The Sony DSC-T7 uses a 1/2.5
inch (7.17mm) CCD with 5.25 megapixels of which 5.09 million
pixels are effective when capturing the maximum image size
of 2592 x 1944 pixels.
CCD sensitivity can be manually set to 64, 100, 200 or 400
ISO when the camera is set to the Program mode. In addition,
sensitivity can also be set to Auto, the only
setting available in all other shooting modes, allowing the
camera to automatically adjust it over a range of 64 to 320
ISO, as required by the ambient light or the use of the flash.
With the DSC-T7, light enters
the lens through a prism that redirects it into the vertically
mounted 3X Vario-Tessar Carl Zeiss optical zoom.
Apertures start at f3.5
at the wide angle end of the zoom and extend to f8. While
at the maximum telephoto setting, these apertures become f4.4
through f10.
As with most other recent Sony
digital cameras, the magnification effect of the zoom can
be "augmented" by one of two types of digital zoom
functions:
Precision: a standard digital zoom (up to 6X) that
enlarges the image to the currently selected image size,
causing a loss in image sharpness.
Smart: which "enlarges" image by cropping,
but which is only available when the image size is set to
something less than the maximum.
The DSC-T7 has a shutter speed range of that covers from
1/1000 second to 2 seconds when the camera is set to either
the Fireworks or Night Scene modes (noise reduction is used
for long exposures) and from 1/1000 second to 1/8 second in
all other modes.
With the T7 images can be captured using any one of five
image sizes, the selection of image size being made by pressing
the
button which displays a menu with the following choices:
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.
All captured images are saved in JPEG format at either one
of 2 compression levels: Fine, which is the least compressed
and offers the highest image quality, and Standard,
a stronger compression that allows fitting more images onto
the memory card but with a lower image quality.
The image quality — the compression level — is
selected as one of the options in the Recording menu of the
T7. The menu appears on the lower part of the monitor, superimposed
on the image coming from the lens and the number of options
it shows depends on the capture mode in use. The greatest
number of options are presented when the camera is set to
the Program mode:
Camera is the access to the still image capture
modes, including the Scene modes:
Auto: leaves all photographic settings up to
the T7, and the menu only provides access to image size,
the capture mode (this option), the Rec. mode (see
further) and the Setup menu.
Program: still leaves the selection of the
aperture and shutter speed up to the camera, but allows
the user to select and modify all other parameters.
Magnifying glass: blocks the zoom at the wide angle
end which allows the T7 to focus on a subject 1 cm (0.39
in.) in front of the lens. Sensitivity is automatically
adjusted and can go as high as 320 ISO.
Twilight: allows a maximum exposure time of 2 seconds.
The flash is turned off and sensitivity is set to 64
ISO. Noise reduction is automatically applied to the
image after capture.
Twilight Portrait: uses the same parameters as the
Twilight mode, but set the flash to slow synch. To add
red-eye reduction, the mode must first be enabled in
the Setup menu.
Candle: serves to capture a scene lit by candlelight
without loosing the ambience of the atmosphere. The
shutter speed covers from 1/2000 sec to 1 second, AF
is set to the centre, white balance is set to daylight,
and the sensitivity is automatically adjusted between
64 and 200 ISO, while the flash is forced off.
Soft Snap: designed for portraits, the mode softens
skin tones and sharpness. Sensitivity is automatically
set between 64 and 320 ISO.
Landscape: has a shutter speed range of 1/8 sec
to 1/2000 sec. The flash can be Forced On or Cancelled
and sensitivity is automatically set between 64 and
320 ISO as required.
High Speed Shutter: is designed to capture movement
and therefore optimizes the shutter speed and has a
minimum shutter speed of 1/250 sec. CCD sensitivity
is automatically set between 64 and 320 ISO, and the
flash remains useable.
Beach: limits the Flash modes to Forced On or Forced
Off and the camera's slowest shutter speed is 1/8 sec.
Sensitivity is automatically set between 64 and 320
ISO and blue saturation is enhanced.
