Title : Sony DSC-S85 Cyber-Shot 4.1MP Digital Still Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom
Author : Sony
Release Date : 20020405
Binding : Electronics
Regular Price : $799.95
Amazon.com Price : $599.99
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Editorial Reviews : The Cyber-shot DSC-S85 digital camera represents Sony's next step after the outstanding 3.34-megapixel DSC-S75. The two models are quite similar, but the impressive 4.1-megapixel DSC-S85 boasts roughly an extra megapixel of resolution power, plus an expanded burst mode and exposure bracketing. The DSC-S85's attractive all-black 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, 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-S85 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 1/1,000 seconds in 40 steps as well as aperture range from f2.0 to f8.0 in 13 steps. Additionally, the camera features manual exposure, exposure bracketing, exposure compensation, in-camera sharpening, and program AE.
The retracting zoom lens saves space, while still offering an aperture of f2.0 to f2.5 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-S85 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. 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 16fps. Internally, the camera handles A/D conversion at 14-bit DXP. All relevant information displays on either the main color LCD or 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-S85 is PC and MAC compatible with USB connectivity. The complete package includes a 16 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.
Buyer Reviews : i searched around for weeks before finally deciding on the sony dsc-s85 as my 21st birthday present and first digital camera. i've had the camera for a little under four months now, and i am almost up to photo number 2,000. needless to say, i couldn't be happier with it.
the battery life is great, and since sony includes both a rechargeable battery *and* an adapter, there is never a problem. the 16 mb memory stick is wonderful to start out with, and i think if anything at all, the only problem is the expense of the sony memory sticks over regular memory cards. but lexar just came out with their own memory sticks, which i've seen for $ cheaper than sony's. woo!
i had a photography class this semester at college, and i decided to try to use my digital for some of the photos, to see how they would come out when printed [i just burn them to cd and drop them at wal-mart!]--with my 4 megapixel sony, i ended up with some of the best photos i've ever taken, with really high quality both on screen and on paper. this is true for both color and black and white shots, too. in both cases, you cannot tell that the photos are digital. they look amazing. i took a lot of photos in black and white with no flash, during theatre performances and such at my school, and those were just great.
this cam lets you really play with existing light and shadow, and lets you know right away if a shot just isn't working. i love the instant gratification aspect of digital--i've taken many a shot that i thought would be wonderful and just...well, wasn't. but it's okay, because i just deleted those shots and knew for next time, instead of having to pay to get them developed and being disappointed.
the camera is everything from fully automatic to fully manual, which is so cool. i'm still learning all of the manual functions, and i'm really glad to have that kind of option. as i get better at the technical stuff, i can use it to enhance the artistic stuff.
one small thing: the motion picture option is fun and looks cool on the display, but doesn't look that great on the computer. but, as someone else said, this camera isn't made for that sort of thing anyways. so it's not such a big deal.
apart from the really high-end $1000+ digital slr cameras and stuff like that, i think the sony dsc-s85 is the best of its kind right now. tons of cool features, great battery life, easy to use, and usb transfer is simple and fast.
really, i can't say enough. it rocks.
(by brandi)
Features/Technical Specs : * 4-megapixel sensor captures 2,272 x 1,704 images for prints at sizes up to 11 x 14 inches * Carl Zeiss autofocus lens with 3x optical/2x digital (6x total) zoom * Included 16 MB Memory Stick stores 15 images at default settings * Connects with PCs and Macs via USB port * Uses proprietary lithium-ion rechargeable battery(included)
