Amazon.com Product Description

A close cousin of the Dimage A2, Konica Minolta's SLR-style Dimage A200 offers a smaller, more rounded body design and is lighter by 2.1 ounces. But it's packed full of powerful features that will be appreciated by a wide range of photographers, from professional to advanced amateur. In addition to its 8-megapixel resolution and 7x optical zoom, the Dimage A200 features a movie mode with 800 x 600-pixel resolution, 1.8-inch flip-out LCD monitor, and Minolta's anti-shake technology to keep things smooth.

Optics and Resolution
The Dimage A200 has an 8.0-megapixel, 2/3-inch interlace scan CCD that can subtle, expressive images--even individual hairs or the stitches of a suit in sharp detail. It has the following resolution options: 3264 x 2448, 3264 x 2176 (3:2 aspect ratio), 2560 x 1920, 2080 x 1560, 1600 x 1200, and 640 x 480. The 7x optical zoom GT lens is designed specifically for digital photography with sharper, clearer images minus any color aberration, even when using the large aperture setting. It has a 28-200mm equivalency in 35mm photography and a focal range of f2.8 to f3.5. It also has two digital zoom options: a normal 2x and an interpolated 4x.

With its proprietary new advanced LSI engine and CxProcess III image-processing technology, the DiMAGE A200 provides high-speed and stress-free image processing with low power consumption. And, its ability to suppress noise and provide exceptionally accurate color reproduction means that users get high-quality images every time.

The Dimage A200 features a CCD-shift mechanism, outlined above in green, to stabilize images by offsetting the shaking pattern of the user's hand. Below, a photo with Anti-Shake off (right) and the same subject with Anti-Shake on (left).

Movie Mode
The Dimage A200 offers a true VGA (640 x 480 pixels) movie mode, enabling you to record video at TV-quality 30 frames per second (fps). You also have the option to shoot at a larger resolution (800 x 600, SVGA) at 15 fps, good for viewing on a PC screen. Unlike many digital cameras, the Dimage A200 allows use of both the optical and digital zoom while recording movies, and the Night Movie function makes subjects highly visible even in dark settings. You can shoot a maximum of 15 minutes of video with audio.

Anti-Shake Technology
The Anti-Shake feature provides a highly effective way to deal with camera shake--a major cause of substandard images, especially with telephoto shots and when shooting in dim lighting. The Dimage A200 features a CCD-shift mechanism to stabilize images by offsetting the shaking pattern of the user's hand, providing stability at up to three shutter speeds slower than on digital cameras without an Anti-Shake function.

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on CompactFlash cards (Type I/II), and it supports Microdrives. The Dimage A2 does not come with a memory card. It connects to Macs and Windows-based PCs via USB 2.0 connectivity.

Direct Printing
By directly connecting the Dimage A200 to a PictBridge-compliant printer, you can easily create prints without going through a computer--just choose your image directly from the LCD monitor.

More Features
The camera's 1.8-inch TFT Vari-angle LCD monitor rotates 270 degrees vertically and 180 degrees horizontally, allowing you to get a clear viewpoint for shooting artistic angles or taking flawless self-portraits.

Other features include:

• In addition to JPEG images, the Dimage A200 can also save captured images to RAW (12 bits per pixel), RAW+JPEG, and TIFF formats.
• The Ultra High Speed mode captures images at a continuous advance of 40 frames at 10 frames per second.
• Automatic or manual popup flash has a five-second refresh and fill, red-eye reduction, slow sync, and rear flash sync modes.
• Sure-grip, ergonomic body makes it easy to carry and use anywhere.

What's in the Box
This package includes the Minolta Dimage A200 digital camera, rechargeable Lithium-ion battery (NP-800) and battery charger (BC-900), USB and AV cables, lens cap, accessory shoe cap, lens shade, wireless remote control, and CD-ROM with Dimage Viewer and ULEAD Video Studio 8 SE software. ... Read more

Features

• 8-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 16-by-22-inch enlargements
• Konica Minolta 7X optical zoom GT lens combines with a 2x digital zoom and 4x interpolated digital zoom
• Anti-shake feature for smooth photographic close-ups; flip-out, tilting 1.8-inch LCD
• Store images on type I or II Compact Flash memory cards or Microdrive; connects to PC via USB 2.0
• Powered by 1 NP-800 Lithium-ion battery

Product Description

5.1-megapixel recording * Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® lens * 3X optical zoom (2X digital/12X total zoom with lower-res photos only) * 35mm equivalent lens focal length: 38-114mm * Real Imaging Processor for high-quality images and faster camera response * 2-1/2" color LCD * JPEG options: resolution up to 2592 x 1944; 2048 x 1536; 1280 x 960; 640 x 480 * ... Read more

Features

• 5-area multi-point autofocus and AF Illuminator; captures VGA video with sound, with length limited only by the size of the memory card
• Powered by AA-size batteries; records images on Memory Stick and Memory Stick PRO media
• 5.1 MP CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 13 x 17-inch prints
• 3x optical zoom; 2.5-inch extra-large display
• Features Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens specially designed for digital cameras

Reviews (8)

The Camera!
This has been the best digital camera i have ever bought! the quality of the picture that it takes enables me to pictures that i am unable to take with a high quality slr. the video quality is not that great but if you are serious about still pictures this is a great investment for someone starting out their digital experiance!

Versatile, quick, big screen
I'm enjoying my new W5. I've had lots of fun taking pictures in every kind of circumstance I can think of.
The camera has the capability of a very long exposure, which I've enjoyed immensely, and the night shots I've taken are super.
I enjoy remodeling. The W5 has a 30mm screw mount, and I purchased the wide-angle lens at my local Sony Style store. I am very happy that I have the capability to add lenses and/or filters.
The person who complains that the "waving hand" shows when the light is low -- yes, it is just a warning -- so you the user knows what's going on. You know if the camer is not stable you could get some fuzziness. I think it's better to know that something requires a little caution, than to get crummy pictures because I didn't know.
It has a large screen, it has a screw mount for lenses/filters, it has a metal screw base for tripod use, it uses regular AA batteries, it uses my old Sony memory (plus the new Sony Pro memory I bought), it takes 640 x 480, 30 frame per second video, with sound, and it's among the lightest in this class.
Honestly, I think it's hard to beat.

DSCW5.51MP
I purchased this camera for my trip to Europe. DISAPPOINTED
is the short review. My sister had an Olympus 3.1 MP and her pictures blew mine way. I had serious clarity and focus problems. My prints were terrible for the most part and I am considering returning this camera. Sorry Sony I was burned this time.

clarification of the "little waving hand"
Just a clarification of the negative reviews below - the "little waving hand" does not mean that the camera is moving.Instead, it means that you are trying to take a photo with a setting that would require a very steady hand to get a sharp result.That is why the hand doesn't go away when you put the camera on a table - and you can still take good pictures under these conditions, if the camera is held steady enough.This is a great little camera that I have been totally satisfied with so far.And, just as an aside, this information is in the user's manual, it might be a good idea to read this over before writing bad reviews on this site.

Blurry pictures
I take basic point and shoot pictures of my family and so on.I was really disappointed with the image and focus quality on this camera.If *anything* is moving, it tends to show up as a blur -- even a child waving his hand.

The "camera unsteady" warning came on every time too.I even sat it on a table top, and it still warned "camera unsteady!"

I decided to return it and look for something better. ... Read more

Product Description

7.1-megapixel effective recording * 3X optical Zoom-Nikkor ED glass lens (4X digital/12X total zoom) * 35mm equivalent lens focal length: 38-114mm * approximately 13.5 MB of built-in memory (holds about 4 images at highest quality setting) * 2" color LCD * ... Read more

Features

• Macro shooting as close as 1.6 inches
• Powered by a Lithium-ion battery (included); stores images on SD memory cards
• 7.1-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for for photo-quality 11 x 15-inch prints
• 3x optical zoom through a quality Zoom-Nikkor lens (zoom is equivalent to 35-105mm in a 35mm camera)
• 2.0-inch LCD display; exclusive Nikon In-Camera Red-Eye Fix

Reviews (3)

What glitters is not always gold.
I had this camera for 14 days. I went to the store to buy the Canon SD500, and the design of the Nikon Coolpix 7900 grabbed my attention. The sales person informed me that the only difference between the Nikon and the Canon was the name.

She was wrong.

In a series of 100 photos, the Nikon took around 6 crystal clear shots. The remaining 94 shots were blurry and lacked quality.I upgraded my Olympus C3040 (3MP) with the Coolpix 7900. My Olympus outperformed the Coolpix in all respects, except for battery type, weight, and size of camera.

When I returned the camera to the place of purchase they asked if I was sure I was "doing it right."I am an artist and published photographer. I've been taking pictures with digital camera for 5 years. I carefully read the instructions, I even called Nikon to ask for assistance.

This camera cannot take QUALITY photographs consistently. Especially in low light. Bottom-line--I found it to be a horrible camera. A typical case of what glitters is not always gold.

I returned the camera for the Canon Powershot SD500 and my first three photos were pristine.

Good luck,
JAS

Sweet Little Thing
My wife's Nikon SQ died so I wanted to get a *small* travel camera as a replacement. The 7900 is indeed small. It takes great photos outside and will take good full frame 30 fps movies until the SD card is full (bar graph on screen). I've taken blury low-light candid photos w/o flash, but most are due to camera movement rather than focus problems (when looked at in Photoshop). The camera is a little /too/ small for me to grip steadily and hold against a door frame for candids. It'll be a great travel camera for her. Large LCD, good battery life, 7MP images, Image Stabilization.
Disappointed that it's built in China like most everything else and Noise Reduction mode is a little too painterly for me -- I'll clean up my images myself.

Nikon Needs to Get Focused
The 7900 sure is an attractive little camera with it's sleek body and high mega pixel count. Like several other Coolpix cameras, including the Nikon 8800, this camera can't focus well in low light. I don't know why Nikon continues to release these cameras with the same flaws. The AF system on the Coolpix line is contrast based and in less than ideal lighting it can lock focus, but get wrong repeatedly. You can visit DPreview.com and Nikonians.com for more info on AF weaknesses with the Coolpix line.
This is a serious warning for buyers! Website forums for Nikon are filled with rabid supporters of the products, even when they haven't tried them. Another funny move is when the focus problems are mentioned by someone they quickly post a shot taken on the dark side of the moon! What exactly does this prove? The 7900 CAN take a low light shot, but it will often miss the shot as well. Don't trust samples taken in low light since you have no idea how many missed shots it took to get it. Buyer's remorse makes camera owners say and do anything to defend their purchases.
Point blank: The 7900 has poor auto focusing compared to MANY other cameras. To make matters worse it has a VERY weak AF assist light just like the 8800. Insult to injury. A Pentax Optio S5i focuses better in low light without the lamp and costs far less. A Canon A95 also has superior focus ability, though not the best of it's class. High count sensors mean little when you miss a shot due to focus, right?
When the 7900 DID get the focus right, images seemed slightly soft overall. While it has many modes there's no real manual control of the camera. This is not good for the growing photographer or the shooter who likes to fine tune.
There's little point in discussing the Nikon's other merits. Inability to focus in many indoor settings is a deal killer. Like the 8800, I have no idea why Nikon can't do what other designers have done at half the cost. I own a Nikon D70 DSLR and I LOVE IT, so I'm not bashing Nikon. I just don't know what the problem is with their line of P&S units. The 7900 I tested belongs to a friend and she's returning it for a Canon A95 or Fuji 550. ... Read more

Product Description

5.1-megapixel recording * 3X optical Zoom-Nikkor ED lens (4X digital/12X total zoom) * approximately 12 MB of built-in memory (holds about 5 images at highest quality setting) * 2-1/2" LCD screen * Face Priority autofocus for in-focus portraits * ... Read more

Features

• Ultra-compact--a mere 3/4 inches thin
• Powered by Lithium-ion battery (rechargeable battery included); stores images on SD memory cards
• 5-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 13 x 17-inch prints
• 3x optical zoom with Zoom-Nikkor lens; 2.5-inch LCD display
• Exclusive Nikon in-camera red-eye fix and face-priority autofocus

Reviews (6)

O like it so far
--hi hi hi
I just recieved my S1 yesterday
I haven't had this camera for a long time,
but so far, I like it! :D

this small thing take so beautiful natural shots
I took about 40 random shots so far
- everywhere without flash, with flash, outiside in office, etc..
green color is little strong and that's why some pictures look so pretty

if it's little dark, and if you don't want flash,
the shutter speed can be little slow.
when it's bright enough, it's faster and I think nobody will have any problem.
Compared to Sony V1 (I have it here) which is also 5 megapixel camera,
and which is huge,
I really like this tiny camera with great color and function :D

Especially I had so hard time choosing this camera over Canon SD400.

I chose this one because when canon take pictures of people, it tend to make their face bit red.

I was going to take lots of portraits with this camera, and I thought Nikon would be a better deal for me! :D

I"m not really a technical person,
so I don't really care or know about what soft edge is or anything like that.
If pictures look clear and pretty, I'm just fine with them.

somebody here showed review pictures of S1 from dcresource.
they were horrible pictures! I was so worried because I already ordered it.
However, I don't understand now how that person came with those pictures.

I'll summarize it

good -
good and pretty color (pretty green and blue :D)
nice design (I think it's prettier than SD400)
nice color for portraits
reasonably good indoor pics..(w/o flash)
(I like pictures without flash)

bad-
-little bit slow shutter speed

-not doing real well in shots that have a very close distance (like tiny flowers)

I really like this camera so far
and I'm glad I got this one!

I checked SD400 and took some shots in stores

and that small thing was really great, too! if you like pictures that are very clear and if you are going to take lot of natural shots,

I recommend SD400. I have seen lots of pictures of SD400, it takes great pictures, too!!!!

anyways. I hope this review helps! :-)

I don't know how to post pictures here. but I can certainly send you pics if you want! :)

Nikon's first ultra-compact digicam is simply great
Nikon is the last of the Japanese digital camera makers to come out with a ultra-slim (<= 0.8 inches thin) digital camera, and Nikon has apparently taken many a page from its competitors' playbooks and come out with a deliciously good camera.

Before I continue with my review, let me point out that there's a jet black version available (unfortunately not on Amazon yet) which simply looks much better than this silver version.If possible, I recommend you get the black S1.You'll surely impress everyone on your block.

