Measuring
(WxHxD) 91 x 60 x 21mm (3.55 x 2.34 x 0.82 in.) and completely
clad in metal, the new Sony DSC-T1 has more the shape
of a small PDA than that of a camera. Yet, albeit thin, this
is a camera that has some impressive features.
The DSC-T1 has a big 5.1 megapixel
image size, a fully internal 3X optical zoom from Carl
Zeiss, a large 2.5 inch (6.2 cm) LCD monitor, and includes cradle
that provides both a means to recharge the internal Li-ion battery,
and a USB 2.0 connection for a computer.
The T1 can be powered on simply
by sliding its lens barrier, or by pressing the power switch
on top, however the top switch is really intended for the Playback
mode.
Sliding the lens barrier down, the T1 is ready to shoot in under 2 seconds,
and in fact, speed the hallmark of the camera. The T1 is quick to shoot,
quick to process, and quick to store images.
The narrow top of the DSC-T1
supports the elongated 2-stage shutter release that has auto
focus and auto exposure lock when pressed halfway; the power
switch; and the microphone.
All the other controls of the T1 are arranged on the right side of the
LCD monitor that dominates the back.
The 2.5 LCD monitor is the only
means to frame shots as there is no optical viewfinder, and provides
a sharp image composed of 211,200 pixels. The screen is
backlit, and both the intensity of the backlight, and the brightest
of its image can be adjusted. Moreover, when in direct sunlight,
the backlight can turned off and the image can still be seen
as the screen is reflective.
Mode selection is made with a three-position slider
switch on the right edge of the camera:
Movie mode: the DSC-T1 can capture movies as long
as there is space on the Memory Stick, and at either of 2
frame sizes 640 x 480 or 160 x 112 pixels. (See the Characteristics
section for more detail.)
Still Image recording mode.
Playback mode
The optical zoom is controlled with
a rocker switch placed to the left of the Mode switch. As usual,
in Playback the control serves to zoom into a picture displayed
on the screen, or zoom out of it, and show thumbnails of the
images on the memory card.
First, on the top left of the
4 direction control, is the MENU button. The button calls
up the menu for the mode in use, be it Movie, Still Image or
Playback. On the opposite side the button
serves to set the image resolution or to delete unwanted
photos in Playback.(See the Characteristics section for more
details.)
Each of the 4 directional controls below also have a use in
the recording modes:
Flash modes: cycles through Auto, Forced On, Slow
Synchro, Forced Off.
Macro mode: allows capturing subjects that are
8 cm (3.12 in.) from the lens at the wide angle position,
and 25 cm (9.75 in.) at the maximum telephoto. (In addition
the DSC-T1 offers a Magnifying Glass Mode that is
like a Super Macro Mode. See the Characteristics section.)
Self-timer mode: provides a 10 second delay before
the shutter is released.
Quick Review mode: displays the last image captured,
which if unsatisfactory, can be deleted.
Display button: controls the information overlaid
on the monitor. At each press the display cycles through
an overlay showing a limited amount of information, one
that adds a real-time histogram, then a display that only
indicates the AF mode and the AF area brackets, and turns
off the monitor's backlight to save power while the image
remains visible because of the screen's reflective properties.
In turn, the cradle provides all the external external connections, USB
(2.0), Audio/Video (NTSC or PAL), and Power. Recharging the battery is
automatically done when the camera is in the cradle.
The flat shape of the DSC-T1 makes
it very easy to carry in a pocket or a purse. Its external controls
are few, and placed sufficiently far apart to make them practical
for anyone.
Still, the very narrow shape of the camera makes it prone to falling forward
when it is stood on its base, making it safer to place the camera down
on its back.
Introduction
Measuring
(WxHxD) 91 x 60 x 21mm (3.55 x 2.34 x 0.82 in.) and completely
clad in metal, the new Sony DSC-T1 has more the shape
of a small PDA than that of a camera. Yet, albeit thin, this
is a camera that has some impressive features.
button
serves to set the image resolution or to delete unwanted
photos in Playback.(See the Characteristics section for more
details.)
