Sony Cyber-shot DSC-F88 Review
Review based on a production Sony Cyber-shot DSC F88
Never shy of giving the consumer an almost bewildering array of choices, in May 2004 Sony added yet another (its fifth) 5 megapixel, 3x zoom camera, the DSC-F88 to its 2004 range. Seasoned Sony watchers will immediately recognize the inner swivel lens design, which has made several appearances in Sony's product lineup since the DSC-F1 back in 1996. What makes the F88 slightly different to its predecessors is the inclusion of a 3x Carl Zeiss zoom lens (which uses the same folded optics as the Cyber-Shot T1) and an optical viewfinder; it is also a little larger than the F1/F5/F55/F77 models that came before it. Specification-wise the F88 is very similar to the T1 and W1, save for a smaller screen and the aforementioned swivelling lens, which rotates through 300 degrees, giving considerable shooting versatility and the ability to take perfect self-portraits. As well as a wealth of scene modes the F88 has a smattering of real photographic controls (including a full manual exposure mode) and a very capable movie mode (640x480 pixels, though only at 16fps). Here's a quick run-down of the key features:
- 5.1 Million effective pixels Super HAD CCD
- 3x Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar lens
- 10 scene modes
- InfoLITHIUM stamina battery
- Optional wide angle converter lens and docking station
- MPEG1 movie mode
- 1cm 'magnifying glass' mode
- 300 degree rotating lens
Key specifications
| Street price | • US: $409 • UK: £285 |
|---|---|
| Body Material | Metal and plastic |
| Sensor | • 1/2.4 " CCD, 5.25 million total pixels • 5.1 million effective pixels |
| Image sizes | • 2,592 x 1944 • 2,048 x 1,536 • 1,280 x 960 • 640 x 480 |
| Movie clips | • 640x480 pixels @ 16fps • Duration only limited by card capacity (streaming) • MPEG1 with sound |
| Lens | • 38 - 114mm equiv. (x optical zoom) |
| Focus | • TTL Autofocus • 5-area multi point AF • Centre-AF • Single shot or Monitoring AF (continuous) • 8cm macro mode (Wide), 25cm (Tele) • 1cm 'Magnifying Glass' mode • Manual focus (6 presets) |
| Shooting mode | • Auto |
| Sensitivity | • Auto • ISO100,200,400 |
| White Balance | • Auto • 4 presets |
| Image parameters | • Saturation (3 levels) • Contrast (3 levels) • Sharpness (3 levels) • Picture effects (Black & White, Sepia) |
| Continuous | 1.6 fps, up to 9 frames (5MP fine mode) |
| Flash | • Built-in • Auto, Manual on/off, Red-eye reduction: on/off, Slow sync: on/off • Range (ISO auto): W 0.15 - 2.2 m (0.5 - 7 ft), T 0.25 - 2 m (9.5 - 6.5 ft) • Compensation (+, normal, -) |
| Storage | • Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO • 32 MB MS supplied |
| Viewfinder | • Optical Real Image type |
| LCD monitor | • 1.8" TFT, 134,000 pixels |
| Connectivity | • USB 2.0 High Speed • A/V out (via multi connector or dock) • DC-IN |
| Power | • InfoLITHIUM NP-FR1 rechargeable (in-camera charging) • (includes AC adapter) |
| Other features | • Spot & Multi metering |
| Weight (inc batt) | 163 g (5.7 oz) |
| Dimensions | 97.8 x 74.4 x 25.6mm (3 7/8 x 1 3/16 x 3 1/4in) |
* Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area
If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read the Digital
Photography Glossary before diving into this article (it may help
you understand some of the terms used).
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Conclusion / Recommendation / Ratings are based on the opinion of the reviewer, you should read the ENTIRE review before coming to your own conclusions. Images which can be viewed at a larger size have a small magnifying glass icon in the bottom right corner of the image, clicking on the image will display a larger (typically VGA) image in a new window. To navigate the review simply use the next / previous page buttons, to jump to a particular section either pick the section from the drop down or select it from the navigation bar at the top. DPReview calibrate their monitors using Color Vision OptiCal at the (fairly well accepted) PC normal gamma 2.2, this means that on our monitors we can make out the difference between all of the (computer generated) grayscale blocks below. We recommend to make the most of this review you should be able to see the difference (at least) between X,Y and Z and ideally A,B and C. |
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