Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-S40 Digital Camera
- Digital Zoom: 2x
- Camera Type: Standard Point and Shoot
- Weight: 0.3 lb.
- LCD Screen Size: 1.5 in.
- Resolution: 4.1 Megapixel
- Optical Zoom: 3x
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Sony DSC-S40 - acceptable Point & Shoot alternative
Pros
Small Size Integrated Lens Cap Memory Stick Capability Easy Video Taking
Cons
Overpowered Flash Average Lens Quality Tiny Power Button Awkward Focus Delay
Recommended it?
No
The Bottom Line:
This camera will do the job, but it is average in most respects.
A few years ago I spent $800 and purchased what at that time was one of the top of the line digital cameras, and Olympus C-3030 3.3 megapixel digital camera. I loved it, however as the years passed I found that the Olympus was getting old and bulky.
I decided to pick up a relatively inexpensive and small point & shoot style camera and opted for the small Sony. At first glance, it appeared to have all the features I was looking for - price, resolution, compact size, easy use.
I've now had this camera for 6-8 months and have found that while it IS small and convenient to carry, it is not the greatest camera in the world, primarily due to the lens quality. In comparison with my old 3.3 megapixel Olympus, the 4.1 megapixel Sony just doesn't come close in picture quality. Still it has become handy to carry around and is certainly a better option than using my camera phone. The Sony DSC-S40 has some internal picture memory but a nice feature is the memory stick port. I picked up a 512 MB memory stick and have never run out of space. It's especially convenient because I have a small Sony laptop that has a memory stick receptacle.
The flash on this little camera has a tendency to wash out indoor or late night pictures. More so than other cameras I have had. The video feature is easy to use and adequate.
The power and settings buttons on this camera are tiny and difficult to use with gloves or while moving.
The camera focuses by pressing the shutter button halfway, focusing, and then continuing to depress the button to take a picture. While this is similar to my old Olympus, it has an awkward delay built into it and it is easy to screw up a picture.
Would I buy it again? Probably not. I don't regret the money and I still use the camera daily, but I rarely get a picture that has me going 'Wow!'. I can still pick up my 5 year old Olympus and take pictures that amaze me in their color depth and clarity.
I decided to pick up a relatively inexpensive and small point & shoot style camera and opted for the small Sony. At first glance, it appeared to have all the features I was looking for - price, resolution, compact size, easy use.
I've now had this camera for 6-8 months and have found that while it IS small and convenient to carry, it is not the greatest camera in the world, primarily due to the lens quality. In comparison with my old 3.3 megapixel Olympus, the 4.1 megapixel Sony just doesn't come close in picture quality. Still it has become handy to carry around and is certainly a better option than using my camera phone. The Sony DSC-S40 has some internal picture memory but a nice feature is the memory stick port. I picked up a 512 MB memory stick and have never run out of space. It's especially convenient because I have a small Sony laptop that has a memory stick receptacle.
The flash on this little camera has a tendency to wash out indoor or late night pictures. More so than other cameras I have had. The video feature is easy to use and adequate.
The power and settings buttons on this camera are tiny and difficult to use with gloves or while moving.
The camera focuses by pressing the shutter button halfway, focusing, and then continuing to depress the button to take a picture. While this is similar to my old Olympus, it has an awkward delay built into it and it is easy to screw up a picture.
Would I buy it again? Probably not. I don't regret the money and I still use the camera daily, but I rarely get a picture that has me going 'Wow!'. I can still pick up my 5 year old Olympus and take pictures that amaze me in their color depth and clarity.
