Sony DSC-W230 Cyber-shot Digital Camera (Silver)
Remember the Essentials
Sufficient memory is not included. Don't get caught without memory, get a high-capacity memory card.
The Sony Cyber-shot W230 contains a variety of neat technologies in a sleek, brushed-aluminum package. Designed around a 12.1 megapixel (1/2.3") Super HAD CCD sensor, the W230 features a Carl Zeiss-designed 4x (5.35-21.4 mm) power zoom that covers the equivalent field-of-view of a 30 - 120 mm lens. Despite its compact size, the W230 can capture up to 100 continuous exposures at speeds up to 1.8fps thanks in part to its Sony BIONZ image processor. Along with vibrant still images, the W230 can also capture vivid video clips.
For easy composing, viewing and editing your still and video imagery, the Cyber-shot W230 features a 3" 230,400-dot Photo Clear LCD. For capturing stills, the W230 offers an immense selection of exposure and scene mode selections including an Easy Shooting Mode for those wishing to keep things nice and simple. There are also in-camera retouching tools available for enhancing your pictures post-capture.
Still images can be captured at 8 levels of JPEG compression and video with sound (mono) at 3 levels of image compression to best fit your needs. To further enhance your pictures, the Cyber-shot W230 has a PHOTOMUSIC feature, which combines music and a selection of visual effects into your still image slideshows and video clips.
For admiring your pictures on a grander scale, you can output images at sizes up to and exceeding 13x19", or view them in high-definition on a Sony BRAVIA or similarly compatible HDTV using the optional VMC-MHC2 HD output adapter cable.
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which is good for about 350 images (or 175 minutes of video), and along with 15MB of internal memory records images onto Memory Stick PRO and Memory Stick DUO PRO (up to 16GB) media.
- 12.1 Megapixel Super HAD CCD Imaging
- Capture brilliantly sharp images for print sizes of up Super A3 and still have ample wiggle room to crop into your image files when you need to get in tighter than the zoom lens allowed at the time of image capture
- Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 4x Power Zoom
- The Cyber-shot W230 features a 30 - 120 mm equivalent Carl Zeiss-designed power zoom lens. Containing 6 elements in 5 groups (with 3 aspheric surfaces), the W230 should prove to be ideal for capturing all of your day-tripping activities
- 3" Clear View LCD Display
- A bright 3" 230,400-dot LCD display enables you to easily compose, review, and edit your pictures as you take them
- BIONZ Image Processor
- A Sony BIONZ image processor guarantees life-like color, improved shadow and highlight detail, along with quick start-up times and quick-to-respond camera performance
- Shoot Stills and Video
- The Cyber-shot W230 captures JPEG still images at 8 levels of compression and video clips with sound (mono) at 3 levels of MPEG compression. In video mode you can capture up to 10 minutes of continuous shooting (640 x 480 @ 30fps)
- Automatic or Manual Scene Selections
- For choosing the best exposure parameters for each scene you capture the W230 offers you a choice of manually choosing from a selection of 10 Scene modes or set the camera to Intelligent Scene mode (iSCN) and the camera will automatically select the best out of 8 auto Scene modes
- Face Detection and Smile Shutter
- To better guarantee optimized portraits the Cyber-shot W230 can detect up to 8 faces in a scene and program the camera to produce exposures optimized for clean skin tones and contrast levels. The camera's Smile Shutter feature prevents the camera from taking an exposure until it detects a smile on the primary face(s). There's also an Anti-Blink function that detects eyes that seem to blink every time you press the shutter button
- Sharp Images Even Under Low-light Conditions
- The W230 combines dual image stabilization technologies to better ensure sharp images. When set to SteadyShot mode, the camera quickly captures 2 images and combines the best elements of each into a single optimized photograph. When shooting under low-light conditions, the camera's High Sensitivity Mode boosts the sensor's ISO sensitivity levels up to 3200 to further guarantee sharp images regardless of lighting conditions
- In-Camera Retouching and Re-Sizing Tools
- The Cyber-shot W230 features a selection of retouching tools that allow you to perform a variety of post-capture image improvements including Trimming and Red-eye reduction, and image re-sizing to best fit your output needs
- Stamina Battery
- The camera's lithium-ion battery allows for up to 150 minutes of extended video capture or over 370 exposures-per-charge
Go To
| Camera Type | Point-and-shoot Digital Camera |
| Imaging | |
|---|---|
| Resolution | Effective: 12.1MP, Recorded: 12.4MP |
| Sensor | 1/2.3" CCD |
| Bit Depth | Not Specified By Manufacturer |
| File Formats | JPEG, MPEG1 |
| File Size | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Color Spaces | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Creative Color Modes | Normal, Vivid, Sepia & B&W |
| Image Stabilization | Yes |
| Crop Factor | N/A |
| Optics | |
|---|---|
| Lens | 5.35-21.4mm f/2.8-5.8 (35mm film equivalent: 30-120mm) |
| Zoom | Optical: 4x, Digital: 8x |
| Lens Mount | N/A |
| Focus Type | Autofocus & semi-manual |
| Focus Range | Normal: 1.6' (50cm) - infinity |
| Accessory Lens/Filter Mount | 46mm (with optional Lens Adapter) |
| Shooting Controls | |
|---|---|
| Sensitivity | ISO 100-3200 |
| Shutter Speeds |
