Hey! You should know that this product has been discontinued. Here are our current recommended cameras in the Point and Shoot Digital Cameras category.
Sony Cybershot W120
Editor's Review
A solid mid range point and shoot, the Cybershot W120 marries a 7.2 megapixel CCD with smile recognition (shoots automatically when smiling happens) with a Zeisss 4x Optical Zoom. HAD technology amplifies light onto the CCD for more sensitivity and less noise, which is a good thing in low light situations.
Specifications
- 7.2 Megapixels
- 4x Optical Zoom / 19x Digital Zoom
- Auto focus with face and smile detection.
- Super SteadyShot image stabilization MPEG1 Movie Mode with audio
- Multi-pattern, Center-weighted, Spot exposure settings, Smile Shutter technology with adult and/or child priority
- 100-3200 ISO Levels
- JPG file format
- 2.5-inch LCD
- MS Duo / MS PRO Duo Storage with 15 MB internal
- Rechargeable Lithium Ion
- Release Date: Feb 11, 2008
Shop for W120 Accessories
Sony Cybershot W120 Comments & Questions (write your own!)
Another tip is to go to Sony's website and look for firmware updates. Download and install them. If that doesn't work, you may need to send it in for repair.
If you are relying on Auto mode, shutter speed can be raised by choosing a higher ISO. Setting it to 400 will definitely show an improvement of what you are getting now and ISO 800 is probably the setting that you should try as well.
This camera is capable of taking shots at ISO 3200. But the trade off is higher ISOs, though let you freeze movements, also produce noisy/grainy pictures.
You might also like to try using the combined image stabilization + high ISO trick provided by the camera.
Known as " Double Anti-blur Solution ", it is the combination of Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilization and High ISO sensitivity (up to 3200) which helps compensate for shaky hands, minimizes blur and allow flash free shooting to preserve the mood.
You can read more about " Double Anti-Blur solution " at <a href="letsgodigital.org/en/18043/... this location </a>
Needing some advice. I need to replace a broken dsc-w70 from dropping it. So I am looking for one similar because it was a gift. Also, I dont want to spend a large amount of money on one that in a year or two might be in the same shape. I am clumsy. So I was looking at the reviews of this one and getting nervous. Which camera is better the w70 or the w120? I have found an old one just like mine for more than I can get this one for on-line. But as far as specs and quality, which one would you recommend. Its all foreign to me, but I did realize this one doesnt have red-eye reduct. Is that VERY important even? THANKS for your time and expertise...
As for the color, try resetting your camera. The white balance is probably off, set to indoors or sunlight. Resetting the camera will restore it to factory default settings and reload the firmware. This may help.
As for the darn resolution, I am able to email about two or three pics thru hotmail to most others but can't upload anything on to Craigslist because of too many "mega-pixels" I guess. Am thinking about taking the camera back to best buy & seeing if they know how to fix it. Like you said 7.2 mega pixels pictures should not save as a huge file. Thanx for your time & imput. Very helpful! e
Thank you again for your help! So appreciated :) e
My previous digital camera was a sony, that I loved, so I'm leaning toward this brand again. Since I am familiar with functions etc, would that be wise? Or are all digital cameras pretty much the same in this- should I broaden my options?
Also, lastly, I really want a camera that takes the photo when I press the button- without the delays that can happen with red-eye reduction flashes or other delays.. Is there any info about this for this camera?
I know you may think that you want to stay away from SLRs, but you are really talking about features available only in the SLR world. Why not jump in the deep end and enjoy it?
Good luck, Sarah!
Input: ~100v-240v (50/60Hz)
Output: DC 4.2v (0.25A)
I'd check your charger to see if the model # matches mine.
Picasa3 is now available free from Google and it does a wonderful job of downloading your images and keeping them organized, too.
Is there is a specific sequence of tasks to perform in order to save videos? If the video is not finished running but the power is shut off, does that delete the movie? The strange thing is that I looked at the video once after recording but then it was deleted. Could the 'lost' video be 'hidden' somewhere else in one of the camera functions? What steps can I perform to be sure to save the video and photos? Thanks for any advice.
Try a USB memory card reader and see if you can read the card from your computer. The files may still be there.
