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DIGITAL CAMERAS

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W1
PORTABILITY AND PERFORMANCE FOR DIGITAL SNAPSHOOTERS.
A smart metal body and large LCD screen combine with a high-resolution sensor to make Sonys DSCW1 Cyber-shot an attractive camera, and its competitive price and ease of use will further contribute to its success. So, too, will the Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens, although its wide-angle coverage may not be ideal for some photographers. Its hard to fault the W1s overall design as all controls and fittings are well placed and easy to use. However, like many recently-released 5megapixel digicams, the W1 mixes point-andshoot functions with controls to appeal to serious photographers. Among the former are a competent full-auto shooting mode supported by six scene settings and PictBridge direct printing capability, while the latter include the ability to adjust the output of the built-in flash, the live histogram display and excellent low light performance. Manual exposure control is also provided, with a wide range of shutter speeds from 30 seconds to 1/1000 sec, although only two aperture settings are provided (their values change as the zoom is adjusted). The test cameras focusing was fast and, in most cases, accurate, although the centre AF setting performed slightly better than the default Multipoint AF mode for subjects within two metres of the camera, and the Monitoring AF setting was marginally faster than the default Single AF mode. Poweringup and shutting down took less than 1.5 seconds and the camera was, in the main, very responsive. We measured an average shutter lag of just over 0.1 seconds, extending to 0.5 seconds when focusing was required. Large files took less than one second to process, except for long time exposures, which took almost a minute, due to noise reduction processing. The burst mode captured nine high-resolution shots at 0.9 second intervals but more shots are possible at lower resolution and quality settings. On test, the W1 delivered its best results with portraits in low contrast lighting, where the overall colour balance was quite accurate and skin tones were very attractively recorded
with finely nuanced tonal reproduction. It also did well with night shots, where even the ISO 400 setting produced shots with no visible noise. Overall imaging performance was well above average and, although colour reproduction was good in outdoor shots, blues tended to be a tad warmer than expected and the default contrast was slightly high. Setting the contrast to low produced better results in shots taken in bright sunlight. The white balance control was an above-average performer, particularly under fluorescent lighting, although theres only one fluorescent setting. Sadly, no custom setting is provided for difficult lighting conditions. The flash is also a cut above the average, delivering enough light to illuminate an average-sized room at its default setting and allowing users to reduce flash output for portrait shots (recommended). Unfortunately, its position directly above the lens increases the risk of red eyes. The flash actually fires twice, first to establish the output required and immediately after, when the image is captured. Our tests showed this to have no apparent red-eye reduction effect. Interestingly, a red-eye reduction setting is provided in the set-up menu but the default setting is off and its performance is unexceptional. You can also take photos using the light from the AF illuminator, which is accessed via the set-up menu. However, the light output is not particularly high and its position makes it unsuitable for close shots with the macro setting. The W1s video capabilities are impressive, with two VGA settings (Fine and Standard) and 160 x 112 pixels. However, although you can record video clips with sound, and MPEG Movie VX format provides a full-screen display on a standard TV set, VGA/Fine movies can only be recorded on Memory Stick Pro cards and a 256MB card holds less than three minutes of video. The flash and zoom controls are disabled in movie mode. Unlike some high-resolution Sony digicams, the W1 is powered by two AA

Photo Review AUSTRALIA

batteries. Its supplied with Sony-branded Cyber-shot NiMH cells and a charger but can also accept alkalines when necessity demands. Our tests showed power consumption to be quite conservative; a fully charged set of batteries was less than half depleted after our review procedures. One minor gripe was a slight softness in some outdoors shots. On the whole, however, the DSCW1 is a fine little camera that will suit anyone who wants a high-resolution, highperformance digicam for everyday picturetaking.

SPECIFICATIONS

IMAGE SENSOR:
9.04mm primary colour CCD with 5,255,000 photosites (5.09-megapixels effective)
Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 7.9-23.7mm f2.8-5.2 zoom (equivalent to 38-114mm in 35mm format)

ZOOM RATIO:

3x optical, up to 6x digital

LENS MULTIPLIER FACTOR:

DIMENSIONS (WXHXD):

91 x 60 x 36.3 mm

WEIGHT:
250g (without batteries and card)
QUALITY RATING (OUT OF 10)
Build: Ease of use: Image quality: Storage capacity with supplied card: Value for money:

DISTRIBUTOR:

