Sony DSC-S75 Cyber-Shot

Digital Camera Reviews      

Sony DSC-S75 Cyber-Shot 3MP Digital CameraThe feature-rich Sony DSC-S75 digital camera presents a very plausible replacement for a traditional 35mm film camera. It features a 3.3-megapixel CCD, a superb Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 3x optical zoom lens, 2x digital zoom (for a 6x total zoom), and other extras such as movie mode and voice recording for annotations.

The DSC-S75 is larger than most of Sony's other Cyber-shot cameras, but it's nicely weighted and benefits from the rubber grip to the left of the lens. The DSC-S75 shares many features with the Sony MVC-CD300, including a variety of modes, such as simultaneous recording of both TIFF and JPEG images, a voice mode that records an audio file of between 5 and 40 seconds together with the still image, and the ability to record both short MPEG movies with sound and animated GIFs. However, unlike the MVC-CD300, the DSC-S75 has only a two-image burst mode and no exposure bracketing feature.

Sony has added some useful features for reviewing and editing images on the camera before they have been uploaded, including a 5x LCD zoom, a slideshow feature, and the ability to enlarge and trim images. You can also divide MPEG movies into two separate files. The DSC-S75 also records the exposure, shutter speed, and aperture setting of each image for later reference.

Playback of images is either via TV by use of supplied AV cable, through a Memory Stick reader (such as the Sony MSACUS1A), or by attaching the camera to the PC via the supplied USB cable. In this last case, the camera is mounted as a new drive on your Mac or PC's desktop, allowing easy transfer of images to the hard drive.

The camera is supplied with an AC adaptor, rechargeable battery pack, 8 MB Memory Stick, AV connecting cable, shoulder strap, a rather short USB cable, and software on CD-ROM. --Nick Baxter

Pros:

  • Good replacement for 35mm SLR
  • Superb Carl Zeiss lens
  • Useful preview options
  • Nice extras, including audio file annotation and MPEG movies with sound

Cons:

  • Only 3x optical zoom
  • Limited to two-image burst mode
Amazon.com Product Description
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S75 builds upon the robust DSC-S70 with a number of significant improvements. Enhancements include a new jog dial for camera settings, faster autofocus, more metal in the body, a further centralized lens position, a larger hand grip with thicker rubber, and a superior menu system. This is also Sony's first camera ever to have a 14-bit DXP A/D converter for better range of color. The DSC-S75's sophisticated camera body consists of a magnesium alloy front and high-impact plastic back. It features a 3x, 7-21mm Carl Zeiss "Vario Sonnar" zoom lens (34-102mm equivalent in 35mm) and an additional 2x digital zoom. Other feature highlights include: 1.8-inch color LCD monitor with backlight, auto and manual focus control, high-speed scan autofocus, an eye-level true zoom optical viewfinder, movie mode with sound and clip recording, a 40-step shutter priority, 13-step aperture priority, full manual exposure option, and built-in flash with four operating modes.

With the button and dial system, you can set the DSC-S75 to automatic or manually control almost every element of operation. For example, you can set the ISO sensitivity and the white balance. You can also select exposure metering for a center-weighted average or spot-metering. Shutter priority can be adjusted from 8 to 1/1000 seconds in 40 steps as well as aperture range from F/2.0 to F/8.0 in 13 steps. Additionally, the camera features manual exposure, exposure compensation, in-camera sharpening, and program AE.

The retracting zoom lens saves space, while still offering an aperture of F/2.0 to F/2.5 and a Contrast Detect focus with AF (AutoFocus) illuminator light. In normal AF, the focus range extends from 19.7 inches to infinity; in Macro AF the focus has a 1.6-inch minimum. The DSC-S75 supports manual focus from 0.1m to infinity in 13 steps using the jog dial. The included InfoLithium battery lasts for nearly three hours of continuous shooting, on average. With the supplied charger, the battery charges in-camera, while charge status displays on the LCD screen.

Images can be recorded in JPEG or GIF compression formats, as well as TIFF for uncompressed. You can even record movies in MPEG EX mode; the highest quality clip is 16 fps. Internally, the camera handles A/D conversion at 14-bit DXP. All relevant information displays on either the main color LCD or the status LCD. The color, 1.8-inch LCD contains a 123,200-pixel capacity with backlight. The optical viewfinder features true zoom with diopter adjustment. The internal flash includes red-eye reduction as well as auto, forced, and off. An optional external flash connects via an ACC port and flash shoe.

The DSC-S75 is compatible with both PC and Mac, with USB connectivity. The complete package includes an 8 MB Memory Stick, InfoLithium battery, charger/AC supply, A/V output cable, shoulder strap, and lens cap with strap. The bundled software is MGI PhotoSuite 8.1, MGI PhotoSuite SE 1.1, and Sony USB driver.