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Sony DSC-V3

By: Shawn Barnett and Dave Etchells

A no-excuses "enthusiast" camera from Sony: 7 megapixels, 4x zoom, 2.5 inch LCD, better grip, and features galore.

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Reference: Datasheet

Review First Posted: 09/09/2004, Updated: 11/30/2004

MSRP $699 US

General
Model Name:	Sony Cyber-shot DSC-V3
Model Number:	DSC-V3
Camera Format:	Mid-Sized
Currently Manufactured:	No
Retail Price:	$700.00
Street Price:
Price Update Date:	2007-02-07
Date Available:	2004-10-31
Remote Control:	No
Remote Control Type:	n/a
Tripod Mount:	Yes
Tripod Mount Material:
Operating System:	Windows, MacOS
Weight:	14.5 oz (410 g)
Weight With Batteries?	Yes
Size:	4.7 x 2.8 x 2.5 in. (120 x 72 x 63 mm)
Warranty in Months:
Image Capture
Image Resolution:	3072x2304, 2592x1944, 2048x1536, 1280x960, 640x480
Movie Resolution:	640x480, 160x112
Aspect Ratio:	4:3
CCD Sensor (Megapixels):	7.20
CCD Size (inches):	1/1.8"
CCD Filter Type:
CCD Manufacturer:	Sony SuperHAD CCD
Focal Length Multiplier:
Movie Audio:	Yes
Quality Levels:	2
Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):	34 - 136 mm
Zoom Ratio:	4.00x
Digital Zoom:	Yes
Digital Zoom Values:	2x
Auto Focus:	Yes
Auto Focus Type:	5-point multi
Auto Focus Assist Light?	Yes
Auto Focus Min Illum:	0.2500
Auto Focus Step:
Manual Focus:	Yes
Manual Focus Steps:	14
Normal Focus Range:	50 cm to Infinity 20.4 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:	10 - 0 cm 4.1 - 0.0 in
Min Macro Area:	87 x 66 mm 3.4 x 2.6 in
Min Aperture:	f/10.0
Max Aperture:	f/2.8
Aperture Range Description:	f2.8 / f5.6 (W), f5.4 / f10 (T)
Aperture Step Size:
Lens Thread:
Lens Thread Type:	Body Threads w/ adapter
Display
Optical Viewfinder:	Yes
Optical VF Type:	Optical
Optical VF Accuracy:	79%
LCD Viewfinder:	Yes
LCD VF Accuracy:	100%
LCD Size (inches):	2.5
LCD Resolution (pixels):	123000
Max Playback Zoom:
Exposure
ISO Settings:	100, 200, 400, 800
ISO Rating Max:	800
Number of White Balance Settings:	7
White Balance Settings:	Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Incandescent, Flash, Manual
Manual White Balance:	No
Longest Shutter Time:	8
Shortest Shutter Time:	1/2000
Exp Adj Range:	2.0 EV
Exp Adj Step Size:	0.33 EV
Metering Modes:	Multi-pattern, Center-weighted, Spot
Spot Metering:	Yes
Aperture Priority:	Yes
Shutter Priority:	Yes
Full Manual Exposure:	Yes
Self Timer:	10 seconds
Flash
Internal Flash:	Yes
No of Flash Modes:	4
Flash Modes:	Auto / Forced On / Forced Off / Slow Synchro
Flash Guide Number (Meters):
Flash Range Default ISO (meters):	2.5
Flash Range Description:	1ft 3 3/4� � 8ft 2�. (0.4 - 2.5m)
No of Flash "Pops":
Ext Flash:	Yes
Ext Flash Connection:	Hot Shoe, HVL-F1000 Sync Terminal
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types:	CompactFlash Type 1, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO
Other Memory Types:
Memory Included (MB):
Uncompressed Format:	RAW,TIFF
CCD Raw Format:	Yes
Compressed Format:	JPEG
Movie File Format:	MPEG
Connectivity
Video Out:	Yes
Video Mode Switchable:	Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder:
External Connections:	Serial, USB 1.1, USB 2.0 Full (LOW) Speed
Other Connection:	DC In
Included Software:
OS Compatibility:	Windows, MacOS
Performance Timing
Startup Time:	3.100 seconds
Shutdown Time:	3.800 seconds
Play -> Record:	4.500 seconds
Record -> Play (max res):	2.900 seconds
Record -> Play (min res):
Shutter Lag (auto focus) WIDE:	0.280 seconds
Shutter Lag (auto focus) TELE:
Shutter Lag, Man. Focus:
Shutter Lag, Prefocus:	0.010 seconds
Cycle Time Uncompressed Format:
Cycle Time Max Res:	1.100 seconds
Cycle Time Min Res:	1.230 seconds
Buffer Frames, Max Res:	15
Continuous Mode Rate (Frames/Sec):	1.040
Movie Mode Rate (Frames/Sec):	30.00
Movie Sec @ Max Res:
Movie Sec @ Min Res:
Download speed, KB/second:	2252.00
Power
Battery Form Factor:	Proprietary NP-FR1 InfoLithium
Usable Battery Types:	Lithium Ion Rechargeable
Batteries Included:	Proprietary NP-FR1 Lithium-Ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included:	Yes
More Information
Notes & Features:
Review URL:	Review
Test Shots URL:	Test Shots
Photo Gallery URL:	Photo Gallery
Device Forum URL:	Forum
Manufacturer URL:	Mfr. Website