Money well spent
Written: Jan 05 '03 (Updated Jan 05 '03)
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Pros: Lots of manual settings, 58mm lens/filters can be used
Cons: Somewhat bulky, comes with small memory stick
The Bottom Line: Buy it, use it, and you will be very satisfied. For some real fun, buy some filters and let your creativity flow.
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| rodneyk's Full Review: Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-F707 Digital Camera |
I purchased my DSC-F707 about a year ago for $930, and till today I still recommend this camera to all my friends. I don't consider this to be a pure "point and shoot camera" (although it could be) or a "professional SLR", it's a little of both. This is an awesome 5 megapixel camera!
The Lens
The camera comes with a rather large (5x equivalent to 38 - 190mm)all glass Carl Zeiss lens with an aperture range from f/2.0 - f/8.0, and 58mm filter threads. The ability to use "third party" lens/filters is an important feature in a camera in this price range. The camera lens is considered to be the most important part of the camera, therefore it should be protected at all times with a UV lens. The use of various filters can open up a whole new world of photographic creativity (and it makes your camera look cool!).
LCD and EVF
The 1.8" LCD screens makes picture taking a breeze. However as with most LCD screens, viewing the screen in bright sunlight can be somewhat difficult, with the flip of a switch, this is where the electronic viewfinder takes over. The electronic viewfinder displays the same information as the LCD screen in high resolution and color.
The Flash
The "intelligent" automatic flash is hidden until needed, and pops-up from the top of the lens. The camera uses TTL (through the lens) flash control which is supposed to give proper exposures regardless of the lens focal length. Sony has a stronger flash (HVL-F1000)which can be used with the camera as well. The flash mounts on the accessory shoe and plugs into the sync port on the side of the lens.
Nightshot and Nightframing
A big plus is the ability to take pictures in nightshot mode, or with nightframing mode. The front of the lens contain two L.E.Ds. Nightshot mode lets you shoot photos in a dark place with little or no light (pictures come out green & white), however using this mode drains the battery a lot faster. Nightframing mode shows you subject on the LCD/EVF in nightshot mode, but takes the photo normally with the flash.
Focus
In auto focus mode, the camera uses a class 1 laser (safe to look at directly)to create a grid on the subject for focusing. This works well, I haven't had a photo out of focus yet. Manual mode is enabled via a switch on the side of the lens. When the focusing ring is turned in manual mode, the image on the LCD/EVF is magnified and the distance to the subject is displayed.
The Controls
A good deal of controls can be found externally on the camera, rather than buried in menus. These include:
On the side of the lens:
Zoom
Auto/Manual foucus
AE Lock
Spot Meter
White Balance
Top of Camera body:
Jog Dial
Exposure
Shutter
Mode Dial
Nightshot/Nightframing switch
Power
Back of Camera body:
Display
Index
Menu
Control
LCD/EVF switch
Power & Memory
The camera comes with a Infolithium battery. Infolithium batteries are excellent because they display on the LCD/EVF how much battery life (in minutes) you have left. A fully charged battery will last roughly 150 minutes using the LCD/EVF. The camera also comes with an AC adapter to use while transferring pictures to the PC and to recharge the battery.
I wish Sony included a bigger memory stick with the F707. The supplied 16MB memory stick will take only 6 photos at 2560x1920 and quality set to "fine". A 128MB card is highly recommended.
In the Box
DSC-F707 Digital Camera (1)
A/V connecting cable (1)
NP-FM50 battery pack (1)
AC-L10A/L10B/L10C AC power adapter (1)
Power cord (1)
USB cable (1)
Lens cap (1)
Lens cap strap (1)
Shoulder strap (1)
"Memory Stick" (16MB) (1)
CD-ROM (USB Driver, MGI software) (1)
Operating Instructions (1)
Recommended Accessories
UV Filter Lens/Protector (highly recommended)
128MB Memory Stick (highly recommended)
HVL-F1000 Flash
LSF-H58 "flower petal" lens shade
RM-DR1 wired remote control
Cokin A or P series filters
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 930
This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Flexible Enough for Enthusiasts
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Epinions.com ID:
rodneyk
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Location: Hawaii, US
Reviews written: 15
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
Everything is negotiable...Always ask for a better price.
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