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

• 10X optical zoom
• 2.7 inch, 16:9 aspect display
• Dolby digital 5.1 audio recording
• DVD + RW / -RW media
• 3.3 megapixel CCD

Reviews (8)

Shoot, Finalize, Play, be Amazed.
I can't believe how easy this camera is to operate.

I received the camcorder last night and was anxious to get some test footage of my daughter before she went to bed.To save time, I skipped reading the directions and went straight to fiddling with the camera.With absolutely no difficulty or direction I was able to snap on the battery pack, plug the camera to AC power, pop in a disc, and begin recording my daughter's silly bed time antics.

Now it was time to play it in the DVD player.A freind had told me that you need to "finalize" the disc before you can play it in a DVD player.So, after a moment of hunting in the setup menu I found and selected the "finalize" option.A little whirring and a grave warning not to vibrate the camera, and a few minutes later the disc was done.

I placed the disc in the DVD player still believing this was too good to be true, but there it was.My daughter giggling and singing in 16:9 aspect ratio on my big TV, with no wires and no need to boot up my computer.Within 30 minutes of pulling the camera out of the box I was playing a freshly recorded movie without having to glance at the manual.I can't say enough about the ease of use.

And, the quality is top notch.I'm no expert but I have an older Sony Mini-DV and I've been exposed to home movies made on a number of different cameras.The picture quality on this one is as good or better than any video camera I've ever seen. But it was the sound quality that shocked me.

As I sat watching my daughter sing on camera I heard her singing in front of me.Then, I was startled to hear the sounds of my wife and I laughing and coaxing her comming from the surround speakers behind me.That's right, this thing records in Dolby 5.1 surround sound!

So far, I've only recorded two discs worth of material, and I haven't even gotten into exploring the more advanced features of the camera, but it does everything I want it to do.Incredible ease of use.High quality digital picture and sound.The only drawback I see is the $5-$8 price tag per blank disc.But as one reviewer mentioned you can transfer your movie to a much cheaper full size CD-R using a DVD recorder or your computer.Then you can reuse the same $8 mini disc over and over again.

Either way, it's a small price to pay for such a convenient and high quality product.

Wind noice is the killer.
When recording outdoor, even there is not much wind at all, this camcorder produces a lot of wind noise just like a thunder storm out there. I set the volume to low in the setup menu, but it does not help at all. The picture quality is good, the wide screen produces a very nice view on the 16X9 TV.

Excellent hardware-- mediocre software
From a hardware standpoint this camcorder is excellent. Picture quality under a variety of lighting conditions including dim lighting is excellent. The quality of the still photos is also excellent-- I haven't used my digital still camera since I bought it. The only letdown is the very mediocre software package that comes with it. I'm surprised a quality company like Sony would bundle a $1000 high end camera with budget software. It's workable but don'w expect much more than very basic functionality.

This is the first miniDVD camcorder that has worked it out in terms of ease of use, reliability, and picture quality. Sure, in 2-5 years we will all be using blu-ray digital cameras that will hold 2 hours of HD video on 1 disk, making the paltry 21 minutes of high quality video (1 hour on low quality setting or 30 minutes on normal quality)seem quaint, but until then this one is it.

UPDATE-- I've have the camera a couple of weeks now. I'm feeling better about the bundled software--it turns out a lot of the bugs that I initially experienced using the software were due to codecissues and not the software itself. I actually find the software, although basic in it's features, pretty useful and stable. For those who want to edit their videos more extensively, Windows Movie Maker is free from Microsoft and handles the MPEG2 video format used by this camera very well.

The camera itself is a joy to use. I have found that 21 minutes of high quality video per disc is not as restrictive as I once thought-- having the power to edit my videos (ie cut out the garbage)makes that 21 minutes go a long way. And the media itself is not expensive-- I just bought 20 miniDVD-Rs online for $20.

Overall, a great choice--it gives me the option to burn my video right away and watch it on my DVD player at home, or if I feel like it I can download it to my computer and edit it and then burn it and watch it. Either way, a winner.

Great camcorder with High quality of picture
I bought this camcorder about a month back. I finished recording my first DVD and the quality of the picture is awesome. This is my first camcorder and I am already in love with it. I have SONY DSC-T1 with 5 MP and now this camcorder has builin flash with 3.1 MP I am rarely using my DSC-T1 for taking pictures. I would say it is worth the cost. I suggest you buy it and you won't be dissappointed.

5 stars all the way!
Was shopping around for a camcorder for awhile, and was debating against a mini dv and or dvd camcorder.Panasonic even has 3ccd camcorders at a comparable price offering supposedely a better quality camera.I had my heart set on a dvd camcorder as I didnt want the hassle of transferring to PC and then burning to dvd.Knowing myslef, I would just never get around do doing it.So after having my mind set on a dvd camcorder, looked on the internet and there was the sony 403, the specs looked good but there werent that many reviews posted.

Decided to go with it, and I must say it is one fantastic camcorder, quality is great, low light is not that bad either.Built in flash for stills work great and quality still quality is great also.I have no need for my digital camera anymore.Is convenient to store both video and stills on the same dvd.

Havent used the software for editing yet, from the reviews ive read it isnt that great, but dont expect to to do that much editing. Finalizing the dvd creates an own dvd menu, again great feature.

Touch screen is A+, 16:9 recording works well.5.1 surround sound is great add on.Battery life on packaged battery gives good recording time.

I was skeptical of the only 30 min recording time on SP mode on the camera.mini dv's offer 60 min, but after recording a couple of dvd, you really don't realize how long 30 minutes is.SHould be ample for a standard home video.There is a setting at LP mode for 60 minutes, haven;t tried it yet, but will.My guess is that I won't notice a big difference.

Overall my opinion is that if your the average user, wants great quality footage easy to use, this camcorder is for u.I personally cant tell the difference between a 3ccd camera.It is pricey, but i think sony has set a new standard in DVD camcorders.

... Read more

Product Description

7.2-megapixel effective recording * 2" color LCD * optical viewfinder * 3X optical zoom (up to 2X digital/6X total zoom) * JPEG options: 3072 x 2304; 2592 x 1944; 2048 x 1536; 1280 x 960; 640 x 480 * ... Read more

Features

• Compatible with Memory Stick and Memory Stick Pro media; includes 32 MB card
• Powered by Lithium-ion battery (NP-FR1); connects to PCs and Macs via USB 2.0
• 7.2 MP CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality prints up to 15 x 20 inches
• 3x optical and 2x digital zoom for 6x total zoom
• Carl Zeiss optics; 16-shot burst mode; high-resolution movie mode with sound

Reviews (19)

Amazing Digital Camera, Incredible Value
The DSC-P200 is an amazing piece of technology that demonstrates how far digital photography has come. With a 7.2 MP resolution, 3X zoom, lithium ion battery and a 2" LCD screen squeezed into a tiny package, this camera is truly amazing. The output is no less impressive with quality superior to that of any other camera I have seen.

One of the advantages of a camera this small is its ability to be carried in your clothing without relying on an external carrying case. While this is a great attribute that allows you to bring it to parties for impromptu photos, its apparent fragility is a cause for concern. It would be nice if Sony provided a glove-like camera case or entirely different, ruggedized housing. Of course, many third-party camera cases are available along with what Sony offers, but even the smallest of these will be too large to fit in a shirt or inside sport coat pocket.