Despite being a small and light -- and pocketable -- camera, the S1 takes surprisingly good pictures.Of course, it's unreasonable to expect the kind of quality you can get on a Nikon D70 SLR or Coolpix 8800 "bridge" camera, because these latter models are bigger and therefore have a larger lens (very important for great optical quality) and a larger sensor (important for better color accuracy and lower noise), but I can say that the S1 has the best picture quality in its class, even bettering the great models from Canon (SD400, SD500, etc.)In normal lighting, S1's pictures are sharp and very accurate in color.This latter is very important for getting eye-pleasing photos.Even indoors, the S1 does a decent job; since the lack of light always makes photography difficult, the S1 is better than most.BTW, when indoors, using a camera's built-in flash always results in harsh-looking pictures where the background is dark and ugly.Instead, try mounting the camera on a tripod -- the S1 has a tripod mount -- and taking a picture without the flash.The picture you get will be much more pleasing to the eye.

In short, the S1 is a trustworthy performer when it comes to picture quality -- once again, with the necessary caveat that you don't compare this with a D70 d-SLR.I've seen thousands and thousands of digital images, on screen and on paper, and I'm pretty impressed with the S1's image quality.I simply don't think you'll find another ultra-slim camera that can take better pictures than this.

Nikon has put in a lot of effort -- and marketing -- in creating in-camera software editing, such as in-camera red-eye reduction and the new D-lighting (which lightens up dark shadows and darkens blown highlights).Both of these are done during playback.

What amazes me is Nikon's exclusive "face-priority" autofocus (AF) mode when shooting: it can automatically identify the faces in a picture and focus and expose on the closest or centerist face.This is truly AMAZING and works very well -- provided the lighting is not too shabby, or the facial skin tone not too dark.This works especially well in restaurants.You know the drill: you gather your friends at the dining table for a picture, and lo and behold, all too often the camera focuses on the white table cloth in the background or that giant Coors neon sign in the back instead of your faces.Nikon S1's face-priority comes to rescue.The only caveat is indoors, it doesn't seem to work as well as outdoors when lighting is aplenty.

The S1 does not have an optical viewfinder, so for framing you rely on the 2.5" LCD screen.The screen is bright and covers 97% of the shooting frame, but its 110,000 pixel resolution is only average.This pales in comparison the 230,000 pixel count on the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T7's 2.5" LCD.The Sony's LCD is also brighter, but the Nikon S1's is not shabby at all and compares favorably to the LCD on most ultra-compact cameras.

One area in which the S1 does lag market share leaders such as Canon and Casio and, to a lesser extent, Sony, is the shutter lag speed.The latest models from Canon and Casio are super-fast and have negligible shutter lag, meaning when you press the shutter button, the camera takes the picture in milliseconds.The S1 has a noticeable shutter lag: the camera takes a fraction of a second focusing and taking the exposure before the shutter releases.This can be a problem when you demand instantaneous response from the camera, such as when you want to capture those Kodak moments of an energetic baby or child.Many people place a lot of emphasis on shutter lag, so this may be a serious problem for them.

There are, however, two solutions.First, you could press the shutter button half-way and hold it there to pre-focus and pre-expose, and when the moment you want arrives, just press the button further down to release the shutter.I'm not saying this to excuse Nikon for not including better shutter lag performance (esp. given the S1's price point), but in general, it's always a good idea to pre-focus, even with a fast digital SLR such as the Canon Digital Rebel XT or Nikon D70.One benefit from pre-focusing is you minimize the handshake when pressing the shutter button, since your finger travels less than from the "up" position.Second solution is use the S1's nice continuous-focus feature which allows you to focus on a moving subject without pressing the shutter button.This continuous-focus (also known as servo AF) feature always keeps the subject in focus, at the expense of battery life and slightly more wear on the focusing motor in the lens.

Conclusion regarding shutter lag: if you absolutely demand as little shutter lag as you can get on an ultracompact camera, consider the Canon SD400 or the Casio EX-Z55/Z57.The Fuji Z1 is reportedly very fast, too, although I haven't played with it yet.If you don't mind shutter lag or are willing to use one or both of the solutions outlined above, then you'll love S1 for its other great features (excellent image quality, big LCD, easy interface, ultra-cool styling).My advice: if you don't know much about shutter lag and its implications, check out the S1 and other cameras in a store and pay attention to the time between pressing the shutter button and hearing the "click" sound characteristic of shutter release.My OWN personal preference is I always pre-focus (solution #1) when I need to minimize shutter lag, whether I'm using the S1 or my beloved D70 d-SLR.

What else can I say?You get 3x optical zoom (equivalent to 35mm-105mm focal range in 35mm format), a LiIon battery that's about average in performance (the king in this department is the Casio Exilim EX-Z55/Z57 series), and a cradle which you need in order to transfer pictures.(I myself use a USB card reader that takes the SD card.)Speaking of this, the Nikon S1 kit does not come with an SD card, but the camera itself has 12MB of internal memory, which isn't a lot at all.

Supposedly the "S" in S1 stands for style, and Nikon has definitely created a very stylish and very desirable ultra-slim digital camera -- especially in the black-body version.But great looks are not the only thing the new S1 has; its picture quality is simply the best in its increasingly crowded class.Finally, you can impress your friends and speed-dating dates with a camera that not only looks good and goes into your pocket, but flatters your subjects as well.

Finally, some quick advice: 1) be sure to hold the camera very steady when pressing the shutter; fuzzy pictures from handshaking is the #1 complaint with these tiny cameras; 2) don't let your left hand block the lens; 3) protect the huge LCD screen well; 4) there's a new model called "S2" that's coming out which you might want to investigate before deciding (I think the S1 looks much better).

Nice small form factor but not so great pictures
I have a Canon Powershot G2 and my wife\'s cousin bought this camera (Nikon Coolpix S1). We both took pictures at lots of different light settings and here is my conclusion about this camera.

Pros:
1. Very small and thin. Easily put in pocket.
2. High megapixel resolution and pictures are good in proper lighting.

Cons:
1. Very small and thin. It is good for small people but for someone big, the camera is too delicate and buttons very small.
2. The screen is unprotected and can be damaged easily in the pocket.
3. Low light photos are not illuminated well enough by the flash so you might just have the subject lighted up and the background dark.
4. Don\'t know if it is due to small size but if you casually take out the camera for a picture, the chances of picture being blurred are high.
5. Also, almost 80% pictures had red-eye problem which can be removed easily but still is cumbersome.

Summary :
Camera is an entry level camera good for small people. The main asset is the small size.

Nice Form Factor and phote quality
I've been looking for a replacement for my Canon S230 3mp camera off and on for a couple of months now. When I saw this camera; its size and 5mp quality I made the leap.

First impressions of this camera are very positive. The learning curve is basically flat. The menu's are very intuitive and easy to use. The 17 or so different shooting modes are very easy to understand and to actually use. The unit itself slips into your pants pocket and feels like its not even there. In fact this is the first camera I will carry with me everyday because of its sleek and light weight design.

As far as photo quality is concerned, I'd agree with one of the other reviewers - its good, not great. I'd have to say its a half step up from my Canon. Having said that I have to remember this is not a Nikon D70, its a handy and very capable everyday shooter with lots of cool features.

The one minus that I've noted now that I've been shooting everything under the sun with it is this; I have big hands and this unit is so petite that I've found my left ring finger showing up in the pictures. I have to be constantly aware of where my digits are when shooting as, with the lens so close to the left edge of the camera they easily get included in the shot.

The other thing I don't particularly care for is the docking station. It appears to be mandatory for recharging the battery which is a bit clunky especially if you want to travel with this unit. The docking station is required in order to recharge, you've just doubled the size of the camera in terms of packing and carrying along on trips. I would much prefer to have a recharge cradle like the Canon uses or just a single cord that I could plug into the camera but there doesn't seem to be an option for one.

Finally, the PhotoProject software that comes with the unit is really a joke. Don't even think about using it. I download my shots via Windows Explorer as the unit shows up as just another USB storage device. The software is bloated, slow, (and I have a very fast computer), and basically useless.

The camera does come with a nice little application that allows you to stitch together multiple pictures to create panaromic photos. When used in conjunction with the Panoramic shooting mode on the camera the results are really great. I have for years taken shots and then tried to stitch them in Photoshop or PhotoElements with the results being disappointing but this little application gets it right and its a snap to use.

I also purchased a 1gig SecureCard for the unit. At present it hasn't arrived but I'm using a 256meg card I previously had it it works great but I want to have the most storage I possibly have as the shots tend to average 1.5m shot. 256Megs gets you 99 shots at 5mp.

Summary

I'm very happy overall with this little camera. Its easy to take with you everywhere you go, the pictures are very clean and of high quality. Again, remember its mission - to deliver a compact, capable and affordable camera that is pure point and shoot. It delivers. Oh, and I can't stop before I mention the beautiful 2.5 inch rear display - very cool and viewable even direct sun.

Nice design, only OK pictures
I bought this camera primarily for it's compact size so I could carry it in my pocket anywhere I go. Nikon has always produced a quality product, and this camera feels solid and looks good. The screen size is a major plus.

As far as the images go, they are only OK. For a 5 megapixel camera, there is more "noise" or grain than I would expect. The redeye feature works fairly well, though I actually had one image's red MOUTH touched up by the camera's internal software. When the picture was printed, the lips of my subject were recolored as if they were redeye! I guess the camera was fooled in that case, and it only happened once.

All in all, it serves its purpose OK. A small compact camera that is easy to carry with satisfactorysnapshot qulaity images. ... Read more

Features

• 5.1-megapixel resolution for photo-quality 11 x 14-plus sized enlargements
• Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens with 3x optical, 2x digital zoom
• Ultra-compact shape is about the size of a credit card; captures video clips with sound
• Store images on Memory Stick Duo media; 32 MB Memory Stick Duo included with adapter
• Powered by NP-FT1 InfoLithium rechargeable battery (included with in-camera charger)

Reviews (58)

user friendly
very easy to use point and shoot. fast picture taking ability and does a good job auto-focusing. with 256 mb card, can hold 140 pics at default settings (5mp, fine). lcd screen is awesome and makes this camera a joy to use and review shots to ensure you got what you wanted. couple minor annoyances...battery will fall out when you open compartment, no locking feature on front lense cover (sometimes it will open on its own in your purse/pocket), no included carrying case....to protect lcd screen while in pockets or purse from scratches.

quality of pictures is on par or better than my olympus c4000 at 1/4 th the size.

docking station is fast with usb 2.0 instead of 1.1 like most others. recharges battery in under 3 hours.

this camera has impressed me....size, quality, and easy to use.

i recommend for those that want to carry a camera with them at all times without extra luggage.

Not 100% pleased with this purchase
I purchased this camera about 2-3 months ago for general purpose/travel photography with my family. I was leaning towards the Canon S500, but went with the Sony T1 due to it's minimal size. Since purchasing, we have taken numerous photos, using both the "auto" mode as well as the "program" mode with some of the suggestions from previous posters in this forum (adjusting ISO, EV, sharpness, etc.). Overall, about 50% of the images are good to very good, and the remainder are very poor. The problem seems to primarily be with the focusing sensor, as a lot of images are not in focus - now I know what you're thinking, maybe I just didn't have the subject in the center of the focusing brackets, or the subject moved after holding down the shutter, or whatever, but trust me - that is not the case. I take numerous digital photos for work with Nikon, Olympus, and Kodak cameras, and only 5-10% of these are not in focus.
In several of the pictures NOTHING is in focus, which doesn't make a lot of sense unless the AF sensor is just not picking anything to focus on!?
Also, several of the photos have been blurred, even in bright sunlight, as though the shutter speed was too slow. (Yes, even when adjusting the ISO to 400).
Anyway, it's now in for repairs to see if there actually is a specific problem with the camera. As to the other issues:
1. Yes, red-eye is pretty bad, but easy to fix with software (no, I'm not using Sony's software).
2. I don't care that much about the missing tripod slot.
3. I've had no trouble keeping the lid closed.
4. USB and charger are a little bulky, but you can buy a small charger and USB from Sony, and/or buy a big enough MD card to hold images until you can download.
5. Camera functionality/ease of use is good and intuitive; I'd like a way to set the shutter speed, though...
The bottom line is this - I would love this camera if I could consistently get good photos (i.e., in focus and not blurred) out of it. If the camera gets fixed to solve these problems, I'll let you know; otherwise, I can not recommend it.

BEST Camera ever!!!
This is our 3rd sony camera and I love them all, but this one.. wow the pictures are so clear, the screen size is huge, and the compact size is amazing. I keep it in my purse all the time for those shots when your just at the playground with the kids and you'd have wished you had your camera, WELL I DO... all the time and use it almost everyday. So easy to use, and such an amazing camera. I would never buy anything but sony, ever. You'll LOVE this camera, it truely is the best!

B E A U T I F U L - Im Lovin It
I Love My Camera every where i took it so far i had possitive comments about it, it never gave me a problem like other customer had mentioned in this feedback, if you follow the direction as stated in the manuel you will not go wrong, it is a nice camera awsome screen could not complian nice and big.

Accessories
For those of you that find it bulky to charge... buy the Compact Charger and an extra battery - well worth it! Even though you can take well over 100 pictures with flash and still have battery power; just be safe and have a back up. MPEG takes up batter power as do flash pictures, so don't take a chance on losing the picture or clip of a lifetime. For that one time you will never be able to relive again, it is great. Red-eye, I agree... Sony, could you please work on it. We are going to Vegas, so we purchased an extra battery and have taken many shots with moving lights so when we get to Vegas, I've had plenty of practice for perfect night pictures and moving light pictures. Don't like the way they look...... delete them; and start over; play with the features, that is why they are there. Tripod would be nice; however, for $500 I wouldn't want to venture into getting a Tripod; falling over would crush me!!! ... Read more

Features

• 7.1 megapixel CCD and wide-angle 28-100mm, 3.6x optical zoom lens
• 13 Shooting Modes, including enhanced VGA Movie Mode
• Exclusive Canon image processor and iSAPS technology for faster processing and excellent image quality
• New print/Share Button for easy direct printing and downloads
• New Macro Mode that lets you shoot less than 2 inches from your subject

Product Description

1-megapixel CCD * digital photo mode * digital photo resolution options: 1152 x 864; 640 x 480 * compatible with Memory Stick Duo or Memory Stick PRO® Duo (available separately) * 2-11/16" widescreen color touch-panel LCD * ... Read more

Features

• Professional quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens
• 2.7-inchs wide touch panel SwivelScreen LCD display
• Capture and transfer high quality MiniDV video quickly and easily with Sony's DCR-HC42 Handycam camcorder.
• 1/5.5-inch advanced HAD CCD imager with 1 megapixel still image capabilities
• 12X optical zoom lens with 480X digital zoom

Reviews (6)

Good point and shoot, but not for professional video
This camera offers descent point and shoot type video.If you're interested in making independent films, I would stay away from this camera.For one, there is ONLY ONE CCD.The camera CAN'T shoot in 24p progressive video mode, you're stuck with lame 29.97fps.That means you'll never get that "film-like" feel that film-movie cameras have.There isn't a manual focus ring, you have to focus using MENU controls!The camera also has a CCD the 1/5.5" in size.This pales incomparison to other cameras with bigger CCDs (like the sony fx1 with 1/3" CCDs).A bigger CCD means better low light capability.Also the max verticle lines of resolution is 520 lines.This camera can't compete with 1080i type cameras that have over TWICE the verticle lines.But it's a good camera for those who can't (or don't want to) spend $40K on a professional digital camera.So don't buy this camera if you're interested in making professional feature films.