Auto: 1/4 - 1/1,600 sec Program Auto: 1 - 1/1,600 sec |
| Metering | 9-Point Evaluative, Center-weighted Average, Spot |
| Exposure Modes | Intelligent Auto, Easy Shooting, Program Auto, Movie (Auto Adjustment, High Sensitivity, Underwater), Custom Scenes (High Sensitivity, Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Soft Snap, Landscape, Beach, Snow, Fireworks, Hi-speed Shutter, Underwater, Gourmet) |
| White Balance | Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent (1, 2, 3), Flash, Underwater White Balance Mode (Auto, Underwater 1, Underwater 2) |
| Mirror Lock-Up | N/A |
| Burst Capability | 1.8fps continuous shooting (max 100 shots) |
| Self Timer | 10 & 2 seconds |
| Interval Recording | No |
| Remote Control | No |
| Flash | |
|---|---|
| Built-in Flash | Yes |
| Effective Flash Range |
Wide: 7.8" - 12.8' (0.2 - 3.9 m) Tele: 1.7" - 6.2' (0.5 - 1.9 m) |
| External Flash Connection | No |
| Dedicated Flash System | N/A |
| Max Sync Speed | N/A |
| Memory | |
|---|---|
| Built-in Memory | Yes (approx. 15MB) |
| Memory Card Type | Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo |
| Still Images per GB | 204 @ max resolution |
| A/V Recording | |
|---|---|
| Video Recording | Video with mono Audio, NTSC & PAL Output |
| Video Resolution | 640 x 480 @ 30fps (VX Fine), 640x480 @ 16fps (VX Standard), 320 x 240 @ 8.3fps (Presentation) |
| Video Clip Length | Limited by card size, 10min. max continuous shooting |
| Audio Recording | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Viewfinder/Display | |
|---|---|
| Viewfinder Type | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Viewfinder Coverage | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Display | 3.0" LCD |
| Connectivity/System Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | USB 2, A/V Out |
| System & Software Requirements |
Windows XP, Vista Mac OS X (10.2 or later) |
| Environmental | |
|---|---|
| Operating/Storage Temperature |
Operating Temperature:32-104°F/0-40°C Humidity: Less than 90% |
| Weatherproofing | Not Specified By Manufacturer |
| Durability | Not Specified By Manufacturer |
| Power | |
|---|---|
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion "G" type rechargeable battery (NP-BG1 included) |
| Power Adapter | AC-LS5K AC Adapter optional |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 3.75 x 2.25 x 0.8" (95 x 57 x 22mm) |
| Weight | 5.5 oz (156g) incl. battery & memory |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 10 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
80%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Easy to use (8)
- Large clear LCD (7)
- Simple controls (5)
- Great picture quality (4)
- Image stabilization (4)
Cons
Best Uses
- Travel (8)
- Family photos (6)
- Low light (4)
- Fun (3)
- Video (3)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Photo enthusiast (5), Casual photographer (4)
Most Liked Positive Review
Good snapshot camera for the price
I already have a Canon D40, so I didn't really want a big expensive camera. I wanted something to stick in my purse and take places with me for quick snapshots. Not something I...Read complete review
I already have a Canon D40, so I didn't really want a big expensive camera. I wanted something to stick in my purse and take places with me for quick snapshots. Not something I would use for expansive landscapes or anything, but this camera is quick, responsive, and intuitive for snapshots. My biggest pet peeve about point-and-shoots is the lag time between pressing the button and getting the shot. This one has one of the quickest shutter lags I've come across. You can also focus on your subject and then take the shot quickly when they smile or do a trick or the moment you're waiting for. For [$], well worth it. The only thing I would consider a con is that it has no internal memory so you have to buy a Memory Stick ProDuo for it, which is about 15 bucks for a 2-4 gig. It's also really light and thin, compared to the other point and shoots in the price range.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
fuzzy pictures
This camera was easy to use and the lcd screen is larger than most, but the overall picture quality was not good at all. I shot mostly on the the auto setting and most ...Read complete review
This camera was easy to use and the lcd screen is larger than most, but the overall picture quality was not good at all. I shot mostly on the the auto setting and most of my photos came out fuzzy and not crisp at all. This may have been a problem with the lens or focus mechanism in that particular camera, as evidenced by the upper left hand corner of each photo being blurrier than the rest of the photo. I bought this camera because of the 4x zoom and the 12.1 megapixels (a better bargain than other brands for the price), but ultimately returned the camera because the photo quality was so poor. This camera also has a HUGE lag time between photos, which is inconvenient at best. I do not recommend this camera.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 10 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-10
Pros
- Good Image Stabilization
- Great Zoom
- Short Lag Time
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Indoors/Low Light
- Travel
- Video
Comments about Sony DSC-W230 Cyber-shot Digital Camera (Silver):
