Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290

1. CNET

"A compelling package," says CNET's Joshua Goldman of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290. While not as the svelte as the Sony T-series, the W290 sports "terrific" design, an easy-to-use interface and a 28 mm wide angle and 5x zoom lens. Despite some soft image quality and lack of zoom in movie mode, Goldman considers the W290 a solid compact camera with an excellent price-to-feature ratio.

Review: Sony Cyber-shot DCS-W290, Joshua Goldman, May 19, 2009

2. DigitalCameraHQ.com

The "unassuming" Sony Cyber-shot DCS-W290 packs a bunch of appealing features that will give buyers "the best bang for their buck," says reviewer Michael Patrick Brady. The 12.1-megapixel sensor, 5x optical zoom lens with its noteworthy 28 mm wide angle, and HD video capabilities all work in the W290's favor.

Review: Sony Cybershot W290 Digital Camera Review, Michael Patrick Brady

3. PC World

Even though the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 isn't as pocket-friendly as other point-and-shoot models, Tim Moynihan considers it a great option. The 28 mm wide-angle lens, the 3-inch LCD screen, HD movie capabilities and ease of use all earn brownie points. However, image noise rises at the higher ISO settings, and the optical image stabilization struggles when put to the shake test.

Review: Sony Cybershot W290 Digital Camera, Tim Moynihan, July 13, 2009

4. Amazon.com

More than half of the 100 owners posting feedback at Amazon.com give the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 a 4- or 5-star rating for its sturdiness, ease of use and 3-inch LCD that's visible in bright sunlight. Image and video quality rate well among many, though some owners are not impressed. The lack of manual modes or a zoom in video mode are among the shortcomings.

Review: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290, Contributors to Amazon.com