Sony H50 and W300 camera hands-ons

Oddly, it turns out the photos floating around of the DSC-W300 really don't do the megapixel-packing slim point and shoot justice. That finish actually looks pretty good in real life, although the lens protrusion was a little puzzling. And, of course, the DSC-H50 is a hefty, solid feeling bugger, not unlike what you'd expect from the H-series. Hit the photos below, it shouldn't be too long before the camera sites post their reviews.

Gallery: Sony H50 and W300 camera hands-ons

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[CUBSWILLWIN @ Feb 26th 2008 6:19PM]

Very attractiv in my opinion. I'd buy one if I needed a digital camera. I'm still using a 3 yr old trusty lumix.

[tongman @ Feb 26th 2008 6:23PM]

ok, megapixles covered, how well does it gather light like a SLR/DSLR? -___-

[Jeff @ Feb 26th 2008 6:35PM]

It gathers light like a point and shoot I'd hope.

[tongman @ Feb 26th 2008 6:49PM]

For low light situations, I'm sure all point and shoot-ers know about this

[webon @ Feb 26th 2008 9:18PM]

It doesn't cuz its a P&S, but it's form factor will let me take it to family parties with ease, also this can take video something only high-end DSLR are getting just now.
So maybe it doesn't really need to take in light that much.

[phanbouy @ Feb 26th 2008 6:37PM]

awesome! now i can take grainy and washed out low-light shots that i need that 8 panel display to actually see at full res!

[bob sakamano @ Feb 26th 2008 6:57PM]

this "hands on" looks like they are at best buy testing it out (security wire attached)... is that what normally happens?

[Ryan Block @ Feb 26th 2008 7:37PM]

Depends on the company and the kind of press event. The H50 wasn't bound, just cabled to a monitor (which I detached).

[bob sakamano @ Feb 26th 2008 8:29PM]

If Engadget would have hired me per my application a month ago, I could have learned the answer to that "hands on"!!! =(

[Mehul @ Feb 26th 2008 7:01PM]

Why are these cameras getting so much attention? I dont see anything unique about them. They are all the expected updates to older models.

[CUBSWILLWIN @ Feb 26th 2008 7:04PM]

well it would only make sense if this useless camera was made by apple :P

[macjonny @ Feb 26th 2008 7:15PM]

Should be great! 13MP with a small sensor! ISO 100 will look awesome!

[Amy @ Feb 26th 2008 8:53PM]

If only CSIs were lucky enough to be chasing W300-owning villains every time. Just look at the iridescent fingerprint collection on display by the shiny W300 in the engadget pics...

[Smart People Play Tuba @ Feb 27th 2008 12:38PM]

Until Sony makes cameras that use SD card (like almost everyone else), forget it.

DOWN WITH THE MEMORY STICK (and every other proprietary format) ! ! !

[Dirk @ Feb 27th 2008 5:04PM]

Ryan, where's that follow up to this story?

Palm Foleo: the exclusive first and final hands-on

[John Doe @ Mar 17th 2008 8:06AM]

While the W300 is certainly guilty of pixel stuffing, the H50 is a more reasonable 9MP and offers a lot of useful features for the money. For those of us that have been using digicams since they broke the 1MP barrier, these cameras are pretty impressive. Please stop complaining about grain and low light performance. These are NOT DSLR's so of course they won't rival DSLR's for low light, low noise; but it would be silly to expect them to. If you insist on comparing the H50 to DSLR's, show me a DSLR with lenses to cover a 31-465 range for $400. Now show me a DSLR with a 31-465 range that includes live view, a tilting LCD, 1/4000 shutter speed, IS, Nighshot, movie mode, HD output, etc for $400. Yes, the H50 is not a DSLR, but it is quite a camera for the price.