Thanks to its SteadyShot optical image stabilizer and relatively low-resolution sensor, the DSC-G1 produces some surprisingly sharp photos with decent high-ISO performance. Nonflash exposures look very nice, despite some blown out highlights that are typical of this camera class. The flash doesn't throw quite as much as I'd like; it left sections of our test scene underexposed with color blooming on object edges. Finally, the G1 tends to push color saturation toward the overly vivid. Furthermore, unlike most Sony cameras, which record movies using the MPEG VX format--a variation of MPEG-2--the G1 records something it calls "MPEGMOVIE4TV," an MPEG-4 encoding. While that allows for a very low data rate (around 370K/sec), the video quality looks significantly inferior.
Performance fares much better. In most respects, the DSC-G1's shooting puts it in the top 25 percent of point-and-shoot cameras we've tested over the past year. Its shutter lag in optimal lighting is an impressive (for its class) 0.4 second, rising to a modest 1.2 seconds in low-contrast conditions. It takes only 1 second from shot to shot, though adding flash recycling raises that to 2.4 seconds--still very good for its class. Though it has a 7-shot buffer limitation, it can fire at 3.8 frames per second (fps) in continuous-shooting mode. Only the 3.8 seconds it takes from power on to first shot ruins the G1's performance track record, and that time doesn't include sliding open the camera, which takes another couple of seconds. The LCD also stands up pretty well; thanks to its relatively wide viewing angle, it's usable in direct sunlight.
Though the battery life is fairly short--its CIPA-standard capacity is only 280 shots, probably thanks to that mammoth LCD--recharging is the truly annoying aspect of the G1's performance. It doesn't trickle charge. So when you get back to your home or hotel room with the depleted camera, you can stick it in the dock and play back or download your images, but you've got to leave it alone and turned off for a couple of hours to charge.
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G1 seems like an awkward convergence device from two years ago, or from a time when putting MP3 players in cameras was all the rage. I wish Sony had opted instead to create the more market-worthy Wi-Fi contender we've been waiting for. Given the high price for what it offers--huge LCD notwithstanding, there's really nothing else worth paying a premium for--I have to suggest that you give this one a pass. Get yourself a really nice MP3 player and a top-notch ultracompact instead.
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
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Typical shot-to-shot time | |
Time to first shot | |
Shutter lag (dim) | |
Shutter lag (typical) |
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
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