The next gadget in my sights is actually a point-and-shoot camera. But why the downgrade from the DSLR? Nope, I’m not looking for a DSLR replacement – rather a complement. There are just some situations where a DSLR doesn’t make sense and I’ve come to learn that in the last year. Enter the upcoming Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T700. A point-and-shoot digital camera that is actually gawk-worthy.
At a retail price of $399 it’s almost within entry-level DSLR territory but its price brings some impressive features. For example, it’s only 5/8-inch thick. It has 4GB of internal memory, a 3.5-inch touch screen, 10.1MP of resolution and image stabilization to help out with picture quality.
The feature I’m really looking forward to is the integrated photo album software. This is exactly how I use my iPhone. I have over 1,800 photos on my iPhone, all which have been taken with the iPhone. It has come in extremely handy in social situations.
Exhibit A:
Jake: Yeah man I saw a Nissan GT-R in the wild today!
Me: Nice! I saw one at display at the Detroit Auto Show this year during press week and have some shots of the interior [flip through photos on iPhone].
Jake: Man, I need to get an iPhone.
Me: Yeah you do.
Exhibit B:
Courtney: So how was your camping trip?
Me: Let me show you.. [flipping through photos]
Courtney: Is that a raccoon?
Me: Not just any raccoon, the one that tried to bite me.
Courtney: Maybe it wouldn’t have tried to bite you if you didn’t waste time taking a picture of it.
Me: Touché.
The problem with relying on my iPhone for this utility is that it wasn’t built for this. At 1,800+ photos, the image database is large and even opening the photos app takes a good wait. I’d happily let the T700 take care of this task for me. As for space concerns, the T700’s album software lets you downsize original photos and retain smaller versions just for the purpose of keeping and displaying on the camera.
Last but not least, the T700’s improved “smile shutter” technology detects faces and furthermore, smiles, and snaps a photo when everyone is smiling. The related feature “anti-blink” takes two photos and compares them, saving the one where the subject is not blinking. Impressive.
Why is it that only consumer-aimed point-and-shoot cameras get these type of features? I suppose it has something to do with the fact that DSLR prosumers tend to know enough about tweaking their camera manually that they probably wouldn’t use such features.
What’s your point-and-shoot camera of choice? I envision the T700 being a take anywhere type of camera for me, similar to my MacBook Air. Of course, that assumes I can find $400 to pick up the DSC-T700, which can be pre-ordered starting August 29th.
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I’m in exactly the same boat, Paul. I’d really love to have a point and shoot that I can carry with me at all times ‘just in case’. Sure the iPhone is all well and good, but the picture quality is nothing to write home about, let alone capture ‘keeper’ pictures. This camera seems like a great choice…
Thanks for the comment Jonathan. Personally I’ve gotten sick of waiting 30+ seconds for the iPhone camera to turn on, and even then all night shots are blurry.
I need a nice point and shoot to throw in my bag and take with me. I may look into grabbing one later this year. I was also looking at the Canon SD1100IS – which seems like a capable camera w/ image stabalization.
The little bitty cameras are sexy, but they fail on a critical point for me: BATTERIES.
I have a pair of slightly-larger Canon A-series (A710 and A720) that run on AAs. I can buy high-capacity rechargeables cheaply, keep a spare pair in the bottom of my briefcase… and if I still run out, I can buy a couple of Duracells anywhere.
The A710/A720 (same form factor) still fits in my pocket, and with a 6x stabilized zoom, takes darn good pictures. Works for me.
I’ve got the DSC-T100, which I purchased about two years ago. It is quite similar to this model in form factor and style. It has the face tracking technology which had just rolled out back then. I recently had a chance to take a look at the model that was released before the T700 which you mention in this article and that was quiet amazing. I’ll try to get a hold of a unit to review, so if interested check out Skatter Tech. (sorry for the promo)
But once again, there are only a couple of reasons I use this camera. It’s compact and easy to carry around. I know I’ll actually take more photos since I’ll actually be willing to carry it around. If you are looking for truly high quality images, even if Sony manages to add another 10 mega-pixels into this chassis, it still wont compare to a DSLR anytime soon.
P.S. I wouldn’t even dare say the iPhone’s camera is worthy of use. My 2 year old $50 LG enV took better pictures than the iPhone.
T700 is a cool camera. But you may want to see if the picture quality is not bad as T200/T300. As per the reviewers T100 takes much better shots. Last week I bought myself a Sony Cybershot DSC-W300 – and I’m very happy with the picture quality, form-factor and responsiveness.
Nikon P6000 too is a good contender with a built-in GPS for geo-tagging.
I’d love to have something like this, too. I usually take photos using my good old Treo and end up disappointed with the image quality. As if I didn’t know what to expect…
I have been looking at (and forward to) this exact camera myself, mainly for its looks and portability. I am not so sure about the image quality though. This is the successor to the T300, and looking at some sample shots…. not so good. My current point-and-shoot is a five and a half year old Canon IXUS/PowerShot 400. It probably cost about the same back when I bought it, and it has far less noise than the Sony (T300). I’ll wait for some reviews to pop up.
I’ve had a small Sony PaC, poor quality pictures and its now dead with very little use. My new PaC to complement my DSLrs is a Ricoh R7. I’d never buy Sony again for camera’s.
