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Review
Created:
February, 2000
Digital cameras have come of age. There are a lot of good quality cameras on the market at a decent price.
Granted, these units have yet to reach the scanner and printer price plateau. But the technology has to be evolving quickly for a high quality very compact unit in the $500 range to be available so early in product development.
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-F55, priced at $529.95 US ($795.95 Canadian), features almost every advantage you would want for casual digital camera use. The unit is small enough to win James Bond's approval: this camera can be concealed in the palm of your hand. Do not be put off by its tiny size, however, the Cyber-shot DSC-F55 takes better pictures than many of its contemporaries, producing results far superior to those of both cheaper and more expensive units.
The size might bother some photographers, however. This is a downright tiny camera, which is cool to those who love gadgets. But it's a bummer if you are looking for a camera that feels substantive or if size suggests to you that a camera can withstand the rigors of high volume work.
One very nice touch is the lens. Designed by famous lens crafter Carl Zeiss, it rotates on an axis. While the only utility that might be ascribed to this rotation is the ability to photograph oneself, that does seem like a thoughtful innovation.
The auto-focus is a delight and works like a charm. Macro mode is available for focusing on objects close up.
If you have used a digital camera in the past, you will adapt to this one quickly. If it's your first, you will find the accompanying manual helpful. Like most digital cameras, this unit features a back-lit LCD screen that acts as viewfinder.
Unfortunately, it does not include the manual viewfinder found on most digital cameras. This oversight is a disappointment for photo vets who like to frame their shots.
Also, the zoom function, while semi-powerful, is a disappointment. The lens does not zoom into its focused object; it immediately cuts to the magnified position.
But the proof is in the results. Photos taken with this camera are phenomenal. With a maximum resolution of 1600 by 1200, images are astounding in quality. Photos come out sharp, with very bright colors that are even throughout.
Clearly, a unit this small requires a specially designed memory card and Sony has designed its Memory Stick cards for the task.
While Memory Stick prices are very similar to standard memory cards (offering 4-megabyte to 32-megabyte units), it's easy to get nervous any time hardware requires non-industry-standard accessories. While we might like to imagine a company as established as Sony can be relied upon to continually support its products, there is no doubt there are MiniDisc fans out there still holding out for the revolution that isn't likely to come.
The Sony DSC-55 will appeal to a very select crowd of small business users. If you're looking for a high-volume, high-action device you will probably want a more expensive and more durable-looking unit. If you have a small budget and are not too concerned about quality, you may be able to get by with a cheaper camera that provides output of lower quality. But if you value both artistry and sharply colored photographs for creating marketing material, the DSC-55 is a good choice.
Reviewer's rating: 4 / 5
Comments: Sony's Cyber-shot FDC-55 is not badly priced for a digital camera that produces high-quality photographs. It is small, though, and does not appear ready to withstand punishment. Special memory cards are necessary because of the tiny size and non-standard accessories are always a cause for concern.
Maximum
resolution: 1600 x 1200
Interface: Serial port
More info: http://www.sony.com/
Price: $529.95 US, $795.95 Canadian
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