Cyber-shot wish lists, anyone?

[Ulysses]

Well, as time moves along and we read reports about SLR cameras, large lenses, active autofocusing systems, etc., maybe it's time we turn our attention to a question that has occasionally come up before:

What do you wish for in your next Cyber-shot?

Just to help keep things organized in giving your answers, please state the camera that you'd like to change, with a view towards making it really usable enough for your own purposes.

Also, please state the types of usage you would have for this imaginary camera.

I wonder what sort of amalgamations we'll come up with here?

Let's make this a fun thread!--Ulysses
http://www.pioneeris.net/ashton/F505V/megalist.htm
F505V Gallery Mega-List

 

[Mike31157]

Hi All,

My Dream 505V is:

Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar 10 X T* Zoom (f2.0-2.8: a really bright one)
Supports 50,100,200,400,800 ISO (and bulb)
A large buffer 32 MB
No shutter or focus lag
Microdrive Support
Optical Viewfinder
Not heavier than 500g
Not expensive than $1500

Do you think we'll see it in couple years? )

Well, as time moves along and we read reports about SLR cameras,
large lenses, active autofocusing systems, etc., maybe it's time we
turn our attention to a question that has occasionally come up
before:

What do you wish for in your next Cyber-shot?

Just to help keep things organized in giving your answers, please
state the camera that you'd like to change, with a view towards
making it really usable enough for your own purposes.

Also, please state the types of usage you would have for this
imaginary camera.

I wonder what sort of amalgamations we'll come up with here?

Let's make this a fun thread!
--
Ulysses
http://www.pioneeris.net/ashton/F505V/megalist.htm
F505V Gallery Mega-List

 

[Peter Sanderson]

My Dream 505V is:

Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar 10 X T* Zoom (f2.0-2.8: a really bright one)
Supports 50,100,200,400,800 ISO (and bulb)
A large buffer 32 MB
No shutter or focus lag
Microdrive Support
Optical Viewfinder
Not heavier than 500g
Not expensive than $1500

Do you think we'll see it in couple years? )

Well, as time moves along and we read reports about SLR cameras,
large lenses, active autofocusing systems, etc., maybe it's time we
turn our attention to a question that has occasionally come up
before:

What do you wish for in your next Cyber-shot?

Just to help keep things organized in giving your answers, please
state the camera that you'd like to change, with a view towards
making it really usable enough for your own purposes.

Also, please state the types of usage you would have for this
imaginary camera.

I wonder what sort of amalgamations we'll come up with here?

Let's make this a fun thread!
--
Ulysses
http://www.pioneeris.net/ashton/F505V/megalist.htm
F505V Gallery Mega-List

Hi Ulysses,
In the days,long ago,of plate cameras,Ernst Lietz
designed the first pocket camera the,35mm Leica.
The advantages were,small,light,carry any where,your camera
with you,take pictures of whtever interests you.
Would like a P1 with aperture and shutter control and stronger
flash.Then I could relive the days when I enjoyed photography.
Best regards.
Peter.

 

[Francesco]

I wish I could have:

A real SLR, full manual, with a good 3Mpixel CCD and an internal hard disk (maybe 1GB?), with interchangeable lenses with manual focus ring (a real one like in a SLR). That's it! Who could ask more? BTW what was better than a good SLR? Digital? Don't say so!!! We are just all bored of developing and scanning and then processing but we all liked SLR more than digital didn't we?

The only problem is that I wish I could have all this with a price about 1200$, no more! Is it so unbelievable request?

I have a question for you Ulysses. I am following you as you can see everywhere, and I was wondering what is your job. Is your job related to photgraph? Another question: which is in your opinion the best software available to make good digital dark room? What about to make panoramic views from single shots? Which software would you suggest?

 

[Ulysses]

Francesco -

Hahahahah... you're a fellow who is still trying to figure out what you want in your first digital camera. I think the things you've requested will place your desired camera out of the $5000 range.