I already have a Canon D40, so I didn't really want a big expensive camera. I wanted something to stick in my purse and take places with me for quick snapshots. Not something I would use for expansive landscapes or anything, but this camera is quick, responsive, and intuitive for snapshots. My biggest pet peeve about point-and-shoots is the lag time between pressing the button and getting the shot. This one has one of the quickest shutter lags I've come across. You can also focus on your subject and then take the shot quickly when they smile or do a trick or the moment you're waiting for. For [$], well worth it. The only thing I would consider a con is that it has no internal memory so you have to buy a Memory Stick ProDuo for it, which is about 15 bucks for a 2-4 gig. It's also really light and thin, compared to the other point and shoots in the price range.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Good Image Quality
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Nice Body Color
- Short Lag Time
- Small / Compact
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Video
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife photos
Comments about Sony DSC-W230 Cyber-shot Digital Camera (Silver):
That's my third cybershot camera (the others I just sold to buy a new one). Great pictures and if you learn how to use all options, you can get better ones. I just love this camera. It's compact and pretty.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Good Image Quality
- Good Image Stabilization
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Small / Compact
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Indoors/Low Light
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Video
Comments about Sony DSC-W230 Cyber-shot Digital Camera (Silver):
Sony is a best company and B&H is a best price you can find. I am so happy fith sony DSC w230 Digital camera
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Good Image Quality
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
Best Uses
- Hunting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Travel
Comments about Sony DSC-W230 Cyber-shot Digital Camera (Silver):
Everything about the camera is easy to use. The large megapixel capacity produces great colors and clarity.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Large Clear LCD
- Short Lag Time
Cons
- No Viewfinder
- See Review
Best Uses
Comments about Sony DSC-W230 Cyber-shot Digital Camera (Silver):
Great camera easy to use BUT, it's lowest resolution is 1.3 meg. Email and web sites need just around 100 KB to work smoothly. This is a serious mistake they made.
It's other problem is the battery pack. Sony went from using flashlite batteries which you can get anywhere, to a special battery requiring their charger.
I'm giving this camera away as an Xmas present and finding a previous generation one that has the good features mentioned above. I lost mine, which is why I bought this one...
Pros
- Comfortable Controls
- Easy To Use
- Great Picture Quality
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Fun
- Travel
Comments about Sony DSC-W230 Cyber-shot Digital Camera (Silver):
Great to have in my purse and snap pics on the go. Easy to use right out of the box. If I want pictures of myself, anyone can handle it because it is so easy to use.
Pros
- Bright LCD
- Comfortable Controls
- Easy Setup
- Easy to Keep Clean
- Easy To Use
- Great Picture Quality
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Fun
- Travel
Comments about Sony DSC-W230 Cyber-shot Digital Camera (Silver):
That isa good camera for fun, like to take pictures of the family, friends, schoool, etc.
It has a large display a resolution.
Pros
- Comfortable Controls
- Great Picture Quality
Cons
- Short Battery Life
Best Uses
- Travel
Comments about Sony DSC-W230 Cyber-shot Digital Camera (Silver):
easy to use and the pictures are great,but its battery is really short life.
Pros
- Bright LCD
- Comfortable Controls
- Easy To Use
Cons
- Long Lag Time
- Poor Operation in Low Light
- Weak Construction
Best Uses
Comments about Sony DSC-W230 Cyber-shot Digital Camera (Silver):
This camera was easy to use and the lcd screen is larger than most, but the overall picture quality was not good at all. I shot mostly on the the auto setting and most of my photos came out fuzzy and not crisp at all. This may have been a problem with the lens or focus mechanism in that particular camera, as evidenced by the upper left hand corner of each photo being blurrier than the rest of the photo. I bought this camera because of the 4x zoom and the 12.1 megapixels (a better bargain than other brands for the price), but ultimately returned the camera because the photo quality was so poor. This camera also has a HUGE lag time between photos, which is inconvenient at best. I do not recommend this camera.
Pros
- Bright LCD
- Comfortable Controls
- Easy Setup
- Easy to Keep Clean
- Easy To Use
- Great Picture Quality
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Fun
- Travel
Comments about Sony DSC-W230 Cyber-shot Digital Camera (Silver):
Just returned from a vacation and I didn't have to read the instruction book the camera is so easy and takes wonderful pictures. I love it.
Displaying reviews 1-10
Batteries & Power
Always keep a spare battery handy so you won't get caught without power.
- Price: $28.21
- Price: $19.95
Bags & Cases
Carry, store, and protect all your equipment with a bag or a case.
- Price: $12.64
- Price: $22.57
Screen Protectors
Protect your LCD screen from scratches and finger prints.
- Price: $7.49
What's in the Box
- NP-BG1 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Pack (3.6V, 960mAh)
- BC-CSG Battery Charger
- A/V & USB Multi-Connector Cable
- Wrist Strap
- Software CD-ROM (Picture Motion Browser 4.2, USB Driver)
- User Guide
- 1-Year Manufacturers Limited Warranty
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