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The News -
Digital Cameras
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Written by Marko
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Tuesday, 30 October 2007 |
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 The Sony DSC T200 is an 8 megapixel, pocket sized digital camera. It has a longer than standard 5x optical zoom lens. A big attraction is likely to be the extra large 3.5 inch touch screen. Other standard features built into the DSC T200 include face detection software, image stabilisation, HD TV output and in camera retouching for red eye.
Outdoor 1 (Medium Zoom)
This photo was taken at a time when the sun was shining down on the boats creating high levels of sun glare. The DSC T200 was able to handle the glare better than most cameras I tested at the same time were able to. This is especially noticeable by looking at the white, wooden beams under the roof of the building where the camera has managed to produce great clarity.
Sharpness levels are good and just about hold up as you move toward the edge of the shot. I like the way the camera handles the lighting in general and this helps to produce a bright photo.
Outdoor 2 (No Zoom)
Not using any zoom can cause some cameras a problem, but I think the DSC T200 copes well with this shot. Both sharpness levels and lighting are some way above average as the camera overcomes typical problems I am used to seeing.
Outdoor 3 (Maximum Zoom)
When zooming right in the DSC T200 is still able to produce a sharply focused shot. Levels of detail are above average once again.
Outdoor Portrait
The outdoor portrait works well. There is a slight loss of detail on the forehead where the light catches it. The photo was taken in cloudy conditions, so I used the cloudy white balance setting to boost the colour in the shot.
Indoor Portrait with Flash
What I like most about this photo is the depth of colour in the shot. Sometimes when you use flash it tends to blast out the colour and leave the photo looking washed out. Even with the flash turned on the DSC T200 automatically increases the ISO setting to compensate for the lack of light. This causes some noise to be added to the shot.
My test photo did have a small amount of red eye. I used the red eye retouch tool and it removed almost all of it.
Indoor Portrait without Flash
Without flash being used the camera automatically increases ISO even further, causing more noise to be added. Even so this is only likely to become a big issue on larger prints. The photo is a little dark, but you can choose whether you prefer to use flash or not for this type of photo.
Colours
In my opinion Sony have the colours just about right with the DSC T200. There is plenty of strength in the colours without making you need sunglasses to look at the picture.
Macro
This is a successful test shot. The photo is sharp, bright and clear and you cannot ask for much more than that from a smaller, pocket sized camera.
ISO 400
At ISO 400 picture quality is surprisingly good. This may help you get round some lower light conditions. The photo is not completely free of noise, but it is a good effort none the less and highlights an area where there has been an improvement in quality from a number of brands this year.
ISO 3200
ISO 3200 is one or two steps too far though. Picture quality is all but gone at this level.
Overall
On the whole the DSC T200 has produced a very impressive set of photos. In my view, based on picture quality it is one of the better pocket sized digital cameras.
Shutter Lag
Shutter lag times are also very impressive. This is one of the fastest cameras around. The time for a single shot was 0.15 seconds and for five shots 6.97 seconds.
Turning on flash does slow the camera down, but the times recorded were still a respectable 0.48 seconds for a single shot and 12.53 seconds for five.
Style: Simple, but attractive pocket sized digital camera. The front is plain with a sliding lens cover. The DSC T200 has an aluminium body.
Dimensions: 93.5 x 59.3 x 20.4mm
Weight: 160g
Batteries: Lithium ion (NP-BD1). Sony suggest you should be able to take around 250 shots before a recharge is needed.
Memory cards: 31mb of memory has been built into the camera. This is enough for around 13 shots. The camera is also compatible with the following memory sticks: Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo. Memory Stick PRO Duo High Speed, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo.
Ease of use rating: Average. Perhaps it's just me, but I don't feel that the touch screen makes the camera easier to use or faster to change a setting. Maybe I need to get used to the different screen.
Points I like:
Low shutter lag - picture quality - design - longer zoom for pocket camera - extra features
Where it could improve:
Hard to think of any!
Verdict:
The Sony DSC T200 is right up there with the very best pocket sized digital cameras. The longer zoom and extra features in general should prove to be of interest, but it is the picture quality and shutter lag times that set this camera apart. It is one of the fastest cameras you will find and I have no complaints about the quality of the photos it takes. |
