Sony DSC-V1 Cyber-shot Review
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Review
Date: Aug 25, 2003 |
Category:
Serious
to Advanced Amateur
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Photoxels
Award
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Executive
Summary
This
Sony DSC-V1 Cyber-shot Review is based on a production
model. All sample images are unretouched, except
where specified.
Royal
Ontario Museum Lobby Ceiling:
Auto White Balance,
1/25 sec., F2.8 and ISO 100
[Detailed picture of the window is above in the
Navigation background]
The
Sony DSC-V1 Cyber-shot is compact, light,
extremely fast, and gives great results -- a perfect
combination for discreet street photography. It
looks and handles like a professional camera should,
is targeted to demanding serious
amateur photographers, and features the full
set of flexible exposure control.
Though
the V1 will not fit in your pants pocket, it is
pleasantly light and compact enough to carry in
one hand without any strain. It is very well constructed
and its controls are user-friendly. The only two
things you may have to get used to is to avoid
putting your left finger on the pop-up flash,
and get properly oriented with the up-down (instead
of left-right) zoom lever.
For
flexible exposure control, you can switch to one
of the scene modes, Aperture-Priority, Shutter-Priority
or full Manual mode. However, it's easy to get
good results with the V1 in Program AE mode, which
I use almost exclusively in this review.
Two features that instantly win me over:
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The low-light hologram AF assist works like
a charm and I never have to worry about not
acquiring focus in low-light situations. All
digital cameras should have this kind of fast
and accurate low-light focus assist.
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The program shift feature allows me to change
shutter speed/aperture combinations on the
fly while still maintaining correct exposure.
This allows me to instantly adjust the shutter
speed or aperture (depending on the situation)
without having to manually switch to either
Shutter-Priority mode or Aperture-Priority mode
for that one shot. Result: fast operation without
taking the eyes off the picture.
If
you are a serious amateur photographer looking
for a top of the line consumer digital camera,
or you are an advanced amateur photographer looking
for a compact digital camera with superb image
quality and flexible exposure control, then you
should look seriously at the 5 megapixels Sony
DSC-V1 Cyber-shot with its 4x optical zoom Carl
Zeiss Vario Sonnar lens, bright and excellent
LCD, and Hologram AF Illuminator. See if you fit
the Sony DSC-V1 Cyber-shot User Profile
below:
Sony
DSC-V1 Cyber-shot
User Profile |
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Desire a quality 5 MP
resolution digital camera capable of
producing prints of up to 11x14 in. |
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Need superb image quality,
flexible exposure control, and professional
features. |
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Are a serious amateur
photographer and need Auto as well as
full exposure control. |
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Require fast response
in all lighting situation, including
indoors low-light situations. |
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Want a digital camera
that can be sometimes used as a point-and-shoot
and at other times used for more creative
photography. |
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Want a compact and light
camera that can be easily carried in
a coat pocket, purse, or belt case.
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