Small & High Quality
The camera is nice and compact, smaller than it's competitors including Canon, easy to hold and carry around.Very high image quality - looks like broadcast quality when viewing on a television set.Very professional features - it may take some hunting and pecking through the manual to learn all the options.Light aperture can be adjusted manually or automatically or with general (pre-programmed)settings such as "high speed action" or the "beach," etc.. Runs quite long on the battery that comes with it.Built in lens cover makes it simpler.Overall a great camera.I also have a $3500 professional mini-DV and this one is virtually just as good.

Not worth the extra money...
Well I just got this model to test.I am returning it tomorrow as i find it no different than my refurbed discontinued HC20 I got for ultra cheap at the Sony Outlet.Picture quality in my opinion is exactly the same.Handling is the same with the HC42 having more options.So what about the 12x optical - its only 2x more than the HC20.Everything about this camcorder reeked overpriced.

I admit I bought this one mainly for the Analog to Digital passthru but after thinking it over it is not worth the extra cost at all.Half the options (still pic, memory stick, etc...) are things I will not use.

I honestly feel that this is an overpriced camcorder.I tested a Panasonic and it wascheaper and well if you need all these options it was a better buy to get a Panasonic GS35 (30x optical!)

As for the analog to digital passthru - i am going to stick with my old Sony D8 cam for that work.This is just not worth it.I'd look into the HC21/32 if you really want a Sony.

Sony is the best, again
After much searching for the perfectly priced, and well performing mini DV camcorder, I came back to Sony's HC42 model. I've owned a LOT of sony products over the year, and have yet to be disappointed. This is a solid camera, packing a touch screen, an upgraded lens, 12x optical zoom, and a docking station which connects your camera to the computer (via a firewire cord that YOU MUST PURCHASE separetly, it only comes with a USB cable for tranferring pictures) and is also a charging stand. It comes with some video editing software, but I would suggest Pinnacle 9 Plus, or a 3rd party if you are really into video editing. The picture quality is awesome, ease of use is great (it even has an 'EASY' mode, where high tech options disappear from the screen!). You cant go wrong at this price point. I wouldnt go for lower models, and the higher runs over 1000 bucks..this is the sweet spot. Enjoy

Be Careful!
The DCR-HC42 specification says that the unit has "external microphone" capability.In the past, both the Sony DV an D8 units accommodated external microphones, like lapel mics and powered portable mics.This unit's idea of an external mic is one that attaches to the shoe, which is attached to the camera (and is only sold by Sony $70-$150). If all you need is a point-and-shoot microphone, then the unit may be adequate for your needs, but it's not what past Sony units have been capable of. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Kodak's EasyShare CX7430 offers high-resolution image capture with fully automatic point-and-shoot simplicity. You'll be able to print vibrant 20 x 30-inch enlargements thanks to the CX7430's resolution. The CX7430 also integrates Kodak's new camera Favorites feature for storing multiple pictures in an on-camera digital photo album. Other features include a 3x optical zoom, Kodak's new Color Science image processing, TV-quality (VGA) video capture and playback capability, an on-camera speaker, 16 MB internal memory, and compatibility with SD and MCC memory cards.

Scene modes--represented above by pictograms--automatically control camera settings to give you what's right for your particular shot.

Optics and Resolution
This camera has a maximum resolution of 4 megapixels (2304 x 1728 pixels), and it offers a 3.5 MP mode (optimized ratio for 4 x 6-inch prints), 2.1 MP, and 1.1 MP (good for emailing. The CX7430 has a Kokak Retinar aspheric all-glass lens with a 3x optical zoom (34-102mm, 35mm equivalent). It features through-the-lens (TTL) autofocus with multi-zone and center-spot selectable modes.

Movie Mode
The CX7430 can capture both full-motion video with audio (20 frames per second at 320 x 240 pixels) and TV-resolution video (VGA; 640 x 480 pixels at 13 fps) with capacity dependent on available memory (16 MB internal memory included; additional memory may be added via the SD/MMC expansion slot). The included A/V cable enables you to show your masterpiece on TV quickly and easily.

More Features

• 1.6-inch indoor/outdoor LCD with 2x or 4x magnification
• Built-in flash with auto, red-eye, fill, and off modes
• White balance controls: auto, daylight, tungsten, and fluorescent
• Scene modes: auot, portrait, landscape, night, close-up, sport, and movie
• Color modes: Color, black and white, sepia
• Click to capture time: 0.6 seconds
• 10-second self timer

Storage and Transfer
Images can be stored within the CX7430's 16 MB internal memory, or on optional Secure Digital (SD) or MultiMedia (MMC) memory cards. It connects to Macs and Windows-based PCs via USB 1.1 connectivity.

Clear, easy-to-use menus explain the camera's many features.

Sharing
With a touch of the red-jeweled Share button, you can store up to 100 pictures in an on-camera digital album. These pictures can then be shared anytime on the camera's large, 1.6-inch indoor/outdoor LCD screen. The Share button also allows selection of photos for printing and even e-mailing, with up to 32 e-mail addresses stored in the camera's memory.

Kodak Color Science Image Processing Chip
Kodak's Color Science Image Processing Chip offers a new high-speed digital image processor, advanced algorithms, and hardware acceleration features that enable the CX7430 make simultaneous, split-second decisions to produce rich, vibrant, true-to-life colors in almost any lighting situation. Each time you click the shutter, the Kodak Color Science Chip performs an instantaneous and advanced analysis of collected scene data to identify and correct multiple factors that influence picture quality. Scene light source is detected and adjustments are made to capture bright whites and true, vivid colors under difficult lighting conditions--fluorescent, tungsten or daylight. Scene content is analyzed for luminance, focal distance, subject matter orientation and color to determine the correct exposure and capture the natural details, accurate flesh tones, and rich colors you see in your composition.

Power and Size
The camera is powered by 2 AA batteries (alkaline included; NiMH rechargeables recommended). It measures 4.0 x 2.6 1.5 inches (W x H x D) and weighs 5.2 ounces without batteries.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Kodak CX7430 digital camera, 2 AA batteries, USB and A/V cables, wrist strap, and custom camera insert for optional Kodak EasyShare 6000 series camera and printer docks.

Like all EasyShare cameras, the CX7430 includes Kodak EasyShare software for Windows and Macintosh systems, providing effortless digital picture transfer, organization, basic editing, sharing and printing. The software's exclusive One Touch to Better Pictures feature--which takes advantage of proprietary color technologies developed by Kodak--helps Windows OS users get vibrant, true-to-life prints from home inkjet printers, while significantly reducing the trial, error and waste usually associated with home photo printing. ... Read more

Features

• 4-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 11-by-14-inch enlargements
• Kodak Retinar 3x aspheric optical zoom lens; 4x digital zoom
• 9 scene modes; compatible with the optional Kodak EasyShare printer dock 6000
• Store images 16 MB of internal memory or optional Secure Digital memory cards (memory card not included)
• Powered by AA-size batteries (alkaline included, rechargeable Ni-MH recommended)

Reviews (10)

The, "customer from Glendale" needs basic camera lessons.
You cannot give a camera a bad rating, because the flash fails to illuminate a subject over 10-20 feet away. Camera flashes aren't powerful enough to do that. Get a clue.

As for this camera itself, I have tried it out at Best Buy, as we are getting ready to buy a new camera, and it is down to this one, and the Kodak LS743 4MP. Basically they are both the same camera, but the LS743 has a slicker design, and is more compact. But other than that, they are both great cameras.

If you are going to review technology, *please* have some idea about it before you write anything. Otherwise, you will just end up making yourself look foolish.

Great camera, poor customer service
I love my kodak easy share camera. It is a good camera for the price. However, just a warning, if you have a problem with your camera, kodak has very poor customer service and is unwilling to help you fix your problem. You will have to take care of it on your own at a local dealership.

A good deal
Pros - Light weight, small, handy, good pic quality and lot of flexibility while shooting. User friendly software.
Cons - Rechargable battery and charger should come with the package.

Best "bang for the buck" Camera!
I am absolutely delighted with the Kodak CX7430 and wholeheartedly recommend it. Kodak has cornered the market in offering tremendous features for extremely reasonable prices. I upgraded to the CX7430 from the CX7000 because I was so happy with the Kodak line. The CX7430 offers great features, such as both optical and digital zoom, and video capacity with sound, along with an outstanding 4 MPs. The operating system is the simplest and easiest to learn and use of any brand of digital camera. The entire Kodak Easy Share system makes downloading, editing, printing, and e-mailing pictures a breeze. This is THE 4 MP camera to buy!

Kodak CX7430
Although it lacks a German lens, this unit provided crisp clear close-ups. Very easy to use for the most part. Display is bright and menu commands are logically arranged. ... Read more

Product Description

The compact DiMAGE Z5 is an all-round digital camera that offers a built-in 12x optical Mega Zoom lens, Konica Minolta's proprietary Anti-Shake System, 5.0-megapixel CCD, fast overall response including Rapid autofocusing (AF), and a large 2.0-inch LCD screen for easy viewing. All of these features combined, these features ensure that photographers won't miss a photo opportunity and that the subjects of their photos are big, beautiful, and shake-free. An ideal companion for travel photography as well as everyday picture taking, photographers will appreciate the versatility of this digital camera. With the camera's built-in 12x optical zoom lens and Konica Minolta's innovative Anti-Shake technology, even novice photographers can easily capture clear, sharp detailed views of the world around them. To ensure that photographers don't miss their shot, the Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z5 has a Rapid AF that's the one of the fastest autofocus for digital cameras with predictive focus control. Focusing in a mere 0.2 second (approximately) at wide angle and only 0.3 second (approximately) at telephoto, it's ideal for capturing any subject, moving or still. DiMAGE Z5 Highlights 12x optical Mega Zoom and 4x digital zoom for 48x total zoom; complemented with CCD-shift Anti-Shake System Fastest-in-class Rapid AF with Predictive Focus Control (As Nov 2004 - based on Konica-Minolta Tests) High-quality pictures with 5.0-megapixel CCD, Konica Minolta GT APO lens ... Read more

Features

• Large 2.0-inch LCD; macro mode for shooting subjects as close as 1 centimeter
• Stores images on SD cards; powered by 4 AA batteries (alkaline or Ni-MH)
• 5 MP CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 13 x 17-inch prints
• Amazing 12x optical Mega Zoom with Anti-Shake technology allows you to shoot at speed 4 to 8 times longer with clear results
• Rapid AF focuses in approximately 0.2 second in wide angle and 0.3 second in telephoto

Reviews (3)

Disappointed
I have an old Olympus 2.1 megapixel C-2100. It had a built in stabilization just like this Minolta Z5. Unfortunately, the built-in stabilizer option is about the only plus I can find for this Minolta.

My pictures that I take using my 2.1 megapixel Olympus are night and day more vibrant in color than the ones taken with the Minolta.

We are returning this camera to get our money back. We were excited about the stabilization feature, as it is a hard feature to find in a camera, but if it sacrifices picture quality, then it is not worth it.

Very nice mid-range camera
To start off, let me say that I'm a neophyte digital camera user, so my review will be based on someone with little experience.

That being said, the Z5 has been a pleasure to use.The ergonnomics are excellent, even for my big hands.The buttons are oriented very well for the left hand, so that you can virtually use this camera one-handed.Outdoor photos with good ambient light are very nice, and the 12x zoom makes it icing on the cake.The autofocus works very fast even on very distant objects.I didn't notice any excessive graininess or noise in outdoor photos, and the colors of the photos didn't look off to my eyes.However, if you shoot a moving subject, I found that it's wise to turn off the anti-shake, otherwise the picture will come out blurry, even if you manage to focus lock the subject (I tried this with flying birds).

The EVF viewer is okay, but not great.It's very grainy and there's a significant amount of lag.Because of this and the fact that the EVF momentarily blacks out while taking a pic, don't use it for moving subjects.In contrast, I found the 2" LCD screen to be very nice, with good contrast, brightness, refresh and resolution.

The main reason I knocked the camera down to 4 stars was its relatively poor indoor or low-light performance, with what seemed to me to be a weak flash.Even with longer exposure times and a tripod mount, I noticed a fair bit of noise in the pictures.And the flash, though rated out to 7' didn't seem to be enough to do the job, even on the slow flash.There was however no problem with redeye that I noticed.

What makes this camera truly awesome though (and a big reason I purchased it) is for its movie mode.Oddly, the movie mode seems to do better in low light situations than still photos.It does have some trouble focusing if you pan around too much or too fast, but otherwise, capturing video at 640x480@30fps with sound for as long as you have memory is great.And being able to zoom in this mode is a very nice feature, not to mention that the anti-shake feature works in this mode as well.The end result is SVHS quality video without too many shakes that looks really nice.

The battery life seems good to me, though I have little comparisons to make.It's also nice that the camera uses standard AA batteries so in a pinch, you can throw in some alkaline or lithium batteries.

This is more like it
I've gone with every version of the Sony Mavica for my digital pics over the years but with my son turning one I needed a camera that would get clear shots when he was moving fast.

The hardest thing to find was something that had a powerful optical zoom (Sony spoiled me with 16x), and tho I have two fine camcorders it is nice to have video recording that does zooms and stabilization during vid recording (again, Sony has always done zoom/stabilization in it's video capture but most cameras don't).

