Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T500

Opinion: This is a fun camera! I haven't had the T500 very long, but I had a T200 before so I'm familiar with the platform.

The good:
* Its a sony (and fairly heavy for its size)
* 10 MPixels
* 33 mm wide angle with 5X optical zoom
* large 3.5" 230,000 pixel touchscreen (Nice!)
* Stereo microphones
* HD video recording
* Close-focus macro is awesome (1 cm)
* Some manual controls available
* Dedicated lever to switch between photo & video modes
* USB transfer to computer is fast via docking station
* Included Picture Motion Browser software is decent

The Bad:
* Docking station does not charge camera
* Battery life sucks
* Provided charger is slow
* Only uses memory sticks
* Expensive (aka. extra battery, charger, warranty)
* Touch screen could be better (faster response)
* Screen does not auto-brighten outdoors
* 10 Minute Video clip limit (per clip)

This camera packs a lot of punch. It focuses fast, does killer macros, and the large 3.5" touchscreen is nice. As with most compacts, indoor shots are tricky and not always consistent. You can touch your finger on the screen to tell the camera what to focus on (very cool!). I find the photos capture pretty much what I see with my own eyes in terms of color reproduction.

The HD Video is impressive for the camera's size and the sony microphones are excellent and provide realistic sound without easily being overdriven. Video is encoded with H.264 AVC-MPG4 so its pretty efficient on storage. I find I take a lot of videos because they turn out well.

Opinion: I'll admit I bought this camera for the HD video feature only. I wanted an ultra compact that had this capability. The video quality is surprising considering the tiny lens. The feature set is impressive. You can adjust the EV, focus distance, color mode, etc. even in video. There is one problem with this feature set though. Some of the features don't stay in memory meaning that if you power off the camera, the custom settings which you have chosen will be lost. You have to set them again when you want every time you want to shoot.

I find it strange that video quality, steady shot, macro and ISO stay in memory while other important features like exposure compensation, metering and focus distance lock do not. I wrote to Sony about this and they said there was no way of customizing some of the features so they become permanent. "Sorry for the inconvenience" they said. I'd really like to lock the focus at 1 meter when shooting at close range so that the camera doesn't continuously hunt for focus when moving. I have to manually set it every time I power on the camera.

Stereo sound is a nice feature and it works well. Even though I like this camera overall, I have the distinct impression that it's an unfinished product as it is. It's as if Sony purposely crippled some features (10 min. video, settings that don't stay in memory, weak battery) in order to put out a new model in a year or so that would address these problems.

If you don't need an ultra compact, there are some other cheaper alternatives with HD video out there.

Opinion: Overall this is a good camera and well worth the money. I can think of a few minor detractors from an otherwise worthy product:
-the connection to the computer requires the docking station or reading the card in a separate reader, since the camera itself lacks a USB port. This means packing the station or a card reader for travel.
-the battery cover door could have a nicer execution for the lock.
-there is really very little you can do to customize or manually alter the picture taking process. (few options offered on menus)

Opinion: Great camera, easy to carry around so you can never miss a good shot... or HD video!

Works great with Bravia Sync on Sony TV's, and looks stunning by hooking it up via the HDMI cradle. My main reason for purchasing this little gem.