I bought originally a Sony DSC-S950 for about half the price of this camera, but I returned the same day due to a faulty flash bulb. I decided to upgrade to the W290, because I was not very happy with the S950 - it felt cheap, and missing features.
I've assembled this list of pros and cons of this camera. Do not let the seemingly long list of cons scare you, because they are all very small and not important enough for me to judge this camera is slightly less than 5 stars. I felt it was necessary to list everything I could think of. Unfortunately I could not really read the HD video function because I do not have HD cables (see below) and my computer seems to be too slow to properly play HD video.
Advantages:
-Brilliant color! I am very impressed by the colors in my photos, especially when shooting outdoor landscape shots (which is primarily what I bought this camera).
-Night-time shot using a tripod, turn out very well also to provide as much detail as you could see with their naked eye.
-Smile Shutter, as mentioned in previous reviews, works perfectly. One thing that does not seem to be mentioned anywhere, is that in Smile Shutter mode will continue to take pictures automatically as long as it keeps detecting smile, which is very cool. So if you take a group picture, and you're one of those people who likes to take three pictures of the same "just in case", just keep smiling and your camera will take care of it for you.
-There is a 3-shot burst mode where it automatically takes three images when you click the button: one with your usual EV, an at-1EV, and one at an EV (or different intervals, even if you choose). That once in a lifetime shot you take will have three different versions automatically, and you can select the one you like best and delete the rest later.
-The Intelligent Auto mode works well, it takes a lot of excitement from the ceiling, pressing the pictures. The only time I do not use it when I have plenty of time to plan for a shot.
-Start time is fantastic! I have seen other complaints from people who say that this camera takes too long to start and be ready for use, but these people must be the most impatient people ever, because this is faster than any other camera I've owned, digitally or otherwise. When you click the power button, fires out fast lens and the screen immediately displays the image, and is ready for action. Probably takes about 0.5 seconds from pressing the button to be ready for use.
Cons:
-The plastic on the LCD screen stand out from the camera body, making it easier scratched. I would recommend getting some screen protectors, as I am about to do.
The plug-in, all-in-one cable is in the bottom of the camera, it will be great when a dock is available, but in the meantime it is a very difficult place to plug in the cable. It forces you to put the camera on either the lens or the LCD side (as mentioned above are designed in such a way that it could be scratched fairly easily without a screen protector)
-Not 't come with HD video cables, just the typical yellow / red / white RCA analog cables. To see how this camera records HD video, it would be nice to play it in HD on my TV without burning it to a DVD first. You can buy the HD cables from Sony, if you really need them, however.
-Comes with a NP-BG1 battery, turn off the camera's ability to show you the remaining minutes. You must purchase the optional NP-FG1 battery to see it. It is the only difference being that both batteries have the same capacity. It was obviously designed that way to force us to buy an extra battery ... but that was fine with me as I planned on buying one anyway.
I would definitely recommend this camera to anyone looking for a high quality point-and-shoot digital camera!
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