For a budget camera, the Sony Cyber-shot W220 is very quick and easy to use. It has the full range of standard features found on most compact cameras. The image-stabilized zoom lens has a good range of 30-120mm but its optical quality is just average: good in the center, slightly soft in the corners.

Like many other cameras with overstuffed / overkilled sensors, the W220 has 12 megapixels, which might sound like a good deal for a budget compact camera but it doesn't actually help image quality. In fact, we would rather take an 8 megapixels camera with better image quality any time. It's useful to know that at the present most high-end compact cameras sport 10 megapixels sensors for better image quality.

While its image quality could be better, the W220 is an excellent performer, it is easy to use and very quick in action. It makes for a very good budget camera.

 

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HIGH

• very responsive
• easy to use
• compact, attractive, solidly-built body
• useful 30-120mm zoom range
• effective optical image stabilization
• many features
• good 2.7" LCD

 

MIND

• image quality is average

WISE

• very good budget camera