Seriously, what about the current Cyber-shot cameras would you change so as to make it more usable as your favorite camera?

which is in your opinion
the best software available to make good digital dark room? What
about to make panoramic views from single shots? Which software
would you suggest?

Well, first of all, I'd like to keep this thread on-topic, about our Cyber-shot wish lists, just so that we don't lose the focus.

But check out the forum below for all your imaging software questions:
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1004

Additionally, here is an excellent set of threads about the very questions that you asked:

Image editing software
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1009&message=569981

Panorama software
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1009&message=455471

Hope that this helps.

Now, how about those wish lists, folks?!

 

[Pondria]

To Mike's list, I would like to add;
AF that works ;-)
Bigger ( NOT in pixels but in size ) CCD

My Dream 505V is:

Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar 10 X T* Zoom (f2.0-2.8: a really bright one)
Supports 50,100,200,400,800 ISO (and bulb)
A large buffer 32 MB
No shutter or focus lag
Microdrive Support
Optical Viewfinder
Not heavier than 500g
Not expensive than $1500

Do you think we'll see it in couple years? )

Well, as time moves along and we read reports about SLR cameras,
large lenses, active autofocusing systems, etc., maybe it's time we
turn our attention to a question that has occasionally come up
before:

What do you wish for in your next Cyber-shot?

Just to help keep things organized in giving your answers, please
state the camera that you'd like to change, with a view towards
making it really usable enough for your own purposes.

Also, please state the types of usage you would have for this
imaginary camera.

I wonder what sort of amalgamations we'll come up with here?

Let's make this a fun thread!
--
Ulysses
http://www.pioneeris.net/ashton/F505V/megalist.htm
F505V Gallery Mega-List

 

[Ulysses]

C'mon folks. Don't be shy!

Think about how you use your F505V or your S70 today. Think about some of the things that limit your usability. How would you improve the camera in practical terms? Not just for your 'dream' camera, but for a real step up in this series of cameras.

For example, one thing that I would like to have is a broader aperture range. I'm fairly satisfied with the shutter speeds (could add a couple of faster speeds, I suppose). But I'd like to go from say F1.8 to an F11. I'd really like to have the brightness of the wide aperture and its nice shallow DOF. This would also compensate for any limited range of ISO (just in case they didn't give me the user-adjustable ISO).

I'd definitely speed up processing time, perhaps even augmenting the F505x with a genuine buffer so that I could have a burst mode for certain tasks. I'd probably use that for bracketing shots on the fly.

I don't necessarily want an optical viewfinder, but I do recognize that perhaps having a brighter and a higher resolution LCD would help when using manual focus or when reviewing our pics. I don't want them to take away the Hybrid LCD; I just want it improved a bit.

I wonder how many folks would use enhanced in-camera editing of the images. I forget which cameras already do this, but it's possible as long as the LCD gives good feedback.

I'd make the rocker switch a bit more reliable. I don't mind it too much right now, but it feels just a little like it would get too loose over time. Let's make all of those buttons feel like they belong in a Honda and not in a lesser vehicle. Change the Zoom switch on the F505V to something with more positive feedback.

I'd like more accessories designed specifically for the F505x series of cameras: a ring light for macros; a set of genuine Sony or else CZ lenses for wide and telephoto, not some lenses meant for videocams.

Give me more feedback via dedicated buttons and LCDs rather than have me hunt through the menu system. I don't mind menus, but a few seconds of menu hunting might cost me a quick shot.

Any other ideas?

Well, as time moves along and we read reports about SLR cameras,
large lenses, active autofocusing systems, etc., maybe it's time we
turn our attention to a question that has occasionally come up
before:

What do you wish for in your next Cyber-shot?

Just to help keep things organized in giving your answers, please
state the camera that you'd like to change, with a view towards
making it really usable enough for your own purposes.

Also, please state the types of usage you would have for this
imaginary camera.

I wonder what sort of amalgamations we'll come up with here?

