Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T33

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The line of wafer-thin Cyber-shot DSC-T series just got longer with this latest T33 release. However, while there have been frequent cosmetic changes, the innards of the ultraslim T models have been less spry in their progress. Admittedly, after four iterations, Sony has engineered in some improvements, though the issue with night shooting remains.

What's New?
It is unclear how Sony derives its model labels, but if the design is any hint the T33 gets its namesake from its elder brethren, the T3 and T11. Aesthetically, the T33 bears strong semblance to the T11 in shape, but inherits the color and the much-missed lens cover of the T3. Otherwise, you'll be greeted with the same 5-megapixel HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) sensor, 2.5-inch LCD screen and the 3x Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar "folded" optics.

To its credit, Sony has incorporated some improvements following some complaints. Firstly, the battery compartment has a separate lock to prevent the power cell from falling out when all you're trying to do is access your memory card. Next, we noticed the T33 had less tendency to blow out highlights compared with the T1. There were also some minor speed increases in shot-to-shot intervals.

Unfortunately, Sony hasn�t extended the favor to including a tripod mount to satisfy those night-loving rovers. We still reckon Sony has this aspect awry, and we find it silly to feature a HAD sensor--which allows more light into the photodetectors for better night pictures--without the necessary support. In any case, we're sure the more innovative shutterbugs will be able to fashion up some plastic or rubber holder to tend to this oversight.

In Use
Like its predecessors, the T33 is a point-and-shoot with a pretty complete feature set. Even more advanced photographers will appreciate some of the manual options offered. These include two metering modes (multi, spot), exposure compensation, selectable ISO sensitivity options and white balance controls. In addition, the autofocus (AF) assist lamp remains on this Cyber-shot to provide excellent low ambient light focusing.

In terms of handling, the shooter weighs a featherlike 150g with battery and media installed, making it a joy to lug around. Unfortunately, this also presents a few difficulties with handholding, especially with one-hand shooting.

With regard to performance, the T33 is a nimble shooter. It started up in just over a second and shot-to-shot intervals were within 2 seconds--with or without flash. Autofocus (AF) speed was similarly quick and took about a second in scenes with adequate lighting, dropping slightly for low-light situations.

For image quality, the Cyber-shot delivered respectable photos that were detailed and sharp. Colors were saturated and metering was generally spot on. The shooter has sensitivity settings of up to ISO 400. Like most digicams, the T33 exhibited noticeable image noise in the shadow regions with high ISO settings. However, we found the Cyber-shot's 5-megapixel CCD sensor to compare well with 4-megapixel models, which was pleasantly surprising.

The Verdict
The Cyber-shot T33 retails for less than what the T1 did at its launch, arriving with a sticker price of S$0 (US$0). Still, that's a tidy sum to part with for just a slightly updated package. Before you ultimately decide to buy, or not, do factor in the costs for a large-capacity storage card. The T33 ships with a mere 32MB Memory Stick Duo. While Sony's Memory Stick prices have come down a fair bit in recent times, they are still about twice that of commonly available CompactFlash and SD card formats.