Digital Photography Tutorials » Sony

Sony Cybershot DSC-H3 Digital Camera Review

lau — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 11:59:53 +0000

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H3 has pretty much everything that a high zoom SLR-like camera(it’s still not a SLR, it comes with an integrated lens) should have: full manual controls, RAW mode, pop-up flash, histogram display, features like face detection and image stabilization, but, it lacks a viewfinder (nor electronic or optical). 10x optical zoom and 8 megapixels are satisfying for anyone who goes deeply into photography when combined with the manual functions, but, the image quality is not as good as the one provided by similar cameras: noisy shots starting from ISO 400. The camera took 1.8 seconds to start up and capture its first JPEG, 1.3 seconds between JPEGs with the flash disabled and 2.6 seconds between shots with the flash turned on. Shutter lag is between 0.4 second and 1 second while continuous shooting mode speed is 2fps regardless of the image size.

An advantage of this camera is it’s small size and lightweight besides the robust design – available in both black and silver. As for the buttons and menus, it’s OK in therms of usability but there are better ones on the market too.
In case the built-in lens isn’t wide or long enough for you, Sony offers both a 0.7x-wide angle converter (VCL-DH0758) and a 1.7x telephoto converter (VCL-DH1758). The necessary adapter comes with the camera and can also accept 58mm filters. The camera also has a lens hood which unfortunately, it’s so large that it obscures a large portion of the flash. However, the adapter itself can likely provide enough shade from the sun when the lens is zoomed to its widest, which means that the hood is only really necessary when shooting telephoto shots.
Sony Cybershot DSC-H3 Specifications

Sony Cybershot DSC-H3

Tags: Sony digital camera, slr digital camera, sony cybershot, sony cybershot dsc-h3, cybershot dsc-h3, 10x optical zoom, 8MP

Sony Cybershot DSC-S700 Digital Camera Review

lau — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 14:39:53 +0000

The S series from Sony is offering compact affordable cameras different from the ultra-compact stylish ones not just because of the design but also because these have less shooting options. The S700 in particular is a 7.2 megapixel camera with 3x optical zoom and a 2.4 inch LCD. In program auto, you can change color settings, metering modes, white balance, ISO, JPEG compression level, flash level, and sharpness. The mode dial and shutter release on the top are easy to operate and the zoom button is a bit tiny.
Shutter lag, when youâ€™ve already achieved a focus and exposure lock, is around 0.2-0.3 seconds and, in well-lit conditions, focus is achieved in under 0.5 seconds (low light condition under 1 sec.). LCD is fairly visible in bright sun; if you purchase high power AA rechargeable batteries, you’ll be able to take allot of pictures (over 400) due to the camera’s low power consumption.
Colors are bright and saturated, details are soft and shooting against the natural light might result in chromatic aberrations. Noisiness is not a problem. The flash in the S700 is not strong at all, I might consider it a real issue of the camera performance, and, concluding with the rest of the facts, I say Sony DSC-S700 is a good camera for outdoor and lowlight family photos.
Sony Cybershot DSC-S700 Specifications

Sony Cybershot DSC-S700

Tags: Sony digital camera, compact digital camera, sony cybershot, sony cybershot dsc-s700, cybershot dsc-s700, 3x optical zoom, 7MP

Sony Cybershot DSC-W55 Digital Camera Review

lau — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 21:11:45 +0000

The W55 is an ultra-compact, point-and-shoot camera with a 3X zoom lens, 2.5″ LCD display and the usual 3x optical zoom. Compared to the previous DSC-W50, it boots 1MB up, has nearly twice as much built-in memory and a little more battery power. Compared to DSC-W35 it has the same lens, same megapixels but a larger LCD.
The look and feel of this camera is pleasant: a metal design (except the plastic door for memory card and battery), available in silver, black, light blue, and pink. It’s easy to hold and operate, a bit lighter than the above mentioned cameras, and fits in pockets. It’s a funny thing that this camera does have an optical viewfinder and a ton of accessories considering its compact size, but doesn’t have Shutter Priority and Aperture Priority (100% point-and-shoot camera, with no manual controls) so I really don’t understand who’s the target here.
Sony Cybershot DSC-W55 accessories:
Wide-angle lens (VCL-DH0730)
Telephoto lens (VCL-DH1730)
Super telephoto lens (VCL-DH2630)
Conversion lens adapter (VAD-WB)
External slave flash (HVL-FSL1B)
Macro ring light (HVL-RLS)
AC adapter (AC-LS5K)
Carrying cases (LCS-WF and S-CSG)
Performance:
At high ISO Sony DSC-W55 is using a lot more noise reduction here, which gets rid of the grain, but smudges out details, otherwise the pictures are well exposed, with saturated colors, with very little noise, and minimal purple fringing. Overall the camera does very well that it’s supposed to do, but it lacks at least a custom white balance and a longer shutter speed mode to be able to cross some limits with the camera.
Sony Cybershot DSC-W55 Specifications

