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Reviews for Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S60 4.1 Megapixel Compact Camera

2" LCD - 3x Optical Zoom - 2304 x 1728 Image - 640 x 480 Video - MPN: DSCS60

  • 5
  By member: velozid - Apr 20, 2005

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S60 4.1 Megapixel Compact Camera

Strengths: Minimal shutter lag. Excellent picture quality. Awesome video quality. Nice 2" LCD.

Weakness: USB hook-up can cause Camera lock-up with Windows 2000, proprietary USB cable.

First, I simply must say that this camera is fantastic. It could have a stronger zoom and more pixels, but for the cost, size, weight, and battery life, it exceeds expectations. I was worried that there would be unacceptable shutter lag which is important to me with a squirmy 3 year old, but the DSC-S60's Carl Zeiss lens perform great. Even the flash recharges quickly. It appears that the only difference between the DSC-S60 and the DSC-S90 is that the S60 has a 2" LCD and the S90 has a 2.5" LCD [and comes with rechargeable AA batteries and a charger I think]. That's all!

I immediately put in 2000 mAh NiMH batteries and have only taken about 20 pictures and a video, but I couldn't wait to post my review because I've been looking for reviews and there are very few out there, so I wanted to add to that.

Here are some of the other great features: optical viewfinder, quick resizing of pictures in the camera (it creates a new copy so you don't have to choose whether to keep the high quality one or the one for email - save them both!), 640 x 480 video at 30 fps with unlimited recording time (but only with memory stick pro), built-in 32MB memory (you can start taking pictures & basic video immediately, even without an add-in stick), a suprisingly strong flash, and a decently quick multi-area focus (adjustable to spot focus). The camera is medium-small and light, but without seeming delicate. It only uses 2 AA batteries, so that helps keep it light. The threaded tripod mount is metal.

There's a short but good slide show tutorial with sound that has great info about which settings to use for certain photo situations and a simulation for seeing how different settings affect a sample picture. I learned a lot in just 10 to 15 minutes.

Two questionable negatives. 1) A proprietary USB cable requires that if you want to download from the camera without a memory stick reader, you have to bring the cable with you. 2) When I first installed the drivers on my windows 2000 computer at work and downloaded some pictures, I turned-off or unplugged the camera without clicking on the icon in the taskbar which tells you that it's okay to unplug the USB device. This set off a warning about that being bad. The camera then would not turn-on properly in the photo mode, but would work only in the "review" mode for looking at and editing pictures. The lens would not extend and the camera would immediately power itself down if I was in photo mode. I eventually took the batteries out of the camera for about 30 minutes. Since I replaced them I haven't had any problems

I'll report back if I learn any more about this. Just be careful to click on the USB icon in the bottom right of Windows before unplugging the camera. Maybe it's just a Windows 2000 issue, or maybe it was just my error.

[Update: This lock-up must be a Windows 2000 issue. No such problems on my Windows XP home computer. No need to click on the taskbar icon - just turn the camera off or on. I haven't had a problem at all with Windows XP.]

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Reply by member: shellbell818
Oct 20, 2005

All (at least any that I sold in the last five years) digital cameras use a proprietary USB cable to download images from the camera. I would invest $30 in an all in one usb reader so any future camera purchases and all your friends can use this reader....Sandisk makes one that is not too larger and can be transported around for using at the office or a friends place. It is USB 2.0 and is a little faster if you have USB 2.0 on your computer...otherwise it works the same as any other USB device

  • 5
  By member: GWRenn - May 16, 2005

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S60 4.1 Megapixel Compact Camera

Strengths: Easy to use, excellent picture and movie quality.

Weakness: Included Sony software below par.

