S$1199
Product Summary
8
out of 10View score
The bad: Slow zooming and startup; awkward location of optical viewfinder.
The bottom line: A solid package that should appeal to photographers who want semi-professional features in a compact camera.
Read full review of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-V1 »
Average User Rating
from 1 users
9
out of 10CNET Asia Review
The 5-megapixel DSC-V1's slow startup and zoom performance drag down what is otherwise a capable camera. However, with the 4x Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar lens, extensive feature set and manual controls, this compact unit should provide photographers with plenty of creative options.
What's New?
The distinctive heavy and big lens barrel of the semi-professional range from Sony (DSC-F7xx series) is gone this time. This brings about a considerable drop in weight--more than 50 percent--with the DSC-V1 reading 300g on the scales with both battery and Memory Stick installed. However, even without the additional bulk, the DSC-V1 is still no Exilim. Due to the multitude of options and the fairly large lens, the unit appears like the Hulk's indestructible pants, always puffed up and almost bursting at the seams.
There isn't much free space on this jam-packed Sony. Every single piece of real estate is used. This ultimately leads to the horrible placement of the optical viewfinder--it's located off-center towards the right, with the zoom controls just a fingers width away. So if you're using the zoom, this results in a pretty uncomfortable experience when composing shots with the viewfinder and it doesn't matter whether you use your right or left eye. As for composing with the LCD screen, that also suffers a minor setback. The swiveling lens housing that offered some flexibility in shooting is gone, too; you're stuck with a boring conventional design for this unit.
Because of the compact form factor of the DSC-V1, all the buttons and dials are within easy reach, and toggling through the camera's functions and controls is simple. Disappointingly, the Japanese manufacturer doesn't see the need to increase the size of the 1.5-inch LCD display found on the whole Cyber-shot series. However, the tinted glass protecting the screen does help a little under bright sunlight, and we've found it to perform adequately.
Features
For the avant garde, this Sony offers plenty of freedom for creativity, there's the option to independently control both shutter and aperture or even full total manual operation. Sadly, the manual focus isn't too flexible, allowing only different set focal points. Included with the DSC-V1 is Sony's own unique Hologram AF function, which beams a matrix of red laser light that ensures good performance even in dim lighting. This camera also sports a lens thread for attachment of other accessories such as wide-angle lenses.
Besides the standard built-in flash, there's a hotshoe attachment for this particular Cyber-shot, depicting its prosumer status. In addition to this, there are the Japanese manufacturer's special nightframing and nightshot modes to equip nocturnal users with more accurate color quality and for more challenging night scenes.
Other notable features include a rechargeable InfoLithium battery which also displays remaining life in minutes; uncompressed TIFF capture; and a barely adequate 32MB of Memory Stick media. If you intend to use that 5-megapixel CCD to its fullest potential, we strongly urge you upgrade to a larger Memory Stick.
Quiet Performer
In our tests, we found the DSC-V1's performance to be adequate although we really expected much faster functioning given its status quo. Due in part to the 4x zoom lens, the unit powered up in about 4 seconds. Although the zoom mechanism proved slower than what we'd have liked, it did provide for very accurate and precise control (quiet, too). The shot-to-shot interval clocked in at about 5 to 6 seconds with the flash on. The recharging of the flash took a rather large part of the wait, and with it disabled, the unit did significantly better, coming in at about 2 to 3 seconds. All the above was tested with JPEGs as, with many digital cameras, there'll inherently be much longer delays when working with uncompressed TIFF files.
The auto-focusing (AF) system was also quite zippy, often taking less than a second for situations with adequate lighting. Owing to the Holograph AF, the AF system even worked well in low light and the speed dropped only a tick to about 2 or 3 seconds.
Metering both with the flash enabled and disabled proved good, with most images not requiring any touchup on editing software. As with most Cyber-shots with the HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD, this model is no different and excelled in night shots, producing candid pictures without too much noise. HAD permits more light to enter the CCD, allowing the camera to take credible low-light photos.
In terms of image quality, the DSC-V1 delivered good-quality photos--which you'd expect from its 5-megapixel sensor. The colors captured were always natural looking and the metering generally gave well-exposed shots. The camera's automatic white balance also proved capable as it was able to handle most lighting conditions. We particularly liked the outdoor pictures as they displayed a cool color temperature without a blue overcast, which consequently produced some pleasing photos.
Wrapping Up
The Cyber-shot DSC-V1 appears to be Sony's attempt at wooing the pro-consumers who may have balked at the SLR-inspired styling of the F7xx series. The reduced bulk of the compact form factor should attract some fans and Sony's offering will definitely give Canon's Powershot G series some much-needed competition. If you don't mind the rather irksome zoom performance, the DSC-V1 should provide you with plenty of creative freedom complete with a rare compact form for this class of cameras.
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User Reviews
Great camera even for amateurs
Jul 25, 2005Rating: 9 out of 10 (Spectacular)
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This is my second digital camera which I bought January last year. The reason I wrote this review today was because I just bought the new Canon IXUS 700. This camera is great and easy to use. Photo quality is much better than my 7-megapixel Canon. Can you believe it? It captures more details of snow texture and clouds than IXUS 700 which would make no difference in the texture except white and some gray shadows. Taking photos in dimly lit dining areas would turn out nice if you use the night mode and red-eye reduction, while the IXUS 700 image would turn fuzzy. My only regret is that I had sold this camera to my cousin. It is always better to invest in a camera with big lens!!!