In addition to its diminutive size, the camera's portability is also fostered by the lithium ion battery which lasts for nearly two hours. Moreover, with a larger memory chip, you will have everything necessary for a day or more worth of shooting. At the full seven megapixel resolution, photos average about three (3) megabytes each. This means you can store only about ten photos on the included 32 MB Memory Stick, making memory a necessary upgrade. By comparison, my 512 MB Memory Stick allows me to take over 150 maximum resolution 7.2 MP photos. Fortunately, it can be purchased for approximately $55 at Amazon.

Even though I am not a professional photographer or artist, I can definitely appreciate the picture quality. I had the opportunity to directly compare the Sony DSC-P200's quality to that of a Minolta 5 MP camera taking the exact same photo at the same distance. The pictures of a friend and me were taken by a waiter in an upscale restaurant with relatively low lighting. At first glance, they appeared to be of comparable quality. After closer inspection, however, it was clear that the Sony image was superior. In one striking example, the shades of my burgundy shirt were more accurate with less pixilation.

For the amateur photographer, be aware there are many features to be deciphered. As a former engineer and gadget enthusiast, I consider myself a quick study. Yet, I had to spend a couple of hours reading the manual and still have some learning to do. So, don't buy this camera on the way to your daughter's wedding and expect to use it (besides, the battery will be dead anyway).

Many casual photographers may question the need for seven megapixels as this exceeds the resolution of even the largest monitors. For example, a high-end WUXGA (1900 x 1200) wide format monitor only has 2.3 megapixels. However, the camera's superior resolution provides a hidden benefit. Even if you don't want to create large format photos or posters, it does allow for a convenient "off-line" zooming. So if you are at sporting event or show, you can take photos of scenes even too far with 3X magnification. When editing the images on your computer, you can crop the part of the photo desired to effectively zoom into the image you wish to save or share with you friends.

As a Sony Vaio owner, I have the added benefit of being able to slip the Memory Stick directly into my laptop without having to worry about cables or additional drivers. It would be even nicer, though, if Sony provided some sort of wireless connectivity, such as Bluetooth or WiFi. I can see why Sony would skip this feature as current wireless technology would not be sufficient for transfer of several high-resolution photos.

The video capability is a nice frill even though it would not be a key reason for purchasing this camera. I was quite surprised that it produced quality video AND sound recordings. The latter was far crisper than I ever expected. With two gigabyte chips available in 2005, you could record full motion video for nearly 80 minutes. This sounds great, but the camera doesn't record moving scenes very well. Presumably, this is due to internal bandwidth limitations. On this note, it would be nice to provide HDTV video recording, even at a lower frame rate. This would be quite a stretch due to bandwidth limitations/data write speed as HDTV cameras, geared for the professional market, are very expensive.

In summary, the Sony DSC-P200 is an incredible piece of technology that provides tremendous picture quality in a small package. I can't imagine wanting more out of a camera other than a ruggedized housing or high resolution HDTV video, which is quite unrealistic given its size and cost.Given the camera's intended purpose, Sony has done an amazing job. For still photos, the DSC-P200 should be good for a decade or so.

Pros
7.2 MP
Incredible picture quality
Lithium Ion battery
Compact

Cons
No glove-like case
A bit complicated for recreational photographers
Delicate (potentially)
32 MB of standard memory
No Bluetooth

Professional Quality Camera
I resisted "going digital" for a long time.When I finally took the plunge and compared cameras, the Sony DSC-P200 was the standout.Consider this:

The P200 has a metal case -- not plastic.

The lens is a Carl Zeiss -- the same German optical firm that makes lenses for Hasselblad and Leica.

The P200 is made in Japan by the same Sony subsidiary that makes the professional digital Betacams used in Hollywood.

The design of this camera deserves an award - the placement of the buttons, shifting of the lens to the extreme left side - the result is a camera that "feels right" -- never do I touch the wrong button, or have to search around for the right function.

The photos?I shot Macro, fluorescent, incandescent, cloudy, and bright sunshine -- exposures were excellent and the 7.2 Megapixel Super HAD sensor produced images that did not pixelate until I had enlarged them to 200X!

I bought the Sony DSC-P200 (and I recommend getting a 512MB memory stick -- you can get 130 images at the highest quality setting) and the two of us have been inseparable.

Weak point
I liked the little camera,but the batttery compartment door jamed and broke off the first time I opened it.I'm looking for something moree robust.Sears refunded without a hassel.

One great camera!
This is a great Compact and solid camera. The picture quality is phenomenal. I love the manual settings options and the beautiful pictures it takes in auto mode. It starts up super fast and is so compact there is no excuse not to take it everywhere. Thank you Sony!

great camera
I love the quality on this camera.The Carl Zeiss lens really makes a difference.Pictures for which there are no moving objects come out crystal clear and the camera was made to feel solid.
I'm happy with the USB 2 interface and I really love the compact, yet powerful camera that Sony has made. ... Read more

Product Description

680,000-pixel CCD * 2-1/2" color touch-panel viewscreen * variable-speed 20X Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 800X) * Super SteadyShot * NightShot Plus * ... Read more

Features

• 680,000-pixel CCD
• 2-1/2" color touch-panel viewscreen
• variable-speed 20X Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 800X)
• Super SteadyShot
• NightShot Plus

Reviews (9)

Sony DCR-HC21
The Sony DCR-HC21 camcorder comes with an AC adapter, a power cord, a wireless remote controller, A/V and USB cables, a shoulder strap, a rechargable 1-hr battery pack and software.

The camcorder is fairly easy to operate and understand, although I was disappointed with the lack of information in the manual that comes with it. The software that comes with the camera is garbage. I am currently using Ulead's MeadiaStudio Pro 7.0. Windows Movie Maker 2 is also a good choice to capture videos. I strongly recommend the use of a firewire cable in order to be able to capture the videos efficiently. Another advantage of using a firewire cable is that the programs then give you more options on the quality of capturing your videos.

That being said, the Sony DCR-HC21 camcorder is definitely a good buy for people who want a simple point-and-shoot device and there's a whole range of functions and settings for the more curious ones out there. The camcorder's not-so-ergonomic shape sits well in the palm of your hand but isn't too comfortable when used for an extended period of time. The power switch could have been placed a little ahead of its current position, which I find is too close the the recording button and isn't always easy to operate. The LCD touch panel screen is large and easy to operate. The menu settings are fairly easy to understand and the manual can be used to provide an explanation of each setting. The zoom toggle switch is sensitive and takes a bit of getting used to. Alternatively, users can use the zoom buttons located on the LCD panel, beside the screen or the remote. The difference is that using the latter two options, the user will find that she/he is able to zoom in and out at a slower and more gradual rate than when using the toggle switch. There is an Easy Handycam mode which sets the camcorder for optimal shooting conditions and allows the user to start shooting without the fuss of having to set the camcorder up. In this mode, however, the user is unable to access most of the menu settings, therefore limiting the control she/he has. The Nightshot Plus mode is my favorite. I took a video of my snakes feeding in pitch dark conditions while standing 1.5-2.0 feet away and the quality of the video was amazing. The picture was sharp and clear and focusing was not an issue with the Carl Zeiss lens. While using the Nightshot Plus mode, I was able to shoot subjects that were 6-7 feet in front of me in pitch dark conditions. While the subjects did not appear as vivid as my snakes, the overall picture was clear and in focus. The 20X optical zoom is good and comes in handy when shooting subjects that are far away or if you desire a closer look at something small as in a snake's teeth ;) I haven't used the viewfinder for more than a few few minutes because I find using the LCD screen is a lot easier. The viewfinder can be pulled outward but I find this hard and frankly it feels like its going to come right off sometimes. There is a lens adjustment lever located on the right side which can be used to achieve picture clarity while looking through the viewfinder. The mic which is located on the front of the camcorder, just above the infrared port is very sensitive and is able to record with great clarity and quality.

