Who is Carl Zeiss???

Author's Rating:

Pros: Quick to learn, easy to use

Cons: The mannual was a little hard to read

The Bottom Line: 
This is a great little camera

Author's Review
I’m not sure who he is, but his name is on my camera.

Please note that this review is written for beginner user, not for someone who actually knows what a mega pixel is.

This is my first digital camera, and I have to say that I didn’t have much experience with them before buying this one. In fact I bought this camera without any help from the lovely woman at Sears. The selling point for me at the time was it was a name brand that I had heard of, it was 4.1 mega pixels, and it was $100 off!

Having said all of that and spending a few days getting acquainted with my new toy I have decided that it can stay. This camera was so super easy to use that I didn't HAVE to read the instructions before playing with it. I just took it out of the box, put in the supplied batteries and took a picture of my boyfriend posing oddly. (I would link it to the review so demonstrate the quality of the pictures, but he would kill me). From taking just that first picture (without reading anything) I was able to view the picture I had taken and then trash it! Pretty good I’d say for someone with no digital experience.

After playing with it for a bit I sat down with the user’s guide and read about all the fun things I can do with my new toy. I can film short movies (with sound), I can tell the camera what kind of picture I am taking (candlelit spaces, a portrait at twilight, even snow) and the camera will adjust itself to ensure that my picture turns out great! You can also zoom in and out, if you press the shutter button half way the camera will focus for you and then beep when the picture is in focus, after the beeps take your picture. Super easy. You can turn off the LCD screen to save the batteries and use the camera like a traditional (I guess old fashion now) camera. I am sure that this camera has all kinds of other options that are far to advance for what I will be using it for. The camera comes with its own 32MB internal memory.

The camera also came with a beautiful catalog with all sorts of accessories that you can buy. Most of which are also more advanced than what I am looking for, telephoto lens, lens/filter adapters, tripods, etc… The one thing that I may buy is a memory stick. This camera does not come with one, but it does come with a “$20 On-line Accessory Coupon” which you will receive after registering for camera on-line. Unfortunately is offer is only valid for camera purchased between September 1, 2004 and January 31, 2006, so if you are going to buy this camera, hurry up! Time is running out. The other stipulations are the accessory you are buying has to be $49.99 or greater (before tax) and only on purchases made at www.sonystyle.ca. by Sony style members. ( not sure if there is an American version to this offer , but I would guess that there is)

I totally recommend this camera to the everyday average person. I think it would even suit the needs of someone who is really into photography. Easy to use, quick to learn.