Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T9

Opinion: I was looking for the smallest camera possible to replace my 2 MP Kodak that is is about the size of a brick and is really not what I would consider portable because it cannot be pocketed and I don't enjoy wearing one of those really cool camera cases on my belt whenever I take it out. So, I was looking for 2 things, better zoom and small size. Megapixels is unimportant to me because anything I print off is no bigger than a 4x6 and most pictures will stay on my computer anyways.

In my search for a small camera I came down to 2 options, the T9 and the Casio s600 (I stayed away from the T10 because it costs alot more and the 1 MP extra doesn't matter to me.) So, when I started my search I was told that the Sony was better, and I asked why. The response I got from one salesperson was, "because it's a Sony, would you want a watch and calculator manufacturer making your camera?"...referring to Casio

So, I thus decided that if I really want to know, I should check for myself. In the end, I went with the Casio. It is smaller (but by so little it really doesn't matter). The main reason was because it had less red eye, faster zoom, better battery life, and a far better price point (over 100 dollar difference here in Canada).

The LCD on the Sony blows away the LCD on the Casio, but who only looks at their pics on the camera? What matters is how they look on the computer and in print, and the lower red eye on the Casio won in that area. Also, the Zeiss lens is a plus with the Sony, but I did not notice that it changed the quality of the photos.

I didn't see any of the white spots or severe quality problems that others saw thought. I will admit, however, that the reviews I read on here, especially the ones in which people said that they own other, older P&S cameras that they prefer to use, helped me make my decision....as did the generally positive reviews for the s600.

Positives:

Lenses contained in camera, less risk of damage.

Wonderfully clear and large LCD on camera

Great Macro if you are into that...I never use it.

Opinion: I couldn't get comfortable with the shutter button. Found real problems trying to press half way (big fingers).

LCD screen colors are very disconcerting.

Battery didn't last long.

Opinion: I have about 12 cameras ranging from compacts to 2 dslrs and consider myself an enthusiast. I have several prosumers as well. I did not have a truly subcompact and had read a lot of good things about the T9. Even SonyStyle recommended it to me over the T30 and the N1. I also wanted IS.

I have the F30, Casio P700, OlyC7000, Panny LX1 and TZ1 right now, e900, FZ5, Sony V1, Sony H1 and others.

Much as I tried the T9 and invested in the T9 leather case and a duo stick anticipating I would love the clean Sony image, I found the images, even outdoors, to be darker than I expected. I made adjustments in ISO and exposure and scene modes. I used auto and program. I tried to adjust in processing. I really don't think I got a bad camera--and I have had some bad cameras come my way since I buy so many.

I do a lot of indoor shooting and did not expect much from this camera indoors. These shots were done on a nice bright day outdoors. I tried each type of metering.

Ultimately, I am returning the camera rather disappointed.

I liked the size and that the menu returned to where I was with it so I could get back to exposure even tho there was no dedicated button.

I found that while it was fairly clean at 400 ISO and the IS worked well, it just was not well exposed for me.

I am still a bit puzzled, but that was my experience. Since
I own so many cameras and have tried so many others, I decided to pass on this one. First Sony I have been disappointed with. Usually the crispness of the photos knocks my socks off. Loved my 707 and 717 and my V1, even with it being an older camera still rivals many newer cameras. My H1 is one of my absolute favorites- so I have a very positive Sony bias.

I guess I will wait for the next go around of cams :-) at Sony. AFter all- now I have a 1 gig duo stick!

Opinion: This camera is simply stunning...!

The only reason it doesn't get a 5-star rating for picture quality is you probably wouldn't believe me...