The remote commander is a great little accessory that comes in handy when you have your camcorder mounted on a tripod. The battery supplied is good for anywhere from 40 minutes to 105 minutes depending on the type of recording (continuous/ start-and-stop, using the zoom function and turning the power on and off) as well as the use of the LCD screen versus the viewfinder.

I have not talked about the camera function on this camcorder because I don't really use it. The camera records an image with 7 sec. of sound. I'm not really sure what the advantage is and I'm not too keen on using it as I already have a Canon Powershot A70 that I'm quite happy with.

Overall, this camcorder is an excellent choice for the user who wants something compact, easy to use with the option of having a wide variety of settings to play around with. The price is reasonable and I would recommend this camcorder for a beginner or for someone who just wants an upgrade.

Imporant Experice 2 be shared
Video Quality : Excellent.
It is User Friendly & Compact
CAUTION : Drawback of Sony HC series camcorders
Software supplied to tranfer video is pathetic. Search internet for horrible experiences faced by owner of HC series camcorders.

USB cable is only to transmit images. If video is tranferred quality is very very bad.

If you have SONY memory card and SONY note book it is very compatible else THINK twice before buying.

Impressive quality
This is my very first camcorder and I decided to go with a middle of the line one after I read some reviews.We tested it out yesterday and even displayed what we taped on a huge TV screen and the quality is amazing.I was worried about sound quality, but this little camcorder packs quite a punch.It's easy to use. I almost don't even need the manual.Add to that the fact that it's small enough to carry everywhere with you. I'm overall impressed and very happy with my purchase.

Beware Of Sony
My little advice - Beware of Sony. The quality has decreased over past years badly and customer service and technical support is very bad too. Not to mention the warranty plans and costs to fix things. I just owned a nice handycam DCR-TRV19 that died after one year of seldom use. Something that is obvious factory defect (since many people experience exactly the same problem) costs more than half of the camcorders price to fix at sony service. I advise you to have a look at http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-6142-0.html?forumID=59&threadID=53316&messageID=1064984 and see for yourself how Sony treats their customers.
Once again, don't be blurred by pretty design. The inside is piece of crap.
Sincerely.

Great Camera
Really great camera, which I'm very happy with.I don't really have much else to say which hasn't already been said.

Note to the young liberal:Don't worry, most liberals grow up to become conservatives :^) ... 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 * 2-1/2" color touch-panel viewscreen * ... Read more

Features

• 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
• 2-1/2" color touch-panel viewscreen

Reviews (3)

I LOVE IT SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH
This camera is by far the best sony camera on the whole market! All of its features work awesomely and i bought it here at Amazon. Just because the price is lower doesnt mean the product is cheap! If you like video taping things a whole lot then this camera is for YOU! This is comming from a teen who loves to take pics and edit videos and i love it!

Nice camcorder
I have never used/purchased a mini camcorder before.This one was very easy to setup and understand.The video quality seems to be very good.I have not used the camera/photo option yet. The DVD played on my DVD player without any problem.The touch screen menu is super easy to use. I don't plan on editing my video's, or downloading them onto my PC, so I went with this model.Pretty much, using a DVD-R, it's load, record, finalize.That's it.Then pop it into your DVD player to watch.I guess the limitation is only 30 minutes of recording time on the DVD, but that's plenty for me.Cost of the DVD-R's is about $3.00 each, so that is bearable for me as well.I played around with a DVD-RW.Rewriting the disk was easy, and the VR mode allows you to do some editing if you need to.I would have purchased this item on Amazon, but didn't because I was unsure if I'd be happy with it, so I purchased from a local retailer for about $50 more than I could of from Amazon. I paid $570 for it at the retailer.

All and all, I am very pleased with my purchase thus far.I did however order an extra battery and battery charger through Amazon saving myself about $20 from what it would of cost me at the store.

Again, I am not an expert on camcorders, nor have I used anything comparable before, so for me, I have nothing to complain about by comparison.Some of the limited reviews available on the Internet say that this is still a developing technology, and may be worthwhile reading if you already own a mini camcorder, or are looking for something that may be a bit more flexible, or has more features, or better resolution. I can only say this camcorder works exceptionally well for my needs.

Easy to learn
My 8 year old learned to use this within 5 minutes. It has a touch screen with easy to find controls.Pop the mini DVD in--format--record--finalize--and play on DVD player.This model does not have a USB connection to your computer or a remote. It is really designed for minimal editing--tape and go.Buy an extra battery and lots of mini DVDs as they only last 30 minutes. ... Read more

Product Description

5.1-megapixel recording * Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens * 3X optical zoom (2X digital/6X total zoom) * 35mm equivalent lens focal length: 38-114mm * 2-1/2" color LCD * MPEG Movie VX with audio * ... Read more

Features

• Stores images on Memory Stick Duo media; captures VGA audio-video clips (length limited only by media)
• 5.1 MP CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 13 x 17-inch prints
• Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens with 3x optical zoom; 2.5-inch LCD display
• Amazing compact design--camera is 3/8 inch thin at its narrowest and 5/8 inch at its thickest
• Powered by rechargeable InfoLithium battery (included); comes with Cybershot Station for easy connection to computer or TV

Reviews (3)

Perfect second camera for hobbyists
I've already been the happy owner of a Sony DSC-F828 "big" camera for over a year, and still consider it perfect for my serious photographic needs.

However, precisely _because_ it is so big, it can be very inconvenient to bring along, and also very intimidating to potential picture subjects.

Enter the new Sony DSC-T7. I didn't realize just how _much_ smaller, or more precisely, how much thinner it is than all other digital cameras until I saw it in person. It not only fits in a shirt pocket, it fits in a shirt pocket _along_with_ a Treo or an iPod. Because its 3x zoom lens is folded, it does not protrude at all when taking pictures, meaning most subjects won't even realize a camera is pointed at them, let alone that it is zoomed in and high resolution. This greatly easy getting natural expressions in informal photos.

Next, the specifications of the T7 are better than those of othersimilar Sony cameras such as the T1 and T33 in ways I care about, such as doubling the number of pixels in the 2.5" LCD screen, including an auto-focus assist lamp, and USB 2.0 support without needing driver software when used with Windows XP.

One of my pet peeves about digital cameras is that they are not protected from the elements. The T7 helps this in two ways. First, its on/off switch is a solid lens cover. Second, the camera fits easily in the smallest size zip-loc sandwich bag, and can easily be operated while in the bag, providing serious dust and splash protection.

One further protection is needed, but easily handled. The LCD needs protection, which I provided by covering it with a sheet of screen protector plastic left over from an old PDA.

As you might expect from such a thin device, battery life is somewhat limited (about an hour of continuous use, set up for maximum brightness, continuous focus adjustment, and automatic flash. For that reason, I bought a spare battery, and since the charger is bigger than the camera, suggest other buyers do the same.

Similarly, plan on getting more memory immediately. The supplied 32M is good for only 14 pictures at top resolution. I settled for 512M, the largest I could actually buy at time of purchase, but would recommend the new 1GB size if available to you as you buy. The memory door appears a bit flimsy, so it seems best not to need to open it too often.