Sony Cybershot DSC-W55

Sony Cybershot DSC-W55

Tags: Sony digital camera, compact digital camera, sony cybershot, sony cybershot dsc-w55, cybershot dsc-w55, 3x optical zoom, 7MP

Sony Cybershot DSC-W35 Digital Camera Review

lau — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 06:49:55 +0000

With the 7.2-megapixel Carl Zeiss Lens, DSC-W35 is one of latests compact digital cameras of Sony’s W-series. This series means that the camera is not as slim as an ultra-compact, but not as big as a high-end camera; it features some manual functions (adjustable flash level, contrast and sharpness), life histogram and a viewfinder for those who make photography more than just for the sake of vacation photos. Sonyâ€™s ultra-fast Real Imaging Processor circuit delivers quick start-up, fast shot-to-shot times, and long battery life (up to 380 shots).

With Sonyâ€™s Clear RAW imaging technology, you can push the cameraâ€™s sensitivity up to ISO1000 without dramatically increasing picture noise. Further more, with the VAD-WB lens adapter, you can add 30mm diameter filters and make more creative shots. There are only 7 scene modes, but the minimum macro distance is 2cm.
The colours look natural and the contrast between lighter and darker areas works well, while focusing is better than many cameras manage to produce plus the fact that the photos stay sharp towards the edges.Sony DSC W35 is a simple, yet effective digital camera that provides colours and sharpness above average, handles sun glare well and all in all produces a pretty good picture.
Sony Cybershot DSC-W35 Specifications

Sony Cybershot DSC-W35

Sony Cybershot DSC-W35

Tags: Sony digital camera, compact digital camera, sony cybershot, sony cybershot dsc-w35, cybershotmdsc-w35, x optical zoom, 7MP

Sony Cybershot DSC-T200 Digital Camera Review

lau — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 19:24:07 +0000

The Sony Cybershot DSC-T200 has a 3.5 inch touch sensitive LCD (0.5 more than DSC-T70), a feature that not many cameras have yet. This is the reason why you can’t notice any buttons on the back. Slim and lightweight as Sony T-series was before, DSC-T200 with the touch screen makes shooting even more comfortable (it’s a huge screen by the way: 3.5 inch) for anyone willing to get rapid photos in vacations by caring a camera in a pocket (you can also choose between Red, Black and Silver).

Here’s a list of the many features this camera posses: 8 megapixels, 5x optical zoom, face detection system, HD output, Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization and High Sensitivity, Wide Zoom Display (automatically expands standard 4:3 images to 16:9). Unlike some competitive systems, Sony Face Detection makes skin tones look more natural and reduces red-eye with pre-strobe flash. Also, there’s a new Smile Shutter Mode that helps you capture more smiles by shooting automatically when your subject laughs, smiles, even grins after you focused.

This fashionable camera may be expensive, and, besides point-and-shoot, it also has a Program mode that makes it possible to perform a few adjustments. The only 4 buttons of the camera are used for turning the camera on and off, zooming, image review and taking the picture. The images are kind of soft and the colors very vibrant. Almost forgot: the macro mode allows takeing picture as close as 1cm – this is very good while other cameras have a limit of 3-5cm.
Sony Cybershot DSC-T200 Specifications

Sony Cybershot DSC-T200

Sony Cybershot DSC-T200

Tags: Sony digital camera, compact digital camera, sony cybershot, sony cybershot dsc-t200, cybershot dsc-t200, 5x optical zoom, 8MP

Sony Cybershot DSC-W200 Digital Camera Review

lau — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 13:50:21 +0000

Do you feel like needing huge prints? Hereâ€™s the most compact 12 megapixels camera in the industry that features Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar Lens, Super Steady Shot Image Stabilization and Face Detection Technology, as well as D-arrange Optimizer. Sonyâ€™s Dynamic Range Optimizer can analyse captured image data and instantly determine the best exposure and tonality of each picture before JPEG compression. An interesting improvement from Sony is the multi-point auto focus (AF) feature that can automatically determine the right focus of up to nine points in the camera frame, rather than focusing on what is in the middle of the frame. Sony Cybershot W200 is compatible with the Sony VMC-MHC1 high-definition component cable for simple connection to an HDTV set; with the new Sony CSS-HD1 high-definition Cyber-shot Station, which comes with the component cable, and at has a built-in slide show function with MP3. Last but not the last, the Bionz processing engine gives the advantage of fast shooting.
Sony Cybershot DSC-W200 Specifications
Sony Cybershot DSC-W200

