[EthanH]

I had a Sony DSC-S85 for years.  I thought it took pretty decent pictures and I liked the vibrant colors in images, although the low-light performance wasn't that great.  Still, the camera had good battery life and I shot thousands of photos with it until my girlfriend spilled coffee on it last week.   Now the zoom and screen no longer function properly and the entire camera is "sticky."

I need a new camera.  I would love a DSLR but I'm in school and doubt I can afford a decent one right now.  I heard that the "bridge" models are basically pointless, so I was considering just buying a Sony W120 or a Panasonic Lumix LZ8 to tide me over until after I start working in a year and can afford a decent entry-level DSLR.  Thoughts?

[Don_S]

Reply,  I have nothing to compare it to but I have had this camera for several years (Sony DSC-H5) and I am very impressed by the picture quality and ease of use.  Love the 12X optical Zoom, Carl Zeiss lens and 3" LCD.  Good battery life.  Not as versatile as an SLR but more compact and easy to carry around while beating the snot out of a pocket-sized point-and-shoot camera.

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=11039996

It has been replaced by a newer model that is frequently on sale at Best Buy and some business stores (Office Max, Office Depot, etc.).

This may be the replacement--$280 MSRP if that fits your budget.
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665794519

[SET Man]

Hey!

   Sony camera any good? The answer will depend on who you ask.

   As for current point and shoot cameras either Sony or Panasonic seems to make a few pretty darn good one right now.

   I was just at B&H here in NYC today and usual I like to walk around and play with cameras they have on display there. I was playing with the Sony W290 and it seem pretty good with good zoom range of 28-140mm (35mm equivalent)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/598490-REG/Sony_DSC_W290_T_DSC_W290_Cyber_shot_Digital_Camera.html#specifications

   Not bad it got me thinking of retiring my Minolta X1 from 2005... or maybe not yet since I don't use P&S much.

   Anyway, compare to similar priced Panasonic they seem to have wider zoom range than Sony but both seem to make some nice P&S cams out there right now.

   So, I don't know I think you just have to go to store and check them out and see what are you more comfortable with in your hand

   BTW... I was there at B&H today just to buy a roll of Kodak Tri-X B&W film ... yes film

Take care,
Buddy

PS

 Disclaimer: I am a Sony DSLR user.

[WerTicus]

6 Months ago Panasonic had the best p&s's going... with the Leica lenses, not sure if that is the case today

The fact that your used to the sony's button layouts and menu systems assuming they havnt changed too much is probably going to be a factor.