Images are captured using a
1/2.4 inch, 5.25 megapixel CCD of which 5.09 million are effective
to yield a maximum image size of 2592 x 1944 pixels. The CCD
sensitivity is automatically set in most modes, but in the
Program mode, it can be set to 100, 200 or 400 ISO.
The DSC-T1 is equipped with a 3X optical zoom designed by Carl Zeiss with
a focal length of 6.7 to 20.1mm, the equivalent of
a 38 to 114mm. All zooming is internal, and the lens never extends from
the camera body.
The Vario-Tessar lens provides
apertures starting at f3.5 in wide angle and f4.4 at the maximum
telephoto position; while the shutter speed range of the T1
covers from 1/1000 sec to 1/8 second in most modes, 1 second
in Program mode, and up to 2 seconds with some Scene modes.
Noise reduction is automatically applied to images captured
at shutter speeds longer than 1/6 sec.
A five-point AF system is the primary system of the T1. However, should
it be needed, two other focusing methods can be used once selected in the
menu. Centre AF locks the focus point at the centre of the frame; Spot
AF narrows the centre focus point further, tying it to the Spot meter.
In addition, the focusing can be set to occur only when the shutter release
is pressed halfway (Single AF); or continuous up to the point at which
the shutter release is held at midcourse (Monitoring AF); or continuous
irrespective of the shutter release (Continuous AF).
Two types of digital zoom are also available: the standard interpolating
system which is called "Precision" 3X digital zoom and can provide
the effect of up to a 6X zoom when combined with the optical zoom; and
the "Smart" zoom system, for which the magnification possible
depends on the selected image size, but which when the latter is set to
VGA, can be up to 12X. (For more information on digital zooms, see our
article.)
The image size of the DCS-T1 is set in a separate menu,
called up with the button.
Five image sizes are possible:
5M =
2592 x 1944 pixels
3:2 =
2592 x 1728 pixels
3M =
2048 x 1536 pixels
1M =
1280 x 960 pixels
VGA =
640 x 480 pixels
The DSC-T1 only offers a JPEG image
format, and 2 levels of compression, Fine and Standard.
With the Mode Switch set to the still image capture mode, the T1 offers
different shooting modes as part of its Recording menu, which
is presented in the same way as the menu of the recently released DSC-F828:
Camera provides access to the shooting modes:
Auto: is a simple point and shoot mode
that provides few controls. When selected the menu
shown here shrinks to 3 options: Camera (the
section detailed here that permists access to all
shooting modes); Rec. Mode, a section
detailed further on; and the access point to the Setup menu.
Program: offers the most control over
the way the image is captured. CCD sensitivity
(ISO), contrast, saturation, sharpness, metering
and the like can be selected.
Magnifying Glass mode: is a Super Macro mode.
It allows the T1 to photograph a subject as close as
1 cm (0.39 in.). (See the Test Photo section for an
example of the Magnifying Glass mode.)
Twilight mode: forces the flash off, and extends
the maximum shutter speed to 2 seconds, making it possible
to capture brightly lit night scenes such as city lights.
Twilight Portrait Mode: also allows up to a
2 second shutter speed, but fires the flash at the beginning
of the exposure to capture the foreground clearly.
Landscape mode: sets the focus to infinity and
prevents the use of the flash.
Snow mode: compensates the exposure automatically
to improve the colours.
Beach mode: enhances blue tones slightly.
High-speed shutter mode: limits the shutter
speed range to 1/250-1/1000 and uses Auto ISO to capture
fast moving subjects.
Fireworks mode: forces the focus to infinity
and only allows a 2 second shutter speed.
Exposure compensation: allows adjusting the exposure
over ±2EV in 0.3 EV increments.
Focus: selects the focus mode, Manual with preset
distances, or Spot AF, or Centre AF, or Multi AF.
Metering: selects the metering pattern (Spot or Multi).
White Balance provides settings for: Auto, Sun,
Cloudy, Fluorescent, Incandescent, and Flash.
ISO: set the sensitivity of the camera (Auto,
100, 200 or 400 ISO).
