Sony's 2010 slim W-series compact — 14.1MP CCD, 26-105mm stabilised zoom, 720p video, SD support
The Cyber-shot DSC-W350 was announced in January 2010 as one of the smallest cameras in Sony's W-series, building on the previous year's W2xx models with a wider lens and HD video in a body under 17mm thick. It sold in several colours and was pitched as a stylish everyday ultra-compact.
It combined a 14.1-megapixel 1/2.3-inch Super HAD CCD with a 4x optically stabilised zoom covering 26-105mm equivalent at f/2.7-5.7, focusing to 4cm in macro. Video recorded at 720p 30fps, the rear 2.7-inch LCD carried 230,400 dots, and sensitivity spanned ISO 80-3200. The tiny NP-BN1 battery was rated around 230 shots, and this generation accepted SD cards as well as Memory Stick Duo.
The 26mm wide end is genuinely useful for interiors and landscapes, and the slim 117g body vanishes into a pocket, making it a neat carry-everywhere choice. Battery life is the main compromise of the miniaturised design, and the small pixels of the 14-megapixel CCD mean noise climbs quickly past base ISO.
SD card support removes the usual Memory Stick headache, a point in the W350's favour among used Cyber-shots. The NP-BN1 battery is small and ages poorly, so test capacity or budget for a replacement — chargers are often missing as USB charging was not standard. Check the flush lens cover and zoom operate smoothly and the slim body shows no bend or impact damage.