The Sony CyberShot DSC-T20

Of all the top-rated digital cameras, Sony's CyberShot series consistently performs at or above industry standards. The Sony CyberShot DSC-T20 has long been a favorite choice for intermediate digital photographers. It ranks near the top of all digital cameras given as holiday gifts in recent years. Users love its quality photos and many useful features.

The Sony CyberShot DSC-T20 is an 8.1 megapixel digital camera with 3x optical zoom. Pictures are taken in JPEG format. The camera's ISO equivalencies are 100, 800, 400, 200, 80, 1600, and 3200. It has both programmed and automatic exposure settings for a variety of picture-taking situations and lighting conditions.

A slim and trim little digital camera, the Sony CyberShot DSC-T20 weighs a mere 4.5 ounces. Its physical dimensions are 2.2 in x 3.5 in x 0.9 in (HxWxD), making it an easy camera to slip into a shirt pocket for a day of photography.

The Sony CyberShot DSC-T20 also has a video mode for those who want to capture motion and sound rather than still photos. The camera uses Memory Stick Duo and Memory Stick Pro Duo recording methods. It comes with A/V and USB cables, and is covered by a one year warranty.

So what are Sony CyberShot DSC-T20 owners saying about the camera? They have nothing but praise for the picture quality. Photos are bright and clear, and the camera has a very bright flash. It is a very small camera, though. While some users like the super-slim dimensions, others find themselves worrying that the device will break. This concern could be unwarranted, however; none of the many customer reviews mentioned having to replace the camera due to physical breakage. It's not recommended that this camera be given to small children, though; not only is it small and light, it's also a little on the pricey side. Besides, with so many digital cameras made especially for kids, children would probably prefer a sturdier, more colorful camera anyway.

Another caveat for beginners: this camera has a lot of features. Users describe feeling a little lost due to the sheer number of settings, modes, and options. If you're the adventurous type, jump right in and start experimenting. But if you're the cautious sort who likes a straightforward camera, you could find a better fit with another brand.

The Sony CyberShot DSC-T20, like many cameras in its price range, is good for beginners and intermediate photographers. When a particular camera series has a large and loyal following, it's usually for a good reason. Sony's CyberShot series gives users plenty of cool features at a fair price.

This camera retails for about $300 US, and can be purchased wherever digital cameras are sold.