Sony Cyber Shot DSC-T30 (black)

Pros: Image Stabilization and the 3" LCD screen - BIG pluses

Cons: Hard to find a negative with this camera.

Summary: I have taken a number of test images for your viewing enjoyment. These images have been captured with SONY's DSC-T30 camera, with no out-of-camera post image processing other than cropping, and 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 +29,000 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 this SONY release is 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 T30 seems better than on previous SONY "T" series units (the T1, T11, T3, T33, T5, T7, and the recent T9) in their now 7-step progression to the T30. 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 12' 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 T30 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 5,4,3,2,1 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 T30 sample images you can go to >> http://www.416-1100.com/gallery/1444312. 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, however, the results are terrible; so I'd rather not display inferior conversions, which would improperly represent actual results.

Comparison of SONY's N1, T9, T30: We have/own all three cameras. My wife carries the N1 in her purse, will probably switch to the T9 as she wants the image stabilization, and I carry the T30 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 T9 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 T30 camera in my front pants pocket, so I opted for the T30 which is much more "men’s 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 a 10’ underwater housing for $90; the N1 and the T30 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 T30 of the three, because it now has the 3” screen, has 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 customer’s 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.
JimWilson//10/May/2006/6pm