Sony DSCF717 5MP Digital Still Camera w/ 5x Optical Zoom here
Sony DSCF717 5MP Digital Still Camera w/ 5x Optical Zoom hereFrankly, this IS an investment…you spending [$$$] for this camera plus some needed accessories. Few people will ever shoot 5 Mega Pixels (MP) shots every time, but serious (and serious amateur) photographers will certainly appreciate being able to produce stunning detail when the need arises. Look at images shot on your friends’ 2 or 3 MP cameras…this level of quality is amazing…but you WILL want to exceed this occasionally, and (…) is the price you pay to get the technology NOW. A 5 MP head shot will allow you to EASILY discern individual hairs on life-size prints (as in 11×14)…it’s truely amazing.I looked at the Minolta Dimage 7…the auto focus zooms past the subject and back…it seems irritatiingly “loose”, for lack of a better term. The Sony is a bit crisper in it’s approach to auto focus, though not perfect.The Fuji camera does not have the same zoom & expansion capabilities. It’s an overgrown pocket camera.The Sony will handle weddings, public events, and function very much like a professional film camera.Low-light shots are a challenge, but the viewfinder does have a tremendous amount of information available, including exposure “F” stops, shutter speed, low light warnings, etc. The true genius is that you can essentially operate the camera in a manual mode, quickly overriding the meter to compensate for the light in any situation…backlight, contrasty light, reflections, etc.The 717 has some moderate metering improvments over the previous 707. Most major functions are the same.If you ever used a 35mm in manual in the old days (when you really had to KNOW photography), you’ll love the control available. And younger photographers will find a whole new world in being able to make this camera do what most digitals will still not do…take the unusual shot.The camera is well balanced, and rather sturdy. You will get used to the shooting position…give it time. My biggest complaint is that the zoom selection switch operates “backwards” to my taste. Intuitively, I want to zoom “in” pressing the “out” button (!)…You have an adequate built-in pop-up flash…PLUS a PC connection for external flash AND a flash shoe! Slavery, anyone?The memory stick is a bit of a hassle, but extremely convenient once you get over the struggle. There are now numerous varities of portable USB readers. I* carry the Sony Floppy Disc reader and the Lexar USB reader. And buy the 128 MB memory stick…nothing smaller. The newer 256 sitcks require you flip them over but they ar even better bargains.A friend with this same camera recenlty pointed out that we should all be shooting at the highest possible resolution. You can always reduce the resolution later on the computer. Don’t miss that shot of a lifetime.The images are good, but I do have to compensate a bit in low-light. Based on shooting several thousand “test” shots with another camera, I’m happy with this one. It does the job and can satisfy both consumer and professional. Note that I do not plan to replace this camera for several years. Why? Because printer technology has not caught up to the resolution of the camera (at least for the home user) and no one really needs much more in a camera. Five Mega Pixels will generate a poster-size image with very nice quality…you won’t be doing it often, but you’ll be glad you did when you do.I like it, and I shopped hard to ensure the most features with the best price. As with all electronics, find a cheap extended warranty. (…) . Cameras DO break.Shop carefully for a CASE to put it in…the unique shape requires some thinking. I have 3. One for everything including cords and cables, one for the camera plus memory sticks, and a Sony brand “ever-ready” case. Depends on how long you’re out and how fast you want to access the camera..at what level of protection. Think.You’ll want an extra battery. Perhaps a travel charger, otherwise you charge the battery by plugging the CAMERA in the wall (!)…thanks Sony. :-(Buy a UV filter (58mm) to protect the lens. This camera is expensive, and generally reliable – it’s a Sony. Many features I have not detailed, and it has a superb 10x OPTICAL zoom (and a 2x digital). If you are thinking digital and want to not have to trade-up for a while, I suggest the Sony DSC-F707. If you love photography, do not buy a smaller CCD chip than 5 MP…even if you buy another brand. But I certainly recommend the Sony DSC-F717 camera for people to whom the image is important.