The Sony Cybershot DSC-S60 has Sony quality throughout. This camera is compact enough to fit into a purse or pocket but just big enough to fit comfortably in your hand. The camera feels solid and the new design is suitable for big or small sized hands. This cameras learning curve is very low, you'll be taking pictures within a few minutes of taking it out of the box. Because of the easy to use pre-programmed modes my 11 year old daughter picked up on the main features of this camera in no time. But don't be fooled, this camera has plenty of features for everyone. The Zeiss lens produces excellent, sharp photos, there is macro mode, burst mode, picture resizing, smart zoom, 32 mb of internal memory, seven scene modes, 2 inch LCD, 3x optical zoom, and manual modes if you want a little more creative control. I am also impressed with the "smart" digital zoom, which seems to be a huge improvement over the old technology. The pictures show very little noise or "grain" even at the highest zoom rate and there is none at the lower digital zoom rates! The video capture is Sony quality with sound. The two double AA batteries supplied with the camera lasted about 90 shots so I replaced them with MIMH. After literally hours of playing with this camera and taking about 150 pictures the battery meter still reads "full". However, knowing that you can use alkaline batteries in a pinch surely eases the mind. The pictures I've had printed from this camera are excellent. I think once you read about the innovative technology hidden inside this camera you'll be full impressed.

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Reply by member: divyabhatia
Jul 25, 2005

I want to buy this camera but I am concerned about the yellow colour outline in photos taken by the DSC S60.

Is the difference in the price worth paying between S60 and S90 ?

Reply by member: velozid
Aug 6, 2005

I have the S60 and use Sony memory stick pro. I have not seen any yellow outline in my photos. Regarding whether the difference in price is worth it, it depends on how much the difference in cost is. Here is a quote from my review regarding the differences between the S60 and S90:

"It appears that the only difference between the DSC-S60 and the DSC-S90 is that the S60 has a 2" LCD and the S90 has a 2.5" LCD [and comes with rechargeable AA batteries and a charger I think]. That's all! "

When I bought my S60, the difference in cost was about $50, and that was not worth it to me.

  • 5
  By member: kpsingh - Nov 15, 2005

Sony Cybershot DSC S60

Strengths: very good picture quality, easy to use

Weakness: none

This camera is really very good. Picture quality is very good. this has different modes. it can take good picture even during night. u can make good quality movies also.

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  • 5
  By member: jack11782 - Sep 5, 2005

easy to use

Strengths: read me first gives enough info to get up and going. The 6 pics i've taken so far have been excellent. I used 3:2 not the highest resflash. the pics at the baseball game were clear a bell like daylite

Weakness: need to have a memory stick to overcome 32mb built in.

great camera for $209.95 at circuit city. It takes great pics daylite or at nite with its built in flash. On 128mb stick you can get 100 pics at highest resolution. I had replaced my mavica mvc-fd92 floppy disk & 64mb stick and am very happy with both, but I think I'll be happier with this one due to size and ease of use. the program menu is in the viewfinder as you rotate the knob on top. what a time saver getting a better pic if you don't want to use the program mode,which is what I've used so far.
The software for pics was easy to down load and works on my apple ibook g4
If you want a solid camera that is easy to use and operate go for this one!

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  • 3
  By member: divyabhatia - Jul 25, 2005

Why the yellow outline in photographs.

Strengths: The battery life is terrific.Fast focus.Although I would like to first transfer the images onto my computer and view them in Microsoft photo editor to see the amount of noise in the photos.

Weakness: Memmory Stick is expensive.I noticed a yellow outline in photographs.Why only 3X Optical Zoom?should have more scene modes such as Fireworks & pets and kids.The camera should have a metal body.

The camera has a good feel to it but falls behind because of the plastic body construction although it is quick to respond.The lens is of good quality but could be made better for improved pictures both indoors and at night or in low light conditions.The reasons to buy this camera : this camera can be used for about 100 shots with easily available alkaline battries.The movies are saved in MPEG format,this means that the movies shot from this camera can be directly made into Video CD without any hassels.Other cameras save movies in AVI format,so after transfering the movie into the computer it has to be converted to MPEG format thereby creating chance of loss on the quality of the movie.
The camera can also be used with an optional telephoto and/or wide angle lens which is a god plus ,as 3x optical zoom may not be enough for me,though with the telephoto lens I dont know what the quality of the pictures would be like.
The only drawbacks are the price of the memmory stick , which to me ,is going to be a one time purchase I bought the 512 MB stick,and yellow outline in the photos.Sony should put in more optical zoom And also include rechargable battries in the box or the conversion ring.