Sony Cybershot DSC-W200

Sony Cybershot DSC-W200

Tags: sony digital camera, compact digital camera, digital camera, sony cybershot dsc-w200, cybershot dsc-w200, 12MP, 3x optical zoom, sony dsc-w80

Sony Cybershot DSC-W90 Digital Camera Review

lau — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 13:29:09 +0000

Unlike most of the point-an-shoot digital cameras, Sony Cybershot W90 comes with an optical viewfinder (itâ€™s especially useful when you want to spare some battery life). In less than 2 seconds, the camera is ready to take pictures and will focus very quickly thanks to the Bionz processor. This camera has Face Detection and Optical Image Stabilization, both working well, but aperture- and shutter-priority modes are not considered even it is an 8MP camera. In Program mode, you can adjust white balance, type of focus and metering, exposure compensation and ISO sensitivity. You can take three shots (bracket) at three different compensation options which, combined later with a HDR program, will give stunning results. On the LCD youâ€™ll se grid lines that help keep the horizons straight and compose. Except the lack of manual controls, this camera totally pleases me: the speed, the image quality and the easy of use at a reasonable price for a 8MP compact deserve an award.
Sony Cybershot DSC-W90 Specifications
Sony Cybershot DSC-W90

Sony Cybershot DSC-W90

Sony Cybershot DSC-W90

Tags: sony digital camera, compact digital camera, digital camera, sony cybershot dsc-w90, cybershot dsc-w90, 8MP, 3x optical zoom, sony dsc-w90

Sony Cybershot DSC-W80 Digital Camera Review

lau — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 13:04:45 +0000

The DSC-W80 has a newer interface and look compared to other W series cameras from Sony (it comes in attractive colors of the sleek metal body as well). Also, W80 uses Sony’s new Bionz image processor, which is much faster. The photos have sharp details and accurate colors, noticeable noise only from ISO 800 and above. Important features that improve your shots are: optical image stabilization, face-detecting auto focus and auto exposure (there is also ISO 3200 maximum sensitivity but in my opinion not very useful). High-definition slide shows with MP3 music support and in-camera image retouching worth mentions especially for those of you who donâ€™t want to spend too much time with image adjustments at the PC. It can be used with the new Sony CSS-HD1 high-definition Cyber-shot Station, which comes with the component cable (also works as a charger for the camera); and the DSC-W80HDPR kit, which bundles a DSC-W80 camera and Sonyâ€™s DPP-FPHD1 printer package.
Sony Cybershot DSC-W80 Specifications
Sony Cybershot DSC-W80

Sony Cybershot DSC-W80

Sony Cybershot DSC-W80

Sony Cybershot DSC-W80

Tags: sony digital camera, compact digital camera, digital camera, sony cybershot dsc-w80, cybershot dsc-w80, 7MP, 3x optical zoom, sony dsc-w80

Sony Cybershot DSC-G1 Digital Camera Release

lau — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 09:25:32 +0000

Sonyâ€™s first camera with wireless capabilities is the Cybershot DSC-G1 was released in 8 March 2007. With just a touch of a button you can instantly and wirelessly send your photos to a DNLA (Digital Living Network Alliance) compatible PC or another camera. The 2GB internal memory capacity (stores up to 7,500 VGA-quality or 600 6-megapixel photos) means you will not need memory card storage for your photos. The G1 also has a different design approach than other Cyber-shot cameras. Itâ€™s bigger and thicker than most, “with a curious wedge-shaped design that fits somewhat oddly into the hand”. Sonyâ€™s Super Steady Shot is the optical image stabilisation by Sony for steady and sharp, crystal clear photos. Like all other Sony digital cameras, it is based on Carl Zeiss lens, but, you slide the lens cover across, instead of down as with previous models, and youâ€™re ready to shoot in less than a second.The Cybershot DSC-G1 is expected to be in shops starting April and will be available for purchase at a start price of $600. Iâ€™m looking forward to find out more about this cameraâ€™s image quality capabilities.