I think you can do better. But if it's just between these two, I give the W120 the edge.
i come to these two models- sony w120 and kodak M1093IS. my range is Rs.12000
so plz suggest me simple way out of this problem. if psbl, thn make a quick answer...
But on it's face, I'd go with SONY. Did I just say that? LOL. yes, I did. over the last few years, Kodak has been in a slump on cameras.
I currently have a Nikon Coolpix L3 5.1, but is considering upgrading to a w120.
Please suggest alternatives to the w120 without this weakness.
I will follow up on your suggestions.
The W130 and 150 have 15MB internal Flash Memory, the W120 doesn't. The W130/150 have Red-Eye Reduction. The W120 doesn't.
The W130 and 150 has semi manual focus, the W120 is full auto. The W150 has a larger optical zoom at 5x.
The W150 has 10MP; the W130 is 8.1 and the W120 is 7.2MP. Frankly, I think that the W150 has too much MP to work with on such tiny CCD chips. I came across an interesting article today about how more mega pixels is not necessarily a good thing. According to Image Engineering ( 6mpixel.org/en/? ) – a company that does testing of digital cameras for photo magazines in Germany – the quality of digital pictures has steadily decreased since the state of the art was six megapixels back in 2004. And because they don’t have a “dog in this hunt,” they put forth a compelling argument for buying new digital cameras with less mega pixels and not more.
The argument is essentially this: CCD chips on point and shoot cameras a smaller and as such, fitting in more pixels causes them to lose light sensivity. Sure, there’s more data on the chip, but the chip can’t absorb the light data and what it ends up with is a picture that has more noise than image quality. In addition, the more megapixels a camera has, the larger the lens it needs to provide the clarity it deserves and prevent diffraction due to a loss of detail with smaller apertures. But since we’re talking portable point and shoots here, those large lenses simply aren’t being made.
Finally, with larger mega pixels comes longer saving time due to their requires huge storage capacity, or more compression if not storing images in RAW format. The result is a noisier image and a dissatisfied camera user who thirsts for high quality and speed but fell into the trap of "more must mean better."
In the end, relying on a smaller MP that can balance all these needs may indeed be a better answer.
So that leads me back to the W130 and W120. If you don't mind the limited features of the W120, this will give you better low light performance than the other two. But if you like the whistles and bells, then the W130 is a decent compromise.
Me, I'd get a Canon.
or it only can shoot movie for 10 mins??
You can get a side by side comparison of the features of these two cameras here ( dpreview.com/reviews/compar... ).
To summarize, there's not a great difference between the two cameras, but the W150 is certainly the more advanced of the two. It's 8MP vs the W120's 7MP (though on the same size sensor), has a longer zoom and a slightly wider wide angle, more manual controls, and a bigger/higher resolution screen.
Of course, it also costs more. There's always a catch. :)
Hope this helps!
Seems it depends what you value (speed or features):
On paper the W150 is the better of the two cameras.
But based on reviews, the better specs slow down the W150 camera a little bit in comparison to the W120.
To be clear, we're only talking about .1 - .2 seconds here, but to some people that's enough.
Flash cycling for the W120 are reportedly significantly faster too (by about 1 second).
Currently with only a 10$ price difference between the two, its a tough call.
- W150 has more zoom (5x vs 4x)
- W150 supports Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB), great for HDR images
If the price is a toss-up, I'd buy the W120 because the image stabilization never hurts!
Then there's the premium one tends to pay for the SONY nameplate.
Then again, if you have had a SONY in the past it may be a good idea to stay with the family as you can then continue to use your memory sticks from the previous model.
Thank you for your answer. You have a few good points. However, in terms of camera features, quality and price, which would be a better deal? I heard the W130 has also got the smile shutter system which seems to be a further advantage.
Thanks, Clinton
Usually, I advise waiting until the second or third year before taking advantage of a new technology like that. But I like the idea. The SD1100, on the other hand, is tested and seasoned by time over the last few years. That's where I'd be leaning. But those colors of the Sony! LOL.
In the end, when trying to make a final call, it may just come down to what camera feels good in your hand. Go to a local camera store and check both out side by side, holding them, feeling their center of gravity, the balance. How it sits in your hand. That usually sells me one way or the other.
I like both models but functionality wise which one is better.
