Ultracompact follower to the Sony T1 for better or worse?
Written: Dec 26 '04 (Updated Mar 01 '05)
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Pros: Tiny, Tiny, Tiny with best picture quality I have seen so far
Cons: Weak flash, expensive memory sticks, small power button, step back from T1
The Bottom Line: If size and weight matters, look no further. T3 lacks the instant on lens sliding cover of the T1. It packs decent picture quality in a tiny, tiny package.
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| leisure_larry's Full Review: Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-T3 Digital Camera |
This review covers the Sony Cybershot DSC T3.
At the point of this writing the T3 is not available in the US in retail, just via internet. So to test it I had to go to Japan, where you will find it on the shelves of the Akihabara Electronic district.
I got a Casio Exilim 1 MP as a present about two years back and have used it ever since as a companion on my business travels. I liked the ultra compact forma factor, which has it fit in a shirt pocket. 1 Mega Pixel isn't quite cutting it when you want to print. So I was looking for a follower.
Out comes the Sony T1 with 5 Megapixels and a 3x optical zoom. Going towards Christmas I saw an announcement for the Sony T3, even slimmer as it replaced the slide down lens cover of the T1 with an iris shutter over the lens. THAT's what I want , or isn't it?
I took advantage on a business trip and went to Akihabara to check it out. I always liked Sony ever since I bought the Sony P92, which I have also reviewed.
Before I did some research on the T3:
5.1 Megapixel Sensor, Zeiss 3x zoom lens (38 mm - 114 equivalent) inside the sleek body, the camera weighs 5.1 ounces at the size of a pack of cigarettes.
The camera features NO viewfinder, but an excellent 2.5 in color TFT display at 230.000 pixels, which is nominally higher then the 210.000 pixels of the T1.(In direct comparison, I could hardly tell the difference. No wonder, resolution needs to increase by area, so 10% more pixels hardly show up). It is transflective and you can really see it under all lighting conditions,even bright sunlight. Now when taking photos in low light conditions, on some cameras you will find that the monitor doesn't display anything but a dark picture. With the Sony, a built in infrared lamp illuminator will brighten the screen when you plan to take a picture quite comfortably.
It is suitable for 'orienting' during dark night conditions. but not for the point and 'wait for the right moment' snapshot, as the illumination will time out.
Value engineering: I found the T3 in direct comparison to the T1 mainly trying to shake cost out, rather then improve.
Following details are less satisfying on the T3:
Body styling: The T3 features instead of a relief type font a 'tackier' Sony label
The iris shutter: works quite well but looks a bit flimsier then the large lens cover
At the silver unit the buttons at the rear are black plastic and don't match the case color
The 2.5 inch display features a clear antireflection coating, that is more susceptible to finger print smudging then the matte AR the T1 has.
Finally, and this was the key decision maker for me to buy the T1 instead: The release button and the switch on button where somewhat recessed at the top of the unit and very close to each other. The fingers would not rest comfortably and finding the small power on button was a chore. In contrast the T1 comes on by sliding the big front lens cover down and before you even have it up to your eye, the unit is ready. Don't get me wrong BOTH power up blazingly fast, but what use is it, if with the T3 you have to search for the tiny button all the time. Major inconvenience, to slow and the single reason I discarded this camera. On the other hand if the T3 would have been out first, I still would have beens ecstatic about it.
Picture quality with both is outstanding during normal day time usage.
When comparing to the 5 MPixel Sony DSC P92, test show that this unit only resolves 840 LPBH whereas the P92 will resolve about 1100. Lp/Bh is a measurement of line pairs visible per picture height and takes lens resolution as well as pixel resolution into account. For small cameras the issue generally lies in the lens. So some 4 MP cameras will readily outperform 5 MP cameras, if they have a better lens.
Above resolution puts the Sony near the top of the range.
In practice in a 6x4 or even letter size print you won't see a difference, I promise.
I also took the T3 for a test ride versus the Casio Exilim S100 an ultracompact 3 Mega Pixel camera. When shooting pictures with both of remote price signs and then zooming them up on the internal screen, I could see quite some compression artifacts and resolution losses on the Casio, where the Sony still delivered excellent quality. (Try yourself when you are in a shop. Take a far away price sign with fine print (no digital zoom) and then zoom in on the screen. You can see the differences.
What is in the box?
Camera, Li-Ion battery (about 90 hours), docking station, USB cable, TV cable , Sony transfer software, a (useless) 32 MB memory stick pro duo (ticks me off, holds a grand total of 6 -7 pictures...) and a pretty decent instruction manual.