Snow: automatically compensates the exposure to
correct the influence of bright reflective snow on the
metering. Sensitivity is automatically set between 64
and 320 ISO.
Fireworks: sets the white balance to Daylight and
sets the focus to infinity and the exposure time to
2 seconds. Noise reduction is applied after capture.
EV: serves to manually adjust exposure compensation
over a range of ±2EV in 1/3 EV increments.
Focus selects the auto focus type:
Multi AF selects the focus point automatically
using 5 AF areas arranged in a cross in the middle of
the frame.
Centre AF focuses using the centre focus point.
Spot AF focuses using a small area at the centre
of the frame.
or Manual using preset distances of 0.5, 1,
3, 7 metres or infinity.
White Balance: offers settings for Auto, Daylight,
Cloudy, Fluorescent, Incandescent or Flash.
ISO: sets the CCD sensitivity (only available with
the Program mode) Auto, 64, 100, 200 or 400 ISO.
Picture Quality serves to select the JPEG compression
level: Fine or Standard.
Rec. Mode provides for the following shooting modes:
Normal: captures one image each time the shutter
release is pressed.
Burst: captures a burst of 9 images at the
highest resolutions and the least compression.
Exposure Bracketing: records a series of three
images with the exposure values automatically shifted
by the increment selected in the Bracket Step
option (see further).
Multi Burst: captures 16 images at a pre-selected
shutter speed (see further) and stores the shots
into a single 1280 x 960 pixel image. During Playback
the sequence is shown as an animation, making it possible
to "decompose" a fast movement such as a golf
swing.
Bracket Step serves to select the bracketing increment:
±1/3EV, ±2/3EV, ±1EV (this option
is only accessible if the Bracketing Mode has been selected
in the option above).
Interval: selects the burst speed for the Multi
Burst mode (1/7.5 sec, 1/15 sec., 1/30 sec.) (This option
is only accessible when the Multi Burst mode has been selected).
Flash Level allows adjusting the flash exposure
over three levels: + (plus), Normal, or -(minus).
(This option is not accessible when the flash is Forced
Off.)
Picture Effect: makes it possible to record images
as Sepia or Black and White.
Saturation: controls colour saturation of images
(+, Normal, -).
Contrast: provides three contrast levels (+, Normal,
-).
Sharpness: controls the in-camera sharpening applied
to images (+, Normal, -).
Setup: is the access to the Setup menu
(for a listing and description of each of the options contained
in the Setup menu see the Interface and Software
section of the review).
When the camera is set to the Movie mode, the menu
is limited to options for Exposure Compensation, focusing,
metering, white balance and picture effect while still offering
an access to the Setup menu.
Set to Playback mode, the menu maintains a similar appearance,
but presents options that are related to the viewing and printing
images:
Folder: to select the folder from which images
will be played back.
Protect: to protect images against any accidental
deletion.
DPOF: (Digital Print Order Format) serves to select
images that will be printed on a DPOF compliant printer
or service.
Print: makes it possible to print selected images
when the T7 is connected to a PictBridge compatible printer.
The options available are: This Image, Select,
DPOF image, or All in this folder. When connected
to the printer, an Index print can be made, the print size
selected, the date superimposed on the image (if supported
by the printer), and the quantity of prints to make of any
image selected.
Slide: starts an automatic slide show with a selectable
interval (3, 5, 10, 30 seconds or 1 minute). In addition,
the slide show can be set to use image from a specific folder
or all folders, and can be selected to loop or not.
Resize: makes it possible to make a copy of an
image at a different size than the original and save it
as a new image. This options is not available for images
captured using the 3:2 image format.
Rotate: makes it possible to rotate an image in
90° increments.
Divide: serves to edit movie clips by dividing
them into two sections.
Setup: is the access to the Setup menu.
In addition, when the MENU button is pressed while
an image is magnified on the monitor, a Trimming
option is presented. making it possible to select part of
an image and re-save it as a new image. This option is not
available for images captured with the 3:2 format.
The DSC-T7 is compatible with Memory Stick Duo and
Memory Stick Pro Duo memory cards. The memory card
slot is located underneath the camera, behind a small spring-loaded
door. The Memory Stick is ejected by pressing on its edge.
