The
Sony DSC-V1 joins the DSC-F717 on the top rung of Sony's digital
cameras. However, quite unlike the F717 which is a fairly large camera,
the V1 is a true compact camera, but still offers a 5 megapixel resolution
and a 4X Carl Zeiss zoom lens.
The exterior of the
V1 is made of lightly textured metal, accented by a smooth metal strip
on the front, and a rubberized piece that matches the one around the viewfinder's
exit pupil.
The
top of the DSC-V1 supports the Mode Dial with the shutter release in the
middle. To its left is the power switch — 3 seconds to power on
— and immediately behind the power switch, the Nightshot/Nightframing
lever. Just like the F717, the V1 offers infrared shooting capability
and infrared night framing.
Placed at the centre
of the camera is the Advanced Accessory Shoe, a hotshoe with dedicated
contacts for the newest Sony flash (HVL-F32X), but which can also
be used with third party units (see further).
The
Mode Dial of the V1 serves as the main access to the Recording modes,
the Playback and the Setup mode. The dial has 9 positions, one of which
is the Playback mode:
Program
Shift Mode: combinations of shutter speed and aperture can be
selected with the Jog Dial.
Auto
Mode: fully automatic shooting with minimal user input.
Shutter
Priority Mode: the user sets the shutter speed (from 30 seconds
to 1/1000 sec.) while the camera sets the corresponding aperture.
Program
Mode: the V1 controls aperture and shutter speed selection,
but the user can select all other settings.
Aperture
Priority Mode: the user selects the aperture (from f2.8 to f8,
but the range of selectable apertures vary with the zoom position).
Scene
Modes: 6 scene modes are available.
Twilight
Snow
Twilight
Portrait
Beach
Landscape
Portrait
Manual
Mode: allows complete control over both aperture and shutter
speed.
Setup
Mode: displays the Setup menu and serves to adjust most of the
basic settings for the V1.
Movie
Mode: is the dial position for recording MPEG movies, Clip Motion,
or Multi-Burst images, any of which is selected in the Setup menu.
With Movies 2 possible frame sizes are available, 640 x 480
or 160 x 112. Movies can last as long as there is space on the Memory
Stick. During recording the zoom is disabled, but exposure and white
balance are adjusted as necessary.
Clip Motion records either one of two lengths of animation:
a 2-frame sequence at 120 x 108 pixels (Mobile), or an animation
with up to 10 frames at 160 x 120 (Normal). Both are saved in GIF
format and at 256 colours.
Last, the Movie mode dial position can be set to the Multi-Burst
mode which captures 16 frames measuring 320 x 240 pixels. The frame
rate can be adjusted and varies slightly according to whether the
V1 is set for a NTSC or PAL video output. The burst can be played
back on the LCD monitor to analyse a fast movement such as a golf
or tennis swing, but is stored in a single 1280 x 960 pixel image.
The DSC-V1
has multiple external controls, arranged to the left of the optical viewfinder,
and to the right of the 1.5 inch LCD monitor.
On the left of
the viewfinder, the row of 3 buttons control:
Exposure
Compensation in the recording modes (±2EV in 1/3EV increments). Index display (thumbnails) in Playback.
Focus
Mode switches from AF to Manual focus, the focus distance can
then be set using the Jog Dial.
Auto
Exposure Lock: locks the metered value for the exposure and
allows reframing.
On
the upper right side, the V1 has the zoom control, the Jog Dial,
and the Monitor button.
The zoom control moves up and down, and by default zooms the lens when
pushed towards the top. However, an option of the Setup menu allows this
to be reversed, making the lens zoom in when the switch is pressed towards
the bottom.
In Playback the zoom button serves to magnify an image on the screen (5X),
or zoom out of it.
The
Jog Dial is a black wheel control, used to select aperture, shutter
speeds, focus point, and exposure compensation. The control works much
like the wheel button on a mouse, and can be pressed to click it, registering
a change made after rotating the wheel.
Next is the Monitor button ()
which is used to control the LCD screen On or Off, and its information
overlays. The DSC-V1's Monitor button cycles the monitor through 4 steps.
First a display with indications for most of the camera's current settings.
Second a display that adds a real-time histogram showing the distribution
of brightness in the frame. And third, a display that removes most of
the information, except for an indication of the focus mode and the AF
brackets.
The
V1 is equipped with a pop-up flash that opens automatically when required
unless it has been forced off. Flash modes, along with other functions,
are controlled with the four buttons arranged in a circle which also serve
to navigate the V1's menus:
Flash
modes: Auto, Forced On, Slow Synchro, Forced Off. Red-eye Reduction
can be enabled from the Setup menu.
Macro
Mode: provides a focusing distance of 10cm (4 inches) when the
lens is at the wide angle setting, and 40cm (15.75 inches) when
the lens is at the maximum telephoto position.
Self-timer:
releases the shutter after a 10 second delay.
Quick
Review: allows entering the Playback mode without changing the
Mode Dial setting. Touching the shutter release returns the camera
to the shooting mode.
The
hotshoe of the DSC-V1 is designed to use Sony's new HVL-F32X flash unit,
which is equipped with contacts that allow it to fully integrate with
the DSC-V1.
All flash modes are supported, and no accessory cable is required.
In addition, the flash includes a special cable and bracket for Sony cameras
equipped with a simple accessory shoe. The HVL-F32X offers a GN of 32,
and has a modeling flash function, a bounce head and a built-in wide angle
panel that can be used with the wide angle converter. A soft carry pouch
is included.
Wide
Angle Conversion Lens
(VCL-DEH07V) converts the lens from a 34mm to a 23.8mm in wide angle.
Telephoto
Conversion Lens
(VCL-DEH17V) converts the lens to a 231.2 mm telephoto.
Two
lens converters are available as accessories for the V1 (see above) along
with the flash. When the wide angle converter is attached to the camera,
it is automatically detected and the zoom is deactivated, leaving the
lens at the wide angle setting. With the telephoto converter, once the
lens is mounted, the zoom needs to be set to the maximum telephoto setting.
Both
the converters use a specific screw-on adapter ring, and are made —
adapter included — of metal. In addition, both are sold with a carrying
pouch.
With the introduction of the DSC-V1, Sony now offers two 5-megapixel camera
models, the DSC-F717 and this one. Both share the use of Carl Zeiss optics,
but are very different cameras.
)
which is used to control the LCD screen On or Off, and its information
overlays. The DSC-V1's Monitor button cycles the monitor through 4 steps.
First a display with indications for most of the camera's current settings.
Second a display that adds a real-time histogram showing the distribution
of brightness in the frame. And third, a display that removes most of
the information, except for an indication of the focus mode and the AF
brackets.
All flash modes are supported, and no accessory cable is required.