I bought this for my point and shoot wife to take on a week-long trip, and thereafter to have it with us whenever a shot might present itself, but not surely enough to carry the large camera, or in situations where keeping the large camera clean and dry might be an issue.

If you too are a serious hobbyist, do be aware of unavoidable limitations: 1) 5MP is good, but not as good as the 7MP of a few also (barely) pocketable cameras. I decided smaller size outweighed higher resolution, but you may feel differently. 2) F4 is 2 full stops dimmer than the F2 of my other camera, which matters quite a bit when the light is low, as does 3) the ASA maximum of 400, rather than 800. There's also 4) no place to attach a filter. For a second camera, these are all perfectly acceptable compromises, in my opinion.

Highly recommended as a second camera for hobbyists, or as a first camera for folks who want a very convenient and very high quality point and shoot camera.

Excellent Performance Within Class
The DSC-T7 camera from Sony takes the concept of portability to a whole new level. Remember the Motorola brick phones of the early 1990's? Well, that's how most of the other cameras currently on the market will leave you feeling once you've held the DSC-T7. This smallness however comes at a price; people used to larger cameras may take some time to get comfortable using this camera. I use a Canon EOS-20D for more serious photography, and switching to this camera for casual use almost makes me distracted due to its smallness. My wife however loves it.

Pictures have the typical Sony look to them: crisp, sure and accurate. Coloring is almost dead-on correct; however Sony's in-camera post processing gives images a dynamic boost which, while looking very good, may look slightly unnatural to some pros. But then again, there are uses and there are cameras. For a travel camera and casual shooting, there is simply no match for the DSC-T7. On the other hand, no one will use it in a studio for professional photography, which is OK as well.

I only wish that Sony were offering a carrying case as standard issue with this camera; it is a pity that they had decided to carry it as a separate item. It would be a shame to drop the DSC-T7 and have nicks and scratches on it. At least our box did not come with it, and here's hoping that Sony will at one point decide to include the soft case as a standard accessory with every camera.

Recommended: 5 out of 5 stars.

Product is great, but Amazon does NOT equal to
In fact, Amazon's prices on electronics are generally pretty expensive, such as in this case. Right now, there are numerous Internet stores out there that offer this same camera for only around (...). Even after accounting for shipping price, the total would only be around . (...)That's some (...) cheaper than what Amazon sells for. Yet, Amazon is advertising itself as "Amazon.com equals low prices"?? Give me a break! It even pretends to care about being competitive in pricing by providing a link that asks customers to tell them of lower prices elsewhere. But even after you inform them of substantially lower prices elsewhere, there is rarely any reaction on Amazon's part. So this "low prices" thing that Amazon constantly displays is actually a charade. Don't let Amazon.com rip you off!!! ... Read more

Product Description

5.1-megapixel recording * Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens * 3X optical zoom (2X digital/6X total zoom) * 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; 2592 x 1728; 2048 x 1536; 1280 x 960; 640 x 480 * ... Read more

Features

• Compatible with Memory Stick and Memory Stick Pro media; includes 32 MB card
• Powered by lithium-ion battery (NP-FR1); connects to PCs and Macs via USB 2.0
• 5.1 MP CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 13 x 17-inch prints
• 3x optical, 2x digital zoom; Carl Zeiss optics; super-sized 2.5-inch Clear Photo Hybrid LCD
• Docking station (included) keeps batteries charged and enables easy computer, printer, and TV connectivity

Reviews (5)

Highly recommended
I bought this Sony camera at an Apple store a few weeks ago. It was expensive but I think it's worth it.

Pros:
-Lightweight: I bought this camera mainly for concert photography. It's light enough to carry around with you wherever you go.
-Excellent picture quality
-Great features: I love how there are so many settings to choose from. You can play around to see what works well for your shots.

Cons:
-No hole for tripod: This probably isn't an issue for many people. You should know it's not compatible with a tripod though. Then again, this is such a small camera. Why would the average person want to use it with a tripod? It's supposed to be an on-the-go type of camera.
-Battery: A full charge only lasts for approximately 85 minutes so it's a good idea to buy a spare battery if you're going to use this on long day trips. The spare battery is very expensive though.

Sony T33
This is a nice unit to carry in the shirt pocket. I hate the lack of an optical view, the LCD is NOT convenient for point and shoot type photos. Especially out-doors. This is a special purpose camera and is very good for posed in-door or nature shots. Also, in the practical use of this unit, it is best to crank it down to the 3.2 pxl mode, or other lower res. The close shots at 5 pxl are phenomenal, every detail of a product label for example is perfectly reproduced. Good toy, but I like my DSC-P73 for every day use.

Surprisingly nice
I own the DSC-F828 (8 megapixel) Sony...and do a lot of varied work, usually taking it everywhere.But it's a bit slow out of the bag sometimes, for a simple snapshot.Therefore I purchased this camera (the T-3 Euro version) as an adjunct to the big brother.

Frankly, 5 Megapixel appears a bit less sharp now that I'm used to 8 Megapixel ....and the lens CAN be a tiny bit soft focus in low light.Yes, there's relativly few manual adjustments, too.

Flash is not bad, works well as a fill in sunlight, a bit harsh indoors.But then I shot a lot of no-flash, as slow as an 1/8, handheld.It works well.Nice colors, too,

However, this little devil powers up FAST as I draw it from the Sony leather belt holster.Red Eye reduction, 3x zoom, *HUGE* view screen (really impressive for showing off to your friends what you just shot...), neat carry strap.

This thing is really HANDY....not as your ONLY camera but as the all-day, EVERY-DAY camera.It fits on your belt in as little space as a cell phone with the abilty to shoot all day long....

I bought a travel charger & spare battery (these can charge while I shoot), extra memory (came with a 32mb - I bought a 128, then a 256.You buy a 512.), and the nice Sony leather belt case.Look for a USB memory stick reader, like the wonderful SanDisk MobileMate MS (the size, literally, of a USB flash drive, i.e. keyring-able), and you're ready.

You can afford this.Think about it.Super small, excellent quality, out of the way...but ALWAYS there.Get it.Or, let me put it another way, "Can you afford less?".

PSWhat I REALLY like about this camera is that my big 828 scares the pants off my subjects because it's seen (to them) as "professional", yet no one runs away when I pull this little guy out.You can see the differences in their attitude right away.

I get more intimate pictures, with minimal quality loss, using this camera far more frequently, now, than the 828.

Superb Compact Camera - The Shape of things to come
I bought this camera about a month ago and have been truly impressed.I know a bit about digital cameras having owned a few over the years and this camera presses all the right buttons for me.The camera is small, about the size and weight of a pack of playing cards, smaller even.The styling is great and the build quality is top notch.The camera has many features normally found on larger format cameras.The video quality is superb and nearly does away with the need for a camcorder for those holiday videos, works best out doors and in daylight.There is no set limit to video length except for the capacity of the memory card. A 1 Gig card holds about 13min of highest quality video, long enough for any take I can think of.The general picture quality is very good for a compact and the prints I've made to A4 paper are spot on.It is fast to start up and "reload".The LCD screen quality is the best I've seen on a compact.The macro/magnifying mode is a revelation, allowing for some "microscope" type close-ups.The interface is intuitive and user friendly.In conclusion this camera is perfect for the average user who needs a highly portable quality digital camera.Recommended upgrade would be a 512mb or 1Gig memory card for that high quality video.