Picture Quality: decides the level of JPEG compression
(Fine or Standard).
Rec. Mode provides options for:
Normal: captures a single image at the selected
size and compression.
Speed Burst: captures a burst of 4 images
with a 0.33 second interval with the monitor turned
off.
Framing Burst: captures a series of 4 images
with 0.36 second interval with the monitor turned on.
Exposure Bracketing: captures 3 images with exposures
varying by a pre selected increment (1/3 EV, 2/3 EV
or 1 EV).
Multi Burst: captures 16 images at a selectable shutter
speed and saves them into a single 1280 x 960 frame.
When played back, the photos are shown as an animation,
making possible to see a fast movement as separate
steps.
E-mail records a 320 x 240 pixel copy of the photo,
placing it in a special folder on the memory card.
Voice: records a 5 seconds sound clip after an image
is captured.
Bracket Step: sets the exposure bracket increment, ±1/3EV, ±2/3EV, ±1EV. (This
setting is only available when the T1 is set to Auto
Bracketing.)
Interval: sets the Multi Burst shooting interval
(1/7.5 sec, 1/15 sec., 1/30 sec.) (This option is only
available when the Multi Burst Mode is selected.)
Flash Level: provides 3 settings, High, Normal,
Low, to control the flash output. (This option is not
available if the flash is forced Off).
Picture Effects: allows recording the image as solarized, Sepia, Negative
Art.
Setup menu: provides access to the Setup Menu. (For
an overview of the options contained in the Setup menu,
see the Interface and Software section of the
review.).
The DSC-T1 can also capture video with sound. As mentioned
in the Ergonomics section of this review, two images
sizes are possible when capturing a moving image, 640 x 480
and 160 x 112 pixels. In addition, if a Memory Stick
Pro Duo is used, the T1 can capture 640 x 480 video
at a Fine resolution, a better image quality
than is offered by the 640 Standard mode that is the limit
for regular Memory Stick Duo. The length of video recordings
depends on the capacity of the Memory Stick in use.
In Playback the Display button provides
similar information overlays as it does in the recording modes, but adds
shooting data to the overlay that shows a histogram of the image under
review. The data shown covers aperture, shutter speed, exposure compensation,
ISO, Flash mode, and white balance.
Like the Recording menu,
the Playback menu of the DSC-T1 uses the new look first
seen with the DSC-F828:
Folder: serves to choose the folder that contains
the images to be played back.
Protect: tags selected images so they cannot be accidentally
erased.
DPOF: (Digital Print Order Format) tags the image
as one to be printed on a DPOF compatible printer, or by a
printing service.
Slide: Presents a slide show. Images can be selected,
the on-screen time for each photo can be set, the slide
show can be set to repeat.
Resize: makes a copy of any image at any of the
available sizes with the exception of 3:2 format images.
Rotate: rotates the picture left or right in 90° increments.
Divide: is used for movies, and makes it possible
to edit and cut movie clips.
The DSC-T1 uses Memory Stick
Duo cards, and the slot for it is located underneath
the camera, next to the battery. The T1 is supplied with
a 32MB Memory Stick Duo and an adapter for use in standard
Memory Stick slots.
With the 32MB Memory Stick
Duo, the T1 can store:
JPEG
Fine
JPEG
Standard
5M
12
23
3:2
12
23
3M
20
37
1M
50
93
VGA
196
491
A flat rechargeable Info Lithium
battery ( NP-FT1) is used with the T1. The battery is recharged
in the camera, while the camera is in the cradle, or by plugging
the charger directly into the socket underneath the camera.
A full charge takes approximately 2.5 hours.
When in its cradle, the T1 offers a USB (2.0) connection, making
it very fast to download images.
Compare Prices for Sony DSCT1 Digital Camera Battery (BLI-247C)
Characteristics
button.
Five image sizes are possible:
provides
similar information overlays as it does in the recording modes, but adds
shooting data to the overlay that shows a histogram of the image under
review. The data shown covers aperture, shutter speed, exposure compensation,
ISO, Flash mode, and white balance.
