The Sony DSC-S30 proves that, just like a handful of other 1.3
megapixel cameras, the sub 2-megapixel cameras are nothing to sneer
at. Its photos are sharp, detailed, and their colours vibrant. And, while
at full resolution the photos have a smaller dimension than those of cameras
with 2 or 3 megapixel CCDs, the other side of the coin is that when these
are printed at around 280 dpi, they produce very reasonably sized 4.5"
x 3.5" prints. This makes it possible to fit two photos comfortably
on a 8½" x 11" photo quality sheet which is economical
and provides a format that can be compared to the standard photo prints
from a mini-lab.
Aperture:
f4.8, shutter: 1/485.
For those who print
their photos on a colour printer will likely appreciate a feature of the
S series camera: the 3:2 image format. The format is closer
to the size of printing paper (and of 35mm film) and produces prints with
more balanced margins, a useful feature when printing on the smaller-sized
photo papers.
Aperture:
f11, shutter: 1/100, Aperture Priority.
Indeed,
only two characteristics of the S30 leave a bit to be desired. First,
an autofocus that is a bit too slow for fast moving action and is occasionally
imprecise; second a somewhat under-powered built-in flash.
When its flash is the main source of light, the S30 lights the immediate
foreground easily, but often looses the background into a black abyss,
one which seems considerably closer than the optimistic 2.5m (8.25 ft)
maximum flash range given in the manual.
Adjusting the Flash
Level option to "High" in the Camera menu
did not improve the coverage of the flash noticeably over longer distances.
However,
the weak flash is quickly forgiven when the camera is taken outside. In
daylight, even in subdued light, the S30 is able to record photos with
excellent clarity and colour. The more adventurous are able to use either
aperture or shutter priority, and the results are generally impressive
and the images noise free. Even in relatively poor light such as dusk,
the S30 has no trouble capturing all the subtle hues of a sunset, a solid
accomplishment for any digital camera.
In addition, the S30 is quite gifted at macro photography since it is
able to get as close as 3cm (1 3/16 inch) from
the subject. Fitted with a lens that has a minimum amount of distortion
and a sensor with high colour accuracy, the S30 is able to create eye-catching
macros.
Still, just as with the other cameras in this series, we have to regret
that Sony did not provide a separate access to the spot metering function.
In Macro mode, where one wants to exercise control over the depth of field
and therefore use aperture priority, the camera is limited to the centre-weighted
metering pattern.
With
the new S series cameras, Sony offers cameras for a wide range
of budgets and needs. From the S30 which is intended as an entry-level
model, but one with many features, through the S50 which adds a 2.1 megapixel
sensor and MPEG capability, culminating with the S70 which offers a 3.3
megapixel CCD combined with Carl Zeiss optics.
