Sony W1: Is 5 Megapixels Still Relevant Today? - Camera Talk

Digital point-and-shoots are popular again, and here's a look at one of them. This Sony model from 2004 has modest specifications and some limitations, but it might be all that you need to get out there and have some fun.
@CameraTalkVideos
Photography forum: forums.camera-...
My equipment
Video: Sony ZV-1
Microphone: TZ Audio Stellar X3 (XLR)
Sound recorder: Marantz Professional PMD661 MKII

[@CameraTalkVideos]

Did you own a digital point-and-shoot in the early 2000s? These used to cost hundreds of dollars but now can be found for $50 and sometimes much less than that, which makes them appealing. Many are still very capable - even in an era of 50+-MP mirrorless cameras.

[@conrad4094]

I still have a the Sony Cybershot DSC P120 in black that I bought new in 2004/5 while I was in Austria . It’s one of only two cameras I’ve ever bought new. It still works well. I have a modest collection of Sony Cybershot cameras from that period as well as a similar amount of Pentax Optio models . My main love is still film though

[@ChonbaeSun]

Of the Point & Shoots, I've stuck to the Canon Powershot A series. Specifically the ones able to equip a proprietary lens barrel mount to add filters and lens hoods. Started with the A80, and ended with the A650is. Bonus it's community supported with 3rd party firmware Canon Hack Development Kit, a P&S equivalent to Magic Lantern on Canon SLR's.

[@GaiusSonofGermanicus]

When you're talking about these low resolution digital cameras (and I mean less than 12M), the maximum resolution is only part of the story. My first decent digital camera was a Panasonic Lumix FZ7 with a 6M resolution. Because of the much better glass on it you would get better looking results than those smaller cameras with higher resolutions could achieve. Using an old compact digital camera today is a fashion statement rather than about photography because even a mid-range smartphone has a better camera than an old compact is, but if people want to do down that route, there are plenty to be had for close to zero.

[@LindonSlaght]

Honestly in my very biased opinion I think the fact that these have 3x zoom make any unit with 5MP or more better than any phone without a telephoto cam. Since primarily only high end phones have such cameras, welp, basically rules them out. I wouldn't use them for specific creative photography due to lack of RAW recording, but if it did have it, instantly beat most cellphones.

[@vueport99]

​@@LindonSlaghtcell phones need to have optical zoom that's where point and shoot rules. But cell phones rule in computational photography. Namely night shots

[@LindonSlaght]

@@vueport99 I despise phone processing I'd still take the PAS

[@vueport99]

@@LindonSlaght despise it all you want. The reality is most people don't carry a tripod with them 99% of the time. Like it or not, PAS or even mirrorless, DSLR all process their images. That's why some people swear by Fuji color science vs Canon etc. For PAS to make a comeback, they need to use a proper sensor minimum 1". Or it's a no go.

[@LindonSlaght]

@@vueport99 what are you on about. That's such a stupid argument. So you're saying that because it's necessary to process data from a sensor in a camera, that phone processing is equal? Nah dude. It's crap. There's a reason any serious photographer uses a real camera.

[@rollingtroll]

Double A's in 3 volt? Yyyeaahh no :D.

[@CameraTalkVideos]

I just looked, and they are 3.7 volts in AA. I expect that these higher-voltage cells would be used in medical devices and for other non-commercial uses.

[@rollingtroll]

@@CameraTalkVideos That's definitely not something you'd buy in a store indeed