Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W350 review

There are 10 scene-shooting options, including 'beach', 'snow', 'food', 'pet', and 'underwater', for use with an add-on housing. There's a version of Sony's 'sweep panorama' feature, too, which allows you to quickly and easily take panoramic shots horizontally or vertically. Although fun, the results just aren't as good as those from Sony's Exmor R-based models, like the Cyber-shot DSC-WX1 and DSC-TX1. Consider them for Web use only, or very small prints. Finally, the movie mode records at resolutions up to 720p, with a mono mic for audio, and use of the optical zoom while recording.

Mixed performance
The DSC-W350's shooting performance is mixed, but at least its shutter lag is below average. In bright conditions, the time from pressing the shutter release to capture is 0.4 seconds. In low-light conditions, the lag only goes up to 0.7 seconds. The camera is also pretty quick for its class in terms of continuous shooting, at 1.9 frames per second. From powering it on to taking the first shot takes an okay 1.9 seconds, too. But the wait between shots is fairly long: 3.1 seconds without the flash, and 3.9 seconds with. These times make the DSC-W350 best suited for portrait and landscape shots, rather than photographing moving subjects.

The photo quality is very good for a camera in this price range, but there are some issues. The camera is capable of consistently fine-quality snapshots, particularly outdoors in daylight. Sensitivities go from ISO 80 up to ISO 3,200, but usability for prints above 8 by 10 inches drops off at ISO 200. This is because, even at ISO 80, photos viewed at full size have noise that only gets more pronounced as the sensitivity gets higher. Add to that the watery effect of Sony's noise suppression and you end up with pictures that appear soft. If you're planning to make prints larger than 4 by 6 inches, keep the ISO as low as possible. If you're okay with having some noise in exchange for getting a shot, photos up to ISO 1,600 can be usable for small prints or for online use, as long as you're not doing much cropping.

Speaking of cropping, ideally a 14.1-megapixel resolution should buy you a fair amount of room for cutting down your images. But the W350's photos are generally soft and lacking in fine detail when viewed at full size, with the exception of those taken in macro. If you're one to crop in a great deal on subjects and then want to create prints of 13 by 19 inches, you probably won't be happy with this camera (or any other compact at this price, really). Also, despite the camera creating photos of 45 by 60 inches, Sony only recommends prints of up to 13 by 19 inches with the W350.

As for the wide-angle lens, Sony's kept the barrel distortion in check, and there's no sign of pincushioning at the long end of the zoom, either. The amount of purple fringing is normal for a camera in its class. Centre sharpness is fairly good, but subjects off to the sides are noticeably softer.

Colours are bright and natural and reasonably accurate, although blues seem to be pumped up slightly. Exposure is generally good, leaning towards underexposed, but highlights are prone to clipping.

Video quality is good, too, and on a par with that of a pocket camcorder. You also get use of the 4x zoom while you're recording. Unfortunately, if you want to view HD movies and photos directly from the camera on a high-definition TV, you'll need to pony up for a proprietary component cable that connects to the multi-use terminal on the camera's bottom.

Shooting speed (in seconds)
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)

Time to first shot

Typical shot-to-shot time (flash)

Typical shot-to-shot time

Shutter lag (dim)

Shutter lag (typical)

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290

1.3 

2.7 

2.3 

0.7 

0.4 

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W350

1.9 

3.9 

3.1 

0.7 

0.4 

Nikon Coolpix S640

1 

2.7 

2.4 

0.8 

0.4 

Canon Digital IXUS 120 IS

1.4 

6.2 

2.9 

0.9 

0.6 

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15

2 

3.3 

3.1 

1 

0.7 

Conclusion
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W350 is a great little snapshot camera. It has just enough features to justify its price, along with a good-looking design and uncomplicated operation. As is the case with most models in its class, the DSC-W350 is at its best when shooting portrait and landscape shots in bright conditions. Also, regardless of the resolution stamped on its body, its photos will generally not be great viewed at their full size from a foot away on your computer screen. They will, however, make fine prints at 8 by 10 inches or smaller, and look good viewed on a TV from a proper distance or on your favourite photo-sharing site.

Edited by Charles Kloet