Photos not very sharp
For as expensive as this camera is, the photo quality is not superb.The pictures come out a little bit soft--not quite as sharp as a Canon's. ... Read more

Product Description

3.3-megapixel CCD * digital photo mode with built-in flash * digital photo resolution options: 2016 x 1512; 1600 x 1200; 640 x 480 * compatible with Memory Stick Duo or Memory Stick PRO® Duo (16MB Memory Stick Duo supplied) * 2-11/16" widescreen color touch-panel LCD * ... Read more

Features

• Professional quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens
• 2.7-inches wide touch panel SwivelScreen LCD display
• Direct your own personal movies with the DCR-HC90 MiniDV Handycam camcorder from Sony
• 1/3-inch advanced HAD CCD imager with 3.3 megapixel still image capabilities
• 10x optical zoom lens with 120x digital zoom

Reviews (3)

High Quality, 100% Accessible, INCREDIBLE RESULTS!
When I was first looking for a new video camera to make my films on, I wasnt even looking at MiniDV. I was actually looking at the $3,000.000 Canon professional DV camera. After hours of searching online, I finally found a video camera that I didnt even expect to buy. The DCR HC90. And, man, am I glad that I bought it! I was really looking for something sleek and professional, with exceptional quality. So I knew that I had to go with Sony. I read previous reviews for this camera, and I was wondering how such amazing quality could come out of something so small. And I didnt even totally realize how small the camera was until I recieved it. I have relatively large hands and the camera is the size of my palm! The camera has a very durable and sleek look to it. If this were a cell phone, it would be like Motorolla's RAZR v3 phone. It is so tiny and compact! The supersteady shot is AMAZING! I was thinking I was going to need a dolly for the set of my new movie, but it turns out that I didnt need one, because the steady shot is so perfect, it naturally looks like I'm panning and dollying. IT'S SO PERFECT! The LCD screen gives off ABSOLUTELY CRYSTAL CLEAR PICTURE! And its in TRUE 1.85:1 Widescreen! Which is very helpful for me, considering I am making professional films to send out to big time festivals. The special lens, which does auto focus for you, is absolutely INCREDIBLE! When I hooked my camera up to my TV (which isnt even a hi-def tv), I was blown away with how crystal clear the picture was, and how perfect the focus was. When I was watching the video footage I filmed for my new feature, my friends walked in, and asked me what DVD I was watching because the quality is so unbelievably perfect! All of the features are listed on the camera's LCD touch screen, which impressed many of my cast and crew on the set of my film. (I reccomend a screen protector, just because you are going to constantly touch the screen.) The touch screen is 100% perfect with no flaws! It even has little cartoons that show you what the camera will do! Absolutely stunning! I also bought the compatible 4 channel wide stereo microphone. THE AUDIO IS CRYSTAL CLEAR! YOU COULD LITERALLY HEAR A PIN DROP! The compatiblity between the microphone and camera is exceptional! The camera lets you choose what type of audio you want to record, and records it in its original, pristine condition. It sounds EXACTLY like if you were back at your filming location. And looks exactly like you ARE THERE!
This camera does EXTREMELY well with computer hookups for digital editing. My previous camera lost alot of quality in the camera to computer transfer, and with the HC90, I dont lose one speck of color, or one beat of sound! ITS ABSOLUTELY STUNNING! THIS CAMERA IS A MUST BUY FOR ANYONE LOOKING FOR A HIGH QUALITY, EXTREMEMLY EASY TO USE, AND REWARDING VIDEO CAMERA! My new film actually looks like it was filmed on 35mm, and it is impressing many people when I pull out the camera, they are blown away with the exceptional quality of this little camera!
WORTH EVERY PENNY!

Camcorder Works Like a Dream
I picked this little gem up at the Sony store less than a month ago. They had all their camcorder models lined up on the shelf and the HC90 stood out like a Beauty Queen on a Catwalk. The overall design is an aesthetic masterpiece and fits ever-so perfectly in the palm of one's hand. It is super light weight and you can carry it around effortlessly for hours (it is compact enough to fit in your trouser pocket). All the basic controls are easily accessible to thumb and fingers, and it couldn't be easier to operate.
This is my first camcorder so I was under the impression that I would have some intensive study of the included manual ahead of me. I was mistaken. All I had to do was skim the first few pages and I was off and running (albeit in Easy Mode).
I have read some critical reviews of Sony camcorders bemoaning their compatibility with third party components, such as PC's. Nothing further could be from the truth! I own a Mac Powerbook. I took a few snaps in Picture Mode and the USB cable loaded them seamlessly into iPhoto. I picked up a cheap 4 to 6 pin Firewire cable at RadioShack, connected the device to my Powerbook and iMovie instantly downloaded the widescreen video footage without any prompting. And it was the same ease of operation in connecting it to my TV, my VCR and my DVD player. I can honestly say that I have never encountered a piece of high technology that operated with such ease and joyful simplicity. I have already shot hours of video without further consulting of the manual and the included software disc remains in its sealed envelope. This little gem seems almost organic in its construction and operation.
At 3.3 MP, the still photos are quite excellent and the panoramic option is a real cool feature. The video is superb. I live out in the forest and I can only describe the image quality as true to life. The built in microphone is excellent. When I reviewed some footage shot out in the swamp it was as though the bull frogs were singing right in my living room! The only drawback is that it amplifies anything stronger than a light breeze, but I found that this can be minimized by closing the LCD display and taking advantage of the camcorders sleek exterior design.
The battery life can also prove irksome if you like extended shootings.But for a modest investment you can purchase a battery with twice the life.
Do I like my new DCR-HC90 Camcorder? No! I absolutely LOVE it!!!It is so portable and easy to use that you can just take it everywhere without even thinking about it, and it attracts looks of admiration and envy wherever it goes.
The one I bought was the last one in stock. The salesman whom attended to me said the model was selling like hot cakes, and even though it was the priciest item on display, they were literaly flying off the shelves into the eager hands of happy customers. It is easy to see why.I have a Canon G6, a fine device in its own right. Since I acquired my HC90, it is more or less collecting cobwebs in a forgotten corner of my cabin.

Great, HI Res., 16:9Camcorder
I did quite a bit of homework before purchasing the HC-90. I wanted High quality DV in a 16:9 format. I own a 42" Sony LCD HDTV and I wanted sharp, high quality performance.

Other factors for me: Solid build (exterior), and good quality parts (interior). Firewire, size, ease of use, MiniDv, and price.

Things that I got but didn't expect:

size- When the package arrived, I was surprised at the size of the box it came in. It is small. When I opened the box, I was even more surprised at the size of the camera. I was expecting something compact but this little camera is small. I own a JVC MiniDV camera and it is about twice the size and 4 times as heavy. I wanted a small camera but thought that I would have to sacrifice some functionality for size. Well, I didn't. I don't think that I would want a smaller camera or it would start becoming difficult to push the correct buttons without looking around the camera first.

Still shots- I have read some comments that this camera doesn't take quality still pictures. I didn't buy it for that but this camera takes really nice photographs and in 16:9 format so it is just like having a wide angle lens. If you email your images or make DVD slide shows, this camera can take some quality shots. I have email some of the pictures to family and I had to resize them all to make them a lot smaller in dimension and subsequently, the images became sharper and details stood out. The flash works just as well as any other still digital camera I have owned. More than adequate for emailing or sharing on the web. I will be leaving my Olympus still camera behind on family outings because the HC-90 can take its place.