After much research and coming very close to buying the Panasonic Lumix (very nice camera but terrible viewscreen) and the Kodak (no stabilization and required to use that silly dock) I noticed the Z5 had a bigger viewscreen than the older Z3.

Looking closer and seeing the 12x optical and the video recording that not only does zoom and stabilization but also 640x480 at 30fps (Mavica does only 15 second 320x240) and the deal was done.I bought a 1GB SanDisk Ultra2 (60x) sd card which allows up to 350 highest res pictures (and/or up to 28 minutes of wonderful stutter-free video) and now I am taking shots of my little moving target with no more blurring results.

My wife isn't into tweaking any camera and the controls are great, a little more complicated than the Mavica but not by much.Really it's point & shoot ease with only having to know four other buttons (one to switch between playback and "record", the toggle to go back and forth between stored images, a dedicated delete button to get rid of ones you don't like and the shutter button.If you are into doing more then there's a lot more on the camera from macros to in-camera video editing and on and on.

I know that most people don't buy a still camera for video and so I have to stress that the stills are blowing me away ... but also mention that if you do care about the video option then consider that the reason I only gave the unit a 4 is that the videos are Quicktimes.If you're a Windows person then you'll have to pay Apple (the real monopolist of PCs) $30 for a copy of QuickTime Pro to convert them to AVI and then use Microsoft's free Media Encoder or the consumer-grade freebie "Windows Movie Maker" to convert the AVIs to WMV format for best viewing in Media Player or use the AVIs in Pinnacle Studio 9 to make DVDs (why the heck don't cameras just record to WMV?This Quicktime default is so old fashioned).The quality of the videos IS good enough for your DVDs.

Aside from the video conversion pain, as a still camera This is the one.
... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

PowerShot Pro 1 gives you the creative performance of a high-end SLR camera with the digital capability and ease of use inherent to the PowerShot line. The camera's 8 Megapixel CCD captures life to the extent that even prints of 8" x 10" or larger are highly detailed and gorgeously colored.

L Lens

	Lens construction: aspherical lens in blue, UD lens and fluorite in purple

The PowerShot Pro1 incorporates Canon's top-of-the-line lens, the L Lens, legendary among professional photographers. Driven by an Ultrasonic Motor, the super-fast 28-200mm (35mm equivalent) f/2.4-3.5 lens uses fluorite and UD (Ultra-low dispersion) glass for clear, sharp image delineation with an absolute minimum in chromatic aberration. Also incorporated is an Aspherical lens, precision-manufactured to within 0.1 microns, which corrects spherical aberrations and curvilinear distortion while keeping the zoom lens compact.

Shooting modes for all occasions
PowerShot Pro1 offers shooting modes (see below) for every situation and level of photographic experience. Photo Effects in Vivid Color, Neutral Color, Low Sharpening, Sepia, Black & White and Custom are also available, boosting the artistry of your shots instantly.

Three light-metering modes deliver precise exposure: evaluative metering, center-weighted average metering and spot metering, which lets you measure exposure at the chosen AF point or the center of the frame for an exceptional level of control. And the camera's innovative FlexiZone AF/AE system lets you move the AF point around the frame to focus on off-center subjects without reframing the shot, and connects the AF point to the exposure system when the camera is in spot metering mode.

Modes

• Custom: Control and store 2 sets of parameters to your exact preferences
• Auto: Concentrate on your composition while the camera manages all the technical work.
• Portrait: A larger aperture ensures a well-focused subject and beautiful background blur.
• Landscape: A smaller aperture is perfect for capturing sweeping vistas
• Night Scene: Background exposure and slow-sync flash light tricky night shots perfectly.
• Shutter Speed Priority: Select from a wide range of shutter speeds while the camera sets an appropriate aperture.
• Stitch Assist: Easily create precisely aligned panoramas. Stitch Assist even lets you confirm the next image to shoot on the LCD monitor or electronic viewfinder while you’re shooting the current image.
• Movie: Create movie clips with audio and enjoy a broad range of resolution choices: high-resolution VGA (up to 30 sec.) or long-play QVGA and QQVGA (up to 3 minutes). Unwanted scenes can be deleted during playback.
• Program: Set almost all parameters yourself, while the camera selects aperture and shutter speed.

Advanced Digital Imaging Technology

Canon's exclusive DIGIC Imaging Processor revolutionizes how you shoot digital by allowing the camera to process images faster and improving the accuracy of the autofocus. DIGIC also reduces the effects on noise in your images. iSAPS Technology is an entirely new scene-recognition technology developed for digital cameras by Canon. Using an internal database of thousands of different photos, iSAPS works with the fast DIGIC Imaging Processor to improve focus speed and accuracy, as well as exposure and white balance.

The components of photographic space that are precision captured by DIGIC

Incredible Up-close shots
Super Macro Mode: The PowerShot Pro1 features a standard macro function that allows you to shoot clearly at just 4" from your subject. It also incorporates a new Super Macro Mode that takes you in even closer. Position your subject as little as 1/2" from the tip of the lens and capture a full 8 megapixels of astonishingly close detail.

Bigger, Sharper, Vari-angle LCD monitor

With a comfortable, ergonomic grip and natural inline layout of key elements, PowerShot Pro1 is designed with the photographer in mind. The camera features a swiveling 2.0-inch Vari-angle LCD monitor that offers the highest resolution in its class at 235,000 pixels. The electronic viewfinder offers the same sharp resolution, and both keep pace with the high-speed zoom for seamless, responsive shooting. Information in the large display panel is always clear and visible and the panel can be illuminated at the push of a button. The mode dial is located for easy viewing during operation, and a main switch takes you quickly from shooting to playback mode.

Capture extremely fast-moving subjects
Speeding objects are fair game with a high-precision shutter drive that reaches a maximum speed of 1/4000 sec. (or you can shoot for up to 15 seconds in low light). Two continuous shooting modes capture high-impact images at any pace: standard (1 image per second) or high-speed (2.5 images per second).

Shoot high-quality movies with sound
High-quality movie clips with audio capture all the action. The PowerShot Pro1 offers several resolution choices: high-resolution VGA (up to 30 sec.), or long-play QVGA and QQVGA (up to 3 minutes). Delete unwanted scenes during playback.

Bracketing
Bracketing lets you capture 3 exposures with one shot, setting a range between ±2 stops at 1/3-stop increments. A major advantage to digital is the ability to switch ISO ratings without worrying about switching film rolls. PowerShot Pro1 offers instant access to ISO equivalents of 50, 100, 200 and 400.

Easy Connectivity

• To printers: The camera connects directly to a wide range of Canon Card Photo Printers and Canon Direct Photo Printers for a world of printing options: credit card-size, 4" x 6", 5" x 7", letter-size (8.5" x 11"), 11" x 13", labels, and much more, all without your computer. While Canon printers will deliver the highest quality prints from your PowerShot Pro1, the camera is equipped with PictBridge compatibility to ensure smooth connections to other manufacturers’ printers as well.
• To PCs and Macs: PowerShot Pro 1 comes complete with Canon’s own Digital Camera Solution Disk and proven third-party software:
  • ZoomBrowser EX (Win)/ImageBrowser (Mac): A user-friendly program that lets you quickly and easily connect, manage files and view images.
  • PhotoRecord (Win): Create exciting photo layouts for personal or business use, putting text anywhere on the page. Includes Exif support for enhanced color accuracy and detail.
  • PhotoStitch (Win/Mac): Join sequential shots to create seamless, perfectly aligned vertical, horizontal, 2x2 panoramas or 360° panorama movies.
  • TWAIN Driver/WIA Driver (Win): Allows your computer to recognize your camera and integrate well with third-party software.
  • ArcSoft Camera Suite (Win/Mac): Crop, enlarge and retouch photos and video clips like a pro.
  • Apple QuickTime (Win): Makes playing back your video clips fun and easy.

What's in the Box
This package contains the PowerShot Pro1 digital camera, 64 MB CompactFlash card, lens hood (LH-DC10), battery pack (BP-511A), battery charger (CB-5L), wireless controller (WL-DC100), USB and A/V cables, lens cap, and neck strap. The supplied software on the CD-ROM includes browsing and printing software ZoomBrowser EX (Windows) and ImageBrowser (Mac). Other software includes PhotoStitch, plus photo and movie manipulation software ArcSoft PhotoStudio and VideoImpression.

... Read more

Features

• 8-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 16-by-22-inch enlargements
• Canon 7x optical L-series zoom lens
• 2-inch LCD screen; movie mode; 1.2-inch macro mode; PictBridge compatible
• Store images on Compact Flash Type I or II cards (64 MB card included)
• Powered by Rechargeable lithium ion battery (BP-511A) (included with charger)

Reviews (22)

This camera is a Gem
This is my 5th digital and the best of the lot. I have been getting consistently sharp pictures with a huge amount of detail and correct color saturation from day 1.

I love the swivel LCD and found the camera to be easy to operate.
If all you are going to do is point and shoot this is the camera for you. If you like control of aperture, shutter speed, white light etc....., this is also the camera for you.

I like to keep the camera at super fine resolution and find the amount of detail this camera picks up astounding. Even if I crop out a tiny section of the image the resolution is excellent.

The battery life is very good. Most people will need a 512 MG or larger card though. Maybe an extra battery too.

What could make the camera better? Perhaps a lower price tag, and an inexpensive camera case. My poor camera sat around unprotected for 2 weeks! I know, not all camera come with a bag or case in their package, but it would have been nice.

Bottom line is the picture quality is one of the best of the 8 MGP digicams out there right now. The small size is a definate plus for me, and it starts up quickly and handles very well.

Not the best in lowlight situations, but for me the other advantages outnumber this one feature.

technology at its finest
I looked at the Nikon 8700 and the Canon Pro 1. I had them both in hand, shot pictures, compared the EVF, comfort, weight and read all the reviews prior to see the actual cameras. After a long evaluation I decided on the Canon. It just had a better feel. The camera offers a lot of features. I wanted to get back into a camera that would do something other that point and shoot, which this does very well. I also wanted to be able to adjust the apature and film speed. Creative and fun things.
The first pictures I took were very impressive. Low light visibility is good. It has a SLR feel and sound to it. Color was beautiful and th 7X optical is just perfect to be hand held.
One important thing to consider is how the camera will operate in low light. It has an AF assist, which should be on all cameral or it will not be able to focus on a particular subject and the picture will be blurred. Without getting technical, this camera can be used by a novice or a professional. It's versality is unbelievable. Also, a very important feature of this camera is its battery. It has an extremely long life and its charger is small, easily carried in a case and charges to full charge in one hour.

Very good for most people
As a botanist/ecologist/photographer I do a great deal of plant photography. I have used Canon products for years and swear by them and rarely at them. The Pro1, though, leaves a lot to be desired for my purposes. The EOS 10D does far better even with lower resolution. The Pro1, for the purposes I need, is not very suitable. (See my review of the PowerShot S1 IS).
But as a photgrapher who has been published around the world, mostly medium and large format photographs, I think for most people the Pro1 would be a very good choice. It has excellent construction and the image quality is superb with very true color, much better than most. If you don't want to mess with RAW image processing, you can photograph using the Super high resolution Large (gives you a JPG image) and get excellent results that compare very favorably with RAW processing and none of the fiddling with RAW. The availability of a 28mm equivalent wide angle is also very nice and not all that common.
The sharpest aperature to use is f5.6 or f6.3. The images are just a hair softer at larger or smaller apertures. Even the digital zoom will produce a pretty decent image at 14x, but gets worse at maximum digital zoom. Usually digital zoom is pretty worthless, but when you start with 8 megapixels you can still end up with a suitable pixel count after all the digital footwork that goes on in the camera. But generally you are still further ahead shooting at maximum optical zoom (no digital) and cropping, if you don't mind some additional digital manipulation antics to improve things.
So, all in all, I highly recommend this camera to anyone who needs high resolution and compact size. It is a good buy. But for really good macro photography I recommend a digital SLR and a top notch macro lens. If you only do a little macro work and are not real fussy about having razor sharp images then this camera will do fine. Sometimes it would almost match the 10D, but not quite. For all other uses, the camera is great.

Excellent, with a couple of minor flaws
This is my 3rd Canon Digital camera - Powershot G2 and G3 were the previous ones. Took 20,000 pics with them.

Things I love about the Powershot Pro1:
-takes excellent macro (close-up) photos. The clarity is incredible, especially when using the "Super Macro" mode.
-Color is exccellent.
-Moveable LCD panel on back. I take mostly nature shots - closeups. This allows me to take photos from positions I could never get into without the moveable panel. Shoot from under flowers, raise the camera up to shoot down onto flowers that are above my head, etc.
-battery life is superb - about 400-600 or more photos per charge.
-the 7x zoom is awesome. From 30 feet I can take a photo of a 2" diameter flower and see the details of the flower in the resulting pic.
-Many advanced features. READ THE MANUAL! You won't discover this camera's full potential until you do.

Drawbacks:
-The first Pro1 I got had dust and fibers INSIDE the lens. I was able to trade it for another one 2 weeks later after I discovered the flaw - the dust and fibers were only visible when examining the lens in sunlight. One of the replacement camera they were going to give me also had dust inside the lens.
-This second unit I had became defective after 2 weeks. The zoom lens started moving in and out with jerks - sticking. So now I am on my 3rd Pro1 unit. Hopefully the problems with the prior ones are not typical!!
-Slow focussing and composition, as mentioned in other reviews. Not as much of a problem for me, as I do mostly plant photos. But it has caused me to miss butterfly shots.
-The lens cap is a pain to put on and remove. A simple push-on one would've been MUCH better. And I am wondering if the necessary action of squeezing the two little tabs all the time caused the failure of my 2nd unit (lens movement sticking - this action may be always pushing the lens from side to side, and cause the mechanism to wear prematurely?
-Have to watch exposures. I find my photos are often overexposed. I have learned the conditions under which this happens, and have learned to compensate for it (which is easy to do). But this was an issue with the G2 & G3 also.
-Regular macro mode is poor at auto-focussing. However, the "Super-Macro" mode is VERY good at auto-focussing.

So far, I HIGHLY recommend this camera. I have taken 4000 pics with it in the 40 days I have had a Pro1, and I like it a lot.
It has very advanced features, and even has more features than the Rebel. For example, you can select center-spot metering - can't do that on the Rebel except in Manual mode (if I recall correctly). It is "pseudo-SLR" in that the vewfinder displays the same info as the LCD panel. The zoom is excellent, although some people don't like the "zoom-by-wire" aspect of it.

