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Expert Recommendation
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Overview
Good options in the budget range are hard to find, and ultracompact cameras are even tougher. Fortunately the Sony W150, though not the best performer, packs the essential zoom and low-light tools most needed for travel photography, all in a small 0.9” size that’s easy to carry just about anywhere.
My Best In Class Pick
Sony Cybershot DSC-W150
Though it’s small and cheap, the W150 still packs the two most essential tools for travel photography - zoom versatility and low-light performance. While its 30-150mm (5x) wide-angle lens won’t zoom in that close, its 30mm wide-angle will allow you to take in scenes of sweeping landscapes or big landmarks.
High-ISO performance and the f/3.3-5.2 lens is about average, so freezing moving subjects will be a bit difficult. However the W150 does include an image stabilization system, which should help for taking pictures of static subjects, like the cityscapes or building interiors often encountered on travel.
The W150’s small 0.9” size makes it easy to take with you just about anywhere. Battery life lasts for a very long 400 shots, which should be good enough for even long vacations with moderate use.
Comparison with Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS20
The W150 and FS20 share many similar attributes, from the same 0.9” body size to the same 30mm wide-angle lens. The W150 slightly edges the FS20 out on account of its marginally better high-ISO performance (cleaner photos in low-light) and its slightly more versatile 5x zoom lens.
Comparison with Fujifilm FinePix J150W
Though the J150w offers a slightly wider 28mm wide-angle, that’s about the only attribute where the Fuji has an advantage - the W150, with its IS system, performs much better in low-light, and also has much longer battery life, making it a much more capable travel camera overall.
Pros
- +30mm wide-angle
- +Image stabilization
- +Small 0.9" size
Where to buy
Sony Cybershot DSC-W150
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Best Price:
$177
See It »
- $177 - $249 Compare Prices »
Comparing My Best In Class Pick with Other Good Choices
| Product |
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| Customer Rating |
 
(from 115 reviews)
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(from 21 reviews)
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(from 4 reviews)
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| Price | $177 - $249 | $299.95 | $129 - $149 |
| Size (W x H x D) | 3.7 x 2.3 x 0.9 in | 3.7 x 2.3 x 0.9 in. | 3.6 x 2.3 x 0.9 in. |
| Weight (without batteries) | 5.0 oz | 4.7 oz | 5.1 oz |
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Min Focal Length (35 mm equivalent)
The 35 mm equivalent focal length is a measure that indicates the angle of view of a particular combination of a camera lens and the sensor size. The term originates from the time when the vast majority of photography was done with 35 mm film. On any 35 mm film camera, a 30 mm or less lens is considered a wide-angle lens.
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30 mm | 30 mm | 28 mm |
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Max Focal Length (35 mm equivalent)
The 35 mm equivalent focal length is a measure that indicates the angle of view of a particular combination of a camera lens and the sensor size. The term originates from the time when the vast majority of photography was done with 35 mm film. Larger max focal lengths make distant objects appear more magnified.
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150 mm | 120 mm | 140 mm |
| Optical Zoom | 5.0x | 4.0x | 5.0x |
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Image Stabilization Available
Image stabilization features are designed to reduce the blur that results from normal, minute shaking of a lens due to hand-held shooting. However, image stabilization does not prevent motion blur caused by the movement of the subject or by extreme movements of the camera.
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Yes | Yes | No |
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Max Aperture (wide-angle)
The aperture refers to the size of the opening in the lens that determines the amount of light falling onto the sensor. The maximum aperture (wide-angle) is the largest possible size at the wide-angle limit of the zoom lens. The lens aperture is usually specified as an f-number, the ratio of focal length to effective aperture diameter. A lower f-number denotes a greater aperture opening, which allows more light to reach the image sensor.
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f/3.3 | f/3.3 | f/3.3 |
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Max Aperture (tele-photo)
The aperture refers to the size of the opening in the lens that determines the amount of light falling onto the sensor. The maximum aperture (tele-photo) is the largest possible size at the tele-photo limit of the zoom lens. The lens aperture is usually specified as an f-number, the ratio of focal length to effective aperture diameter. A lower f-number denotes a greater aperture opening, which allows more light to reach the image sensor.
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f/5.2 | f/5.8 | f/5.1 |
| Battery Life | 400 shots | 310 shots | 150 shots |
| High ISO quality | Average | Poor | Average |
| Travel Rating | Average | Average | Poor |
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS20
At the budget end of Panasonic’s line of ultracompacts is the FS20, an affordable camera that features a useful 30-120mm (4x) zoom range in a compact 0.9” size. While the 120mm telephoto won’t let you zoom in too close, the 30mm wide-angle will work great for large cameras.
Low-light performance is about average - the FS20 has an IS system for static subjects, but its aperture and high-ISO are slightly below-average, so moving subjects will be a challenge.
Comparison with Fujifilm FinePix J150W
The J150w does have a wider 28mm lens than the FS20, but the FS20’s image stabilization system and longer battery life make it the better travel camera.
Pros
- +30mm wide-angle
- +Image stabilization
Cons
- -Below-average high-ISO
Where to buy
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS20
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Best Price:
$299
See It »
Fujifilm FinePix J150W
Though it doesn’t offer much else, Fujifilm’s J150w is one of the few budget ultracompacts to feature a wide 28mm lens - great for taking in the whole scene of large landscapes or buildings.
While its high-ISO and aperture are about average, its lack of image stabilization means even static subjects in low-light will be plagued with camera shake. The short 150 shot battery life also means the camera may only last for a couple days at a time without recharging.
Pros
- +28mm wide-angle
Cons
- -No image stabilization
- -Only 150 shot battery life
Where to buy
Fujifilm FinePix J150W
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Best Price:
$129
See It »
- $129 - $149 Compare Prices »
How It Works
You tell us your budget, intended uses, and desired features. We show you personalized recommendations from unbiased experts to quickly identify the best digital camera for you.
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How to Pick Digital Cameras
- For Travel Photos
- For Photos of Children or Pets
- For Action or Sports Photos
- For Photos in Low Light
