Digital Trends

Available since late last year, the Sony DSC-S600 is a great indicator of 2006 consumer price trends. For $199, you get a 6-megapixel compact point-and-shoot camera with a 3x optical zoom from a well-known brand. No, we're not talking about Concord, DXG or Vivitar but a top-tier company. Depending on the survey du jour, Sony is considered among the top three worldwide. Another indication pricing is going your way is the recent announcement of the Olympus FE-140, a 6MP digicam with a 3x optical zoom and a 2.5-inch LCD screen for $249 list (due March). Like some competitors, Sony used manufacturers in China to cut cost rather than making them in Japan like the recently reviewed DSC-T9. Now did Sony cut back the build quality of the S600? Of course but the key question is the camera worth the money? We'll snap the shutter and let you know.