I came across an interesting article today about how more mega pixels is not necessarily a good thing. According to Image Engineering ( 6mpixel.org/en/? ) – a company that does testing of digital cameras for photo magazines in Germany – the quality of digital pictures has steadily decreased since the state of the art was six megapixels back in 2004. And because they don’t have a “dog in this hunt,” they put forth a compelling argument for buying new digital cameras with less mega pixels and not more.
The argument is essentially this: CCD chips on point and shoot cameras a smaller and as such, fitting in more pixels causes them to lose light sensivity. Sure, there’s more data on the chip, but the chip can’t absorb the light data and what it ends up with is a picture that has more noise than image quality. In addition, the more megapixels a camera has, the larger the lens it needs to provide the clarity it deserves and prevent diffraction due to a loss of detail with smaller apertures. But since we’re talking portable point and shoots here, those large lenses simply aren’t being made.
Finally, with larger mega pixels comes longer saving time due to their requires huge storage capacity, or more compression if not storing images in RAW format. The result is a noisier image and a dissatisfied camera user who thirsts for high quality and speed but fell into the trap of "more must mean better."
In the end, relying on a smaller MP that can balance all these needs may indeed be a better answer.
Sony Cybershot W120 Reviews
Sony Cybershot W120 Reviews by Digital Camera-HQ Users
- 5.0 out of 5
I bought this one reading one of youtibe reviews and am so far more than happy with its performance. I've shot some beautiful landscapes using the "program" mode which is enough to shoot almost any kind of pics. For those who don't own the camera, the program mode has the highest number of options to optimize your pics. Being a jewelry designer, i've had to click some macro pics and the camera worked like a charm. When u try viewing the photos on an HDTV with trueHD (LG 42LH50), the pics seem like they've been taken on an SLR (yup!). Flash in the night pics helps. Only problem with this one is u can't use the specified SCN functions proplerly, e.g: "beach" mode can't be used to capture pics on a beach. Overall, I've compared W120's quality to a 12mp T900 and guess what, W120 wins hands down!!
- 1.0 out of 5
the quality sucks....moved from the w55 and was totally disappointed..as far as im concern they could movve all the music features etc and provide better quality
- 2.0 out of 5
I gave away my 4mp sony dsc s90 before I got this one. I just assumed that the picture quality could only be better. What a mistake! I was shocked at how bad the indoor picture quality is on this one. Anything but broad daylight yields dark, grainy, and blurry pictures. The old camera pictures were 100% better! I guess I've learned my lesson on this one. You know what they say about assumptions! If you've got an older 4-5mp camera, DON'T trade it for something newer expecting better pictures. I've read that higher megapixels are actually making picture quality worse because they are cramming too many pixels on the same size sensor so they can claim the higher mp number. This actually degrades the quality because the pixels have to be much smaller and less light sensitive. What a rip off!
- 4.0 out of 5
I am Using Sony Digital Cameras about six years.. I started to use with DSC P9(4M) Camera... That's great one.. After I use DSC L9 - this also not bad..But more Pic's in Blur... Now I buy w120 - almost Six Months Now.. From my Experience... it's really great. main Point is Pictures had great quality and perfect.. No Blur..or Shaking... Very Intresting Features like Smile Shutter and Image Stabilizer.. etc.. The Prblm I found on W120 is Body get Hot while take pictures.., Also charger is Seperate.. We can't take pictures ..if Battery Charging Mode..(all old models have this function..and it's use full too)..
Regarding Pictures.. it had great quality.. I am working in Trading Company .. So I have to take more Pic's of Samples... Before I need to take at least 3 pic's for each ... But with W120... I AM REALLY HAPPY... IT'S PERFECT..!
- 1.0 out of 5
I've been a sony cybershot user for almost 7 yrs. We used to have an older model that was 3.2 megapixels and decided a yr ago to upgrade....what a mistake. This updated model does not produce near the quality that our older one did. They may look good on the screen, but when blown up or reviewing on computer screen, they look blurred and terrible. We thought maybe it was a lack of knowledge in knowing all the features of the camera.....after reading and spending ALOT of time with the manual, trying different settings and backgrounds, no change or help. Some pictures are ok, but the majority are not good enough to have blown up and displayed. What a disappointment and a waste of money.
- 5.0 out of 5
best thing ever! I love it so much! GET it!
I had a camera b4 this but this beats it by far.