Motor function- I was simply amazed at the motor and function of the motorized parts in this camera. This thing is fast. Really fast. My JVC is a 3 year old piece of clunky crap compared to the HC-90. When you are playing back a movie and want to scan forward quickly, there is no waiting around for it to change gears, it does it instantly. The push button LCD is very responsive and the camera will take commands without clunking and whining. It rewinds very quickly. It sounds solid and it performs. I am most pleased with this surprise.

Things I expected (the good)

The video quality- So far it has been awesome. As I said earlier, I own a 42" Sony Widescreen and to see the entire screen filled with video is a delight for me. The colors are rich and the details are fine enough to satisfy me. The camera seems to handle 16:9 perfectly. My wife was astonished at the quality when she first saw it. I used the camera in low light mainly. Dimly lit rooms with lamps. The steady shot works great, giving a flowing look to video when you are walking around. The colors remained bright in low lit areas and in the sun, colors are rich. I messed around with some of the features and they all look good. My wife is a point and shoot person and I taught her to push the easy mode button and she was off. No teaching her how to use it. Common sense is all you need.

Dumping DV to my MAC G4 PowerBook- I plugged it in via firewire, IMovie picked up the camera instantly and I began dumping DV as well as editing. That was all there was to it. I haven't even looked at the software that Sony sent. IMovie also recognized the 16:9 ratio and set up my project accordingly. Quick Time and the Sorenson 3 codec had to be fed the aspect ratio manually. I have to figure out pixel sizes with a calculator. I plugged in the USB cable to the camera and my MAC and the MAC mounted the volume and imported my images flawlessly. I also did the same with my WINXP PC. Just plugged in the USB cable and Voila. It showed up as a new drive in My Computer.

I also used the HC90 for ICHAT on my MAC laptop. The guy on the other end said he got great video from me. The chat session was between Hawaii and Ireland.

Build Quality - Awesome. There is NO creaking (like my JVC). The camera is ergonomically great for my hands and my wife also agrees. All of the buttons are in the right place. The touch panel LCD is wonderful for me. It is solid and I don't worry about it ripping off when opening it and when you close it, it makes a satisfying thud like it was meant to be slammed shut in a hurry. The top loading of the tapes is great. No need to lay the camera on its side or anything like that. I can change the tape while the camera is plugged in to fire wire and the power simultaneously. The camera is very light but built very, very well. I am totally pleased with the build quality. It feels like a Sony. The zoom button is light or easy to manipulate but it can either zoom slowly or very quickly. It is quite sensitive and took a little getting used to. My old JVC felt like it was going to crumble in my hand and the mechanisms seemed so fragile but this camera feels like it can be handled with less apprehension.

Things that could be an issue but not as of yet.

The pry open plastic doors for cable plug in access - To charge the battery, you have to pry open one of the plastic covers to access the inputs. I can understand that these covers protect the jacks from dirt, etc. Some have said that they may easily become detached in the future. I beg to differ. My JVC has the same type of protective covers and I have not broken them off in 3 years. I was always prying on them because I am always plugging firewire, etc in to the ports. They never broke and most likely never will. I think the hinge is that annoying plasic that never breaks no matter how much you flex it. The more you use the covers, the more plyable they becaome and easier to access. The sony covers are good quality and I doubt these will ever be an issue. It is somewhat inconvienient to charge the camera because you have to open the cover first. The stand alone chargers are not that expensive and I purchased a spare battery so it might be worth getting the charger.

Memory Stick Pro - I spent a bunch of money for a Memory stick original for my Sony Still camera and it will not work in this DV Camcorder. The little one that they sent in not adequate. Looks like I will have to buy another one soon. I wish I did not.

Lens cover - This camera has a shutter that opens when you turn the power on so that you don't have to fiddle with lens covers. I absolutely love this feature but, dirt, sand, crap can collect in that area even though the lens will be protected. There are threads there for lenses and filters. There should have been a plain glass lens there to occupy and protect that area from the elements. I will most likely get a cheap filter to screw in there and protect the fine threads.

All in all, I love this little camera and I am sure that my family will enjoy it for years to come. Between this, my 12" MAC PowerBook, my 42" Sony HDTV, and living in Hawaii, I think I have what I need for ample amounts of fun.

... Read more

Product Description

So small, yet so powerful - the Cyber-shot DSC-S40 digital camera from Sony provides you with big features at an amazingly small price. With its high quality 1/2.7-inch Super HAD CCD, 3X optical zoom Carl Zeiss lens, and ultra-fast Real Imaging Processor it captures consistently beautiful 4.1 Megapixel images everytime. 4.1 Megapixel (2304 x 1728 Pixels) 3X optical zoom lens 1.5-inch LCD monitor Stamina Battery Life 32 MB flash memory built-in Thanks to the DSC-S40's Stamina technology battery life is never an issue. It captures and average of 110 shots with the supplied Alkaline batteries. Upgrade to optional NiHM rechargeable batteries and you can capture up to 550 shots on a single charge. Other great features include 32 Megabytes of built-in memory, a large 1.5-inch LCD monitor, and PictBridge technology for easy printing on compatible printers without the need of a PC. Its compact design makes it easy to take with you wherever you go. 1/2.7-inch 4.1 Megapixel Super HAD CCD - Super HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCDs provide excellent image quality by allowing more light to pass to each Pixel, increasing SENSITIVITY and reducing noise. 3X Optical/2X Digital/6X Total Zoom - 3X Optical Zoom helps you frame your shots for better Digital pictures. And Sony's Precision Digital Zoom provides an additional 2X magnification without the jagged edges of other designs, resulting in smoother images. 0-10X Smart Zoom Feature (at VGA Resolution) ... Read more

Features

• Powered by AA-size batteries (alkaline batteries supplied); up to 500+ shots per charge with NiMH batteries (not included)
• 4.1 MP CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 12 x 15-inch prints
• Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 3x optical zoom lens; 1.5-inch LCD
• Real Imaging Processor LSI allows for fast start-up and shot-to-shot times, plus extended battery stamina
• Stores images on Memory Stick media; features 32MB internal memory

Reviews (3)

Great Little Camera!
First of all, let me say that I am NOT a camera bug or a photographic expert (neither digital nor film) so this is a new learning experience for me.I am very impressed with this product.
It delivers professional results and is easy to use.Newbees like me can get great results with the AUTO mode, then when you have the time to do so, you can experiment with the manual settings for custom results.The nice thing about digital (with a computer) is that you're not throwing away expensive materials (ie film) in order to learn.You can just delete your failures and try again.When you get a pic that looks printworthy you can either print it using your PC or you can connect the USB cord (supplied) directly to a photoprinter (if said printer has a standard called PICTBRIDGE). There are many settings that you can control (ISO sensitivity, EV, White Balance and other settings that shutterbugs are familiar with) or you can set it to AUTO and let the camera set it up for you.It uses JPEG format and you can get much detail setting it to 4 megapixels but these pics turn out BIG (almost 2 megs).If you don't want your pics that big you can set them down to 3.2, 3,1, or VGA and they still look very good, but they are smaller and easier to store.The camera is about the size of a bar of soap and fits very easily into a pocket. You can also take "webcam" type movies. The documentation comes in print and on the CD and is excellent, going into much detail on how to use the manual settings for best results.My only disappointment is with the Photo Editing program that comes on the CD.This program dosen't offer much for editing your pics on a PC (no problem for me though.I have PhotoDeluxe). If you have a good editing program that came with your printer (or scanner) you might want to use it instead.I think the software included with this camera is more suited for HandyCams (video cameras).
The camera has 32 megs of onboard memory which allows you to shoot 16 pics at 4 MPs, 20 at 3MPs, 50 at 1 MPs and 196 at VGA.
It has a slot for a memory stick if you choose to buy one. If you do decide to buy one of these cameras, do yourself a favor and buy some rechargable NIMH batteries, because I'll tell you ( and anybody with digicam experience knows this) alkaline batteries do not cut it with this camera.It comes with 2 alkalines and I think I took all of about 12 pictures before they were WIPED OUT!I then tried some regular Everready alkalines I had just bought and they wouldn't even power it up.The NIMH's that I bought work excellent and last long in between recharges. So, all in all, would I recommend this camera?Absolutely!!

