them very much because they take excellent, sharp, color accurate pictures without costing a lot of money. The Panasonic costs a bit more, but both are excellent. The Lumix SZ3 has a slightly greater zoom range of 10X, compared to Sony's 8X. Both cameras have the wide end of the zoom lens at 25mm (35mm film camera lens equivalent), which is great for group and scenery shots. I prefer the SZ3 camera's physical user interface, especially the direct "movie button" and the shutter button surrounded zoom lever. They are more convenient and easier to use than Sony's. On the other hand, the Sony W730 consistently shoots better fill-in flash scenes than the Panasonic Lumix SZ3. The resulting images look very good, as you almost can't tell that fill-in flash is used. When reviewing pictures taken, the Sony displays a "rough, unclear" image first, then sharpens up in a split second, while the Panasonic can display each shot without this extra step. The W730 shoots video in 720p at 30 frames per second (fps), while the SZ3 does it in 24 fps. Some users like the 24 fps frame rate because the resulting video looks more film-like, or movie-like than when shot at 30 fps or higher. I buy extra compatible batteries on eBay. For the W730, you can typically get one for about $5, or 3 batteries plus a charger for $13. The aforementioned prices include free shipping. Just search "Sony W730 battery". If you need a carrying pouch for this camera, I'd recommend Case Logic's DCB-302 (less than $6) Case Logic DCB-302 Compact Case for Camera - Black . Its size is just right for the W730, with a few centimeters of extra space so it isn't too snug. The small accessories pocket is perfect for memory cards and batteries. Instead of using the pouch's shoulder strap, I urge you to tie the camera's wrist strap to one of the two shoulder strap ringlets, so that the camera and the case are loosely tied together. The arrangement permits me to hold the case with my left hand while I take pictures with my right hand. If someone bumps into me at this moment, my camera is less likely to fall to the ground, as its wrist strap is tied to the case held by my left hand.

It's perfect for the amateur photog who liked to capture day-to-day moments. I take pictures for my personal blog, pictures of hikes, pictures of my friends' getting up to no good...and it works great. I've had it for a couple years and I'm very satisfied with it. The settings are easy to figure out. The screen in quite big so that's very convenient. And it's small enough to fit in your hand. I have a wriststrap attached to mine so I don't lose it. I've dropped it a couple times but it doesn't seem to be damaged. Like, the Ajax of point-and-shoots. And this is such a nice copper blue. I really like it. It's the pop of colour in my mostly-black world.

I had very high expectations for the camera because of the price. I was hoping for a more good clear quality camera because it is a bit expensive for a 2008 or so camera. But sadly it isn’t the best quality camera for pictures but it’s very cute for just videos and for fun.

the worst camera ever. It takes bad pictures, blurry, low quality. There is no warning that the battery is going to be low - it just shuts down and you cannot take any pictures. I fully charged it before my trip and after 5 days the battery was gone. It is a total waste of money.

I really like this camera. It takes awesome photos for a small camera. I like it because I can carry it in my purse and always have it at hand. I am not a technical savvy person. This camera is easy to use as well as getting the pictures off the camera. This is my second Sony camera, I had a earlier version of this camera that I loved also, but I dropped it with the zoom lens opened. I decided to get the same camera, but an upgrade with a better zoom.

I like this camera because the following 1. Size - Fits into your pocket like a mobile phone 2. Light weight - you won't feel and no need to carry a big case 3. Comparable picture quality with good zoom (8X) 4. Picture transfer and charging made easy with USB cable. Overall nice camera for the price under 100.