Sony Cyber-shot DSC-F828 8.0 Megapixel

There is a lot of information in the previous reviews to draw upon.

So adding more isn't needed.

But I would add that this camera will be with me for years to come. I'm a professional and use this camera repeatedly in photo shoots and it never let's me down.

The image quality is outstanding. It still competes with the APS-C cameras with 8 and 10+ MPs in many areas. Yes, there is some noise once you leave 200 ISO and it works best in full light and/or with the HLV-32 flash as it's companion. And it does have occassional CA and purple fringing, but every one of my professional digitals does, too, to one extent or another.

Not a biggie and it can easily be edited out of any photos with software if it happens. Nothing more worrisome than comparing it to maybe a slightly soft image that needs sharpening. It's not an issue.

The thing about this camera I love from a professional standpoint is it's use of a 4th color (Emerald)on the chip instead of just the basic three colors most cameras employ. This 4th Emerald color gives you incredible flesh tones for portrait work, beautiful greens and blues and when doing headshots and modeling work, this has a color palette second to none straight out of the camera.

Also, the Carl Zeiss lens has a great range and it is just extremely sharp and flattering. And the fact that you do not have be worried with changing lenses, like with a standard DSLR, and getting dust or dirt on the interior sensor is a huge plus. Also, you don't have to worry about dropping a lenses or mishandling it because you need another one.

This allows continuous shooting without interruption with your subject.

I also find that because the size of the entire camera is small compared to a DSLR, for some subjects, this is preferable. Some subjects get very intimidated by large cameras and lenses pointed at them.

Almost always, I start shoot with this camera and then gradually shift to my DSLRs once the shoot has begun to get the model warmed up as well as me.

And 50% of the time or more, when I do the image review later, the Sony F-828 images I shot in the first of the sitting, are the best and need less work in editing and have good interaction with the subject as opposed to some later images with my larger, more expensive equipment.

I also use the video feature of the camera to shoot snippets of video I use to illustrate to the model what we are doing and to show them how they are looking as I put them thru some poses or whatever. They get immediate feedback as to what they look like and where they can correct something if needed.

It usually builds confidence in the model or helps immediately show them what doesn't look good and I'll let them watch the video while I setup my next camera for shooting. It keeps them interested and focused and often my next part of the session is even more productive because they critique themselves worst than I would by looking at the video.

So even the video feature, that this camera often gets downplayed about, I use to my advantage.

And many of the more advanced cameras coming out are dropping video as part of their features, so the F-828 becomes more unique as time goes by.

I'm considering adding a second body to my lineup as their prices come down because these are getting harder to find in good shape as a backup incase mine goes down.

If you want high image quality and value, consider one of these and enjoy our photography again.