Opinion: Great Camera - SONY is really listening to its Customers. I have taken a number of test images for your review. These images have been captured with SONY's DSC-T9 camera, with no out-of-camera post image processing other than cropping, and no Photoshop work whatsoever. The Camera's internal settings generally are: Program mode with Sharpness and Saturation both turned up one tick for images to DSC00043; For images DSC00044 and over, the Saturation remains up one tick, the sharpness setting was set back to Normal, and all other settings in the camera are set to Automatic. The "bee on the flowers" image (DSC00041) was taken with the camera set to "Magnifying Glass" mode, which permits auto-focusing as close as 1.0 centimeter; For this image I was approximately 2cm from the bee. This camera is one of the best I have tested in the last 6 years. As an adjunct faculty member at FAU a south Florida 29,000 student University, teaching "Principles of Digital Photography and Post Image Processing" and authored/published a book with the same name, with Pearson Education, Inc., 2003, I have tested hundreds digital cameras that have been offered to the public in recent years, and this one is truly unbelievable. One must understand that all cameras cannot do all things regardless of price and size. Digital SLRs, like Canon's 1DsMk2, which I proudly own and consider the very best digital SLR on planet Earth as of January 2006, can execute most imaging tasks beautifully; however you cannot place it in your pocket, does not have built-in flash, and cannot make a video! Comparing the image quality and color to other similarly priced cameras, the T9 seems better than on previous SONY "T" series units (the T1, T11, T3, T33, T5, T7) in their 6-step progression to the T9. The brightness on the LCD panel is also better and has two brightness levels; The LCD also seems to have a protective covering. The flash also seems a bit stronger, and the imager noise is significantly lower. Understand, the tiny built-in flash is effective for groups of 3-6 people placed within 8' or less of the camera, period; any further away, other than fill-in flash, the results will be unsatisfactory. It is hard to imagine than so much technology can be contained within this truly thin package. This version has a trut OPTICAL IMAGE STABILIZER that really works in both Still image and Movie Modes. The large and bright LCD panel is great for sharing images and movie clips with friends after the images are taken; The T9 has an in-camera slide-show mode with user settings for type of slide change, styly, with or without music. Most critics fail to mention the packaged the Software; Be it known, SONY has one of the best (included) software packages available; Auto-Install the software; then plug in the camera into an available USB post, turn on the camera, and in 5,4,3,2,1 seconds the images and movies, begin their migration into a unique folder in your hard-drive, in a subdirectory in "My Pictures" with today's date as the folder name; Could not be a simpler process. Then options are presented for making a CD-ROM. To see T9 sample images you can go to 416-1100.com. Images will be added periodically so check back often; and while you're there look around at other images posted at your pleasure. NOTE: I have had requests for test video clips. This camera and millions of other SONY cameras produce beautiful high resolution 640x480 30fps MPEG1 video. This site is based on smugmug's site engine which cannot display MPEG1 video. I have attempted to convert MPEG1 to other formats for uploading, however, the results are terrible; so I'd rather not display inferrior conversions, which would improperly represent actual results. JimWilson//28/Dec/2005/6pm

Comparison of SONY's N1 and T9: We have/own both cameras. My wife carries the N1 in her purse, and I carry the T9 in my pocket, as it is a bit thinner than the N1. Both cameras take great shots. The N1 has a bit stronger flash, however the T9 has a more sensitive Imager. It would be best for you to go to a retailer that has both so you can hold them and get a feel for their footprints. I can understand being torn between the two; I too had that feeling. So I/we decided to buy both, one for me and one for Marilyn. I/She loves the huge 3” touch-screen; and the 8Mp imager gives plenty of information for serious cropping, and plenty of detail for an outstanding 8x10” print. The T9 gives improved portability, and has Image Stabilization which gives better performance in low light, available light situations, and plenty of detail for an outstanding 8x10” print. So there are a few trade-offs. Marilyn carries her N1 in her purse; he N1 fits neatly in the purse. I carry the T9 camera in my front pants pocket, so I opted for the T9 which is much more "men’s pocket-friendly." Both cameras have water/beach protective housings, “Sports-pack” for the T9 a 10’ underwater housing for $90; the N1 has a true underwater housing good down to 40 meters for $200. The choice of ONE is pretty much a personal decision as to the form-factor. They are both technology marvels. There is no bad choice between the SONY DSC-T9 or the DSC-N1 models, its like buying shoes; Do you want loafers or sandals?

Opinion: One thing that is very good is the LCD screen. If you compare the Sony T9 to Canon's latest SD630 the Canon's screen looks so bad - less pixels and an extremely soft image. The Sony screen is smaller but with more pixels and much much sharper & clearer. If you put the cameras side by side the Canon LCD looks terrible.

Opinion: I had about 6 different digital small cameras, Panasonic, Nikon, and a few cybershots from Sony and let me tell you that this small digital camera is one of the "best" I had, its small and comfortable to carry anywhere and excellent pictures!!

Opinion: Compared to the T1, this camera is quite an upgrade. The image stabilizer works quite well for such a small camera. Compared to many other pocket cameras, this camera needs much improvement though.

Opinion: Excellent pocket cam, with IS. Small enough to take anywhere comfortably. I had an
older T1 and this camera improves upon it in every respect. Better images, flash, and
ISO performance.