Camera manufacturers still haven’t grasped that they need to stop fighting the mega pixel war. More than 8MP on a small PaC like this are actually detrimental to picture quality! I even see this on my Ricoh, so much so that instead of buying that I almost bought a camera £100 cheaper at 4MP that had better picture quality reviews.
If i was you I’d look at Ricoh or the Canon G series.
Until a few weeks ago, I relied on a Canon Digital Elph, the SD750. However, it’s lacking some of the features you mention. Recently, I started using the Nokia N95 8GB phone and that has a very nice camera built in. It’s 5MP, flash, zoom, and there is software to organize the photos. Plus it is integrated with Flickr (and Vox) so that you can upload photos with one click (literally). It’s awesome. I’m really enjoying not having to carry around an extra gadget in order to have a very much functional camera on hand. I’ve used it for all of my recent shots on Flickr in case you’re curious to see some examples.
I thought long and hard before getting my latest point and shoot and eventually settled on another Panasonic – the TZ5.
The 10x optical zoom was the real clincher for me, but it’s got some other cracking features, like HD video.
This is my third Panasonic camera, including an FZ30 which is simply stunning. I love their combination of superb optics and features.
At $400 it’s almost worth it for me to get a Nikon D60 or D80. I don’t own a camera but am looking for one. I think it would be a hard choice between this or a Nikon. I’ll probably opt for this to save money and have something that is extremely portable.
Wait, what? It takes 30 seconds (or even anything remotely approaching that) for the iPhone’s camera to power up?
Good lord.
I like the form factor and touch screen, but the lack of sd cards, proprietary USB cable, and no USB charging are a deal breaker for me.
-Ezra
I really wanted a DSLR for a very long time, until I thought harder about how I use my cameras. I rarely leave the house without my camera, and I also don’t carry a purse if I can help it. Combined, this means pocket sized cameras are the way to go for me, otherwise I am just buying something to dust.
Right now, I have a Canon SD630, which I bought a couple years ago. It’s 6 megapixels with a nice size screen on the back and it’s held up well despite my hideous treatment of it on several overseas trips.
The one you posted looks sweet, but like someone above me, I’d hesitate if I can’t put a card in it. I filled a 2GB card in only 8 days on my list trip to Ireland, and I was being conservative. Also, I just swore that I would never again buy a camera that used special camera batteries. I keep two for the Canon: One in the camera, one on the charger, but again – on a long trip to a country with different outlets, it’s just nice to be able to throw in a couple of AAs and be done with it.
That being said though, I now have camera lust and will be very tempted to buy myself a shiny new one soon. Thanks. :) haha
Yeah I need something small. DSLR is just too much to carry, especially with my 24-105 lens. That thing is like a midget: small, but still heavy. Only worth it in certain occasions (special events, touristy stuff, etc.)
Probably sticking with Canon and getting something new from the SD-line of cameras.
@Ryan Williams – it only takes that long if you have at least a thousand photos like I do.
@thaumata in regards to
it has 4GB internal IN ADDITION to a memory stick pro slot so you can expand. I would have preferred SD of course, but chalk it up to Sony to use a proprietary format..
I use the earlier version (sort of) of this phone, the T70. It is a great point and shoot in my opinion, but this one looks like it adds a ton of new features that I am going to be envious of.
Not sure I like the idea of a touchscreen on a camera. However, I do appreciate a useful amount of memory inside.
That looks pretty awesome. I don’t even own a camera at this point but I expect I’ll be buying one within the next 6 months or so, and this is exactly what I’m looking for: portability and ease-of-use without horrible output to match.
I use a Canon Powershot SD700 IS. I love it to death, but I often long for a camera of this style and size. I’ve always loved Sony’s line of cameras in this style. Very slick and easy to bring with you anytime you need a camera. Nice choice, Paul.
My only concern with cameras that contain a lens that does not zoom out of the camera itself is that I worry I’ll get an orb effect in my photos. By orb effect, I mean those photos that pick up dust particles and illuminate them in the photo. I’ve heard this comes from the flast being too close to the lens, and the lens not being able to move away from it without an external zoom option. Correct me if I’m wrong?
I like the size of this camera (looks like it fits in your wallet..LOL)
Does the smile shutter and antiblink features really work?? If so, maybe I might plan to buy this particular sony point and shut camera.
I think the internal photo album its a fine idea.
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animoe.net
Hi Paul, have been looking for a compact too, as DSLR is sometimes too big to carry around. I had a Sony about three years ago but didn’t like the non standard data-cable. What type of cable does the T700 have. Also how quick is its focus, I want it to be fast, I like the click and shoot of DSLR and found some compacts to be horribly slow to use.
I’m currently looking at a compact Nikon or Canon, but always liked the design of Sony cameras, will take a look.
I’d almost rather that it had a lower resolution. 10 MP is too many for that small of a sensor. 6 is probably the sweet spot for point-and-shoots.
instead of iPhone + camera, try the Nokia N95 8GB or Nokia N82.
two links from pholoblogs that tested the T-series:
http://www.chromasia.com/t-series/
http://www.londonrubbish.com/t-series/index.php?x=browse
no SD + price kills this for me. no thanks. I wish the iphone had a better camera, it would be something that would suit my needs/wants well.