Sony DSC-V1 Cyber-shot 5MP Digital Camera w/ 4x Optical Zoom

by Sony

Product Details

Product Manual [2.43mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 2.2 x 3.9 x 2.6 inches ; 10.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B00008O35T
• Item model number: DSC-V1
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (88 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,709 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: February 24, 2003

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

If you thought you could only get true-to-life resolution, definitive control and stunning output from an SLR camera, check out Sony's new DSC-V1 Cyber-shot, a digital still camera that combines the control you prefer with extraordinary performance and a uniquely-compact design.

Step-up Value
Here's a Sony feature that adds value to this digital camera and differentiates it from other models in the Sony lineup.

Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar Lens: Famous for its superior sharpness and color accuracy, the Vario-Sonnar lens is the most advanced multi-layer optical coating system. The DSCV1 zoom lens features 8 elements in 7 groups with aspheric elements.

Optics and Resolution
A Super HAD CCD image sensor delivers massive 5.0 megapixel resolution (effective) for clear printouts at up to 20x30 inches. The 4x optical/4x Smart Zoom Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar lens gives you exceptional control, providing the 35mm equivalent of 34mm-136mm. The macro focus distance is 3.9 inches, and shutter speed varies from a high of thirty seconds to a low of 1/1000 second.

Storage and Transfer
The camera stores pictures and video on Sony Memory Sticks and is compatible with Memory Stick Pro technology. It interfaces with a PC via a USB 2.0 connection.

Movie Mode
It is possible to shoot MPEG movies with audio at a resolution of 640x480 or 160x112.

More Features
A ten-second self-timer makes it easy to take shots that include the entire family, and noise-reduction technology is designed to make low-light photos less grainy. The camera also incorporates a laser to assist with auto-focusing for crisp shots.

Other features include:

• NightShot infrared system
• Manual exposure controls
• 1.5 inch LCD
• Auto daylight synchro fill flash
• Hot shoe and ACC terminal

Power and Size
The camera is powered by an included rechargeable InfoLithium NP-FC11 battery. It measures 3 15/16 by 2 9/16 by 2 1/5 inches and weighs 10.9 ounces (without batteries). The battery is charged in-camera by connecting to the included AC adapter.

What's in the Box
This camera comes with an AC adaptor, AV cable, USB cable, wrist strap, 32 MB Memory Stick, and a software CD-ROM with drivers for Microsoft Windows 98/98SE/Me/2000 Professional/XP Home/Pro and Macintosh OS 8.5.1/8.6/9.0/9.1/9.2.

Product Description

Sony DSC-V1 Cyber-shot 5MP Digital Camera w/ 4x Optical Zoom

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

82 of 84 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great camera, June 26, 2003

By 

Alfonzo "Alfonzo" (PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony DSC-V1 Cyber-shot 5MP Digital Camera w/ 4x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I have two film SLRs that I use when I want to take serious pictures. This is my first digital camera. I wasn't going to buy one until I thought they approached SLR quality.

For the most part this camera takes better pictures than my Canon AE program.

The features are great. You can keep total control of every feature or let the camera do it for you.

Particularly nice is the nightframing shot which lets you set up your shot in infrared and then flash it in normal light.

The hologram mode which paints your subject in a laser graph before shooting to control focus and flash also works flawlessly.

I was worried about picture quality, but at 5 megapixels features remain crisp and clear even when blown up by several degrees.

I'd read online about some color saturation isues, but I've experienced none whatsoever. On full automatic mode the Sony engineers seemed to have programmed the camera to create a true to life portrait. A lot of photophiles like higher saturation, and you can get whatever degree of color saturation, crispness, et al by taking control manually.

The camera is compact and portable. You get about 1 1/2 hours of battery life during daytime use, and about half that if you're using the flash. There's a feature that lets you know to the minute how much battery time you have left.

This looks to have all the features of the 717 without the lensocentric style.

Originally I was not planning on buying the telephoto lens, leaving that kind of work to my SLRs, but after seeing the image quality, fun, and ease of use of this camera, I'm getting it.

Another great feature is that the camera plugs easily into any tv set to review pictures, movies, and even make a slideshow. I was at a family gathering and this feature proved to be a big hit.

As far as I'm concerned, the camera is flawless.

Highly recommended.