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Reply by member: fai1sal2
Aug 7, 2005

I am thinking of buying this camera. Wondering if plastic body makes a difference in performance?
Also, If you have figured out something bout the yellow lines (e.g. may be it happens only when battery is low or sth. like that?), could you post it? Thanks,

  • 3
  By member: p77123 - Nov 28, 2005

Fairly good

Strengths: Simple and compact

Weakness: No rechargeable batteries or charger supplied. No memory stick.

I have been using this camera for a while and it is a simple to use camera with decent features, a very good lens etc.

I would prefer a charger and rechargeable batteries but for the price of $180 for a 4 MP camera you cant complain.

On second thoughts, I would recommend buying DSC-W series instead of DSC-S series. The LCD screen is larger in W series and weigh less than S series.

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  • 4
  By member: smithblack0 - Aug 18, 2005

Sony Cybershot DSC-S60 Silver Digital Camera

Strengths: Barely any shutter lag Uninterruped recording 2" LCD and 3X optical zoom

Weakness: the photo is not very crystal, kinda blurry if the light is not bright outside. The battery life lasts not too long The buildin memory is small only 32MB Using memory stick which is expensive

I updated my powershot A300 to SOny DSC S60. basiclly we want a camera with little shutter lag and continue record the video as long as the size of memory stick allows. We finally pick S60. Given the cost and the functions we want, I have no complain. What you might buy is an extra 512m or 1G memory stick pro. I bought one ultra II 512 memory stick pro from Dell at 50 dollars months ago. I really feel no shutter lag when I take pictures. It is really great compared with my previous powerstot A300.

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  • 4
  By member: rgpai - Aug 8, 2005

dsc-s60 digital camera

Strengths: light weight , good quality

Weakness: none

The camera can also be used with an optional telephoto and/or wide angle lens which is a god plus ,as 3x optical zoom may not be enough for me,though with the telephoto lens I dont know what the quality of the pictures would be like..the camera is light weight and has good resolution..

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  • 4
  By member: mohitbjoshi - Oct 16, 2005

Sony Cybershot DSC-S60 Silver Digital Camera

Strengths: AWESOME RESOLUTION, LIGHT WEIGHT, VARIOUS FEATURES

Weakness: ZOOM SCALE LOW!! NO BATTERY CHARGER SUPPLIED

FOR 175$ THIS DIGI-CAM IS A GOOD DEAL. AND OFF-COURSE SONY IS THE BRAND THAT GIVES QUALITY & PRICE EQUALLY. I M NOT REGRETTING MY DECISION TO BUY DSCS60. ONLY PROBLEM IS IT CONSUMES BATTERY VERY FASTLY. THEY SHOULD HAVE SUPPLIED BATTERY CHARGER. CLARITY IS EXCELLENT.

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  • 4
  By member: tathagata_cal - Nov 18, 2005

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S60 4.1 Megapixel Compact Camera

Strengths: Ease of Use, Lightweight, Big internal Memory, Big LCD, Quick Shifting of Scene Modes, PRICE

Weakness: Poor Digital Zoom, Sony proprietory memory media being expensive, No provision to connect to AC power in case of prolonged indoor usage.

Over all the DSC-S60 from Sony is an excellant entry level camera for ammeture photographers or rookies in the field. It delivers consistant quality photos at various conditions and with minimum fuss.

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  • 2.0
  TopTenREVIEWS.com - Mar 16, 2009

Sony Cyber Shot DSC-S60

Sony Cyber Shot DSC-S60 receives an overall TopTenREVIEWS score of 1.58 out of 4.00. It is ranked the #402 standard digital camera of all time. The overall rating represents an intelligent balance of features, value as a function of price to features, and a summary of reviews from a variety of sources. The TopTen REVIEWS' formula gives a picture of important consumer features, market value, and a...

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  • 3.5
  Imaging Resource - Jul 23, 2005

Sony Cybershot DSC-S60

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S60 is an easy-to-use but capable offering, with a 4.1-megapixel CCD, 32 megabytes of internal memory, and a nice range of exposure options. The Sony S60 provides slightly more manual exposure control than most compact entry-level models permit, yet is easy to use in full-auto mode, and its seven preprogrammed scene modes help with tricky subjects. The large 2-inch color...

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