Let's make this a fun thread!
--
Ulysses
http://www.pioneeris.net/ashton/F505V/megalist.htm
F505V Gallery Mega-List

 

[faral]

My wishlist (mainly improving on F505V)

Better low light capabilites
more zoom (10x preferable)
more mpeg thingies...i dunno what, just more!
lower shutter lag
rapid fire
light (it's pretty okay right now)
nakey
remote shutter release attachment
laser guided...uh...wrong topic
better battery life/technology

that's all i can think of for now

faral

 

[Richard Plumb #26335]

+ (for 505v)

smaller aperture settings - f11 is a good start.
Exposure bracketing
Burst mode
Instant image review has added histogram
Manual focus which highlights currently focused area.
Stabilized zoom

My Dream 505V is:

Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar 10 X T* Zoom (f2.0-2.8: a really bright one)
Supports 50,100,200,400,800 ISO (and bulb)
A large buffer 32 MB
No shutter or focus lag
Microdrive Support
Optical Viewfinder
Not heavier than 500g
Not expensive than $1500

Do you think we'll see it in couple years? )

Well, as time moves along and we read reports about SLR cameras,
large lenses, active autofocusing systems, etc., maybe it's time we
turn our attention to a question that has occasionally come up
before:

What do you wish for in your next Cyber-shot?

Just to help keep things organized in giving your answers, please
state the camera that you'd like to change, with a view towards
making it really usable enough for your own purposes.

Also, please state the types of usage you would have for this
imaginary camera.

I wonder what sort of amalgamations we'll come up with here?

Let's make this a fun thread!
--
Ulysses
http://www.pioneeris.net/ashton/F505V/megalist.htm
F505V Gallery Mega-List

 

[Ulysses]

Faral -

Great list!! I'm curious about a couple of the points you mentioned:

Better low light capabilites

What do you mean by the above wish? Are you referring to having less noise? longer shutter length? more sensitivity? the LCD itself?

more mpeg thingies...i dunno what, just more!

Do you want more options for MPEG? Do you want longer MPEG?

I'm not sure you'd get longer MPEG since this might go against the possible Sony reasoning to keep the size of the movies small enough to download via e-mail. Right now, the HQ movie is 5MB for 15 seconds. That's probably pushing the upper length of the movies right now. I suppose that if they had a larger buffer in the camera, it might help to get a larger file size at HQ.

 

[Ulysses]

Hmm...

Your neat additions made me think of a couple of other things, Richard.

+ (for 505v)
smaller aperture settings - f11 is a good start.

How low would you go on the aperture size? I also mentioned F11 with the thought that this should be easily do-able. Any other ranges that might be helpful?

Instant image review has added histogram

What would you do with a histogram? Would this be an active histogram allowing for adjustment of the image in-camera? Or simply a diagnostic tool to let you know more info about the exposure?

Manual focus which highlights currently focused area.

Nice. I'm not sure how exactly they could implement that, but it's the next best thing to having an focus screen for this type of camera.

Stabilized zoom

I'm still waiting to see some samples of what the images look like with image stabilization. I'd like to see how capable these systems are.

 

[Richard Plumb #26335]

responses below.

Your neat additions made me think of a couple of other things,
Richard.

+ (for 505v)
smaller aperture settings - f11 is a good start.

How low would you go on the aperture size? I also mentioned F11
with the thought that this should be easily do-able. Any other
ranges that might be helpful?

I don't think you'd need much more than f11 at the small end. Bearing in mind that you get more depth of field naturally with a small CCD anyway. Seeing the new Olympus', I'll also ask for an f1.4-2.0 zoom (hey, we can wish can't we?). I want some way of getting shallow depth of field. I am currently experimenting with manually bringing the focus forward, away from the subject, to push the subject towards the rear of the focus plane - and therefore blur the background more.

Instant image review has added histogram

What would you do with a histogram? Would this be an active
histogram allowing for adjustment of the image in-camera? Or simply
a diagnostic tool to let you know more info about the exposure?

Some other cameras have this. Its basically to check exposure, so you can adjust if necessary. I think it'd be a useful tool to help train your eye.

Manual focus which highlights currently focused area.

Nice. I'm not sure how exactly they could implement that, but it's
the next best thing to having an focus screen for this type of
camera.