74 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars White Balance Issue:, July 31, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Sony DSC-V1 Cyber-shot 5MP Digital Camera w/ 4x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

In response to comments below: The auto white balance in outdoors indirect sunlight issue is just an idiosyncrasy, not a deal breaker. It's easy to work around. Dpreview.com suggests setting the manual white balance to "cloudy". I set the mode dial to "P", which is program-auto mode. Essentially it's the full auto mode except you can adjust individual settings if you like. In "P" mode, which is just one click from full auto mode on the mode dial, I have the white balance setting always on "cloudy", and let it do everything else automaticly. Thus, when I find myself in indirect sunlight, I simply twist the mode dial one click to "P", and the white balance is properly adjusted every time. Very simple. You can see the adjusted white balance effect on the LCD before taking the photo to decide if you like the manual adjustment....................................All the cameras in this class, like the Canon G5 and Nikon Coolpix 5400 have their own idiosyncrasies. None are perfect. But with the Canon and Nikon, no matter what you do, you can't change the slow auto focus/shutter lag. At least with the Sony DSC-V1, it's easy to correct the auto white balance for indirect sunlight....... just takes one click of the mode dial and you're all set........ This camera does so so many things extremely well, don't let the white balance thing detour you from purchasing it.

50 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I obsessed over the purchase..., September 19, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Sony DSC-V1 Cyber-shot 5MP Digital Camera w/ 4x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I obsessed while shopping then bought the DSC-V1, and I have no buyer's remorse. I'm very happy with it. I wanted a camera that delivered a balance of flexible user control, point and shoot simplicity, convenient size and great image quality.

This is my first digital camera. I wanted to get snapshot results that compete with my film cameras for 4x6 and 8x10 photos. I'm more than a casual camera owner: I own two film SLRs (Nikon 8080s), a land point and shoot (Olympus Stylus) and a weatherproof point and shoot (Minolta Weathermatic).

I shopped online in detail. I fell in love with the Canon S50 on paper because it had great specs and it seemed the right size for my wife to manage conveniently too (she likes her Olympus Stylus). However, I looked at test pictures on the www.dpreview.com site. The bigger digital cameras (and the DSC-V1) seemed to outperform the S50, particularly in image sharpness.

In the store, I made up my mind and decided on the Sony DSC-V1. I pointed the camera all over the store and at many objects, including my squirmy kid. The Sony seemed to focus quicker than the other cameras that I played with. The Canon S50 was not as responsive as the Sony DSC-V1. The low-light focusing aids on the Sony DSC-V1 are impressive. They are cool too: The lasers remind me of the alien weapon aiming device in the movie, Predator.

Biggests Pros:
"It's the lens, stupid" -
Pictures have GREAT color and image resolution! I'm simply amazed. This little camera does a lot with the out-of-the-box, automatic settings. Be careful not to fall in love with all the snazzy, tiny cameras if you are fussy about your images: You must remember that you can't do anything with a zillion megapixels if your lens is just too small or, worse, plain mediocre.
Autofocus Performance -
It feels fast and works rather well even in low light. Errors made so far have been mostly mine. With practice, I'm learning about the camera's limits.

Right Size -
The DSC-V1 is small enough to carry and big enough to handle steadily. I'm clumsy yet this camera is easy for me to use with one hand.
Design & Features-
The camera has great features and specs, and it feels solid in your hands. The little door for the I/O ports is a nice touch compared to rubber stoppers on some other brands. For the most part, the buttons actually do what you expect. The manual is well-written and well-organized. Browsing was enough to get me going. Without a manual, I bet you could play with the DSC-V1 for 15 minutes and accidentally stumble on how to set 80% of the relevant features.

Low Light Sensitivity
I impulsively snapped several landscapes in the dusk and darkness to see what they would be like. They were exposed nicely and displayed little/no camera shake. With a tripod, this camera will do wonderfully.

Cons:
Software - The software that comes with the camera is a little cheesy. After visiting the supplier's Web site and downloading updates, I got the camera squared away with my laptop (Windows 2000) and desktop (Windows XP). Be sure to follow the instructions and download the USB driver for your Windows 2000 machine, first. I did not and had some trouble with my laptop.

Other Image Acquisition Software -
Not everybody has drivers for their software to handle the DSC-V1 camera yet. You may have to fuss a bit to get the camera to work with your software.

Price-
It's high. It could be about $100 less, and it would be more competitive.

Moving up from this compact camera, the next (small) step up would be to an Olympus 5050, a Canon G5 or the Nikon 5400. From there, you would need to move to digital SLRs.

Net: It's a wonderous gadget with great usability features. It's much more fun than my SLRs because I like the instant gratification of seeing results on my laptop. I was slow to go digital. I'm glad I waited for the DSC-V1. In a few years, I may add a digital SLR to my toybox.