Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S930
This review is from: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S930 10-MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom, 2.4\" LCD, Image Stabilization, Face Detection (Black)I'll be honest, the last camera I owned was a Sony MVC-FD75 "Mavica" that used a floppy disk as portable memory so it's been a while since I actually bought a new digital camera. Nonetheless, as a former photojournalist for the US Air Force and a camera salesman at various retail institutions I've still held an affinity for cameras and had access to a wide array of cameras at my disposal. So, when I realized a month ago that my Mavica really needed to go (new laptops don't exactly come stock with 3 1/2' floppy drives these days) I sought after a new camera and instinctively went to the company that has consistently made cameras I liked to sell; Sony. While I sell cameras and have seen some really nice ones catch my eye, all I needed was one that had a decent resolution (over eight megapixel) so I could print them as well as post them online (facebook, myspace, email, etc.), small enough to fit in my pocket but not break if I brushed it, and with a decent price that wouldn't send my bank account into debt oblivion. I wanted a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) but I knew I could get by with something smaller. It didn't take long before I stumbled across the Sony Cybershot DSC-S930, which met all of my criteria and I bought soon thereafter.Like a mid-size Hyundai sedan the Sony Cybershot DSC-S930 is not too sleek, stylish, or amazing, but it gets the job. It's 10.1 megapixel resolution is enough to make great prints on glossy and matte paper but doesn't clog up networking websites like facebook when you upload photos. The 3x optical zoom lens is pretty standard but it would've been nice to have some sort of digital zoom lens (10x for instance) even though it is considerably less reliable on quality than the optical. The lens is a standard Sony one as opposed to the Carl Zeiss lenses they typically employ in their higher-end models. It's not bad but darn, Zeiss makes good glass work and lenses. The size is something a little to be desired as it's not Canon Elf sized, but it's not a honker like the old Cybershots were. My only real complaint is the battery life. Most Cybershots come with rechargeable batteries of some kind, however, the DSC-S930 does not. It takes 2 AA batteries. No biggie, I keep an ample supply of rechargeable AAs in my apartment, but it does hinder portability a little since you can't charge as you go without an external charger. Even though, the battery life isn't that special as I seem to need to replace the batteries every few days albeit I use the camera heavily. Small deductions but, by far, the largest one I have with my camera.However, despite how it isn't a magnificent DSLR, it isn't designed to be so. The DSC-S930 is designed to be an decent camera made to do the job at an economy price. I don't know if Sony would take my Hyundai analogy as a compliment or a severe insult, but just know it's the former since both, while not much to look at, get the job done for what they were designed for. I would definitely recommend the DSC-S930 to the casual audience, people taking pictures for vacations and so forth. It would also make a great gift for teenagers to learn how to use a camera (as opposed to their camera phone).All in all, a 87%. -5% for battery life-5% for lack of rechargeable battery pack-3% for lack of features and confusing software
This review is from: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S930 10-MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom, 2.4\" LCD, Image Stabilization, Face Detection (Black)We purchased a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S930 in mid April of this year and by our trip in June, the lens cover would not open properly, rendering the camera inoperable. When we contacted Sony, we were advised that it had a 1 year warranty. We sent the camera in a few months later, only to learn that it was actually out of warranty (apparently the warranty was actually only 90 days, not 1 year). Based upon Sony's representation that it was a 1 year period, we did not send the camera in right away (I detest taking 3 kids to the post office IYKWIM). To make matters worse, Sony wanted to charge far more than the original cost of the camera to repair it. We have evidence that the camera was not working in June (well within the warranty period), but Sony simply would not budge. We wasted our valuable time and money purchasing a defective camera that worked just over a month and sending the camera in to the repair center. Quality issues happen with all manufacturers. The key is how the company responds. Needless to say, we are deeply disappointed with Sony's quality and customer service. We simply refuse to buy Sony again based upon this experience.
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