Sony DSC-W1 and manual white balance question

[MackIII]

OK, I realize the W1 has no manual white balance and seems to be an excellent camera. My question is "how important is having a camera with manual white balance"? My dad who is very much into photography says don't by a camera without it. Now I realize that he uses the best equipment and larger camera lens, but will I have poor picture quality while shooting outdoors with this camera if I choose it over one that has this feature? Or, are the different mode selections to choose from (auto white balance) just as good?

[Bill]

Someone said the camera DOES have a white balance, and if you read the instruction manual carefully you will find it. I am thinking about buying a DSC-W1. Anyone tell me how you like it, and how sharp are the pictures? I see you can order from a New York source for $319 including postage.

[noitomintra]

The W1 does have white balance settings for different types of lighting such as sun, tungsten, flouresent etc.. This setting is not located in the full auto setting (the green camera icon on the mode dial) but is located in the "P" setting (the letter P icon on the mode dial). When on the "P" setting press the MENU button and then the white balance settings can be accessed. It may also be available in other settings I havn't gotten around to check that out yet (just got this camera today).

[Newbie]

I don't own a W1, but just to clarify things. When people say the camera doesn't have white balance, they mean it doesn't have MANUAL white balance. Sure, the W1, as well as many other cams(maybe even all), has white balance settings preset. Unfortunatly, those settings do not work perfectly in all situation and this is where manual settings come in handy.