User Manual Critique

Sony Cyber Shot DSC H90

In this paper I am going to critique and review of the Sony Cyber-Shot DSC H90. The online manual for the Sony Cyber-Shot DSC H90 can be found at http://safemanuals.com/user-guide-instructions-owner-manual/SONY/DSC-H90-LATIN-2-_E. The criteria I selected for critiquing this manual includes the Table of Contents, Glossary, Instructional Steps, Additional Components and Graphics. I chose this manual because Sony is one of the top electronics brands in the world and I also have this particular camera. I assumed I would be able to learn how to use some of the additional features and maximize the use of my camera.

The first thing I noticed about the manual was that it was not an actual user’s manual for the Sony Cyber-Shot DSC H90. It is actually a basic operation manual for the PlayMemories Home software, which allows you in import videos from your camera. If I had general questions about using the software, then this would have been a pretty decent manual. However, the title of the manual is completely misleading. The manual does not even specifically mention the Sony Cyber-Shot DSC H90, but instead uses the generic term, camera. This instantly gave me the impression that software is not proprietary to Sony and can be used with various brands of digital cameras. Needless to say, I was not happy with this manual from the beginning.

The organization of the manual was pretty clear and simple. The file is in an Adobe PDF format, with the table of contents in an easy to view column by itself on the left, which makes it quick and easy for the user to navigate to the needed section without having to read the entire manual or scroll endlessly from page to page. Being able to quickly access the information needed is always appreciated.

The first section of the manual is a brief description that lets you know the software allows you to import videos and photos from you camera to your computer, view the videos and photos, manage or print them....