Digizwerg with amazing effect many programs - and a strong tendency towards overexposure indoors

The Sony DSC WX50B is at first glance very valued and compact digicam. At second glance, the aluminum turns out unfortunately perceived as plastic and the extremely compact size (5 x 9.2 x 2cm / H x W x D) sometimes referred to as more of a hindrance. The photo quality is also a lot of light (literally) and shadow .. But in detail:

Delivery
Sparse. Battery, charging cable (USB) and a wrist strap, quick start guide and 2 advertising list. That was at three doses. Although the battery is pre-charged, but as to the internal memory of the Cam only 3 (!) Pictures in default match ("12M Setting"), can not be said, the camera is ready for use. After all, are also attached SD (HC) memory cards, so that one is not necessarily dependent on Sony's proprietary memory cards.

Hardware
5-fold optical zoom, HD movie recording, HD Photo function ("HD" is used inflationary really ..) - precise specification of the pixel can be found, incidentally, neither in the manual nor in the built-in Help function. The only solution here to look at the manufacturers homepage. Photographing is set by default to 16 million pixels, 4608 x 3456, so too much - unless you want a DinA3 Poster Print it ..

Handling - entry
"Typically Digicam" .. se there are few surprises for anyone who has photographed in the last 5 years with a compact digicam. Since the printed manual will bear much, you just try around with the settings and notes that one other than select a program can not adjust much - and even the program selection can be still remove it from the camera. So camera on, press trigger and finish.
As an alternative to mere tinkering but you can also be explained by the built-in help function of each program.

Programs Diversity
Amazingly great! For supposedly every situation you are prepared. For photos in the snow, for fireworks at night, for portraits at the beach, ... But you can also simply leave the work to the fully automatic; in at least 4 of 10 attempts she has recognized the simulated by me "situations" and selected the program accordingly. And even if the correct program is selected does not automatically mean an unusable image - just as the correct program does not guarantee a perfect.
Really intrigued me but have the built-in effects programs for Photos "postcard perfect", or as a comic, monochrome, 3D, panoramic, beautiful skin (no joke!) .... There are a lot of gimmicks. Especially the "Maleffekt" is well done - the much advertised 3D effect, I can not test in the absence of a 3D telly.

Photo quality
Light and shadow. Often quite useful, especially interior photos but with the tendency to over-exposure. I can not say I was really impressed by the more than 100 indoor snapshots that I've made. Since, however, also noted simply times that one must pay tribute because the camera's automatic flash or size. With such a Funzel is simply no uniform illumination possible, so the Cam makes up for on the sensitivity and exposure time; with acceptable light inside is recommended, therefore, the manual shutdown of the flash and a steady hand;)

Connectivity
Good! On the PS3 it will be detected immediately, the Pc even open a "browser window" that lets you register the camera, install software or simply just browse the photos. Top!

Summary
- Delivery sparse; urgently needed separate memory card
+ Handling in full automatic mode "foolproof". Simply press the shutter button and a (usually useful) snapshot is created
++ Many different scene modes and effect options
- / + Photo quality just bad because often heavily overexposed in the interior at day low light and artificial lighting; Exteriors predominantly good
+ Easy connection to PC / PS3

Conclusion
For quick snapshots in between quite useful; However, no miracles should be expected especially in the interior with little light. Because you really can not do anything more except manually zoom and the (automatic) program, shows that in the development of the camera, the focus clearly was on simple usage. Thus, the camera for all who do not want to deal with photography equipment / can, but simply want to make useful snapshots outdoors.

Update as of 15:05:12
I was a few days ago at a handball game in the (Max Schmeling) hall and wanted to take pictures. From the field, from the spectators, etc.
It gives me both with "Full Auto" as well as with manual program selection failed with the WX50B to shoot decent pictures that even remotely reflect what they have seen. Although the images were sharp, but much too bright, partly out of recognition. Whether with or without flash.
The snapshots with my Iphone4 are not as high resolution, but definitely look better and more realistic because they are not overexposed so so.
What good is the highest resolution, if I can see the darker areas of the hall somewhat, but can be seen on the field only bright light? The game, incidentally takes a good 80% of the image; a reasonable camera automatic should adapt to it and let the exposure under. I hope so, because the Sony nachbessert via software update.

For this reason I prefer later still a Star or More!

My main field of application for this Compact events / celebrations would just have been in the circle of friends, where it can possibly go a little "wild" because I do not "Great" SLR there would accept with - and this type events nunmal often in rooms / halls instead.