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Review Summary
2012-05-29T20:00:00
4 Years, several thousand pictures. This camera has worked out well. The next step would be an SLR.
stevelb1

2011-12-01T19:00:00
I got this camera when it was first released in 2008. It's quite easy to use and I've had no problems with it. I've used it not only for personal snapshots, but a multitude of events. I've used it for day and night events, including action shots ... up close and at a distance. I've received many compliments on the photos I've taken. I have also used the camera to take video shots. The video and sound are both very clear. I must say that by industry/technology standards, this is probably considered an "older" model, I'd choose it over many of the cameras that other people at the same events have used. Mine is the preferred camera at our family reunions because the photos come out so clear, no matter the lighting or the size of the group. (I've got a huge family when we all get together.) I even used it to take shots of my son's senior class this past May. I got approximately 600 kids in ONE photo and am still able to pick out my kid and quite a few of his friends ... and they were not standing together. (The "official" photographer had the class arranged by height.) The only gripe I can put up regarding this camera is the cost of the memory cards. It does not use standard sized memory cards. It only takes "Pro Duo" memory cards/sticks. SanDisk makes a Pro Duo card, but they are not easy to find. The cost of the Sony Pro Duo cards borders on the ridiculous, even at Walmart!
BlueHeelerFan07

2011-02-19T19:00:00
Anyone having lens error problems might like to look at: http://camerarepair.blogspot.com/2007/12/fixing-lens-error-on-digital-camera.html I initially fixed my camera by turning the camera on while simultaneously pressing the shutter release.
Frustrated1

2010-12-01T19:00:00
I was attacked by Sony Lens Disease like others consumers above. It is unbelivable that a brand like Sony make a product with a problem like this.
Juninho

2010-09-07T20:00:00
Stop working on 2 year anniversary. paid over 300.00 for this and I believe that it should have lasted longer. Sony won't do anything about it
Kerry

2010-05-31T20:00:00
The same thing happened to me as one of the other reviewers. 18 months after purchase and there is a problem where the lens keeps going in and out and you get the message "turn off and back on again" but that doesnt help. You cant take pictures or do anything. i would never buy this camera again as it was such a waste of money now it is only just past the warranty date but completely useless. Very disappointing.
welshy

2010-04-17T20:00:00
I love(d) this camera, but it is cursed with the Sony "Lens disease". This disease has afflicted three consecutive Sony cameras of mine. Suddenly the camera will not take pictures, the lens extends and retracts, and the LCD gives you the message, "Turn the power off and on again". In the camera manual, this message is unhelpfully translated as "The lens malfunction". No clue as to how to resolve it. Turning the power on and off does nothing. I feel locked in because I've bought proprietary memory and batteries, but I think I'm going to have to give up on Sony cameras.
Stilts

2010-03-07T19:00:00
I've had this camera for a year now and it still works like it did since the first day I got it! It takes very nice pictures and video...
NickA

2008-12-28T19:00:00
Used it in low light, distance, indoors and outdoors. Camera performed very well in all situations.
Rick
10.1 MP
1/2.3" Super HAD CCD
15MB internal Flash Memory, optional Memory Stick DUO Media, optional Memory Stick DUO PRO Media
2.7"
Optical
9 elements in 7 groups(including 1ED glass element and 3aspheric elements)
Yes/ Yes
Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar
Yes, via optional HD Cradle
Automatic, Cloudy, Daylight, Fluorescent 1, Fluorescent 2, Fluorescent 3, Incandescent, Flash
Yes (10 seconds, 2 seconds, Off)
Tested to support up to 16GB Memory Stick DUO PROTM media capacity; does not support Access Control security function
Normal, Burst, bracket Exposure
Yes (On/Off all modes)
Max 100 Shots at 1.6fps (All resolutions)
Yes/Yes
No/ No
Yes/Yes
Black & White, Normal, Sepia, Vivid
N/A
Yes via Mutli-Use Connector
Yes - supports USB 2.0
Yes (1080i)
5-25mm
28-140mm
9-Area Multi-Point AF, Center AF, Spot AF
Auto( F3.3/F8.0(W), 2 steps) / Program auto( F3.3/F8.0(W), 2 steps) with ND Filter
Auto(1/4 - 1/1,600) / Program Auto(1" - 1/1,600)
Plus / Minus 2.0EV, 1 / 3EV step
Auto / 80 / 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 / 3200
N/A
Smart Zoom / Precision Digital Zoom / Off
0-2.0X (Precision)
5x
Yes
10x
19-11/16"(50cm) Normal, 1-5/8" (4cm) Macro
Yes
ISO Auto: Approx.0.1-Approx.4.2(W) to ISO Auto: Approx.0.2-Approx.4.2(W)
Auto / Flash On / Slow Syncro / Flash Off
Lithium-Ion NP-BG1
3.6V, 960 mAh
Windows: Picture Motion browser Vers 2.0 + USB Driver
Microsoft 2000 Professional, Me, XP Home and Professional; Macintosh OS 9.1/9.2/OS X (10.0-10.4)
N/A
Auto/Off (W:Approx.2.0m, T:Approx.1.9m) to Auto/Off (W:Approx.2.0m, T:Approx.1.7m)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Beach, High Sensitivity, Landscape, Snow, Soft Snap, Twilight, Twilight Portrait
MPEG VX Fine with Audio (640x480 at 30fps) (MPEG VX Fine requires Memory Stick DUO PRO media), MPEG VX Standard with Audio (640x480 at 16fps), Presentation (320 x 240 at 8fps)
Yes (after approx. 3 min. of inactivity)
Red-eye reduction, soft edge filter, cross filter, partial color filter, fish-eye filter
Sony 1 year parts & labor warranty
The Sony DSC-W170 matches point-and-shoot ease-of-use with advanced features to pack a powerful punch. The sophisticated, compact body features an enviable 10.1 megapixel resolution, Carl Zeiss 5x optical zoom lens and Sony's Double Anti-Blur solution for crisp, clear images. For easy viewing and sharing, the large 2.7" LCD displays your shots in vibrant color. In addition, Face Detection technology, Smile Shutter and Intelligent Scene Recognition elicit stunning detail from special moments.