- 2.0 out of 5
It's been pretty good when I first got it. Then it starts having problems with zoom, tells me to turn it off and on again. It turns off by itself, even while recording. Doesn't always switch to a diffrent mode. When it's in a picture taking mode and I try to switch to view photos mode, it switches for a second and goes back to picture taking. I have to turn it off and on again for it to work normally. I really didn't like thist camera, wouldn't get the same one again.
- 4.0 out of 5
how to handle tha unit w120 properly, and operational procedure.
- 2.0 out of 5
I received my first sony cybershot in December of 2007. I loved the camera. It took quality photos.... at first. After one year it would work sometimes. I would turn the camera on. the zoom would go out, go in part way and go back out. The screen would say TURN CAMERA ON AND OFF AGAIN. I would do just that and it would say the same thing. and a few days later it would work just fine. I got so frustrated with it I busted the zoom right off.... since i had already bought 3 extra batteries (not cheap) and extra chargers I decided it was a year old and I probably didn't take that great of care with it. I bought the same camera 7.2 pixels this time. Had quality photos again. Took extremely good care of it this time. It is not even a year old now and the zoom thing started to happen again.... a day later it worked but the flash will not turn on. It says the flash setting cannot be changed. I called the tech support. They had me try a number of different things...... still no flash. my 6 month old camera is now my biggest waste of money EVER! I am trying to find the receipt so I can get it fixed under the warranty. I loved the camera when it worked but will never buy a sony cybershot again. I am even considering not buying any sony camera. A throw away camera is more useful to me.
- 5.0 out of 5
In my honest opinion, Sony w120 is truly the one to beat. I content with it.
- 1.0 out of 5
I bought this camera and used it to important holiday trips, and I was very disappointed with the quality of the pictures, and knowing I cannot pro-create any of my trips.
I tried all settings, and nothing seems to come out clearly. All pictures, with light or low light, day or night, comes out pretty grainy. Returned it back as soon as I got home from the trip.
- 5.0 out of 5
This camera has great picture quality, incredible features, and you can't beat the price. The features are great and I love the easy settings and view finder. I don't know what people are talking about with low light. The pictures turned out great for me. The only downside is the memory stick, which costs more and isn't compatible with all computers. The SD cards in normal cameras are much easier and more universal.
- 5.0 out of 5
I'm not sure why so many are having problems with low light photos. Maybe I'm just not that picky but my pics are coming out great. I just got this for Christmas to replace my DSC T1 and I am very pleased so far.
I love all the options available and the clarity of the pics.
I've been a dedicated Sony electronics customer for many years and have as yet to be disappointed.
- 5.0 out of 5
Very good camera. So may features are included to get good picture at any type of condition.
- 4.0 out of 5
For 139.99 it's a great deal for a Sony with features of W120.
Could spend more for better quality, why though for the average person. A civic gets you from point A to B just as a Lexus would. The W120 takes pictures satisfactory.
- 2.0 out of 5
I love to scrapbook but am not a prof photographer. I took about 60 pics. The picture quality for the indoor pics was terrible. I just returned the camera and bought a Canon.
- 3.0 out of 5
low light no good quality picture
- 2.0 out of 5
I got this camera as a b/day gift. I have been into photography for many many years. While I do enjoy having a camera that I can carry in my purse, this camera is being exchanged today for something else. It takes great pictures outdoors, but if you want to photograph anything indoors then this is just bad. Anything in low light produces noisy/pixilated/blurred and just an overall bad quality. I'm very disappointed and on my way to exchange it for a Canon. Sorry Sony :(
- 3.0 out of 5
Horrible, horrible, horrible. Just horrible when it comes to low light situations. After purchasing the camera and taking my 1st set of pictures, everyone was saying how neat the camera was with the face recognition and how beautiful the pics looked on the LCD. we were inside a restaurant with ok lighting as expected. but the pictures did look good...on the LCD. but when i got home and downloaded the images on to my computer, what a noticeable difference in the picture quality. pixelation and distortion like crazy. and then i took some pictures outdoors, at night. same situation. look great on the camera LCD, horrible once on my computer and blown up. bottomline, if you're just looking for a camera to take ok photos to send via email, this camera, like most others, will do. but if you want to actually make prints from pictures taken by the Soney W120, forget about it.