Simply Awesome!!
An excellent no hassle, worry free camera that fits in your pocket and delivers excellent pictures. The Zeiss lens makes this camera awesome. I have had my doubts about digital cameras but this little gem delivers crisp, clean sharp images that exceeds the quality of my Canon A1 SLR camera. Very easy to use and download.

Not as small as I thought
Well, just got this camera 2 days ago.Used it quite a bit for my daughters swimming lesson this morning.
My old Sony DSC-S50 was just too big to be convienient and finally we upgraded to this newer model.

Photos - excellent.I used a 2.1 MP for so long, a 4.1 really is a lot crisper.Cropping in photoshop leaves a much better image now.
Video - excellent.Memory Stick Pro on FINE mode makes for excellent video with sound.Sure does chew through the space though.512 MB stick holds just 6 minutes of video.

I dropped a single star because I was thinking this camera would be about the same size as the L1, but it really is quite a bit thicker.It still fits in your jeans pocket, just not as slim as I was planning.
We'll keep it - maybe upgrade in another couple of years. ... Read more

Product Description

7.2-megapixel recording * Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® lens * 3X optical zoom (2X digital/6X total zoom) * 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 3072 x 2304; 3072 x 2048; 2592 x 1944; 2048 x 1536; 1280 x 960; 640 x 480 * ... Read more

Features

• In 5-shot burst mode, capture up to five 5 MP shots or 100 shots VGA at 0.9 frames per second
• Powered by AA-size batteries (charger included); stores images on MS cards
• 7-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 15 x 20-inch prints
• 3x optical zoom; large 2.5-inch LCD display
• Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens is specially produced for very compact cameras

Reviews (1)

Great little camera.
It's compact but not too small.I was looking at Canon SD500 and Sony W7, and chose the W7, as the SD500 was just too small in physical size and really needed to hold it with both hands to feel secure.W7 is easy to use and picture quality is great.It would have gotten 5 stars if it had shutter and aperture priority mode built in.1Gb memory stick, 15 minute charger and extra batteries should be considered must have accessories with this camera. ... Read more

Product Description

Memory Stick PRO is the same size as original Memory Stick (a little smaller than a stick of gum!), yet it can hold a lot more data and transfer information at even faster rates. It's a great way to record, save, and transfer digital images, MPEG movies, and music.Most of the newer Sony cameras and camcorders are compatible with Memory Stick PRO. For compatibility information on a specific model, check our product pages on digital cameras and camcorders, or refer to the owner's manual supplied with your device. Note: These media cards can only be used with products designed to accommodate Memory Stick PRO. They are not compatible with products designed only for original Memory Stick. ... Read more

Features

• Backwards compatible with Memory Stick PR
• Compact and easy to store
• 1 GB Memory Stick PRO
• Minimum write speeds of 15 Mbps
• Increased durability

Reviews (1)

Memory Stick Pro - Not Compatible with Older Sony Products
If you have an older Sony product and are thinking about "upgrading" do more memory do yourself a favor before dropping a "C" note on this product. Check Sony's memory stick compatibility web page at http://www.sonystyle.com/intershoproot/eCS/Store/en/imagesProducts/memcompatibility/index.html.
I didn't, and found out the hard way about in-compatibility after purchasing and trying the "Pro" stick in my older camera ... caveat emptor.
My nephew is now the proud owner of a 1GB memory stick ... it works in his camera. Now I have to decide to either buy 8 of the 128MB (the largest memory compatible with my camera) or consider a replacement camera. ... Read more

Product Description

4-megapixel effective recording * 1-13/16" color LCD viewscreen * 4X optical/3.5X digital/14X total zoom * JPEG options: resolution up to 2272 x 1704; 1600 x 1200; 1024 x 768; 640 x 480 * ... Read more

Features

• Print/Share button for easy direct printing and downloads, plus ID Photo Print and Movie Print with Canon CP printers
• Stores images on SD or MultiMedia Cards (MMC); powered by 2 AA batteries
• 4.0 MP CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 11 x 15-inch prints
• 4x optical zoom, 9-point AiAF, 13 shooting modes
• Large 1.8-inch display; D!GIG Image Processor for faster speed and vibrant colors

Reviews (5)

My first camera and I love it!
1. Picture quality is really good. In good light conditions you can make fantastic photos (a bit noisy in dark, especially with ISO 400)
2. With two NiMH rechargeables (2300 mAh) you can take up to 350 at 4 Mpix quality!!!
3. With my 512 MB SanDisk Ultra II SD card camera is ultrafast!

My first digital camera and I'm enjoying it
I researched for weeks before picking up the Canon PowerShot A520, and I must say I'm really having fun with it.It's my first digital camera - I've used regular film for years.I was able to take pictures with it straight out of the box, 2 minutes after buying the camera.

I like how it has a lot of manual controls but you don't need to use them unless you want to because "Auto" does a pretty good job with photos.The 4x optical zoom is great - more than the standard 3x offered on most cameras.

I've seen complaints about redeye and difficulty in low-light focusing on other review sites, but I have yet to encounter any such problems.My indoor flash shots at a restaurant had WAY less redeye than my old film camera, and I found they came out clear and sharp.Night shots without the flash are also easy to take, because you can slow the shutter speed right down.All the scene modes seem to do what they're supposed to.

A few minor gripes: the LCD is difficult to see in bright sunlight.The camera literally eats AA batteries, so I recommend picking up some rechargeable NiMH batteries instead.And the movie mode - while cool - isn't all that wonderful because you can only take 30 second clips and they look grainy.But hey, it's a film camera, not a digital one.

I'm still learning the camera but so far, so good.

S-L-O-W
Great image quality in "regular lighting" situations...but waiting for the flash in between shots is INCREDIBLY SLOW. I'm very disappointed in the actual recyling time of the flash, and even of the preview from picture to picture....

I picked this camera because of the compact-ish size and the features it has for the price.....but if I was able to borrow someone's to test it, I wouldn't have spent the money...

I'd keep looking if I were you.....

A510 vs A520 vs SDxxx
Let me begin by saying that Canon makes exceptional digital cameras; the best in the market right now. This is because they have always used high quality components since they began manufacturing digital cameras. This one is no exception.

The Axxx series is the successor to the excellent Axx series, with a few very useful upgrades, such as the switch from 4AA to 2AA batteries (with no decrease in camera life!), and the 4x optical zoom.