Superb, but beware if you're looking for Point and Shoot.
Having never owned a high-end camera I was a little intimidated by the various offerings on the market. I wanted a camera that I could use as a point and shoot and would also allow me to become a bit more "creative" with my photography. I started my research from scratch and had no preference regarding manufacturers, mega pixels, lenses, etc. I read every professional review and consumer review that I could find. I finally narrowed my selection down to two models. The Konica Minolta Dimage A2 and the Canon PowerShot Pro 1.

I made a point of visiting my local camera shop so I could get a hands on look at the various options, feel and performance of each camera. The salesman was a Minolta aficionado and tried steering me towards the A2 by quoting a multitude of statistics (many of which were erroneous or existed on both cameras). After holding the PowerShot and playing with it a while, I selected the Canon as my future camera and set about purchasing one.

I must say that I'm ecstatic with my decision. The camera weight and size is perfect as is the performance. During my research I came across two items which I have verified as areas of concern: 1) The camera has difficulty focusing in low light. This often includes indoor environments with 60w - 100w lighting nearby. I have overcome this by reading up on photographic techniques and how to manipulate a camera to obtain the shot I'm looking for. Took me a while to conquer something more than the Auto setting, but I'm doing it now and the low-light focus is no longer a problem. 2) Shutter lag seems long. In Auto mode, this is a definite problem if you're shooting any kind of action. Once again, photographic techniques have all but eliminated the shutter lag. Using the custom settings I have reduced the shutter lag to a point that it's no longer an issue. I simply make the camera do what I want rather that giving it complete control.

Over all, the PowerShot Pro 1 is superb. It's size, weight and performance are excellent and the options available are surprising. If you're looking for a camera that will do it all for you, beware of this one due to the low-light focus issue and shutter lag. If you're willing to take control of the camera, I highly recommend it! ... Read more

Product Description

records high-quality DVD-Video * records to mini DVD-Rs, DVD-RWs, and DVD+RWs * recording capacity of one disc: 20 minutes at HQ setting; 30 minutes at SP setting; 60 minutes at LP setting * digital photo mode * 2-11/16" widescreen color touch-panel LCD * ... Read more

Features

• DVD + RW / -RW media
• External microphone
• 12x optical, 480x digital zoom
• 1.07 megapixel advanced HAD CCD
• 2.7 inch wide hybrid SwivelScreen touch panel LCD screen

Features

• 8-megapixel 4-color Super HAD CCD captures enough detail to make 22x16-inch prints
• 7x optical zoom with a Carl Zeiss T* lens system(28 - 200mm, 35mm equivalent); 14x precision digital zoom
• Captures images in both raw and TIFF modes; MPEG movie; advanced accessory shoe
• Stores images on either Sony Memory Stick media or Microdrive
• Powered by InfoLithium M battery (included with AC adapter/in-camera charger)

Reviews (62)

If it sounds too good to be true...........It probably is!
Being a dedicated fan of Sony Digital cameras for the past 6 years, I was dying to get my hands on the new DSC-F828. From all of the specs. I read prior to it's release I was pummped to go online and buy this camera. In fact as soon as they hit the site I bought one!!!! I could'nt wait for it to be delivered the next day and start reading about it and using it over the Christmas holiday vacation week. Much to my surprise I was very disapointed with some classic action shots I took during my ski trip. The white background of the snowy mountains with the sun reflecting off the snow generated the most hideous looking purple flares accross the photo. When I went to read the reviews at all of the well respected Digital Photo websites I quickly found out I was not alone in my observations. Plus I learned that the defects were running deeper than I thought possible.

To be fair the camera is extremely well built and very user friendly. I does take very good pictures. But just don't expect to use it in backlit or bright areas. I wanted so badly to keep this camera and over look the problems. But I did'nt want to be part of a cruel joke that Sony was trying to pull on it's loyal customer base.

Bottom line, I sent it back and received a refund. Sony definitely rushed this bad boy to market way to quickly. Be very carful and do your home work before [buying] this camera. There are several better alternatives available for the same or less $$$.

Not one of the best, THE best digital camera to date
I have owned the DSC-505, DSC-505V, F707 and F717. I also have the Contax TVS digital, a Sony DSC-V1 and a Nikon D100. I don't know what the reviewers who mention the purple fringing and high noise are talking about. I have done very in depth comparisons with the Contax, the D100 and the old F717 and see nothing but brilliant performance! I spent the holidays at the Grand Canyon and shot several GB's worth on the F828 and the results are nothing short of AMAZING. I have even printed some 42" x 60" posters on our HP DJ800ps plotter which look so good that friends are constantly asking for copies for themselves. The manual 7x zoom is a HUGE improvement over the 5x electronic zoom of the f717. Of course the quality of the Zeiss T lens is nothing short of extraordinary. The fact that the camera can use CF cards as well as the MS is also quite a step forward for Sony. The build quality is first rate. One cannot possibly go wrong with this camera. Take my advice and consider the negative reviews as nothing more than sour grapes (probably from folks who can't afford the upgrade and don't want to see others who can have such a fantastic tool)! This camera is so impressive I bought a second one for the family!
But don't take my word for it check out images taken with the f828 (Steve's Digicam site has quite a few) and see for yourself what nonsense some of these reviewers are spewing.

I love it =)
I was apprehensive about this camera due to the talk of purple and other 'problems'. I've been using this camera now (july) since May and I've not had any weirdness or problems.
I was close to buying the Rebel-- but I went with the sony---
1. I now use this camera for video & stills-- No juggling two camera-- which is impossible anyway being a mom with 2 kids! result is that I'm taking way more video and more pictures than previously
2. great quality. i do blow up pictures and I needed the 8mp-- I do use the 5mp setting mostly
3. the macro is just awesome. i've taken some great close up pictures with this camera
4. I love the way I can combine media and flip between compact flash and sony stick.

soo-- no problems here =)

HIGH TECH. AT REASONABLE PRICE!!!
I have owened this camera for approx.one month and have taken at least 250 shots +. The only bad photos out of the bunch were due non- auto program and my own incompetance. There is some noise factor @ 800 ISO but is easily corrected with "Neat Image ".
Purple fringing DOES NOT exist on this camera. I have blown up 8 1/2 X 11 pictures and zoomed to the max and saw nothing. I believe Sony corrected the problem with firmware early on, but, the myth goes on.

THIS IS A GREAT CAMERA
I BOUGHT THE SONY DSCF707 AND WAS VERY PLEASED WITH ITS PERFORMANCE. I BOUGHT THE DSCF828 TO UPGRADE TO A 8 MEGA PIXEL CAMERA. THE 828 IS A GREAT CAMERA. IT HAS NOT FAILED ME ONCE. IT HAS MANY GOOD FEATURES AND ONE OF THOSE IS THE 28-200 LENS. I REALLY LIKE HAVING A WIDER ANGLE LENS FOR TAKING PICTURES IN CRAMPED SPACES. THE OTHER IS THE CAPABILITY TO TAKE PHOTOS AT ISO 64. I LEAVE THE CAMERA AT THIS SETTING AND ADJUST THE EV TO GET THE LIGHT I NEED TO TAKE A GOOD PHOTO. I HAVE TAKEN NATURE, PORTRAIT, AND FAMILY PICTURES WITH THIS CAMERA AND THE PHOTOS SHOW DEEP RICH COLORS WITH FINE GRAIN. THE ONLY REASON I DID NOT GIVE IT 5 STARS IS BECAUSE IT DOES NOT HAVE AUTO ZOOM. I HAVE HAD NO PURPLE FRINGING. AS LONG AS YOU DON'T SHOOT INTO THE SUN YOU WON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE PURPLE FRINGING EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT. IF YOU BUY IT, YOU WON'T BE SORRY, YOU'LL BE PLEASED. ... Read more

Product Description

5.1-megapixel effective recording * 3X optical Zoom-Nikkor lens (4X digital/12X total zoom) * 35mm equivalent lens focal length: 35-105mm * 14 MB of built-in memory (holds about 5 images at highest quality setting) * 1-13/16" color LCD * ... Read more

Features

• Powered by AA-size batteries; stores images on SD memory cards
• 5.0-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for for photo-quality 13 x 17-inch prints
• 3x optical zoom through a quality Zoom-Nikkor lens (zoom is equivalent to 34-102mm in a 35mm camera)
• 1.8-inch LCD display; exclusive Nikon In-Camera Red-Eye Fix
• Macro shooting as close as 1.6 inches

Reviews (7)

Best in Class
Replaced my Konica/Minolta X50 with this camera.Pictures are WAY BETTER quality.No contest.Other advantages: 1) uses normal AA batteries (which are easier to replace when traveling abroad), 2) lense sticks out (which prevents guest users from putting their fingers on the lense), 3) easier to hold than the flat Konica/Minolta X50, especially in one hand.Worth every penny!

Highly Satisfied
Its sleek design enables you to carry it anywhere in pretty much any bag.I am a teenager, therfore, I dont carry many bags with me...I just stick it in my pocket! Its that small.I LOVE IT!! The images come out crystal clear.Highly recommended if your shoping for a high-quality digital camera for a low price...c'mon, 5 MPIX's for $250? That's pretty good.

Value for money
I bought this camera a week ago.
This is my first digital camera that i have bought, but i have used lots others in the past.
This camera is outstanding. Extremely easy to use, great-great-great picture quality. It can fulfil the expectations of many starter amateur photographers and can nearly satisfy a professional one. Vivid colours....great.
The recharging of the flash is a lit bit slow.I think that this is this only negative element.
With a 512MB SD memory card you have up to 365 photos of 5mp....what else can an amateur ask?

Its the absolute "value for money" digit cam....maybe the best in its category!

very very slow
This camera is great for picture quality but there are some big negatives.The biggest problem is the slow flash recharge--6 seconds!By then, if you're taking pictures of kids, they're long gone.Also, you have to wait for the LCD to be ready to take the next picture.You can turn the LCD off to save battery, but you have to go through 3 or 4 menu steps to do it, so it's not practical to switch off between using the LCD and not using it.Finally, on some the fixed focus modes (landscape), which cuts down on shutter lag since the camera is not hunting for the autofocus, you can't use a flash.Bottom line is that this is NOT a good camera if you take indoor pictures of anyone in motion.

The small wonder
I am a camera buff and have used many cameras. I would say that this is by far the best camera its size. It is probably a matter of personal tastes, but I think this camera takes much better pictures than the Canon A95.

White balance is wonderful, as with most Nikons.

here are the things that rock:

1. Compact and cute, fits in my jeans pocket
2. Uses just two AA batteries and is light weight( weighs less than the A95)
3. Has a lot of programming modes to handle almost all your day to day shooting needs
4. Crisp and clear images
5. Warns you that the image is going to be blurred before you shoot and also tells you if an image did turn out blurred so you dont have to waste memory saving it
6. EXCELLENT Macro mode, look at the sample image I have posted
7. Silent focusing
8. Super fast USB file transfers
9. Excellent value for money

What could improve:

1. The command dial feels flimsy
2. The battery compartment door feels very flimsy and if you are not careful, you will break it in no time

But in all, the very best value for your money. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

With its small size and quick reaction time, the Sony DSCP93 digital camera will be your constant photographic companion. You'll pick up amazing detail with its 5.1-megapixel CCD--and produce poster-sized prints. The affordable, 5-megapixel DSCP93 offers point-and-shoot simplicity with a variety of features normally found in higher-end models. It features a 3x optical zoom, 9-shot burst mode, high-resolution 1.5-inch LCD screen for reviewing shots, A/V connection to view images on your TV, and a high-resolution movie mode that's limited only by your Memory Stick's capacity. For a step up in price, check out the Sony DSCP100 brings a high-quality Carl Zeiss lens, compatibility with Sony's Cybershot Station, and even more compact size to the table.

Optics and Resolution
The 1/1.8-inch Super HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD allows more light to pass to each pixel, increasing sensitivity and reducing noise, and provides a 5.1-megapixel effective resolution (2592 x 1944).The Real Imaging Processor offers greater clarity and picture quality as well as improved response time and battery life and decreased shutter lag. The DSCP93 has a 3x optical zoom lens that's combined with a smooth 2x digital zoom for a 6x total.

Movie Mode
Capture video with audio at 30 frames per second (fps) at VGA size 640 x 480;the included 32 MB memory card will store 87 seconds of vide at this setting. Movie length is only limited by the amount of storage you have on hand. The Video Mail mode captures a smaller movie (160 x 112 pixels) that's more suitable to sending to friends and family via e-mail.

More Features
In addition to optics, the DSCP93 offers the following additional features to the DSCP73:

• The 1.5-inch LCD monitor has a 123K-pixel resolution--double that of the DSCP73--enabling you to review fine details in your captured images.
• 9 Shot Burst Mode: Capture up to 9 shots (fine) or 15 shots (standard) at 1.2 frames/sec. even at 5 MP resolution. Perfect for high speed subjects or fast moving action such as sports. (The DSCP73 has only a 4-shot burst mode.)

Other features include:

• Resolution modes: 2592 x 1944 (5.1MP), 2592 x 1728 (3:2 aspect ratio), 2048 x 1536 (3MP), 1280 x 960 (1MP), and 640 x 480 (VGA)
• Live Histogram Display: Available in capture and playback the Live Histogram displays the concentration of pixels at each luminosity value making it easy to evaluate correct exposure.
• Real Imaging Processor: The innovative Real Imaging Processor in the DSC-P93 not only improves picture quality and clarity but also improves camera response time, decreases shutter lag and improves battery stamina.
• Selectable Focus Mode: Monitoring AF (Auto Focus) helps you anticipate the action by focusing even before you press the shutter release.
• Conversion Lens Compatible: Increase your shooting options by adding either telephoto lenses to increase your optical zoom, or wide-angle lenses to increase the width of your field of view. You can even add filters for special effects.
• 5 Area Multi-Point Auto Focus: By evaluating 5 separate focus areas of the frame, SonyÕs Multi-Point AF system can intelligently focus on the subject and avoid mistakenly focusing on the background.
• AF (Auto Focus) Illuminator: Briefly illuminating the subject, in low--or no--light conditions, the AF Illuminator helps establish a positive focus lock.
• Multi-Pattern Measuring: Independently light-metering 49 points of the frame, Multi-Pattern Measuring establishes the optimum exposure, even when highlight and shadow isnÕt centered in the frame.
• Multi-Burst Mode: Captures 16 320 x 240 frames as part of a single 1280 x 960 image which plays back sequentially in the camera (selectable 1/7.5, 1/15, 1/30 second).
• Manual Exposure Mode: Manual Exposure Mode provides extended control with 46-step adjustable Shutter speed (30 Ð 1/1000 sec.), and 2-step Aperture control.
• Scene Selection Mode: With 6 Scene Modes, parameters can be matched to the shooting conditions. Choose from one of the following: Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Landscape, Soft Snap, Candle, or Beach.
• Slow Shutter Noise Reduction: During long exposures, Slow Shutter NR captures the scene, and then the CCD noise pattern with a dark frame exposure. By subtracting the two, even long exposures can be clear.
• Pre-Flash Metering: With a momentary pre-flash, the camera illuminates the subject and sets exposure through the lens for accurate flash metering. Adjustable flash level and red-eye reduction ensure great flash shots.
• 9 Shot Burst Mode: Capture up to 9 shots (fine) or 15 shots (standard) at 1.2 frames/sec. even at 5 MP resolution. Perfect for high speed subjects or fast moving action such as sports. (The DSCP73 has only a 4-shot burst mode.)