Functions:
â€¢ Shooting Modes: Auto, Scene, Movie
â€¢ Scene Modes: Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Landscape, Beach, Snow, Fireworks, High-spped Shutter, High Sensitivity, Soft Snap, Handheld Twilight
â€¢ Movie Mode: MPEG4 movie recording with sound
â€¢ Focus Modes: (TTL 9 points type) single, monitoring
â€¢ Metering Modes: multi-pattern, center-weighted, spot
â€¢ Flash Modes: Auto, Slow Synch, Red-eye Reduction
â€¢ White Balance: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent 1, Incandescent, Flash white balance

Technical Data:
â€¢ 3.5 inch LCD (extra large)
â€¢ 6.0 effective Megapixels
â€¢ 3x optical zoom + 6x digital zoom
â€¢ Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 1/3 EV steps
â€¢ Bracketing: 3 frames, Â±0.3/0.7/1.0EV
â€¢ Focus Range:
Auto: 1.64 ft.;
Macro Wide: 3.14 in.;
Macro Tele: 9.84 in.;
Magnify Wide: 0.39 in. – 7.87 in.
â€¢ Flash Range:
Auto Wide: 0.3 – 9.2 ft.;
Auto Tele: 0.8 – 7.2 ft.;
Wide: 16.1; Tele: 13.1 ft.
â€¢ ISO Range: 80 – 1000
â€¢ Self Timer: 2 or 10 sec
â€¢ File Format: JPEG
â€¢ Memory Stick PRO Duo or just use the 2GB internal memory capacity
â€¢ Li-Ion Battery NP-FR1

Tags: sony, sony cybershot, digital camera, compact digital camera, point and shoot, point and shoot digital camera, camera, compact camera, sony digital camera, sony cybershot DSC-G1, 6MP, 3x optical zoom, optical image stabilization, image stabilization, wireless digital camera

Sony Cybershot DSC-T20 Digital Camera Review

lau — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 22:02:53 +0000

Coming soon in April is the Sony DSC-T20 camera. It will be available in pink, white, black and silver. Sony’s new T-series cameras are powered by the Bionz(TM) processing engine to deliver the fast image processing speeds provide clear, detailed pictures. This ultra compact digital camera comes with Optical image stabilization, PictBridge support and Face Detection. To complete the high-definition viewing experience, you can pick up the Sony DPP-FPHD1 package with comes with a Cyber shot cradle, remote, and a high definition printer with all the necessary cables you need. But before, you can also take a look at Sony Cybershot DSC-T100 which is very similar.
Maybe not very on-topic: if you are curious about Sony cameras, you may want to watch this high quality video.

Functions:
â€¢ Shooting Modes: Auto, Program Auto, Scene
â€¢ Scene Modes: Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Landscape, Beach, Snow, Fireworks, High Speed Shutter, High Sensitivity, Soft Snap
â€¢ Color modes: Natural, Vivid, Sepia, B&W
â€¢ Movie Mode: 640 x 480 (30fps), MPEG
â€¢ Focus: Auto, Macro, Magnifying Glass, Preset, Single, Monitoring
â€¢ Metering: Multi-pattern, Center-weighted, Spot
â€¢ White Balance: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent 1, 2, 3, Incandescent, Flash WB
â€¢ Flash (built-in): â€¢ Auto, On, Slow Synch, Off, Red-eye reduction

Technical Data:
â€¢ 2.5-inch LCD
â€¢ 8 megapixels
â€¢ 3x optical zoom + 2x digital zoom
â€¢ F3.5-4.3, 38-114mm (35mm equiv) lens
â€¢ Aperture: F3.5-5.6 (wide) F4.3-10.0 (tele)
â€¢ No Viewfinder
â€¢ Shutter Speed: 1-1/1000 sec
â€¢ Focus Range: Macro: 25cm (tele) 8cm (wide), Magnifying Glass: 1-20cm (wide), AF: 50cm
â€¢ ISO Range: ISO 80, ISO 100, ISO 200, ISO 400, ISO 800, ISO 1600, ISO 3200
â€¢ Flash Range: 0.1-3.7m (wide) 0.8-2.9m (tele)
â€¢ Exposure compensation: +/-2EV in 1/3EV stop increments
â€¢ File Formats: JPEG, DPOF
â€¢ Self timer: 2 or 10sec
â€¢ Continuous shooting 100 shots, 2.1fps, 8MP (max)
â€¢ Memory Stick / Pro Duo + 31 MB internal memory
â€¢ Lithium-ion battery NP-BG1

Tags: Sony Cybershot DSC-T20, Sony, Sony DSC-T20, Sony Cybershot, image stabilization, noise reduction, red eye reduction, face detection, 3x optical zoom, 8MP, digital camera, camera, compact camera, compact digital camera