Sony Cyber Shot DSC-T10 (black)

November 20, 2006 06:17

4.5/5
SONY's DSC-T10 camera, on-line images and videos have no out-of-camera post image processing other than cropping and placing GPS info in the headers; no Photoshop work whatsoever. The Camera's internal settings generally are: Program mode with Sharpness and Saturation both turned up one tick for images and all other settings in the camera are set to Automatic. The extreme close-up images were taken with the camera set to "Magnifying Glass" mode, which in this camera is called Macro2, accessible from the macro button on the camera body, no menu needed, which permits auto-focusing as close as 10 millimeters. This camera is also one of the best I have tested in the last 6 years. As an adjunct faculty member at FAU a south Florida 30,000 student University, teaching "Principles of Digital Photography and Post Image Processing" and authored/published a book with the same name, with Pearson Education, Inc., 2003, I have tested hundreds digital cameras that have been offered to the public in recent years, and these recent SONY releases are truly unbelievable. One must understand that all cameras cannot do all things regardless of price and size. Digital SLRs, like Canon's 1DsMk2, which I proudly own and consider the very best digital SLR on planet Earth as of January 2006, can execute most imaging tasks beautifully; however you cannot place it in your pocket, does not have built-in flash, and cannot make a video! Comparing the image quality and color to other similarly priced cameras, the T10 & T30 seem better than on previous SONY "T" series units (the T1, T11, T3, T33, T5, T7, T9, T30) in their now 8-step progression to the T10. The brightness on the LCD panel is also better and has two brightness levels; The LCD also has a strong protective covering. The flash also seems a bit stronger, and the imager noise is significantly lower. Understand, the tiny built-in flash is effective for groups of 3-6 people placed within 10' or less of the camera, period; any further away, other than fill-in flash, the results will be unsatisfactory. It is hard to imagine than so much technology can be contained within this truly thin package. This version has a true OPTICAL IMAGE STABILIZER that really works in both Still image and Movie Modes. The large and bright LCD panel is great for sharing images and movie clips with friends after the images are taken; The T10 has an in-camera slide-show mode with user settings for type of slide change, style, with or without music. Most critics fail to mention the packaged the Software; Be it known, SONY has one of the best (included) software packages available; Auto-Install the software; then plug in the camera into an available USB post, turn on the camera, and in several seconds the images and movies, begin their migration into a unique folder in your hard-drive, in a subdirectory in "My Pictures" with today's date as the folder name; Could not be a simpler process. Then options are presented for making a CD-ROM. To see T10 sample images you can go to http://www.416-1100.com/gallery/2150157. Images will be added periodically so check back often; and while you're there look around at other images posted at your pleasure. NOTE: I have had requests for test video clips. This camera and millions of other SONY cameras produce beautiful high resolution 640x480 30fps MPEG1 video. This site is based on site engine which cannot display MPEG1 video presently. I have attempted to convert MPEG1 to other formats for uploading, which are posted in this album.

Comparison of SONY's N1, T10, T30: We have/own all three cameras. My wife carries the N1 in her purse, will probably switch to the T10 as she wants the image stabilization, and I carry the T10 in my pocket, as it is a bit thinner than the N1. All three cameras take great shots. The N1 has a bit stronger flash, however, the T10 has a more sensitive Imager, and the T30 has a High Sensitivity Mode for low level image capture, like at an evening party, or at a gymnasium. It would be best for you to go to a retailer that has these so you can hold them and get a feel for their footprints. I can understand being torn between these; I too had that feeling. So I/we decided to buy all three, one for me and one for Marilyn. I/She loves the huge 3 touch-screen; and the 8Mp imager gives plenty of information for serious cropping, and plenty of detail for an outstanding 8x10 print. However, she has a habit of shaking the camera occasionally, to the image stabilization will help, probably placing the N1 on the to be given to relative shelf. The T30 gives improved portability, and has Image Stabilization which gives better performance in low light, available light situations, and plenty of detail for an outstanding 8x10 print. So there are a few trade-offs. Marilyn carries her N1 in her purse; he N1 fits neatly in the purse. I carry the T10 camera in my front pants pocket, so I opted for the T10 which is much more "mens pocket-friendly" and now has the 3 screen, and easier to use Macro modes. These cameras have water/beach protective housings, Sports-pack for the T9/T10 a 10 underwater housing for $90; the N1 and the T30 and the T10 have a true underwater housing good down to 40 meters for about $200. The choice of ONE is pretty much a personal decision as to the form-factor. They are all technology marvels. There is no bad choice between these three SONY models, its like buying shoes; Which form of loafers or sandals do you prefer? My personal choice would be the T10 of the three, because it now has a more sensitive ISO setting of 1000, built-in noise reduction circuitry, several new program modes& the list goes on and on. Once again - Good Job SONY, and thanks for listening to your customers comments & suggestions. We are permitting the downloading of the Original Size images for those interested in looking at all available detail. Over the next several weeks more images will be added. We are testing the camera in Auto mode in a variety of real-live settings, no special lighting, no set-ups... We are trying to show the camera just like any average user would actually take pictures.

