Sony DSC-W350 14.1MP Digital Camera with 4x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 2.7 inch LCD (Black)

I wanted a camera that I could slip into my front pocket and not feel as though it was there - the Sony 350 does this. I wanted clear quality pics capturing all the quality of colors - the Sony 350 does this.I have three large Canon digital cameras which cost in the thousands dollars. They work great - but they cannot fit in my pocket - and I was seeking a small but high quality camera. I spent a year talking with others who had large digital cameras asking them if they owned a smaller pocket one - the overall answer was a Cybershot. Didn't really matter which model they owned, they were all very satisfied with the Cybershot. The Cybershot's lenses is made by a German engineering firm. No other pocket size camera has such quality.So the question for me was which model, and that took four months of debate. I am satisfied with the Sony DSC-W350; I would purchase it again. It actually has more features (shot, video, etc) than I was seeking, and I may never use the video feature since I am primarily a still photo shooter.I will chat about the camera below, but just want to say three quick things if you decide to purchase this camera. It initially needs 8 hours for a full charge on the battery. The internal memory is very small - spend the money for a larger size memory. I purchased 8 GB - which I had purchased 16 GB since on a trip there isn't always the ability to download the pics to a laptop or computer. If you are good with figuring out electronics (or owned a digital camera before - the six page book and your ability are sufficient to launch right off into a trip). If you need more info - you will have to load the disc for the full manual. I left on a trip two days after the camera arrived and was able to operate it fine without the full manual, but when I returned I dug into the manual for answers to all my many questions.I was going to purchase the Cybershot via Costco (yes, between Costco and Amazon it constitutes 96% of our household purchases - we have even purchased lawn mowers via Amazon). But, with not having to pay the sales tax on Amazon I was able to take these monies and use them toward an 8 GB memory.This isn't a major negative, yet I want to mention it. The standard digital (larger quality cameras) can take a pic directly into the sun. There are times when you have no choice to move around - such as on a ship, or other confined areas. The sun washes out any view you have in the viewfinder with the Sony 350. None of the Cybershots can do this. And, from my research I did not learn of any pocket cameras that could. Again, one cannot have everything in a pocket size camera. It isn't a major issue, but if one is use to taking pics into the sun (if you own a larger quality camera) don't be disappointed when you cannot with the Cybershot.With my larger Canon cameras I very rarely use a flash in dim lighting and due to the camera's ability the pics are great. The Sony 350 does not have the ability to take pictures in the no flash setting and capture quality pics with dim light. One cannot have everything though with a camera that can slip into your pocket. (The Sony 350 has an fast button for clicking flash on and off.)When I go on trip (though age 63) I still make the trip an adventure as though I was in college. I also run full and half marathons. I wanted a camera that I could take with me when on occasions a larger camera wouldn't work. The Sony arrived one day before I left for the NYC Half Marathon. I purchased the Sony 350 to carry with me on the this run. Yes, it is that small, it can fit in your fist. It was covered with sweat but still took great pics and had no problem later with the sweat being on the camera, and the camera working fine. The camera was passed around to others running in my group so we all part took in enjoying pics of each other. I couldn't have done that with one of my larger cameras.I took the Cybershot (along with a Canon) with me on a camping trip to Alaska in the early Spring - still below freezing with snow everywhere. I gave the Sony 350 to the other person, and they had a blast taking pictures on their own. The other person has never owned a camera yet still took great pics - that's the quality of this camera. We camped at the base camp of Mt. Mc Kinley (or Denali) and the Sony was in the snow often - never bothered the camera's ability to continue to operate.I now leave the Sony 350 in my car so it is readily accessible. It is so small it can easily be kept in many locations not visible to a person looking in the car. There have been many times over the many years I wish I had a camera with me to take pics when I had not planned on doing so. Oh, I have a camera on my cell, but the quality (as we all know) is limited. The Sony 350 is small and captures the pics I want.I will always take the Sony 350 with me on trips, along with my larger Canon cameras. I can keep the Sony 350 in my pocket at all times, and capture many candid pics that I couldn't have done with the Canon since everyone would know I was in the picture taking mood with a larger camera. The Sony is also very easy to use, and folks will now say - let me take a pic of you. They won't do that with my larger cameras - they were too intimidated by the larger camera (full of buttons and switches on the Canons).I would purchase the Cybershot again. My only regret is I should have purchased it a year earlier to have part take in the fun of having a pocket size camera.

As of now, I'm a pretty big Sony camera user: I have had the Sony w180, Sony w290, and now this camera the Sony w350. Not to mention that I photograph semi-professionally with my trusted Sony a700 and Zeiss lens (jcasasphotography.com - shameless plug =) Anyways, this camera is definitely a gem to use. It's the perfect weight and size that can stay in my pocket everyday. I even chose this over the Sony hx5 even though that camera surely had better specs. My main purpose though is to have a good camera on me all the time. Even with the Sony w290, the large bulge in my pocket made it uncomfortable to carry the entire day. With the w350, it simply can be forgotten in my pocket as it's that small.Use is straight forward: I personally keep mine in Program mode and try to never zoom to retain the 2.7 aperture. [Zooming jumps the aperture beyond 2.7--this is why zoom lenses with a constant aperture of 2.8 are really expensive] That is to be noted as well for any photographers out there knowing their apertures and shutters: this is one of the few cams that has an aperture of 2.7 for this price! Many other Sony Cybershots start at 3.5. With an aperture of 2.7, it definitely allows you to gather plenty of light for low-light photography.I also chose this camera over the PowerShot series because of the Sweep Panorama mode. While I don't expect to print a panorama anytime soon, it's a great option to really capture some great scenery if you don't have your DSLR + ultra wide angle lens on you. I know that you can stitch together individual photos but this mode makes it extra easy to do so with some pretty good results.HD video is good enough in my opinion. For me, it definitely beats carrying multiple devices [I'd rather get a pocket camera that can shoot HD video than a Flip or comparable video camcorder that can shoot stills]Battery life is something I'd like more of. I was able to achieve more from the w290 in my opinion but with the low price of this camera, it's definitely affordable to get a spare battery.All in all, I couldn't be anymore happier with this camera. The Sony Cybershot family is great indeed and it'll have to be something really special for me to switch to a Canon in the pocket camera series.

This is my first time to write a review of any product. I researched point-and-shoot cameras for two months before purchasing this camera. The photo quality was terrible - bottom line. The features were hard to use and disappointing. Right out of the box the lens cover did not work- did not open or close all of the way. The Sony support person was friendly, but the call took forever and did not fix the problem. The USB connection cable was missing. The camera was just terrible on all fronts. I am thankful to Amazon for an easy refund. I read a million reviews while shopping for a new camera and I hope this makes someone take another look at their options. Canon, Nikon and definitely Samsung are better options. Trust me.