Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T7/S 5.1 Megapixel

It is my hope that you find this review to be informative and helpful. Like many of my other reviews. The difference between this review in others is that this will not be a comprehensive review as I have been known to write in the past. There are a whole lot of good reviews out there about the Sony DSC-T7 that delve into the technical aspects of the camera �V you will not find them in this one.

Pictures of the camera that I took:
http://tinyurl.com/dkbmr

THE GOOD:
The Sony cyber shot DSC-T7 is definitely a truly ultra compact digital camera. You probably won't find more than a handful of cameras are packed so many features with such a big screen as the Sony DSC-T7.

What I truly loved about this camera is that it is truly slim and pocketable. In a day and age where the Motorola razor phone, and anything slim, sleek and sexy are the rage, this camera fits right in. It's also got really decent and sharp optics, by size Carl Zeiss. The screen on this camera is truly gorgeous. The super macro features absolutely unbelievable, and the carefully tuned flash output is just enough to not overpower the picture. Pictures outside during the day are quite good. Video mode outside daylight rivals a lot of digital camcorders. Startup and snap to snap times are quick and peppy. Build quality and construction of the unit overall are excellent.

THE BAD:
Where the camera fell short is in several key areas, some of which are difficult to blame on Sony engineers, and some just a matter physics and the limits of our technology today also taking into account the price point that consumers would be willing to pay for such a camera.

VALUE FOR THE MONEY (IT WASN��T VERY GOOD TO BEGIN WITH)
I've owned the Sony DSC-T1, the very first in the series in 2004. And before that, in 2002 I owned the Minolta X-1 which uses the similar technology in reducing the lens size. Back then, the T1 was a 5.1 megapixel digital camera with the same sensor taking pictures through the same lens -- but in a slightly bigger case. Fast forward to 2005, and you have the DSC-T7, which is the top of line of the range of the Sony ultra compact cameras and you still only have the same three times optical zoom and a 5.1 megapixel digital sensor. All for a grand price of $499. In retail stores such as Best Buy this camera sells for $449. (I got mine for free in a drawing.)

WHAT��S WRONG WITH IT:
The difference now as opposed to the T1 is now the battery life is a fraction of what used to be. Also the unit is so small and slim, sensor so small (light capturing ability is bad), high iso quality is poor and only reaches 400 ISO, it's nearly impossible to take a sharp picture in low light without using flash. On top of that the flash range is significantly shorter than most point and shoots - the T1 included. The controls have been jumbled around so that now it is very, very difficult to operate the camera with one hand for the quick snap and shoot shots that have made this series so popular.

Expensive accessories! The camera uses Sony's proprietary memory stick duo format. You cannot zoom in or out while recording videos. There's no charging docking station included now (the T1 had one included). You only get a simple cloth case to protect the camera with out-of-the-box.

For a pocket camera, a lot of dust sure seems to seep into the lens �V stuff that you can��t get out. The sliding cover adds a lot to the dimensions, and does little to protect against du