Direct Printing
The Cybershot DSCP93 offers PictBridge functionality, which enables you to transfer pictures from your digital camera to a compatible printer--such as the Sony PictureStation DPP-EX50--without a PC or image-editing software. Images can be viewed and selected for printing right on the camera's LCD, with menus for print quantity, date, and index print.

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on Memory Sticks, and the Cybershot DSCP93 is compatible with Memory Stick Pro media--for storage up to 1 gigabyte. The included 32 MB Memory Stick will store 12 Fine and 23 Standard 5.1-megapixel images. The DSCP93 transfers images to PCs and Macs via a speedy USB 2.0 connection (which is backward compatible with USB 1.1 ports).

Power and Size
The camera is powered by two rechargeable NiMH AA-sized batteries (2100 mAh). The included adapter/charger provides power while you transfer images from the camera to your PC. It measures 4.63 x 2.13 x 1.38 inches (W x H x D) and weighs 7 ounces without Memory Stick or batteries.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Sony DSCP93 digital camera, 32 MB Memory Stick, two AA-size NiMH rechargeable batteries (NH-AA-DA), battery charger (BC-CS2), A/V and USB cables, wrist strap, and CD-ROM with photo editing software.

Sony Photo Vault
The optional Sony Photo Vault mini CD burner eliminates worry about running out of space on your Memory Stick when travelling. It burns images to mini CD-R's without a PC interface--just connect your camera using a USB cable. The Photo Vault also has a Memory Stick slot (compatible with Memory Stick Pro and Duo) and features a built-in photo album capability to display photos on a television screen using a television's standard AV input. ... Read more

Features

• 5-megapixel sensor (2592 x 1944 pixels) for enlargements up to 20 x 30 inches
• 3x optical zoom plus 2x digital zoom for 6x total
• High-resolution movie mode with sound; A/V output to TV; 9-shot burst; histogram display
• Compatible with Memory Stick and Memory Stick Pro media; includes 32 MB card
• Powered by 2 AA batteries (NiMH rechargeables included); connects to PCs and Macs via USB 2.0

Reviews (5)

Excellent
Well, despite the price (it's 499 dollars in my country) this is an excellent camera. If you are a newbie like me with digital cameras, you're starting with a monster.
This baby can take beautiful pictures, and offers options never before seen in P series. Manual control is superb.
Cons: It needs Memory Stick Pro to save video... agh!

AN EXCELLENT CHOICE FOR A PERFECT CAMERA!!!
It's my first Digital camera, and I must say, "It's perfect & worth every penny!"

With its 5.1 MP Sony lens, the photo quality is amazing! Crisp, Sharp, Colorful and very detailed.

I have to say, it works better than some CANON models! I took a photo of a same stationary subject with both cameras. I found out that the SONY's output was better than the CANON's. So I went for Sony.

The camera has various features to enjoy including Video recording and OPTICAL/DIGITAL Zoom.

Well done SONY! :)

Best camera I ever bought!
I just bought this camera and I have had the best time using it. It takes wonderful crisp pictures and is easy and fun to use. It works great in all conditions. This camera was a great buy at 5 megapixels at a great price...better than other cameras that were more expensive at 4 megapixels with features that an everyday user would not need.

Fabulous!
This was the first digital camera I purchased, and I must say that I got quite lucky.
The resolution is brilliant at 5.1 MP. You can stretch and crop all you want without distortion, and it doesn't have that blurry look quintessential of digial cameras.
The price is an excellent bargain, especially since here it is offered for $350 (probably subject to change) as opposed to the list $450.
It is very user friendly, and has many functions to produce the optimum photo for your situation/context. The amount of flash is automatically decided by the camera, making one's life easier, although you do have the power to override flashes.
I recommend that you pruchase the two-sided, 128 MB each memory stick by sony to go along.
My only negative comment would be that the batteries are not the super-power ones found in most other cameras. I don't know much about their chemical composition or any of that, but I do maintain that the batteries have a tendency to run out rather fast. However, they are rechargeable and the camera comes with an included recharger you can plug in to an electrical outlet.
I really suggest you buy this camera. I am certainly glad I did.

Great price-point for a 5mp with excellent quality
As a user of both Canon and Sony Digital cameras in the past, I wanted something that used rechargeable AA's (flexible for travel) with excellent picture quality (barely noticeable picture quality from the Carl Zeiss lenses) and portability (slightly larger than the P100). Also wanted something that good samaritan photographers could use easily and hold adeptly. (this was a problem with my tiny Sony U30) I have had numerous friends take pictures for me with this picture and the pics have been rock solid with this camera.

The price point is great. Uses Memory sticks which are coming down in price. Also, the power up time is fast, and the shutter lag is very small. Flash works great in dark situations.

Drawbacks of the camera is that since it's using NIMH AA's there is less battery life than a Li Ion batt. The big bonus is that NiMH batteries are so prevalent. Also works well with alkaline batteries in a pinch (I tried it out.) There is also the styling - a tad dated compared with the snazzy new T1's, SD10's, and U40's of the world.

In combination with my current U30, the P93 synergistically works as a high-photo quality camera when I don't absolutely have to have the micro camera on me. ... Read more

Features

• 20x optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 100x) and image stabilizer
• 2.5-inch LCD with 270-degree rotation
• Save to MiniDV tape or MMC/SD card (8 MB SD card included)
• Record for up to 65 minutes on one battery charge

Reviews (16)

Canon Gl2 Blues
An ok camera, just not what I expected. I own a Sony VX2000 and PD-150 we use in video production of homes for sale. We bought the GL2 because of the fact it was about a half pound lighter and a little smaller than the Sony cameras.

The first problem is when you attache the small 3 watt Canon light, the drain on the battery is too great and shuts down the camer before the battery is one half way drained. Even with the biggest battery that Canon makes the battery life is short with their fill light.

The second problem was when the telephoto zoom button failed after 70 minutes of use, making the auto zoom function useless. Now I must send the camera back to Canon only after 20 days of use. The mail order place would only take it back within 15 days.

The third problem is the low light noise is a little worse on the camera when compared to the Sony VX2000 or Sony PD-150. It is not a big difference, but it is noticeable.

I never had a reason to mail in a Sony camera for repairs, even after years of use. It's a dissapointment to have a new camera fail in so many ways.

Canon GL2 / XM2 bad camera - WARNING!!
Great camera when I first got it, I felt like I had got something really good - so I should have, it cost me a whole load of cash.

Just after the warranty had expired, I find out the hard way that the whole line of Canon camcorders have a serious problem with the tape transport system causing the warning message "REMOVE THE CASSETTE" appearing in big red letters on the LCD. Camera will not function until expensive repairs have been carried out.(...)

Great Camera
This is a great camera with a lot of good settings available to you. I have owned a GL2 for about 6 months and just bought by second one. I have had no mechanical problems with it at all. The features that I especially like on it are: three settings of white balance (preset indoor, preset outdoor, and one you can set) this is a must if you want to shoot indoors and still have your color look right, stereo mic settings (an adjustment for both the right and left side), and you can use it as manually as you want (you can have it in total automatic mode or be able to set your shutter speed, iris, gain, focus, etc.). I use Premiere Pro and have had no problems capturing video to my PC. I did buy a bigger battery for my camera. I got the 945 on eBay for about $90. Also, make sure you get a UV haze filter for your lens. It will protect your lens from scratches and from harmful UV rays. I looked at getting an XL1s for my second camera but the main thing better in the XL1 is the ability to change your lens. Since I don't own any others right now it wasn't worth the extra money. The only thing I haven't been able to shoot is a blacklight picture. I don't think the white balance could adjust far enough. But most people won't ever run into this problem.

Best camera ever, but not for beginners
Not for the faint of heart... if you want to shoot a little league game, bbq, or basically don't have much experience with cameras this isnt the one for you. However if you have outgrown other DV cameras then by all means go ahead because it really is the greatest camera ever. I am a film student and have been using the GL2 for the past 2 years. The incredible image quality has saved many an ill fated piece. Its versatility makes it a must have for anyone who wants to shoot in a variety of situations. Bottom line, if your experienced and know exactly what you need, you can't go wrong with this camera, but if you're new too this and are unsure of the features you need, go with something cheaper.

THE BEST CAMERA FOR ANYTHING ANYWHERE REVIEW!!!!!
I have never seen a camera better than this. It is 100% perfect. The image quality will knock you out!!! The controolability is great. There are only more good things to say! I wont waist you'r time.
*YOU MUST BUY THIS CAMERA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ... Read more

Product Description

The EX-Z750's 7.2 megapixel CCD imaging element delivers superior picture quality with remarkably high definition, while the optical 3X zoom lens and large 2.5-inch liquid crystal display assure enjoyable operation. In addition to manual operation, an extremely versatile array of shooting functions enables a variety of photo effects. Using MPEG-4 format, high quality movies can also be taken in VGA size (640 x 480 pixels) at 30 frames per second. Of course, longer battery life enables the shooting of approximately 325 shots (CIPA standards)* on a battery charge. When set in its cradle, A/V signal output allows the user to view the photos or movies taken on an external video monitor such as television. The EX-Z750 is ideal for consumers who are looking to create superior images in challenging lighting conditions. Photographers can select aperture priority, shutter priority, or simply select from several unique Best Shot modes to enhance the images. The 0.9-second continuous shooting mode and low light assist, help capture sharp images such as fast action or low light scenes. The pre-record or Past Movie mode continuously captures 5 seconds of video automatically into buffer memory to ensure that the user records the critical video prior to pushing the shutter. Consumers can also select from several different Movie Best Shot modes and do simple video editing within the camera. ... Read more

Features

• Super-life battery enables up to 325 shots on a single charge
• Powered by Lithium-ion rechargeable battery (included, with charger); stores images on SD cards (camera features 8.3MB of internal memory)
• 7-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 15 x 20-inch prints
• 3x optical zoom; large 2.5-inch LCD display
• High-speed start-up enables shooting approximately 0.9 seconds after the power is turned on

Reviews (3)

A pocket camera for people who appreciate photography
I have been giving less and less credibility to the so-called digital camera reviewing websites lately as cameras get past the gee-whiz-gadget stage and become true instruments of photography.The sites are ok when they talk about their interpretations of published specs but they leave me cold when it comes to how good a digital camera is at making a memorable photograph.Things like start-up time, internal memory capacity, and battery life are good to know because if a camera scores really badly on certain specs it can become a chore to use.I have preached the mantra that "more megapixels doesn't mean a better picture" for years and I still believe it, but I also believe that some of the newer high megapixel cameras are also giving us better lenses and processors, which are the two main things that makes one digital camera better than another.And I've resisted getting suckered into the thing about some manufacturers putting exotic-sounding names on their lenses.All that means is that they paid to license the lens name, it doesn't mean each lens is hand made in the Black Forest by old bearded craftsmen.Those same review sites mentioned above seem to kiss the feet of anything with the name Canon on it to the point of putting their independent review status in severe jeopardy.Yes, Canon makes some good cameras but they really don't have any more real experience in the business than most other DIGITAL brands and in my estimation they consistently fall just short of the mark.Yeah, most people buy them, but then again most people eat at McDonalds.So what do I think is the very best all around digital camera on the market?To me it's the Nikon D70S - priced right, near perfect design, and slightly more accurate at capturing images than the Canon counterpart.But I don't want to lug a huge camera and a bag of lenses around with me all the time, that's why I was so excited when digital cameras were invented, so I could leave my old Nikon SLR on the shelf and be prepared to make good photographs wherever I happened to go.Since I semi-retired the old film camera, I have had digital cameras from Panasonic, Canon, Olympus and HP and they were all adequate but suffered from that "chore" syndrome mentioned above with their horrendous shutter lag, dismal startup time and wretched battery life.This time I wanted a camera I could truly carry in my pants pocket, yet has a good (no make that great) lens, excellent battery life, as many manual features as I could get in a tiny package, and something that didn't feel like a plastic toy.I considered Panasonic Lumix, Canon, Nikon and Sony.The other brands had some good stuff but didn't seem to fill my desire for a true photographer's quality instrument.Sony got the boot fairly fast.They are such a fine company, why can't they make a camera that actually takes a great picture?I am intrigued by Lumix, the quality of the pictures seems first-class, I love the image stabilizer, and they are very feature-rich, but most of the pocket-size models feel just a little cheesy.Canon makes pocket cameras that take good pictures, but I feel Canon is resting on their reputation instead of trying to build a product that's worth the asking price.And Nikon would have come in a strong second, just missing first place in the area of weak ergonomics.I never seriously considered Casio, ok maybe for a watch or calculator, but I asked myself what they would know about photography.Turns out they know a lot.They've actually been making digital cameras longer than almost anyone, and when it comes to the right buttons in the right place they are geniuses.I'll go further than that, the whole concept of the Exilim EX-Z750 is genius.It you total up all it offers I would have to give it the honor of being the only perfect pocket-size digital camera on the market.As soon as I touched on I was impressed by its quality.It feels like it's machined out of block of solid aluminum (its not).The controls give you nearly everything you will every want using buttons that make sense and don't require you to go many levels deep in the menu.I love the HUGE 2.5" LCD screen but no LCD screen is fully useful in direct sunlight no matter what anyone says, so Casio thoughtfully brought back the optical viewfinder.It seems 9 out of 10 reviewers who mention the optical viewfinder say they hate it because it's so tiny.Who cares?It's there when you need it, and it's sharp and clear.If it makes the difference between getting a priceless picture or missing it, I'll take a tiny viewfinder anytime.The EX-Z750 starts up and is ready to shoot by the time I get my finger from the off/on switch to the shutter release.Can't be any faster than that.I have still not found any instance where shutter lag has caused me to miss what I wanted to capture, in other words there really isn't any shutter lag in real life.Rather than go into every detail of the camera, I'll mention a few of the biggest high points that sets this camera apart from every other one in the category.

