Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-W150

We found high-quality reviews from a bunch of sources, including Digital Camera Resource Page, CNet.com, Steve's Digicams and DigitalCameraReview.com. All rely on sound testing, but CNet's is the most readable for a general audience. Although Consumer Reports doesn't review the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W150, we include its subscribers-only report because it covers three other models in Sony's DSC-W series. Owner reviews at Amazon.com offer good insights, just remember that most of the complaints can be found in reviews of other tiny digital cameras.

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W150 is basically a cheaper version of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W170 (*est. $225) ultracompact digital camera, the main difference being 8.1-megapixel resolution instead of 10.1. While reviews say the Canon PowerShot SD880 IS (*est. $250) is the best ultracompact, there are some advantages to the DSC-W150, chiefly a 5X Zeiss lens instead of the Canon's 3X. Like most Sony cameras, a "smile detection" feature is included that will snap a photo automatically. When professional reviews praise image quality and some user reviews pan it, remember it's relative. Ultracompact point-and-shoots are marketed to folks wanting something basic that's easy to use (although tiny buttons are a problem), and they don't deliver state-of-the-art images.