Again, this has already been done on one of the digicams (can't remember which - I'll check). You press a button to check focus and It seems to do a sharpen filter which highlights the area in focus. In fact, I think it even flashes it.

Stabilized zoom

I'm still waiting to see some samples of what the images look like
with image stabilization. I'd like to see how capable these systems
are.

I agree. I like the idea, and sony have been using stabising systems on their camcorders for a while, but they are less demanding than 3-5mp cameras (looking to the future). I'd expect to be able to turn it off if I have a tripod and it would improve the images and/or battery life.

 

[Ulysses]

I'm still considering getting the HVL-F1000 external flash for my F505V.

But I've read that it can be somewhat of a pain to get to all of the button settings when the camera is mounted onto the flash bracket.

If this is so, I'd consider either repositioning the button layout or else redesign the external flash so that it would work more efficiently with the F505V as well as other cameras that utilize it.

What do you wish for in your next Cyber-shot?

 

[Pondria]

Ricahrd and Ulysses,

A bigger size CCD may solve the aperture, noise, low-light capability, ISO etc all at once. That's way I added just that ;-)

F8.0 on 505V is like F40.0 on an SLR ! You probably don't want any smaller aperture than that ;-)

Your neat additions made me think of a couple of other things,
Richard.

+ (for 505v)
smaller aperture settings - f11 is a good start.

How low would you go on the aperture size? I also mentioned F11
with the thought that this should be easily do-able. Any other
ranges that might be helpful?

I don't think you'd need much more than f11 at the small end.
Bearing in mind that you get more depth of field naturally with a
small CCD anyway. Seeing the new Olympus', I'll also ask for an
f1.4-2.0 zoom (hey, we can wish can't we?). I want some way of
getting shallow depth of field. I am currently experimenting with
manually bringing the focus forward, away from the subject, to push
the subject towards the rear of the focus plane - and therefore
blur the background more.

Instant image review has added histogram

What would you do with a histogram? Would this be an active
histogram allowing for adjustment of the image in-camera? Or simply
a diagnostic tool to let you know more info about the exposure?

Some other cameras have this. Its basically to check exposure, so
you can adjust if necessary. I think it'd be a useful tool to help
train your eye.

Manual focus which highlights currently focused area.

Nice. I'm not sure how exactly they could implement that, but it's
the next best thing to having an focus screen for this type of
camera.

Again, this has already been done on one of the digicams (can't
remember which - I'll check). You press a button to check focus and
It seems to do a sharpen filter which highlights the area in focus.
In fact, I think it even flashes it.

Stabilized zoom

I'm still waiting to see some samples of what the images look like
with image stabilization. I'd like to see how capable these systems
are.

I agree. I like the idea, and sony have been using stabising
systems on their camcorders for a while, but they are less
demanding than 3-5mp cameras (looking to the future). I'd expect to
be able to turn it off if I have a tripod and it would improve the
images and/or battery life.

 

[Ulysses]

Unfortunately, unless there is some major advance that Sony has done with their new CCD, we may be 'stuck' with the latest version that they've come up with rather than a relatively new method of laying out the CCD elements for a better image. Additional pixels without really new technology, isn't it, with similar performance to the present 3.34Mp CCD?

But you're right. I hadn't thought of your suggestion as being so wide-ranging in the problems it would address.

Ricahrd and Ulysses,
A bigger size CCD may solve the aperture, noise, low-light
capability, ISO etc all at once. That's way I added just that ;-)
F8.0 on 505V is like F40.0 on an SLR ! You probably don't want any
smaller aperture than that ;-)

 

[faral]

Better low light capabilites

What do you mean by the above wish? Are you referring to having
less noise? longer shutter length? more sensitivity? the LCD itself?

Yup, pretty much all of the above...and I know it is pretty hard, but better focusing in low light would be good too. Maybe it should have a "night" mode where it can get a better picture...I dunno

more mpeg thingies...i dunno what, just more!

Do you want more options for MPEG? Do you want longer MPEG?