9.0 8.5 8.5 8.0 9.0
Sony Australia; 071; www.sony.com.au

www.photoreview.com.au

DSC-W1
Cyber-shot Digital Still Camera

F E AT U R E S

1/1.8" 5.1 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 Optical zoom helps you fill the frame with your subject for better pictures. And Sonys Precision Digital Zoom helps bring your subject closer with an extra 2X magnification. 0 12.0X Smart Zoom Feature (at VGA Resolution) The Smart Zoom feature intelligently uses the full CCD to let you zoom into the portion of interest by cropping the image size thus avoiding the image degradation of Digital Zooms. Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar Lens The Vario-Tessar lens is specially produced for very compact cameras. This specialized design allows quick auto-focus, appealing zoom range while still maintaining a compact design. Real Imaging Processor The innovative Real Imaging Processor in the DSC-W1 not only improves picture quality and clarity but also improves camera response time, decreases shutter lag and improves battery stamina.
5 Area Multi-Point Auto Focus By evaluating 5 separate focus areas of the frame, Sonys Multi-Point AF system can intelligently focus on the subject and avoid mistakenly focusing on the background. Manual Exposure Mode Manual Exposure Mode provides extended control with 46-step adjustable Shutter speed (30 1/1000 sec.), and 2-step Aperture control. AF (Auto Focus) Illuminator Briefly illuminating the subject, in lowor nolight conditions, the AF Illuminator helps establish a positive focus lock. Selectable Focus Mode Monitoring AF (Auto Focus) helps you anticipate the action by focusing even before you press the shutter release. Multi-Pattern Measuring Independently light-metering 49 points of the frame, Multi-Pattern Measuring establishes the optimum exposure, even when highlight and shadow isnt centered in the frame. Scene Selection Mode With 6 Scene Modes, parameters can be matched to the shooting conditions. Choose from one of the following: Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Landscape, Soft Snap, Candle, or Beach. Pre-Flash Metering With a momentary pre-flash, the camera illuminates the subject and sets exposure through the lens for accurate flash metering. Adjustable flash level and red-eye reduction ensure great flash shots. Slow Shutter Noise Reduction During long exposures, Slow Shutter NR captures the scene, and then the CCD noise pattern with a dark frame exposure. By subtracting the two, even long exposures can be clear.
Memory Stick Media and Memory Stick PRO Media Digital. Powerful. Transportable. Memory Stick media is compact, portable and rugged connecting a variety of hardware and software applications. 9 Shot Burst Mode Capture up to 9 shots (fine) or 16 shots (standard) at 1.6 frame/sec. even at 5 MP resolution. Perfect for high speed subjects or fast moving action such as sports. Multi-Burst Mode Captures x 240 frames as part of a single 1280 x 960 image which plays back sequentially in the camera. Selectable 1/7.5, 1/15, 1/30 second. MPEG Movie VX Standard/Fine Mode with Audio Captures VGA (640 x 480) high frame rate (up to 30 frames per second) audio/video clips with length limited only by the capacity of the media. Video mail mode captures smaller file sizes suitable for email. Conversion Lens Compatible With VAD-WA adaptor, you can add tele- or wide- conversion lenses for greater magnification or wider field of view, as well as protective and special effect filters. PictBridge Compatibility Connect to any PictBridge compatible printer with the supplied USB cable and print directly from the camera. Images can be viewed and selected for printing right on the cameras LCD, with menus for print quantity, date and index print. Rechargeable AA NiMH Batteries The high capacity 2100 mAh AA NiMH batteries provide reliable, long-lasting power for continuous shooting. The supplied BC-CS2 charger provides a convenient way to charge the batteries.

2.5" LCD Monitor

The extra-large high-resolution 123K LCD Monitor makes framing shots and reviewing pictures easy.
Live Histogram Display Available in capture and playback the Live Histogram Displays the concentration of pixels at each luminosity value making it easy to evaluate correct exposure. 14-Bit DXP A/D Conversion Sonys 14-bit Digital EXtended Processor captures the range between highlight and shadow with up to 16,384 values, for extended dynamic contrast and detail.

STEP-UP

F E AT U R E
A D D I T I O N A L F E AT U R E S
3:2 Aspect Ratio Mode Adjustable Color Saturation/Contrast Audio/Video Output Clear Color/Clear Luminance NR MPEG1 Cue, Review and Divide Supports High Speed USB 2.0