The DSC-T7 is retailed with a 32MB Memory Stick Duo and a
standard size Memory Stick Adapter is included to allow the
use of the Memory Stick Duo in a standard reader.
The chart below provides an
idea of the number of images that can be stored in the 32MB
Memory Stick Duo included with the camera:
Resolution
JPEG Fine
JPEG Standard
5M
12
23
3:2
12
23
3M
20
37
1M
50
93
VGA
196
491
The Sony DSC-T7 is powered
by a tiny rechargeable Info Lithium battery (NP-FE1). The
battery is housed in the compartment on the right side of
the camera and covered by a spring loaded door that is release
with a small lever placed near to the wrist strap post.
A charger (BC-CS3) is include in the camera kit, and recharges
the battery in approximately 3 hours.
Because the camera is so thin, external
connections have been located on an add-on accessory that is
included in the kit. The Interface Adaptor is plugged
into the lower right side of the camera, below the battery compartment,
secured into position by a mechanism that clasps the wrist strap
post.
Three connections are identified
on the Interface Adaptor using text and icons:
At the top and yellow, is the A/V (Audio/Video) jack.
The jack provides a non sound output and its video signal
can be set to either NTSC or PAL in the Setup
menu.
Below is the USB 2.0 Hi-Speed port, which can also be
configured in the Setup menu. Two different protocols are
available, Normal (Mass Storage) which allows the
camera to be recognized as a removable hard disk by a computer's
operating system, or PictBridge which is used to
connect the DSC-T7 directly to PictBridge compatible printer.
Last, at the bottom, is the DC-IN jack which allows the
camera to be powered from regular household current using
the optional AC adapter (AC-LS5).
One more accessory is supplied
with the DSC-T7, a simple little stand that makes it possible
to place the camera on a desk without the risk that it will
fall over. The camera can be screwed down into the stand securely,
and the stand itself provide a standard tripod screw mount
that can be used to attach it to a tripod stabilizing it when
the Twilight mode is used.
Compare Prices for Compatible Battery for Sony DSC-T7
Characteristics
button which displays a menu with the following choices:
Magnifying glass: blocks the zoom at the wide angle
end which allows the T7 to focus on a subject 1 cm (0.39
in.) in front of the lens. Sensitivity is automatically
adjusted and can go as high as 320 ISO.
Twilight: allows a maximum exposure time of 2 seconds.
The flash is turned off and sensitivity is set to 64
ISO. Noise reduction is automatically applied to the
image after capture.
Twilight Portrait: uses the same parameters as the
Twilight mode, but set the flash to slow synch. To add
red-eye reduction, the mode must first be enabled in
the Setup menu.
Candle: serves to capture a scene lit by candlelight
without loosing the ambience of the atmosphere. The
shutter speed covers from 1/2000 sec to 1 second, AF
is set to the centre, white balance is set to daylight,
and the sensitivity is automatically adjusted between
64 and 200 ISO, while the flash is forced off.
Soft Snap: designed for portraits, the mode softens
skin tones and sharpness. Sensitivity is automatically
set between 64 and 320 ISO.
Landscape: has a shutter speed range of 1/8 sec
to 1/2000 sec. The flash can be Forced On or Cancelled
and sensitivity is automatically set between 64 and
320 ISO as required.
High Speed Shutter: is designed to capture movement
and therefore optimizes the shutter speed and has a
minimum shutter speed of 1/250 sec. CCD sensitivity
is automatically set between 64 and 320 ISO, and the
flash remains useable.
Beach: limits the Flash modes to Forced On or Forced
Off and the camera's slowest shutter speed is 1/8 sec.
Sensitivity is automatically set between 64 and 320
ISO and blue saturation is enhanced.
Snow: automatically compensates the exposure to
correct the influence of bright reflective snow on the
metering. Sensitivity is automatically set between 64
and 320 ISO.
Fireworks: sets the white balance to Daylight and
sets the focus to infinity and the exposure time to
2 seconds. Noise reduction is applied after capture.