Torn between the SONY's T10, T9 and the T30, as I was; I personally choose the T10 because:
The improved sensitivity of the imager to ISO 1000, and 7.2 million pixels.
The improved firmware dealing with low light image noise reduction;
The improved menu system, placing both macro-modes on the external macro button;
The improved LCD screen, however smaller by ½ than the T30. Set it to Brighter in the set-up screen;
The improved Imager sensitivity coupled with Image Stabilization, less need for flash;
The improved flash, slightly brighter output.
The trade-off is, the T10 is several millimeters thinner than the T30. Truth is both cameras are wonderful. My test images demonstrate this. It is really a toss-up; I decided to go with the minor portability advantage of the T10, several millimeters thinner. I suggest that you go to a retailer that has both on display and look at both cameras side-by-side. Use them for a few minutes and feel the differences. This is very much a personal choice between the T10 and the T30. Truth is, I had both for weeks before I was comfortable with a decision.

Comparison of CANON's SD700-IS Compact PowerShot Digital Elph with SONYs DSC-T30: These cameras are similarly sized, priced, and featured; both cameras take great videos and snap-shots in a variety of circumstances. I would rate this as a tie-vote overall. Feature wise, the T10 does have their bright 2.5 screen, and 7.2 million pixels, however, the SD700 (90 x 57 x 26 mm / 3.5 x 2.2 x 1 in) is 5mm shorter in overall size than the T10 at (95 x 57 x 19 mm /3.7 x 2.2 x 0.7 in). In shooting modes; the T10 is a bit more sensitive for low light images, having an ISO capability of Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1000 with the Canon having ISO capabilities of Auto, 80 ,100, 200, 400, 800; however Canon's SD700 has a 4x zoom lens giving the equivalent of 35-140mm focal range. If you are into Macro modes, the T30 is a clear winner here in that it has two macro ranges letting you shoot to as close as 1cm. Also the focusing is superior at these close ranges, I had difficulty getting the Canon camera to focus at the point where I wanted it to focus, when taking the bug shots. As I have stated before, picking a point-and-shoot camera is like buying sandals, a very personal choice. If you stick to the most popular brands (The BIG Six: Canon, Sony, Nikon, Pentax, Panasonic, Casio) and buy a current new model, US$400/500; they all will take great shots once you are familiar with the controls, etc. Do not buy prior years sale models. Too much is happening with digital, and 24 months (ago) is a whole generation in dog-years for cameras.
JimWilson/2006/NOV/20/9pm

- FAU

March 16, 2007 09:04
Spectacular
2.5/5
I never return products for an exchange as I'm willing to live with them not being perfect. This is especially true with point and shoot digital cameras. However, I had no choice since I did not see how I could use the camera.

First, let me say that the quality of the pictures with this camera is amazing. The problem is if you have to shoot in any light where you must use a flash, then you will get red eye. But not red eye that can easily be fixed with photo editing software. I'm talking red eye that makes you look like a demon child. I know that if you use a sub compact point and shoot digital camera, then inevitably, you get red eye, but this really was the worst I've ever seen.

Returned it for the Canon SD 800 IS. Picture quality isn't as good, but red eye, while still a problem, is not unbearable as with the Cyber Shot DSC - T10. I can't tell you how much it pained me to return this camera, since I loved the picture quality, and small size, but the truth is, the camera was unusuable.

- rscott505

January 11, 2007 08:00

4.5/5
I have used many cameras in my life, and this one attracted me because it was sony, carl zeiss lenses, and the stunning 7.2 megapixels. Surprised is an understatement to what i felt of its size. Its so small, it's fit into ur front pocket without creatin trouble. its brilliant. Plus the 2.5 inch screen and the easy buttons, with the sleakyu slide to turn the camera on, its brilliant. And the photo quality! I would expect a camera that had 10 megapixels to put out these photos. In every aspect this is the perfect ideal camera. ONe bad thing was that i accidentally touched the camera lens. I couldn't take pictures because the whole screen was covered. But after 5 hrs or so, i was able to take photos normally. Otherwise, a brilliant camera which in my opinion is undervalued by its own manufacturer

- dilshang13

July 27, 2007 04:44

4.5/5
I've had my T10 now for a while and it has been excellent! You can obviously see all of the pro's in the list, but I can expand a bit. The quality of the photos that this camera takes superior photos, especially given how small this camera is. Even though it has a nice big screen, the battery life is still plenty long (about 210 minutes on a full charge, with no flash). I've even taken some videos and they show excellent quality. (a bit grainy, but not bad at all) And finally, the 3:2 aspect ratio is perfect for taking photos and putting them as a background on a widescreen.
As far as the minor list of cons...
Occasionally when I put the camera in my pocket, the lens cover will open and drain the battery some. However, it will eventually automatically power off. Also, one or two times I have accidentally dropped the camera from 2 or 3 feet and if I don't turn it off and on again, the focus will be blurry. (I can't really complain too much here, since that is my fault!) Finally, the only other problem is that sometimes the flash is too bright in dark situations, but this can be solved by putting the camera in program mode, and turning down the flash.
Overall, this camera has been EXCELLENT and I would basically recommend any Sony digital camera to anyone (esp. because this is my second Sony digital camera).

- jhill7

April 5, 2007 11:31

4.5/5
the only problem i see is, i get some yellowish spots at night time. but the pic qualiy in day light is great

- Andaluri

April 1, 2007 12:42

4.5/5
Overall, this is a great camera. Takes great pictures!

Sherry Deaver

- sherrydeaver