Memory Stick Media1

JPEG STILL IMAGE MODE
Fine/Standard Picture Quality
2592x1944 (5.1 MP) 2592x1728 (3:2) 2048x1536 (3 MP) 1280x960 (1 MP) 640x480 (VGA)
S P E C I F I C AT I O N S
Imaging Device: 1/1.8" 5.1 Megapixel Super HAD CCD Recording Media: Memory Stick Media, Memory Stick PRO Media Lens Construction: 7 Elements in 5 Groups, 3 Aspheric Elements Zoom: 3X Optical Smart Zoom Feature: 0 4.0X (at VGA Resolution), 12X Total Digital Zoom: Precision, 0 2.0X Range, 6X Total Filter Diameter: 30mm, by required VAD-WA adaptor Focal Length: 7.9 23.7mm 35mm Equivalent: 38 114mm Aperture Range: f2.8 f5.6 (W); f5.2 f10 (T) Auto Focus: 5 Area Multi-Point AF, Center AF, 5-Step Manual Minimum Focus Distance: 19.7" (50cm) Macro Focus Distance: 3.9" (10cm) Shutter Speed: 1/8 1/1000 sec. (auto)
2 1/1000 sec. (twilight) 30 1/1000 sec. (manual) Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV, 1/3 EV Steps Color LCD: 2.5" 123K Pixel LCD Screen Flash Modes: Auto/Forced On/Forced Off/Slow Synchro Red-Eye Reduction: On/Off Flash Effective Range: 1.6 12.5 ft. (0.5 3.8m) White Balance: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Incandescent Burst Mode: 9 Shot (JPEG fine), 16 Shot (JPEG std.), 1.6fps Picture Effects: Sepia, Black & White ISO: Auto, 100, 200, 400 Scene Modes: Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Landscape, Soft Snap, Candle, Beach Self-Timer: Yes, 10 Seconds Audio/Video Output: Yes, NTSC/PAL Selectable Still Image Modes: Normal (JPEG Fine/Standard), Burst, Multi-Burst MPEG Movie Modes: MPEG VX Fine with Audio (640 x 480 at 30fps), (MPEG VX Fine requires Memory Stick PRO media) MPEG VX Standard with Audio (640 x 480 at 16fps), Video Mail (160 x 112 at 8fps) with Audio Microphone/Speaker: Yes/Yes USB Terminal: Yes, Supports USB 2.0 Memory Stick PRO Media Compatibility: Tested to support up to 1GB media capacity; does not support Access Control security function Compatible Battery: AA NiMH, Alkaline Supplied Software: Picture Package for Sony v1.0 (Windows), Pixela ImageMixer VCD2 (Macintosh), SPVD-012.1 USB Driver, Cyber-shot Life tutorial (Windows) OS Compatibility: Microsoft Windows 98/98SE/Me/ 2000/XP Home/XP Pro Macintosh OS 9.1/9.2/X (10.0, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3) Supplied Accessories: NH-AA-DA Rechargeable AA Batteries, BC-CS2 Battery Charger, A/V and USB Cables, Wrist Strap, MSA-32A 32MB Memory Stick Media, Software CD-ROM Dimensions: 16" x 8" x 16" (91 x 60 x 36mm) Weight: 6.9 oz (189g) Body; 9.2 oz. (250g) Body w/Battery, Media, Wrist Strap

16MB 32MB 64MB 128MB

Memory Stick PRO Media1

6/11 12/23 25/48 51/96

10/18 20/37 41/74 82/149
24/46 50/93 101/187 202/376
97/243 196/491 394/895 790/1,975

256MB 512MB 1GB

92/194 188/354 384/723
148/264 302/537 617/1,097
357/649 726/1,320 1,482/2,694
1,428/3,571 2,904/7,261 5,928/14,821

MPEG MOVIE MODE

Maximum Storage Time
Memory Stick Media MPEG VX (640x480) Fine MPEG VX (640x480) Standard Video Mail (160x112)

Memory Stick Pro Media

42s 1m 27s 2m 54s 5m 54s
11m 36s 23m 30s 47m 15s 1h 34m 45s

2m 57s 6m 2s 12m 20s

10m 42s 21m 47s 44m 27
2h 51m 21s 5h 48m 28s 11h 51m 21s

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES

ACC-CS3P Starter Kit (AC-LS5, LCS-CP2, NH-AA-2DA, BC-CSQ) NH-AA-2DA/4DA Rechargeable NiMH Batteries (2pk/4pk) VAD-WA Conversion Lens Adaptor Mount VCL-DH0730 Wide Angle Conversion Lens* VCL-DH2630 Super Telephoto Conversion Lens* VCL-DH1730 Telephoto Conversion Lens* HVL-FSL1B External Slave Flash w/ Bracket LCM-WA Just Fit Carrying Case LCS-CSD General Carrying Case LCD-WA Casual Case LCH-MA Memory Stick Media Carrying Case MSA-32A, MSA-64A, MSA-128A Memory Stick Media MSA-128S2 Memory Stick Media with Select Function (256MB total) MSA-256, MSX-512, MSX-1G Memory Stick PRO Media MSAC-US30 Memory Stick PRO Media USB Adaptor *VAD-WA Conversion Lens Adaptor Mount Required
CAMERA WITH OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
2004 Sony Electronics Inc. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. All rights reserved. Sony, Cyber-shot, Digital, Powerful, Transportable, InfoLithium, Memory Stick, the Memory Stick logo, Memory Stick PRO, Smart Zoom and Super HAD, are trademarks of Sony. Carl Zeiss and Vario-Tessar are trademarks of Carl Zeiss. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Macintosh is a trademark of Apple Computer. PictBridge is a trademark of CIPA. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. Features and specifications subject to change without notice. Non-metric weights and measures are approximate. 1 Available storage capacity of Memory Stick and Memory Stick PRO media may vary. A portion of the memory is used for data management functions. Actual available memory in MBs is:16=15, 32=30, 64=61, 128=123, 256=220, 512=460, 1GB=940MB

Sony Electronics Inc. 16765 West Bernardo Drive San Diego, CA 92127 www.sony.com/di For more information: 1.800.352.SONY