Cyber-shot DSC-W55

Released February 2007

A seven-megapixel pocket compact with a three-times Carl Zeiss zoom, optical viewfinder and 56 MB internal memory.

Type: Compact
Sensor: –
Megapixels: 7.2
Lens: 38–114 mm equivalent
Video: 640 × 480 at 30 fps
Body weight: 116 g

What reviewers say

Both tests praised macro capability and straightforward controls, but criticised the reflective screen and detail lost at higher ISO settings. Les Numériques found images well defined with accurate exposure and useful ergonomics; Photo Review measured weak edge resolution and more softness, recommending snapshot-sized prints. The optical finder helps in sunlight, though both found its framing limited.

From photoreview.com.au and lesnumeriques.com

Specifications

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Image and sensor

Camera type: Compact
Sensor type: Super HAD CCD
Effective resolution: 7.2 MP
Largest image: 3072 × 2304
RAW recording: No
Standard ISO range: 100–1000
Sensor detail: 1/2.5-type primary-colour CCD, approximately 7.201 million effective and 7.41 million total photosites; optical format is not physical sensor dimensions
Image formats: JPEG Fine/Standard, 3072 × 2304 maximum; 3072 × 2048 in 3:2 or 1920 × 1080 in 16:9
Image processor: Real Imaging Processor with Clear RAW NR; this processes JPEG photographs and does not provide RAW recording

Lens and shooting

Built-in lens: 38–114 mm equivalent
Maximum aperture: f/2.8–5.2
Optical zoom: 3×
Stabilisation: None
Lens detail: Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar, actual 6.3–18.9 mm; manual specifies 38–114 mm equivalent, whereas Hong Kong launch table misprints the wide end as 35 mm
Autofocus: Five-area Multipoint or centre AF, Single or Monitoring operation and AF illuminator; focus presets. Normal focus from approximately 50 cm, macro 2 cm wide or 30 cm telephoto
Burst detail: Photo Review measured approximately 0.9-second intervals in a short full-resolution burst; its specification table lists four frames. Reduced Multi Burst records sixteen frames combined into one 1M photograph with selectable 1/30, 1/15 or 1/7.5-second intervals
Flash: Built-in flash, Auto/forced/off/slow-sync and red-eye reduction; manual recommends ISO Auto range approximately 0.2–3.9 m wide or 0.3–2.0 m telephoto
Exposure controls: Auto, Program and seven scene modes: High Sensitivity, Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Landscape, Soft Snap, Snow and Beach; multi-pattern, centre-weighted or spot metering

Video

Highest video resolution: 640 × 480 at 30 fps
Video detail: MPEG Movie VX Fine, 640 × 480 at approximately 30 fps, requires Memory Stick PRO Duo; Standard approximately 17 fps, a smaller video-mail mode. Maximum movie file approximately 2 GB
Audio: MPEG1 mono movie sound; built-in mono microphone and speaker

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder: Optical
Screen size: 2.5″
Screen dots: 115,200
Touchscreen: No
Tilting screen: No
Display detail: Fixed 2.5-type TFT LCD; manual specifies 115200 dots, launch sheet rounds to 115K. Histogram, adjustable backlight and optical real-image viewfinder

Connections and design

Battery life (maker's claim): 380 photographs
Body weight: 116 g
Release detail: Sony US 17 January 2007 announcement reproduced by DPReview specifies February store availability; Hong Kong maker announcement specifies beginning of March. February month precision retained, exact international first-sale day unconfirmed
Recording media: Approximately 56 MB internal memory; Memory Stick Duo or Memory Stick PRO Duo, not an SD card slot
Ports: Multi-use connector for USB 2.0 Hi-Speed and mono AV output; PictBridge direct printing. W55 uses the multi-connector cable, rather than the separate USB/AV sockets of W35
Battery life detail: NP-BG1, 3.4 Wh/960 mAh; manual CIPA claim approximately 380 photographs/190 minutes with LCD on or 490/245 minutes off at 25°C, Fine JPEG, Single AF, alternating zoom ends, one shot every 30 seconds, flash every second shot and power cycle every ten
Charging: External BC-CSG/BC-CSGB/BC-CSGC battery charger; practical charge approximately 270 minutes or full charge 330 minutes at 25°C. Optional AC adapter does not charge the battery inside camera
Dimensions: 88.9 × 57.1 × 22.9 mm (width × height × depth), excluding protrusions
Weight detail: 116 g excluding battery and media in Sony Hong Kong specification table; manual loaded weight approximately 147 g including NP-BG1, wrist strap and other accessories
Materials: Sony Hong Kong describes full-metal aluminium construction; Photo Review describes aluminium cladding over a plastic body
Colours: Black, silver, blue or pink; colour finishes share this entry
In the box: NP-BG1, external battery charger, power cord where applicable, multi-use USB/AV cable, wrist strap, software CD-ROM and instructions; memory card not supplied

Pros and cons

Pros

Optical viewfinder alongside the screen
56 MB internal recording memory
Macro focusing from 2 cm at wide angle

Cons

No optical image stabilisation
No manual shutter or aperture control
VGA Fine video requires Memory Stick PRO Duo

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Sensor	Megapixels	Lens	Video	Body weight	Released
SonyCyber-shot DSC-T100	Compact	–	8.1	35–175 mm equivalent	640 × 480 at 30 fps	141 g	Mar 2007
SonyCyber-shot DSC-T20	Compact	–	8.1	38–114 mm equivalent	640 × 480 at 30 fps	127 g	Mar 2007
SonyCyber-shot DSC-W80	Compact	–	7.2	35–105 mm equivalent	640 × 480 at 30 fps	124 g	Mar 2007

Sources

Photo: Sony-supplied Sony DSC-W55 in silver, front-oblique view; explicitly credited to Sony by digitalkamera.de; complete supplied canvas retained

Sony DSC-W55 in pink, front-oblique view: Sony-supplied Sony DSC-W55 in pink, front-oblique view; explicitly credited to Sony by digitalkamera.de; complete supplied canvas retained
Sony DSC-W55 in black, front-oblique view: Sony-supplied Sony DSC-W55 in black, front-oblique view; explicitly credited to Sony by digitalkamera.de; complete supplied canvas retained

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