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- My rating: 0 stars
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19 out of 20 people found this review helpful
3.0 stars
"Stylish camera by Sony, however, surpassed by less established and priced brands"
Pros: Stylish, excellent sound recording in video option
Cons: Visible noise, small buttons, manual Anti-shake button, non-illuminated screen
Summary: I purchased Sony T10, silver body, camera as a progression from DSC 10, followed by DSC 100, DSC 200 and now T10. Each of the referrenced cameras lasted about one year.
I welcomed T10 because it had zoom that didn't slide out of the camera body when ON button pressed. ( My previous 3 Sony's died with identical problem: zoom refused to zoom out all the way during initial power up ).
I like the style of the camera, however, I find out there are few major problems I have never expected to encounter with T10. They are:
1. Too small for confort. Its size makes it hard to hold in hand when taking photos. In fact, camera has to be held by both hands.
2. There is a quite a delay before photo is taken - something I was not used to from the previous, older, DCS models.
3. As a result, many images come out fuzzy when enlarged at 100%.
4. What bothers me the most is the noise that T10 produces at low ISO's and at 100% enlargement. Forget using ISO 800 or 1000. It is a useless option. I wrongly assumed that this will be the least of a problem from Sony and the $399.00 T10's purchase price.
5. Next problem is that when in low light situation, you don't see anything on the screen ( unlike on comparable Olympus digi-cameras that illuminate the scene on your screen for as long as you keep the shutter button pressed half way ). You just have to guess, shoot, and see who is in the picture and who was left out.
6. You will feel like King Kong with T10 in your hand. Any finger that will operate this camera will feel way too big for its buttons.
7. Last but not the least: I cannot comprehand why is the anti-shake button not built-in and on all the time. Instead, you have to manually activate it if you wish for "less fuzzy" images
I must conclude that the best, and the sharpest images I have ever gotten from my Sonys DCS cameras were from the old Sony Cybershot DSC 10 and than DSC 100 models. I have a feeling that T10 will be quickly replaced with its newer version.Updated
After using my new T10 for few weeks, I found few other details that should be shared with you, the potential T10 buyer:
1. Camera has F3.5 lens. This lens is too slow. It is part of the "fuzzy" photos problem. Question to Sony: Why such a cheap lens ?? Pehaps, they thought the "anti-shake" option will somewhat compensate for the 1 stop slower lens. Well, it does not do the job. I even got majority of my photos taken with "anti-shake" option activated - fuzzy. Next time I purchase new digital camera, I'll certainly look for an unit with F2.8 lens
2. I am pleasantly supprised by its battery life. I managed to shoot 153 images, all with flash, on one charge. I think that is a remarkable impprovement from previous models.
3. Quality of photos continues to be a problem - a very supprising and unusual from company like Sony.
4. I don't know under what conditions CNet tested their T10 camera, but I am getting different results. My camera continues to take way too long to focus, shoot, and process the image.Updated
After using my new T10 for few weeks, I found few other details that should be shared with you, the potential T10 buyer:
1. Camera has F3.5 lens. This lens is too slow. It is part of the "fuzzy" photos problem. Question to Sony: Why such a cheap lens ?? Pehaps, they thought the "anti-shake" option will somewhat compensate for the 1 stop slower lens. Well, it does not do the job. I even got majority of my photos taken with "anti-shake" option activated - fuzzy. Next time I purchase new digital camera, I'll certainly look for an unit with F2.8 lens
2. I am pleasantly supprised by its battery life. I managed to shoot 153 images, all with flash, on one charge. I think that is a remarkable impprovement from previous models.
3. Quality of photos continues to be a problem - a very supprising and unusual from company like Sony.
4. I don't know under what conditions CNet tested their T10 camera, but I am getting different results. My camera continues to take way too long to focus, shoot, and process the image.Updated
It is January 2007. I have used my T10 for some time now. Problems as listed above in my previous postings continue. One additional, and very important problem has emerged few weeks ago:
I have purchased - SPK-THC underwater housing for my T10. The housing is used not only under water but also to protect camera from dust, rain, and moistures - in an everyday's on-land situations.
Camera fits the housing perfectly and ALL camera functions can be used through the body of the housing. However, the problem is that in video mode, camera records very audible, mechanical / clicking-like sounds and hums that greatly overpower the actual sound being recorded. I have recorded an interview on the beach and while video came out perfect - the audio was illegible. Tried to edit the audio but since the video and audio are "muxed" ( means mixed in single channel with video ), audio cannot separated and edited. Moreover, warning for MAC users: audio from T10 will NOT play in your Quick Time (PRO).
I am presently scannig CNET for new camera to purchase. It appears that my "new/old" Sony T10 will make a nice present to my neighbors 9-year old son.Updated
One year later I have to stand behind my previous comments. The negatives persist. The camera cannot be used in video mode inside the housing. The muxed video/audio in same channel is bad design option that limits editing.
I continue to be pleasantly surprised about its battery life, quality of sound in videos, and quality of videos itself. I personally think that video is the best option T10 has. I don't use it for photos anymore but for videos only.
- 1 reply to this review
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i was just about to buy the pink version of this camera. however, now i am uneasy. i'm VERY interested to know what your next purchase will be. thanks for all the updates!
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