I'm not sure you'd get longer MPEG since this might go against
the possible Sony reasoning to keep the size of the movies small
enough to download via e-mail. Right now, the HQ movie is 5MB for
15 seconds. That's probably pushing the upper length of the movies
right now. I suppose that if they had a larger buffer in the
camera, it might help to get a larger file size at HQ.

Well, I guess I should really get both a DV and a Cybershot...hehe...I guess the mpeg things are fine, but since I can't affored a DV, I want bigger clips and stuff, especially since I read that Sony's goal for the memory stick is 1 Gig capacity.

Faral

 

[Ulysses]

Yup, pretty much all of the above...and I know it is pretty hard,
but better focusing in low light would be good too. Maybe it should
have a "night" mode where it can get a better picture...I dunno

Maybe we need some sort of autofocus assist or active autofocus system ala the C-2100z or the E-10. These guys can pretty much focus in the dark.

Well, I guess I should really get both a DV and a
Cybershot...hehe...I guess the mpeg things are fine, but since I
can't affored a DV, I want bigger clips and stuff, especially since
I read that Sony's goal for the memory stick is 1 Gig capacity.

We should really make our opinions --- real opinions --- known here. The new cameras are coming, and we might actually be able to shape their development somehow. My reason for saying so can be found in the following thread:
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1009&message=618377

 

[Frank C.]

For the S70 it's easy...

1- REDUCE NOISE (ie: new 5M CCD with higher signal/noise ratio )
2- FULL MANUAL MODE
3- QUICKER AND MORE ACCURATE AF
4- BURST MODE & FASTER IMAGE TO IMAGE TIMINGS
5- KEEP IT
6- DONT CALL IT THE S70e

that's it.

FC

Well, as time moves along and we read reports about SLR cameras,
large lenses, active autofocusing systems, etc., maybe it's time we
turn our attention to a question that has occasionally come up
before:

What do you wish for in your next Cyber-shot?

Just to help keep things organized in giving your answers, please
state the camera that you'd like to change, with a view towards
making it really usable enough for your own purposes.

Also, please state the types of usage you would have for this
imaginary camera.

I wonder what sort of amalgamations we'll come up with here?

Let's make this a fun thread!
--
Ulysses
http://www.pioneeris.net/ashton/F505V/megalist.htm
F505V Gallery Mega-List

 

[Ruchai]

This is what i am looking forward to ;-)
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/printout/0,8816,89612,00.html
Ruchai

Seriously, what about the current Cyber-shot cameras would you
change so as to make it more usable as your favorite camera?

which is in your opinion
the best software available to make good digital dark room? What
about to make panoramic views from single shots? Which software
would you suggest?

Well, first of all, I'd like to keep this thread on-topic, about
our Cyber-shot wish lists, just so that we don't lose the focus.

But check out the forum below for all your imaging software questions:
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1004

Additionally, here is an excellent set of threads about the very
questions that you asked:

Image editing software
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1009&message=569981

Panorama software
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1009&message=455471

Hope that this helps.

Now, how about those wish lists, folks?!

 

[see ya']

If I could change one thing about the F505v, I would add a user programable shutter speed. We've seen what 8 seconds and the CZ lense can do with astrophotography, well how about a minute, or 5 minutes, etc. I have a few telescopes and a nice equatorial mount with clock drive. I would love to take some guided wide field exposures while piggybacked atop my 90mm refractor. I'm presently looking into a second camera for this purpose.

Well, as time moves along and we read reports about SLR cameras,
large lenses, active autofocusing systems, etc., maybe it's time we
turn our attention to a question that has occasionally come up
before:

What do you wish for in your next Cyber-shot?

Just to help keep things organized in giving your answers, please
state the camera that you'd like to change, with a view towards
making it really usable enough for your own purposes.

Also, please state the types of usage you would have for this
imaginary camera.

I wonder what sort of amalgamations we'll come up with here?

Let's make this a fun thread!
--
Ulysses
http://www.pioneeris.net/ashton/F505V/megalist.htm
F505V Gallery Mega-List