1. The EX-Z750 remembers the zoom position when you turn it off and back on again.I have dreamt of a feature like this!There are so many times I have had the camera all set up and had to turn it off to wait for something to be ready, only to have to turn a camera back on and make several readjustments.With the EX-Z750 I can turn it back on and EVERYTHING is set exactly the way I left it.
2. Some cameras have some limited function to remember favorite settings, the EX-Z750 seems to have the ability to remember nearly everything without having to commit it to a special "favorites" position on a switch or dial.So if I like -1 saturation (and this camera is slightly oversaturated in its default position) I can leave it at -1 forever.
3. You can turn the camera on and off with the on/off switch, or you can turn it on and off using the "record" "play" buttons to go directly to that mode.How cool is that?
4. The EX button makes it possible to very quickly adjust four of the most important shooting parameters without ever going into the menu mode.
5. The movie mode is incredible, and offers several unique features.After seeing the quality I wonder who in their right mind would lug along a camcorder no matter how small it is on those trips to Disneyland when the EX-Z750 can take outstanding still pictures AND decent video in a camera you can hide in the palm of your hand.
6. Live RGB histogram?On a camera the size of a deck of cards (smaller actually)?WOW!
7. Battery life is one of the best in the industry.
8. 30 scene modes!Yeah I know I said I wanted something to take professional quality photographs and I wanted manual overrides, but sometimes you don't want to spend 10 minutes setting the camera like when the sun is setting in 30 seconds.I can't believe how versatile the scene modes are.

Last but not least, the picture quality is shocking.I compared two pictures taken at the same time of the same scene with the EX-Z750 and the Nikon D70S.I showed them side-by-side to several people who should have been able to tell the difference.Nobody could.

The negatives?Slight oversaturation as it comes out of the box.For snapshots it may help most people make a blah picture look a little more exciting.For someone more critical, just set the new default to -1 and you've got yourself a D70S.To the reviewers who can't figure that out, get over it and go get a job at McDonalds.

The other small negative is that I love panorama assist.I take a lot of panorama pictures and I can't figure out how Casio missed putting in this one obvious feature.Must be some fear they have of absolute total perfection ;-) I rate the Casio EX-Z750 a 10 out of 10

Great Technological Marvel!
Pros: Movie mode, easy to use, compact, great battery life!

Cons: Included software is not great. Can't convert to Casio's M4S2 video format (MPEG-4 codec)

Question: What great name brands do you think of when you hear "digital cameras"?Certainly Kodak, Sony, Canon, Olympus... but Casio?I didn't even know Casio made digital cameras until I bought this camera!

In early May 2005, I was looking into purchasing my first digital mini camcorder from Panasonic. In fact, I had already ordered it when I came across this gem. I immediately returned the camcorder and ordered this camera.

The video quality is awesome at HQ mode 640 x 480 30 fps. Yes, it may not be as good as DV quality but who really wants to work with DV or mini-DV tapes (the whole concept seems so primitive). Anyway, working with SD cards is so much faster and easier. A 1GB SD card can store over 30 minutes of video at its highest setting, and twice that amount at its standard setting. So, I went ahead and purchased a 2GB to give me over an hour of high quality video recording.

Along with its digital video features, I also got a 7.2 megapixels digital camera which has now officially replaced my Sony P52. This camera is easier, faster, slimmer than my Sony and I love the quality of the pictures. I also love that I can actually put it in my shirt pocket and take it anywhere.

In addition, I like the dock station since I have it plugged next to my TV and watch the videos and pictures on my TV. And yes, you can transfer pictures and videos via a card reader which most people already have (so you don't need the dock to transfer videos and pictures if you have a card reader for your PC).

At eBay I purchased an extra battery charger and battery for about $25 and those generic brands work just as well (just type "NP-40 battery").Amazon also sells the generic NP-40 battery for less than $14.00 vs $39-$49 for the Casio brand.

The only drawback has been the M4S2 video MPEG-4 codec that Casio used. Some video editors can't read the format without a video conversion.Ulead VideoStudio 9 and Adobe Premiere Elements reads M4S2 codec without any trouble.

Likewise, it would have been great if Casio had included a video converter (like Panasonic's MediaStage and MovieStage software) so that you can transfer your PC videos or edited videos back to the camera for easy viewing on its whopping 2.5" screen or TV. In fact, if this was possible, the Casio EX-Z750 could even become a portable video player as well (a la Archos or Creative Zen Player).I understand that AVS Media and VideoCharge will be working and updating their software to convert to M4S2 format. I can't wait!

Overall, this is a great digital camera and mini video recorder for a great price! Casio is going to make a lot of money on this camera and will become well respected for its digital cameras.... and rightly so!

Features abound without compromising the ease of use
People might go to Cannon for camera expertise, but Casio once again proves to be a leading authority that I prefer over other top companies for digital cameras.I bought a 4 megapixel Exilim 2 years ago and it's still impressing me even past its initial excitement and facilitation of a segway for me into the world of photography. This Exilim improves upon this line of camera's already easy interface with countless new features.Whether you're a beginner or a pro, this camera will quench your photography cravings on the spot and capture any type of scene the way you remember it.

On first glance you'll notice its miniscule size.Its display is a huge 2.5" and crystal clear.The new bestshot picture mode has over 30 presets and there is also a new bestshot video mode with several cool effects for video.On the video bestshot mode there is a setting so your movies will look like old Silent Films.A monochrome filter is set and the speed is slightly faster so it looks like an old time movie.Other new presets to this camera are Soft Running Water, Sports, Anti-Shake in addition to the others that cover any picture opportunity right when it happens.

The response time in all aspects of the interface is blazing fast.The selector wheel is a good new touch for the Exilim and it's large enough to manuever well while not compromising the camera's tiny size.There are many ways to access the menu from buttons on the side and back.The speed, aperture, etc are all able to be manually selected so this camera is perfect for a first timer as well as an avid photographer.The only downside is the price, but for 7.2 megapixels?I'll take it.

Some might say there is no use in getting a 7.2 megapixel pocket sized camera, but I mean to tell you that the pictures this Exilim takes are absolutely stunning.Not only are almost double the size my 4mp takes but the clarity and definition creates a world that's worth a million words.You can't lose with this camera if you've got the cash.And if you don't have the cash, pick the Exilim within your budget and you'll still be thrilled. ... Read more

Features

• New contemporary design 3.2-megapixel digital camera with 2.2x optical/3.2x digital/7x combined zoom
• Extraordinarily fast shutter release with the Quick Shot function
• Canon Image Processor and iSAPS technology for faster processing and excellent image quality
• New print/share button for easy direct printing and downloads
• Comes in four fun colors: Silver, Sky Blue, Lime Green, and Sunset Gold

Features

• Compact DVD Handycam camcorder and 1-megapixel digital still camera records on removable 3-inch (8-centimeter) DVD-R/RW discs
• 10x optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 120x) with Super SteadyShot image stabilizer
• 2.5-inch rotating LCD and color viewfinder
• Low-light recording settings, built-in white LED light, and 1-megapixel CCD
• NP-FM50 InfoLithium rechargeable battery

Reviews (13)

Convenience of DVD worth the degraded video quality?
I am a point and shoot type: Kids/parties/family stuff. No pro training or desire. I just wanted a new camcorder to video the little ones as they grew up.

I haven't bought a camcorder in 10+ years and I did a lot of research. I was ready to buy a Sony DCR TRV38, but the new DVD recorders had just come out. These are 2 different categories of camcorders, but each has its appeal. I decided to give the DVD201 a try for the convenience of direct DVD recording. I have compared the two (borrowed my parents' TRV38 for comparison) side by side. Here are my impressions:
1. Size: the DVD201 is smaller and felt good in hand. Very easy controls.

2. The DVD201 didn't have a touch screen LED. That's good for me!! Its LED screen is 2.5" versus 3.5" on the TRV38. Sony has incorporated a new technology for the LED that lets you see it in bright sunlight. This feature was EXCELLENT!! It actually worked. I never had to use the viewfinder because of screen "washout." It easily beat the TRV38 in that department. The TRV38's LED was unusable in bright sunlight.

3. Image quality: Hands-down, the TRV38 wins here. I was a bit disappointed with the DVD201. Why? Read the review of the Sony DCR-HC40 at camcorderinfo.com and you'll see that they weren't impressed with the CCD (sensor) of that camcorder (it got unsatisfactory marks for low-light quality / and video quality in general). Unfortunately, that CCD is the SAME ONE USED IN THE DVD201. In order to make the camcorder smaller, Sony had to reduce the size of the CCD to 1/5". They claim that "new technology" compensates for the smaller sensor......NOT REALLY!! The larger 1/4.7" CCD of the TRV38 shows in the quality of the video. Both have the same 690K effective pixel resolution, so what gives? Does it matter? Not really!! The bottom line is that the TRV38 provides richer, fuller, and brighter video quality than the DVD201 (for $200 less). The DVD201 video looked gray and washed-out compared to the TRV38. Maybe it's the media itself; mini-DV versus mini-DVD. Maybe it's the sensor. Maybe it's the recording format. It doesn't matter why......the video quality doesn't compare to cheaper units. [side note: the TRV38 has consistently earned very high marks for video quality and low-light ability]

4. As far as low-light ability, the TRV38 "wins" here too, but not by that much. I thought the DVD201 was comparable here with the TRV38. In low light, both videos were a bit grainy. The "Super nightshot plus" gimmicks were just that; gimmicks. The DVD201 does look better due to color being incorporated into the nightshot IR scene. Not a big deal, however.

5. Here's where the new Sony shines: The convenience of the DVD201 is unmatched. Simply pop in a mini-DVD (expensive media, however) and record away. Unfortunately, you have to "finalize" the disc before playing it in a DVD player. The manual warns that this process could take 1 minute to 2 hours?!? HUH? I have burned several so far and it never took more than 3 minutes. Here's the real kicker: Pop the finalized disc into your DVD player and watch it right now!! It's that simple. You will be enjoying your videos while everyone else with a mini-dv camcorder is still trying to hook up the darn camera to the TV with cables. THIS IS THE SINGLE BIGGEST REASON TO BUY THIS CAMCORDER..........Convenience. You don't have to download anything to your computer, compile it, burn a DVD (on the computer), and then pop it into the DVD player.

6. My kids love to watch their home videos...right now!! This camera eliminates the need to hook up anything to your TV with cables (where little hands can break an expensive camera). If you loathe the thought of taking video on a mini-DV, downloading it to the computer via hotwire, compiling/editing your obviously amateur video, re-writing it to a DVD with a DVD burner, and ONLY then get to enjoy it "effortlessly" on your TV, then the DVD201 is for you.

7. Here's the downfall, however; Not much editing ability with the DVD201. Using a DVD-R disc, you burn the DVD as you are taking the video. If you use a DVD-RW, you can download the video to the computer, erase, edit, and rewrite with it. (Apparently, the supplied editing software sucks, but I can't comment because I haven't used it). I will probably never edit much, so I don't mind. If you love to edit, think twice about this camera.

PROs: Small size, good feel, excellent LED screen, ultra convenient DVD media (can eliminate computer interface if desired), perfect if you don't care about doing much editing, excellent image stabilization, "finished product" for kids' review very quick (shoot the video, finalize disk, ready for DVD player, DONE!!), good sound quality

CONs: Video quality not as good as cheaper units (looks gray/washed-out), expensive media, sound of DVD spinning captured on tape (low "whir" audible), a bit grainy low-light performance, no wind filter, not much editing ability

HERE'S THE QUESTION TO ASK YOURSELF: Is the convenience of the DVD media worth an extra 200 bucks at the expense of video quality? I'm still debating. Don't get me wrong. The video quality is good, but not great. The DVD201 is a good point and shoot camcorder, but isn't video quality what it's all about? Maybe. Maybe not. Convenience is a huge factor for some of us. One thing is for sure; the DVD201 beats the heck out of the JVC VHS-C I'm replacing. Of course that camcorder is 10+ years old.

BOTTOM LINE: Who will buy this camcorder? People who place convenience at the top of their list of features and are willing to sacrifice some video quality to get it!!!

Hope this helps. By the way, I'm debating whether to return my DVD201 or not.

Glad I waited for this model to be released!!!!
This is a nice camcorder it stacks up well against the competition regardless of recording medium. Feels solid, lcd doesn't wash out in the sunlight, small form factor and great image quality. The main reason I bought this because I wanted I wanted to go with DVD though. The main reason to choose DVD is for the convenience of being able to pop it in a home DVD player. The way it splits scenes into DVD chapters is a nice feature. It's obviously a trade off with being able to edit your footage easily as you can with DV tape, but I never got around to most of the editing I wanted to do. For me it is better to concentrate on shooting good quality video that doesn't need editing, similar to my preference for shooting well framed and exposed still images that don't need post processing.

Now you can record directly onto 3-inch DVD-R and DVD-RW at resolutions comparable to MiniDV.
Best of all, the DVD media can easily be viewed on most current DVD players and PCs, making playback a snap. You can even capture still JPEG images up to a maximum resolution of 1152 x 864 thanks to its 1-megapixel CCD imager. It's like having both a camcorder and digital camera in one. The DCR-DVD201 also includes all of the options you'd want from a Sony camcorder, such as a Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® lens, 10X optical zoom, Super NightShot Plus night recording system and Super SteadyShot picture stabilization. Best of all, everything comes in a package that is 29% smaller and 23% lighter than the DCR-DVD200, making it easy to carry wherever you go.

I throughly enjoy this recorder. I have not bought a camcorder for many years and was holding out for one that would record on a DVD, and this one was worth the weight!

Here are some spelled out specs... hope the help you out!