A510 vs A520 vs SDxxx

First off, the A510 and A520 are identical except for the 3.2 megapixel sensor in the A510 and 4mp on the A520. Today, megapixel ratings are similar to Ghz ratings in the computer world: They used to mean a lot, but with today's cameras, it doesn't mean that much anymore. More megapixels do NOT mean a better image. They mean a larger printable image. In this case, the A510 has a maximum resolution of 2048x1536 pixels, or an 8.5x11 picture. The A520 has a max resolution of 2272x1704 pixels, or a picture slightly larger than 8.5x11.

Unless you need a slightly bigger picture, the A510 is a better buy.

When it comes to the Axxx or an SDxxx, it depends on what you need. The Axxx series will give you a better picture quality, manual controls, and standard AA batteries which actually last twice as long as the SDxxx series' proprietary batteries. The SDxxx series will give you better movies, the new Dig!c 2 processor, and a compact, cool looking camera, at a higher cost and with a very fragile exposed LCD screen.

Features:

Pros:
-Beautiful image quality, better than any other camera at this price range (no purple fringing like on the SDxxx)
-4x optical zoom! It's very hard to find another camera in this class. This alone makes the camera superior to most of the competition
-Excellent, intuitive manual controls
-Easy to hold naturally - no fingers in the way of the lens
-Beautiful 1.8 inch lcd that looks great under various lighting conditions
-The lcd is protected by a plastic layer, unlike the exposed and easily broken SDxxx lcds.
-Uses AA batteries, which are cheap and easy to find instead of expensive proprietary batteries
-Uses widely available and cheap SD or MMC cards (SD are faster)

Cons (most of these are minor quirks):
-Movie mode isn't as good as the SDxxx series
-Only USB 1.1 transfer speed (SDxxx have usb 2.0)
-Uses the still good, but outdated Dig!c processor, instead of the Dig!c 2 in the SDxxx series and some newer Canons
-A historical problem for Canons still shows in this camera in the flimsy battery/Memory card covers

If you do choose this product, the first thing you should buy is a larger SD memory card. The camera comes with a 16mb MMC card, which is pretty much useless. MMC cards are slower than SD, and 16mb will fill up very quickly.

You should also consider a case, such as the very affordable and custom fit PC-65.

Also, as with any camera, rechargeable NIMH batteries are a must. You don't need to pay for the expensive Canon set however, similar offerings from Energizer, Rayovac, etc. will work fine.

Best selling digital camera series!
Canon has fully redesigned the Powershot A series to make it lighter (uses only 2 AA batteries now), smaller and with 4x optical zoom.

Pro's,
1. Very good image quality.
2. 4 MP and 4x optical zoom (A510, the 3.2MP version should be fine for most though).
3. Priced right, unlike some overpriced digicams out there.
4. Works on 2 normal AA batteries (buy rechargeable ones for extra life and lower cost), unlike expensive & hard-to-find propreitary batteries.
5. The menu on the Canon cameras is light years ahead of most other manufacturer's. Lots of manual options and scene modes.
6. Battery and SD card doors seem to be of above average quality.
7. 1.8" LCD screen is bright and fluid.
8. Uses standard SD cards, unlike propretary memory cards like Memory Stick or xD card.
9. Can attach extra lenses if one buys the adaptor for it.
10. Actual LCD screen looks nicely protected below a plastic plate.

Con's,
1. The camera is still quite thick (although not bulky).
2. It uses Digic instead of Digic2 processor in other new Canons.
3. Tripod mount is on the corner and made from plastic.
4. Doesn't have that cool-ness like iPod or Elph series.
5. Nothing else different except extra MP from A510. Save your money and get the other one.

I guess you gotta spend more money to buy Elph series for more pocketability & style. I am almost sure this will be THE best selling camera series of 2005, just like A60 & A75 in past. With a price this low for a fully loaded A510/A520 there really is no reason to buy slightly cheaper but vastly inferior cameras from HP, Kodak, Olympus, Fuji or Samsung. Just check out the top sellers list right here on Amazon! ... Read more

Features

• 7.2-megapixel resolution for photo-quality 15-by-20-inch prints
• 4x optical zoom Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar lens
• Easy composition with 2.5-inch LCD monitor, the Hologram AF illuminator, multi-pattern measuring, and live histogram display
• Capable of recording images on to both Memory Stick PRO media and CompactFlash Type 1 media
• Powered by rechargeable InfoLithium battery; supplied AC-LS5 adapter/charger provides stable power for USB transfer

Features

• Play and record interlaced high-definition video at resolutions up to 1440 x 1080 for professional-quality video
• Three 1/3-inch-wide aspect ratio advanced HAD CCD imagers for enhanced color quality
• Professional-level MPEG2 video compression with the real-time HD Codec Engine
• Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens with 12x optical zoom
• Record at either 30 frames per second or, for a film-like feel, at 24 frames per second

Product Description

680,000-pixel CCD * digital photo mode * digital photo resolution: 640 x 480 * MPEG Movie EX mode * compatible with Memory Stick Duo or Memory Stick PRO® Duo (available separately) * ... Read more

Features

• 680,000-pixel CCD
• digital photo mode
• digital photo resolution: 640 x 480
• MPEG Movie EX mode
• compatible with Memory Stick Duo or Memory Stick PRO® Duo (available separately)

Reviews (5)

great camera, but bad software/computer hook-up
This video camera works fine and is easy to operate.

Using the software and finding software that works with this camera is difficult.Tech support from Sony is very poor to help resolve these issues.

Ilink does not come with the camera.

Tania

Misleading
Pay attention to components that you'd expect but are not included. I'm a fan of Canon products, and have come to expect at least the minimal parts necc. to test and sample the gadget without additional parts purchase.

Nowhere on the box, nor in its instruction booklet, will it tell you that the package does not contain even a smallest of a Memory Stick PRO® Duonor a digital cassette to even test the unit. The box simply says "Memory Stick PRO® Duo."

Instruction booklet will simply tell you to place this here, plug that there, charge it this way, insert the Memory Stick PRO® Duo,without mentioning that certain parts would needed to have been purchased additionally and would not be found with the package.

A good option
I love this camcorder it has a great resolution video and easy to use,
the only thing is that mac users have to buy the iLink cable 4pin to 6pin.

Poor Video Quality - Great Audio - Very sleek design
Pros
- Very Sleek design - compact, stylish and menu through LCD touch panel
- Good audio quality

Cons
- For the price, poor video resolution - video looks edgy when dowloaded via iLink
- Not so good low light performance
- No small size memory card provided, no firewire cable and no video editing software

Great camera, especially for the price!
I almost purchased the 42 instead of the 32, but after checking them out at the store I decided on the 32.The Samsung 353 was also in the running but one look in the store and I knew Sony was the way to go.I am glad I decided on the 32 because the only real difference was the CCD, which is 340k instead of 680k effective.It turns out the 32 does such a good job with the 340k I can't tell the difference, and for $150 less.The other only real difference is the color viewfinder on the 42, but who uses a viewfinder anymore.It doesn't come with a firewire (iLink) cable so be prepared to purchase one, especially if you have a mac.I am happy with our choice and look forward to many edited videos to share with the family. ... Read more

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

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

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

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

• 1GB maximum storage capacity
• Designed to support read and write speeds of 80 Mbps on high speed enabled devices
• Operating temperature range of -13? F to 185? F allows greater durability
• Backwards compatible with devices that use Memory Stick(R) PRO Duo media
• Included adaptor allows compatibility with Memory Stick(R) PRO media enabled devices