the FOUNDER is here !!!! Just kidding.
Hey man, it's a great camera you got there (I like it). It has some serious shortcomings (shutter lag is a drag, and dont even try to take pics at any ISO more than 100), but if used right it's pretty good.
YES, you need A LOT of light to make this work. I have about 300W of PURE DAYLIGHT bulbs on top of my tank when I shoot, so results are good. You gotta get the right conditions to be able to use a somewhat high shutter speed while keeping ISO low, and not using the flash. The built in flash on the camera is TERRIBLE, and unfortunately sony does not produce a good external flash. I am trying right now to get a decent 3rd party external flash, to no avail so far. BUT honestly, I prefer to use NO flash at all. If you want natural colors, that is what you need.
I usually use either the Manual mode (M), or the Shutter priority mode (S). Many people here will list their settings when taking pics, and that is a good way to emulate. When you post yours, (in Photography 101 to get help), please list your settings. Remember them when you take pics. If you dont, you can always get the EXIF info (settings) from photo-editing software like Photoshop. Usually we need to help you the following: ISO, shutter speed, Fstop, and lighting conditions.
LMK if this helps and feel free to continue asking questions in this thread, I will make sure to watch it.
Ed