What you definitely should get right away: About 512 MB Sony or Lexar Memory Stick Duo (around 90 USD now and that is roughly 2x the price of other flash media, hey it's a Sony..)
Nice feature, the charger cable can plug into the cradle, as well as the camera directly, therefor you do not need to take the cradle along for the photoshoot to reload (major drawback on Casio Exilim cameras).
The camera takes 5.1 Megapixel pictures, a 3:2 format (roughly 4.2 MP) which is the same format then 4x6 prints, so you don't loose the sides with this , a 3 MP a 1 MP and VGA resolution,which you can also shoot movies with sound at.
Usseful feature: Digital smart zoom: it only kicks in at lower resolution settings, where you can digitally zoom until you have reached the required setting. That secures that your pictures will always have the desired resolution, no pixelation like normally. Also means at 5 MP, you have no digital zoom.
Compromises:
At a camera this size, the manufacturer has to make compromises, and here are the ones I found.
Slightly less resolution then larger size cameras (that is a lens limitation, smaller lenses are harder to make accurate). Nothing that should deter you though. It is still a fantastic image
Weak flash: Now for the party animals under you, the flash is suitable for taking a picture of let's say a seated table, but don't plan shooting with a tele across the room or fill even a 15 x 30 feet room with the built in flash. No such luck. Where the Sony P92 dazzles you with a hyperstrong
flash, the T3's is meager. So if you are a night animal, you might find that a bit disturbing. Also personally I would prefer a viewfinder for night shots. Switch the display off and look through the viewfinder for the right moment. You want the guys smiling at you. Also the flash is very close to the lens, causing red eyes in practically all night shots, even when using the red eye multiflash feature.
So night operation is the one limitation I see in this camera. Not a strong performer there.
Other then that I would highly recommend it for:
The traveller as a diary and notepad with superb picture quality.
The geek that wants to draw admiring looks
The spy, that wants to smuggle it through
If you are a party goer that also likes to save some money the Sony P92 is still a good choice. Review is here:
http://www.epinions.com/content_122227887748
If you are a serious party chronographer that wants to use an external flash, go with the Sony V1, which has a hot shoe. Also read about the issue with slave flashes, that you will run into with digital cameras. Review is here:
http://www.epinions.com/content_125044756100
And finally here is my review on the Sony DSC T1, with a bit more detail about the software package and firmware updates.
http://www.epinions.com/content_167347654276
As of late, Sony has introduced yet the next (r)evolution, the T33 with some snappy colors. Read here the updates on the next generation, that also will become available in shops in the US. Contains my ultimate verdict of the different versions and a buying recommendation based on preference:
http://www.epinions.com/content_168500629124
If you are first time shopper for a digital camera I recommend starting with following basic's article:
Most common misconceptions when buying a digital camera or how much you really need:
http://www.epinions.com/content_3650658436
This list looks like I am a Sony addict. Fairly speaking I wasn't until I decided what I wanted in a camera and inevitably ended up with a Sony. Recently I bought a Nikon Cool Pix 5400 as well, which I will review another time.
What I am not a fan off are Sony memory sticks. Generally very expensive. I prefer trusted other brands like the Lexar covered in this review. Saves you about 30 USD over Sony and holds over 200 pictures (hey, once you go digital your picture volume will double to triple over your current film
based use mode:
Here is my review of the SanDisk Pro Duo:
http://www.epinions.com/content_168500629124
One more hint about buying cameras on the internet. There are some really low prices out there, almost to good to be true... and they generally are. When shopping around I came across quite a few complaints in various chat rooms particularly about internet shops from New York, that seem to engage in bait and switch tactics. Now, don't want to broadcast a unilateral warning against a region, but I suggest you look the respective 'ultra low' shop up at www.bbb.org, the better business bureau website. Look for complaints about 'business and solicitation' practices. Those indicate some behavioural issues, you might not want to deal with. Practically all shops have some complaints there, some do have a business rating as well. Also you can naturally look for store ratings in Epinions, but make sure you have statistically significant numbers. Have fun!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 416
This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Easy Enough for Anyone to Use
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Epinions.com ID:
leisure_larry
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 - Top 1000 |
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Member: Leisure Larry
Location: US
Reviews written: 57
Trusted by: 2 members
About Me:
Electrical Engineer. Engaged Computer User. Hobby photographer.
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