Review posted for the Sony DSC-S60
By
Mike Tomkins
(Monday, July 25, 2005 - 16:54 EDT)
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S60 is an easy-to-use but capable offering, with a 4.1-megapixel CCD, 32 megabytes of internal memory, and a nice range of exposure options.
The Sony S60 provides slightly more manual exposure control than most compact entry-level models permit, yet is easy to use in full-auto mode, and its seven preprogrammed scene modes help with tricky subjects. The large 2-inch color LCD monitor is excellent for framing and reviewing shots, and the overall design and layout of the Sony S60 is user-friendly and hassle-free. It's biggest strength though, is its very fast shutter response and good shot to shot speed: The DSC-S60 would be a good choice for shots of active children or sports action.
While the Sony S60 is very similar to its more expensive cousin the S90, there are several important differences. Most noticeable is its 2-inch LCD vs the 2.5-inch screen on the S90. On a more practical note, the S90 comes equipped with a NiMH battery charger and a pair of high-capacity Sony NiMH batteries, while the S60 comes with just a set of alkaline cells. Finally, although I thought that the two cameras had identical sensors and electronics, the sample unit of the S60 I tested showed higher noise levels than the S90 we looked at, and I also felt that the S90's handling of incandescent lighting was better.
Given that you'd need to purchase a charger and batteries along with the S60 anyway, the two models end up quite close in price, despite the roughly $70 difference in their list prices. Given that, my recommendation would be to jump up a step and purchase the S90, if your budget can handle the difference. (And it would have to handle at least a fair chunk of that spread anyway, given the need for NiMH batteries and a charger.) Not a bad little camera, but not a Dave's Pick, as was the case with the S90. Read our Sony S60 review for all the details!
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