Sony T7 New frontier in space
Written: Jun 05 '05 (Updated Mar 07 '06)
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Pros: Smallest camera package available with astonishingly good picture quality
Cons: Cheesy battery compartment knob. Expensive memory sticks, flash prone to red eye
The Bottom Line: The T7 is the new queen of space. A trusted companion, you will take it anywhere. Take the pictures, that you normally wouldn't.
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| leisure_larry's Full Review: Sony DSC-T7 Digital Camera |
This review covers the Sony T7 in comparison to T1, T3 and T33. The T1 was a camera I craved for, for it's small design and it's astonishingly good pictures. This series beats the Casio Exilim in picture quality hands-down.
While T3 and T33 where design fresh ups with hardly any new function or fundamental camera rework, the T7 is truely a new frontier in space. At 1 cm thickness, it is a little bit over half the thickness of the T3 and T1, in foot print it got a little bit wider. The T7 sports the lens cover slider that I love at the T1 so much and has the same high quality Zeiss lens. While it is smaller, the weight feels the same.
But the camera body is completely restyled. Apparently the T7 designer was a left handed person. All the menu buttons moved from the right side to the left side of the body. While new for a right hander like me, they actually were as easy to use then on the other side. A major deviation are the zoom buttons. Previously two buttons at the rear, it is now a lever on the top, that your index finger can move forth and back. This means you will have to wander your finger between the zoom and the shutter button. Slightly less intuitive then the previous solution. I grew up keeping my finger on the trigger all the time. This is different. I prefer the old way, although it is not a turn off.
Battery compartment has moved to the right side. The memory stick pro slot has it's own place. No more battery sliding out when you change the memory stick. The button that closes the battery compartment is the only 'cheesy' cheap plastic part that I could find on the otherwise very excellent design.
The camera comes in silver or a dark gray brushed aluminum housing. My hands down favorite is the dark gray case. Really classy and high quality looking.
Operation: Camera starts very fast. Slide the lens cover down (which is a bit wobblier then on the T1 and therefor doesn't run as smooth) and the camera is up and running before you get it up to your eye.
Menu is the same as the other Sony's. Major innovations are the use of 'yellow' color symbols for everything related to a flash. The other noticeable difference is when watching pictures the zoom function steps in .3 x increments rather then zooming smoothly. Less elegant as it looks a bit 'choppy', but does the job for all purposes.
Accessories: Camera comes with the regular minimal memory pro stick. Teather, connection cables and Sony transfer software. Main difference to the rest of the series is that Sony had to create a special interface to house the USB, AV and charger connector. Simply not enough space on the camera body. As a result you get a walnut size exterior plastic connector that slides over the right side of the camera, providing the interfaces. While functional, it looks 'odd' and not very stable against bending.
Extra Extras: In Japan you can get a water proof housing for the T7, that will allow you you deep dive with your precious camera. Not that you can get decent pictures under water, but for a beach vacation very handy.
Likes: FLAT, cool design, great picture quality
Gripes: Cheesy battery compartment door switch, flash pictures still prone to red eyes( flash bulb right next to lens). Be prepared to use the red eye fix in your software on almost all flash pictures.
Zoom lever now operated by index finger rather then thumb, slows the speed down.
External connector a bit wobbly.
What would make this camera even better?
Smooth lens cover slider, regular zoom button as on the T1,
Flash moved to the side to reduce red eyes (although this camera is so small I am not sure it would actually do the trick).
Verdict:... for space minimalists, this is the new icon of minimalization. Won't get much smaller, as the camera is down to the thickness of the battery and lens system.
Out of the series which one would I buy? T7 first, no question, T1 second.. and then the T3 or T33 series.
T7 is the new frontier in space and design. Having gone away from the chrome errors of a T33 and the impractical iris shutter lens of the T3 series, the T7 embodies the epitomy of small sleek cameras. Hard to imagine what a T9 would look like...
Well, update in March 2006. Now you can find out what the T9 looks like and more importantly what it does better then the T7. See my latest review on the Sony T9 here:
http://www.epinions.com/content_222870474372
Relevant links:
You will need Sony's latest memory stick version. Read the pros and cons here:
http://www.epinions.com/content_168500629124
Prices have come down in the mean time. Best price memory balance would be the following Sandisk 1GB memory pro duo for this camera. Go a vacation without worrying.
http://www.epinions.com/content_175091125892
The previous Sony versions are:
T33 the queen of chrome and color: http://www.epinions.com/content_174292110980
T3 the base model:
http://www.epinions.com/content_166914657924
T1 , the original and my long time favorite:
http://www.epinions.com/content_167347654276
If you are a first time digital camera buyer, I recommend flipping through this baseline article:
http://www.epinions.com/content_3650658436
Trying to make up your mind whether to go small with the T7 or go midsize with the popular Sony P series?
http://www.epinions.com/content_122227887748
Tired of red eyes then you should take a serious look at this camera: (Won't fit your space budget though if you like the T7)
http://www.epinions.com/content_125044756100
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 499
This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Fool-Proof for Absolute Beginners
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Epinions.com ID:
leisure_larry
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 - Top 1000 |
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Member: Leisure Larry
Location: US
Reviews written: 57
Trusted by: 2 members
About Me:
Electrical Engineer. Engaged Computer User. Hobby photographer.
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