Fun little camera, with great novelty appeal (Sony Cyber-shot U DSC-U20)

Member Name: andy conda

Product:	Sony Cyber-shot U DSC-U20
Date:	23/09/03 (195 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: looks great, built well, good value

Disadvantages: no zoom, small memory stick, carry case not included

This isn't the coolest camera out there. Or the most expensive. Or the most technically sophisticated, not by a long way. But it still looks amazing, and just feels conceptually right. It never fails to attract "oohs" and "aahs" when you get it out!

Picture quality is pretty good with 2 megapixels resolution. I get good quality 6" x 4" prints out of mine, no problem. I use Jessops, who can do prints from just 15p each. You just give them your memory stick - very convenient.

It's a lovely simple piece of design, with little superfluous detail. One thing that could be classed as a design flaw is the positionof the lens - it's on the far right of the camera, and it's easy to put your finger in front of the lens if you're not careful.

Unfortunately, charging the batteries each time is a bit of a fiddle (they need to be removed and charged in a separte unit, which takes 12 hours), but the batteries last a long time once charged.

It's ideal as a "fun" camera to take out clubbing and stuff like that, which is exactly how I use mine. It works OK in dark conditions, and red-eye is not too bad!

Definitely recommended to anyone who wants a compact and well made digital camera. Note that the standard memory stick is only 8Mb which is equivalent to just 15 hi-res pictures. But I got a 128Mb stick on ebay for £35, which solves all my picture storage problems!

Downsides include a lack of optical zoom, and difficulties capturing fast-moving objects. I believe there are cameras available now which offer 3 megapixels and optical zoom in a similarly small package e.g. Pentax Optio S and Canon Ixus. But they cost a lot more, and for under 200 quid, this is the coolest camera out there!

Summary: