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Sony DSC-S85 Sony extends its S-series Cybershot line with the S85, sporting a 4-megapixel CCD, Exposure Bracketing, and Burst 3 sequential capture. Select a topic Reference: Datasheet Cyber-shot DSC-S85 Sample Images --------------------------------- 1. Intro and Highlights 2. Executive Overview 3. Design 4. Viewfinder 5. Optics 6. Exposure & Flash 7. Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests 8. Operation & User Interface 9. Camera Modes & Menus 10. Image Storage & Interface 11. Video, Power, Software 12. Test Results & Conclusion --------------------------------- Print-Friendly Review Version Additional Resources and Other Links Reader Comments on Cyber-shot DSC-S85 Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Viewfinder :(Previous) | (Next): Exposure & Flash>> Page 5:Optics Review First Posted: 6/7/2001

Optics
The S85 is equipped with the same 3x, 7-21mm Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar lens (equivalent to a 34-102mm lens on a 35mm camera) that we so admired on the S70 and S75 models. This lens produces unusually sharp images from corner to corner, noticeably crisper than what we've seen from many other digicams. The lens is protected by a removable, spring-lock lens cap, which comes with an easy-to-thread lens strap opening and a small tether strap to keep it from getting lost.

In Aperture Priority and Manual modes, the aperture is manually adjustable from f/2.1 to f/8.0, in nine steps. Shutter speed is adjustable from 1/1,000 to eight seconds, with more than 40 steps in between. Macro mode is engaged by pressing the right Arrow button, which changes the focus range to 1.62 inches (4 cm) to 8 inches (20 cm), when the lens is set at its widest angle focal length.

Focus can be controlled either automatically or manually with a focal range from 9.87 inches (25 cm) to infinity. Pressing the Focus button in the lower left corner of the camera's back panel cycles between Manual and Auto Focus control. When Manual control is selected, you make adjustments by turning the Jog Dial navigator wheel. As you turn the wheel, the focus distance is displayed on the LCD monitor next to the Jog Dial arrow, which is a great help when shooting in low-light conditions. (Remember that you have to press down on the Jog Dial navigator when the arrow is positioned next to the Manual focus readout to engage the appropriate wheel adjustment) Also helpful in low-light settings is the AF assist light, selected via the Setup menu, which helps the camera make adjustments in Auto Focus mode. We were very impressed with the results from the AF assist light, as it focused flawlessly under the darkest shooting situations.

Optical distortion on the S85 is moderate at the wide-angle end, where we measured approximately 0.73 percent barrel distortion. The telephoto end fared quite a bit better, as we saw only about two pixels worth of pincushion distortion, a negligible amount. (This is a bit better than average for digicams we've tested with 3x zoom lenses: Most 3x zooms show about 0.8 percent barrel distortion at their wide angle setting, and about 0.3 percent at telephoto.) Chromatic aberration is also relatively low, showing about one or two pixels of coloration on each side of the black target lines. (This distortion is visible as a very slight colored fringe around the objects on the resolution target, at the edges of the field of view.) Finally, the S85's lens is very sharp across the full frame, even in the corners. Some corner softening is evident, but a good bit less than we're accustomed to seeing in digicam lenses.

Overall, the S85's lens does a great job. It also features filter threads to accommodate a variety of Sony lens conversion kits. These kits rely on a barrel adapter that screws onto the camera's body threads, providing a set of fixed filter threads ahead of the furthest extension of the telescoping lens assembly. The adapter by itself can also be used to attach non-Sony accessory lenses, such as macro adapters, etc. When working with a Sony lens conversion kit, you need to inform the camera (via the Record menu) that the lens is attached, so the camera's autofocus can allow for the additional optical element.

The 2x Digital Zoom function is enabled through the camera's Setup menu, effectively increasing the S85's zoom capabilities to 6x. When engaged, Digital Zoom takes over once you've zoomed past the normal telephoto range (the LCD display must be on). You can see the change from optical to digital zoom by observing the marker in the Zoom Range indicator on the LCD panel. As always, we warn readers that digital telephoto is not the same as optical zoom, and that it causes noticeable deterioration in image quality by adding excess noise and often softening the image.

Confused by Apertures and Depth of Field? - Do you know how to use "Front Focus" or "Back Focus" to get *all* your subject in focus? Visit our free Photo Lessons area and click on the lessons "Focusing Up Close" and "Selective Focusing Outside!"