Review on Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-W290 12 MP Digital Camera With 5X Optical Zoom And Super Steady Shot Image Stabilization (Dark Blue) (OLD MODEL) by James Mangum

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 12MP digital camera with 5x optical zoom and Super Steady Shot image stabilization (blue) When I got my last camera (also Sony Cyber-shot DSC W290) I exchanged for another Sony DSC-W290 while on vacation. I had the first one a year before I stupidly stuffed it in the pocket of my cargo shorts and jumped on the wild and wacky ride of The Simpsons at Universal Studios in Florida. As Bart says, "Eat my shorts." And that's what the camera did. If the DSC-W290 had had a viewfinder in addition to the large color display, I would still be using my old W290. But unfortunately there is no such viewfinder on the W290 and when the display broke I was working in the dark. Otherwise, the W290 has everything I need from a camera. There are a few things you should do if you want to buy the W290: (1) Buy at least one Sony Memory Stick PRO Duo Magic Gate Mark 2 with at least 2GB (I have 2GB and 4GB as backup) ( 2) Buy a Sony carrying case that is compact enough to fit on your belt but has a pocket large enough to hold a spare memory card and battery; it's much safer than a trouser pocket; (3) Buy a Sony NP-FG1 lithium battery; Camera comes with Sony NP-BG1, but NP-FG1 shows remaining battery life in minutes before it needs charging; (4) Don't carry a camera in your pocket unless you want to hear your wife's opinion on your IQ and/or plan to buy a new camera shortly thereafter; (5) If you plan on carrying your camera in your pocket, you might want to get accident insurance for it, along with a set of woman-safe earplugs. My replacement W290 is fully covered by Square Trade's 3 year warranty. Sony guarantees the W290 for the first year, but not against accidental damage or stupidity. The Revain Square Trade Warranty is available at http://www.amazon.com/SquareTrade-Camcorder-Warranty-Accident-Protection/dp/B002I03UQG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1293929931&sr=8-1. It's worth $39.99! Or buy direct from Square Trade Warranty and you might find a better deal. The W290 has been around for a while, but the price keeps going up while most of its peers are falling in price faster than The Simpsons at Universal Studios. That's probably because Sony has stuffed this little gem with lots of quality features and it works like a charm. If you're looking for a camera that lets you snap a photo at the touch of a button, or if you want to play around with the settings, this is the camera you're looking for. Our 7 year old daughter has been taking beautiful pictures with the W290 since she was 6 and I love changing the camera settings. In any case, the pictures are great.