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I've made do with hand tools for everything including the rare plywood job for several years now and I want to buy a good circular saw. I will not use it very often, but when I do it will be for serious work like plywood sheets or stair treads.

Is there any specific features or brands I should look for? I want a relatively lightweight saw (probably means a sidewinder) but powerful enough to cut hardwood and possibly sheet metal easily. I would also prefer one where things like blade depth are easy to adjust.
PS I'm left-handed if that makes a difference.

Yitzchak
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As far as brands go, I trust DeWalt, Milwaukee, and Skil. There are probably more, but those are the ones I've had experience with.

Are you going for a cordless saw, that can be more portable, and good for the occasional plywood cutting project, or a corded one? Usually the corded ones have more power, and a higher duty cycle.

Isaac Francisco
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It's been a while since I've been to job sites, but a few years ago the tool of choice was a Milwaukee Worm Drive circular saw.

Milwaukee Worm Drive

Things might have changed with well known brands switching to plastic gears, but the torque on these doesn't get much better. They are also well known for having less kick-back problems.

My opinion is to stay away from cordless.

lqlarry
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The pros (and experienced amateurs) here may laugh at me, but... I've actually had really good experience with Rigid tools (the home depot "house brand") - including a circ saw, power mitre, cordless drill, and oscillating tool. For me, they struck a very good balance of features, cost, and "solid feel".

I use them for occasional home projects, so I can't speak to their long-term durability/reliability. So far they've all survived a moderate-size retaining wall (6x6 landscape ties) project, a solid hardwood floor project, an engineered-flooring project, and misc small projects - and have served me well through all of them

mikemanne
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There are two main types of circular saws, Worm-Drive and Sidewinder. Worm-drives are more powerful and heavy-duty general speaking. If you are going to be doing a lot of cuts, you likely want a worm-drive one. However, this comes with added weight.

Sidewinder saws are not quite as powerful but are lighter and cheaper, and for most DIY jobs are more than sufficient.

Blade size is also important, the standard being 7 1/4". Battery powered saws might have smaller diameter blades which will limit the depth that you can cut.

As the other answers have mentioned, you can also choose between corded and cordless though most circular saws will be of the corded type.

Another features which may or may not be important is the ability to cut on a bevel - you will need to decide if this is needed for your uses.

After that you start getting into "toys" like laser guides, built in lights, etc. that add cost but aren't really critical to the tools abilities.

Steven
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Make sure you buy carbide tipped blades. It will make all the difference. A great saw with a cheap blade = a cheap saw.

Jim
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I WOULD SAY READ THE REVIEWS OF SAWS IN LIKE FINE HOMEBUILDING,WOOD,HANDYMAN,TOOLS OF THE TRADE AND OTHERS.MY DAD HAS HAD 3 SAWS OVER THE YEARS OLD ROCKWELL WHICH WE SOLD BUT WAS GOOD.HE CURRENTLY HAS 2 SAWS A 2HP CRAFTSMAN WHICH IS GREAT AND A 2/1/2 HP PORTER CABLE.I HAVE NEVER REALLY LIKED WORM DRIVES BECAUSE THEY ARE LOUDER AND SLOWER.BUT THAT IS JUST ME.

JOHN WILLIAM MOLL
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