The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W80 features a seven megapixel sensor which is coupled to a Zeiss-branded 3x optical zoom and a 2.5-inch LCD display. The DSC-W80's 35 to 105mm equivalent lens incorporates Sony's Super Steady Shot optical image stabilization to minimize blur caused by camera shake at slow shutter speeds. Other Sony W80 features include ISO sensitivity to a maximum of ISO 3,200, in-camera photo editing, a Memory Stick Duo/PRO Duo card slot plus 31MB of built in memory, and power from a proprietary lithium-ion rechargeable battery. The Sony W80 also offers high definition component video output, via an optional proprietary cable or cradle.

The Cyber-shot W80 includes Sony's new face detection technology, capable of detecting up to eight faces simultaneously. Sony's system is apparently linked not only to the Cyber-shot W80's autoexposure and autofocus systems as in most similar systems, but also to white balance and flash metering as well, allowing the camera to ensure proper flash exposure and pleasing flesh tones. Also, the Sony W80 marks one of the first applications of Sony's Bionz image processor -- first seen in the company's Alpha digital SLRs -- in their compact camera models. Sony says Bionz will offer improved image quality, faster response times, and better battery life in its compact cameras.

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W80 ships from March 2007 priced at U.S.$250, and is available in pink, black, silver, or white.

Intro. Sony describes its W-series digicams as affordable, compact, and fun companions for the technosocialites (hey, it's their word) of both genders. The Sony W80 fits that bill coming in at a list price of $250 with a small form factor that's capable of turning ordinary snapshots into an HD slide show with special effects and music.

It's the bottom step in the W-series only in terms of sensor size and price; and a smaller sensor at a lower price isn't such a bad thing, really. The other shipping models include the 8.1-megapixel W90 for $299 and the 12-megapixel W200 for $399.

While the Sony W80 is available in silver, black, pink, and white, it doesn't offer this same level of sophisticated style and ultra compact size as Sony's T-series. Still, I found it stylish in its own way, and certainly competent.

That competence includes Sony's 2007 technobundle (my word) of double anti-blur (high ISO plus Super SteadyShot), face detection with auto white balance and flash control, in-camera red-eye, D-range optimizer (thanks to the Bionz image processor), and nine-point autofocus.

You don't have to be a technosocialite or even a millenial to appreciate that.