Sony DPF-D80

Experts say Sony's 8-inch DPF-D80 (and 7-inch sibling DPF-D70) is an attractive, user-friendly frame that displays high-quality images. This unpretentious model accomplishes what many competing digital frames -- those with sleeker casings and longer lists of features -- do not, which is to simply offer outstanding picture quality. The DPF-D80's 800-by-480-pixel resolution delivers crisp images that receive special attention from reviewers for their rich, saturated colors and lack of distortion. Remote control and on-board navigation are praised as intuitive and remarkably simple. Interestingly, the simplicity that earns the Sony digital photo frame so much positive attention is also what draws expert fire. Experts say the D80's price, while not outrageous for a typical 8-inch digital frame, is inflated considering it doesn't offer many features common on digital picture frames from other manufacturers, such as support for audio and video files.

For frames with similarly good display quality, additional features (including Wi-Fi) and roughly the same price point, reviews indicate that Kodak's 8-inch EasyShare W820 (*Est. $130) or 10-inch W1020 (*Est. $160) might be worth consideration, though tests of the Kodak wireless digital picture frames reveal just the sort of bugginess and user frustrations that make the minimalist Sony frame -- notably devoid of extra features -- so popular.

Rounding up reviews on Sony's DPF-D80 is less than straightforward, as there are three additional Sony frames available (the D70, V700 and V900) that deliver the same display technology, frame design and general features; reviews of any of these frames can reliably be attributed to another. DigitalPictureFrameReview.com offers the most comprehensive, balanced and comparative review of the 8-inch DPF-D80. A similarly strong analysis comes from PCMag.com, which reviews Sony's V900, and DigitalTrends.com, which covers the V900 in a roundup review of 10 frames. Also reporting from the school of brevity are PC World (on the D80) and Computer Active (on the D70). For a look at real-world experience with Sony's frames, Amazon.com provides an excellent resource.