DCR-DVD201 Specifications

1. Imaging Device: 1/5", 1070K Gross Pixels Advanced HAD™ CCD
2. Video Actual: 690K Pixels
3. Still Actual: 1000K Pixels
4. F: 1.8 - 2.3
5. Focal Distance: 3.2 - 32mm
6. 35mm Conversion: 46 - 460mm (Camera Mode); 38 - 380mm (Memory Mode)
7. Filter Diameter: 25mm
8. Optical Zoom: 10X
9. Digital Zoom: 120X
10. Focusing: Full Range Auto/Manual (Multi-Selector)
11. Minimum Illumination: 7 Lux (0 Lux with Super NightShot Plus Infrared System)
12. NightShot® Infrared System: Super NightShot Plus
13. Shutter Speed: Auto, 1/4-1/4000 sec (Program AE, Slow Shutter)
14. Memory Mode: 1152 x 864, 640 x 480
15. Viewfinder: Color, 123K Pixels
16. LCD: 2.5" (123K) Hybrid Color
17. Accessory Shoe: Intelligent
18. Video Input/Output: Multi A/V, Special
19. Audio Input/Output: Stereo, Special
20. USB: 2.0
21. Mic. Input: Stereo
22. White Balance: Auto/Outdoor/Indoor/Hold (Multi-Selector)
23. Exposure: Multi-Selector (24 Steps)
24. Power Consumption (VF/LCD/VF+LCD): 4.1W/4.4W/4.6W
25. Software OS Compatibility: Microsoft® Windows® Me, 2000 Professional, XP Home, XP Professional
26. Dimensions: 2" W x 3.5" H x 5.3" D

27. Weight: 1 lb. 1 oz. without disc and battery

DCR-DVD201 Supplied Accessories

1. AC-L15A Power Adaptor/In Camera Charger
2. NP-FM50 InfoLithium® Rechargeable Battery
3. Wireless Remote Commander®
4. CR2025 Battery
5. Special Stereo A/V+S Cable
6. Lens Cap
7. Cleaning Cloth
8. Shoulder Strap
9. Blank DVD-R Media
10. USB Cable
11. CD-ROM with USB Driver (Pixela ImageMixer™ Ver. 1.5 for Sony)

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WARNING...DO NOT BUY THIS CAMERA
TO START OFF, SONY LIED IN THE PROMOTION OF THIS CAMERA...IT HAS NO COMPATIBLE MICROPHONES TO MOUNT ON THE INTELLISHUE...IT HAS NO SOFTWARE COMPATIBLE WITH THE FORMAT OF THIS CAMERA...THE PICTURE QUALITY IS NOT AS GOOD AS MINI DV..I THINK MY 8MM MIGHT HAVE BETTER QUALITY...SONY MAKES ALL THESE CLAIMS AND THEY ARE NOT TRUE...THE SONY TECH TEAM THAT I HAVE TALKED TO FOR DAYS NOW DOES NOT HAVE A CLUE ABOUT THIS CAMERA..THEY ARE UNEDUCATED AND COULD NOT HELP ME IN THE LEAST WAY WHEN I CALLED TO GET HELP SOLVING THESE PROBLEMS ..NOW THAT I BROUGHT ALL THESE PROBLEMS TO THEIR ATTENTION..THEY SAY "TOUGH LUCK-THANKS FOR BUYING THIS CAMERA"...THIS IS FRAUD AND NOT TO MENTION THE HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT I GOT WHEN I TRIED TO SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS...I WOULD HAVE NEVER BOUGHT THIS CAMERA IF I WAS NOT TRICKED INTO BUYING IT FROM SONY...THE SOFTWARE SONY PROVIDES CRASHES CONSTANTLY AND IS LIMITED AND UNPREDICTIBLE WITH FLAWS IN YOUR FINAL PRODUCT...IF YOU PLAN TO DO EDITING OR WANT ACCESSORIES TO GO WITH YOUR CAMERA...THIS IS NOT THE CAMERA TO BUY...I AM VERY DISAPOINTED IN SONY WITH THIS PRODUCT...I LIKE DVD FORMAT...BUT SONY HAS NOT FIGURED OUT HOW TO DO IT RIGHT AND I AM STUCK WITH A VERY EXPENSIVE EXPERIMENTAL CAMERA THAT DOES NOT DO THE JOB THAT SONY CLAIMS IT WOULD..SAVE HALF YOUR MONEY AND GET A MINI DV CAMERA...SONY GOT ME ON THIS ONE...I WILL NOT BUY SONY ANYMORE DUE TO THE LYING AND UNWILLINGNESS TO MAKE GOOD ON THIS PIECE OF JUNK THEY SOLD ME...I SAY BOYCOTT SONY UNTIL THEY WAKE UP AND REALIZE THE CUSTOMERS ARE NOT GOING TO KEEP PAYING HIGH PRICES FOR POOR PRODUCTS...

Good but not great camcorder-
The DCRDVD201 camcorder is a pleasure to use because it is not difficult to operate, has many great features, and probably its best feature- it is very small and lightweight.
It does not take hours of user manual reading and fidgeting around with the camera to begin using it, and ocassionally referring to the manual to use its more complicated features is all you need to do.
The steady shot is always on and makes recording and viewing easy. The super night shot works well also, but unless your nocturnal, it doesn't get used too much.

The image mixer software that comes with the camera is not as self explanatory as the camera is, but with a little extra effort and time, the program is versatile and capable of handling all your editing needs.
The hype over the DVD camcorders is over done. Unless you buy and use the expensive little DVD-+R's to record onto, and have nothing to edit, there is little benefit to recording directly to a DVD. But if you use the DVD-RW's so you can edit, erase, and re-record, you are going through the motions of putting the video on your computer anyway; which you can do with miniDV or another recording format. In short, the DVD's that you record to is just temporary storage, if you, like most people will edit your recording before putting the video on a final DVD-+R.
I say all that to say- suprisingly, the picture quality is argueably not as good as miniDV and if you are going to have to transfer your recorded material to a computer to edit and finalize anyway- you may want to save yourself the extra $500 and buy a camcorder that doesn't record onto DVD-+R's. ... Read more

Features

• High-resolution images captured by the CCD with 5 million effective pixels for photo-quality prints up to 13x17 inches
• 3X optical zoom in a compact body
• Large 2.5-inch digital interface TFT LCD screen
• High quality lightweight aluminum body with comfortable handgrip

Amazon.com Review

The Olympus Stylus 300 is perhaps the best go-anywhere point-and-shoot digital camera, thanks to its all-metal, weatherproof exterior. Easy on the eyes and comfortable in the hand, the Stylus 300 can also withstand water splashes, driving rain, and windy snowstorms. And though it's not waterproof, you can add the optional PT-016 underwater case for diving photos down to 130 feet underwater.

While not as Elph-in as some other compact digital cameras, the Stylus 300 is easily pocketable for on-the-go photo fun, from sightseeing to impromptu get-togethers. It’s also very quick to respond on start-up. Just slide open the clam-shell cover, and the Stylus 300 is ready to snap pics in about 3 seconds.

The Stylus 300 is made for automatic point-and-shoot possibilities, and the camera offers some basic scene modes (landscape, night, portrait, and self-portrait) and white balance settings (daylight, overcast, tungsten, and fluorescent). The menu system accessed through the 1.5-inch LCD continues the Olympus tradition of a well-mapped out software system.

We were quite happy with the exterior, providing a lot of area from the right side of the camera to the lens, which helped to eliminate fingers getting in the way of the lens. Additionally, the shutter button at the top of the camera was nicely sizeable for our chunky fingers. We were a bit disappointed, though, with the size and slipperiness of the function buttons on the back of the Stylus--the all-metal exterior was just too smooth and the buttons not rubbery enough.

With the 3.2-megapixel resolution, you’ll be able to capture enough image detail to print out decent 11 x 14 print enlargements. But the best thing about more pixels is the amount of stored pixel information, which enabled us to play around and crop images on our PC without losing much clarity or sharpness. At the highest quality setting, you’ll get 2048 x 1536 pixel images, but you can also step down to lower pixel ranges--from 1600 x 1200 to 640 x 480.

You can also record small QuickTime videos, though we found the movie mode to be fairly basic compared to some of the other new releases of 2003. Since there’s no built-in microphone, your movies will be silent, and you can’t utilize the zoom while filming. Choose between 320 x 240 for 16 seconds and 160 x 120 for 40 seconds.

If you’re looking for pure point-and-shoot pleasure, the Stylus 300 is the camera for you. It’s nicely automated and ready to snap pics in a flash. We were also quite happy with the battery life, though you might want to invest in an additional battery (model LI-10B) as well as a higher-capacity XD card for safety's sake. --Agen G.N. Schmitz

Pros:

• All-weather means never having to worry about rain, sleet, or snow
• Great automatic point-and-shoot features
• Fast start-up time

Cons:

• No manual controls
• Movie mode doesn’t have sound, short video length

Features

• First digital camera with all-weather reliability --shoot digital images under almost any weather condition
• 3.2 megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 8 x 10 prints and medium-quality prints up to 11 x 14
• 3x optical plus 4x digital (12x total) zoom lens with autofocus
• Included 16 MB XD memory card holds 20 images at 2048 x 1536 HQ setting
• Rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery included; connects with Macs and PCs via USB port

Reviews (48)

WOW! What a camera!
This is a snap response after recieving this camera today and playing with it for about an hour or so.

First, THE GOOD:

The first thing you're gonna notice about this camera is it's apearance. It's simply GORGEOUS! It's called the STYLUS for a reason! It's STYLISH! It's hands down the most attractive looking camera I've seen, it just looks cool. You're bound to get compliments any time you whip it out among company. The shiny aluminum case is no just very classy looking, but also makes for a durable and sturdy frame.

The Stylus 300 Digital by Olympus is very well made, and feels firm and durable in the hand. It does'nt feel flimsy at all. You get the feeling that if you dropped it on a sidewalk a few times it would probably survive with little more than a dent (Although I wouldnt try that!). Also, it's supposedly made for all-weather use, so you should be able to take pictures in driving rain if you wanted to. You'l notice that all the ports and connectors are protected by rubber covers and all the little compartments with plastic doors (for example the little cover that you flip up to put in a memory card) covering them are sealed with rubber rims to keep out water. This is a great camera for anyone who tends to be a bit clumbsy or who wants to be able to have take pictures in bad weather.

The camera is also pretty small. It may not be the smallest camera out (when compared to other super-tiny models) but it's pretty damn small! It's about the size of a pack of cigarretts! It's actually smaller than my wallet!

The camera is also very well designed. There is no lens cap to loose or have to remember to put on. Instead a door slides over the lens and protects it. This same door/sleave is used to turn the camera on/off. Turning it on is as simple as flipping the door over. Start up is very quick! I was able to turn the camera on, take a picture, and turn the camera back off and in my pocket in about 10 seconds! It's pretty responsive. It's pretty quick taking pictures too, the wait time between pictures is very short (shorter than my 35mm), not quite as fast as would be wished for though.

Olympus also through in a remote control! This is great for self portraits or when you want to actually be IN the pictures you're taking. The battery life apears to be pretty good, and a lithium Ion battery is included as well as a charger. Also included is a 16 MB memory card. I wish there was a little built in memory or a larger card had been included for the money. The card technology is either a new one I am not familiar with or a proprietary one - it's called "XD picture card". The 'card' is a TINY (about the size of thumbnail).

USB is supported (as expected) and you can ussually plug the camera right in and windows (XP and ME) will automatically recognize it as a removeable drive. This is great as you can even use you're camera's memory to carry around or transfer other types of files as well which might be useful in a pinch. It also supports video out so you can view pictures on your TV.

Finally there is also a movie mode that lets you take 16 second video clips. The down side is that this is in quicktime format (I would much prefer MPEG or AVI). Another thing is that the length is ALWAYS limited to 16 seconds - even if you have a 128 MB card in there, you can only take 16 second clips... that's just dumb. If I have enough memory why cant I take longer clips? Come on Olympus, release a firmware patch to allow us to take longer clips or use a different video format. There is also no sound, which is a feature that IS present in models made by cannon and Kodak (who provde both built in mics, built in speakers, and the time of your movie clips is only limited to memory restraints). This is a significant drawback if this featureset interests you, but isn't enough to weigh down the rest of the quality present.

The interface is also pretty easy to use and supports plenty of features. It's not QUITE as easy as the Kodak DX4330, but most people will find it pretty simple with a minimal learning curve.

All in all, this is a GREAT camera. While you're probably going to want to buy a bigger memory card, you'll probably be VERY happy with this as a choice. The only cons are the lack of support for video features - the lack of sound and the time restraints are both unexcusable considering the price.

Still I give it a 5 star rating for the quality of construction and the over-all design. Im very happy with this camera, they just need to add sound to the next version. Heck, if they would just release a patch t allow video clips to use MPEG or even just allow us to take longer clips, then I would call this the ONLY CHOICE in digital cameras for the price range.

Great Picture Quality
My pictures look incredible with this Olympus Stylus! I can go out in the rain and shoot some different looking images and not worry about my camera getting wet. Its small, so I can slide it into my pocket and it is metal so it feels more durable. In doors, I find if I turn on all of my lights when shooting I get better lighting (but I had to do this with my small film camera too). I would HIGHLY recommend this Olympus Stylus to anyone looking to purchase a digital camera. My wife enjoys it too because it is simple but we still get pro results

good for day trips
This is a great camera for day time use. It has taken horrible pictures in doors and at night. It takes beautiful pictures in the sun light though. Wouldn't recommend to a friend.

Excellent camera
If you use a digital camera, you need to get off those 4 AA from your drug store. They are just not practical, the battery on this camera last for a whole 250 MB card at max resolution. Additional battery is cheap (cheaper than buying those 4 AA batteries over time). Just like you would charge a digital video camera, you plug the charger in the wall, place the battery eaily on top and leave it. In less than the time it takes you to drive to that drig store, you got a full charge!
The media card is the one you would use for this camera, why would you want CF for example? Average user would have one digital camera with one card, that easily download into your PC.
I bought the Canon powershot and this by far has a better color especially for Macro shots. Go ahead and get it, it can be used everywhere, it wont run out of battery even if you store ity for a month as long as it is charged and it wont die as soon as as a little increase in humidity hits it. I have been useing it for 2 years and no problems, highly recommended.

dead
Fabulous camera for all 5 months that it worked. Now it turns on but the shutter button does not work. Olympus wants $125. to look at it and probably replace it with a refurb. ... Read more