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Sony DSC-F505V Sony updates their popular DSC-F505V with a 3 megapixel sensor (2.6 million effective pixels) and all-new electronics! Select a topic Reference: Datasheet Sony DSC-F505V 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 --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Viewfinder :(Previous) | (Next): Exposure & Flash>> Page 5:Optics Review First Posted: 06/01/2000

Optics
The lens on the DSC-F505V is clearly something special, as evidenced by its size and mass. The DSC-F505V comes equipped with a 7.1 to 35.5 mm Carl Zeiss lens (equivalent to a 38 to 190mm lens on a 35mm camera) and a wonderful 5x optical zoom. Apertures range from F/2.8 to F/8.0 in 1/3 stop increments, and are automatically controlled (except in Aperture Priority mode). Focus ranges from 0.5m (~19 inches) to infinity in wide angle and from 0.08m (2 inches) to infinity in macro. An additional 2x digital zoom function (10x total zoom) can be turned on and off via the record menu, but remember that quality is always an issue with digital enlargement. The Focus switch on the side of the lens gives the option of manual focus, which can be adjusted by turning the bezel on the end of the lens (like a standard 35mm camera lens). When using the manual focus option, the camera provides you with a small focus-feedback indicator on the LCD screen, showing when you've attained optimum focus. Although there are no distance markings or readouts anywhere on the camera that would guide you in situations were the focus-determination system may not work, an improvement on the F505V includes a quick magnification of the central focusing area for more fine tuning. We really liked the feel of a digicam with a manual focus option that really works like that on a standard 35mm camera lens. As it turns out, the same focus indicator used in manual focus mode also appears while using autofocus, and is quite handy for determining whether or not the camera has achieved a good "lock" on the focus. As you'd expect from the Carl Zeiss name, the F505's lens is tack-sharp (a prominent feature of the original F505), although we did find some barrel and pincushion distortion at the ends of its zoom range. (See the "Test Results" section at the end of the review for the details on this).

The Macro function of the DSC-F505V is controlled via the Macro button on the side of the lens and allows you to capture objects as close as 0.8 inches (2cm) from the lens. Macro is not available in the Landscape and Panfocus modes. As we mentioned in the Design section, the rotating lens is definitely a winner. (We've had a personal bias toward rotating-lens designs ever since we first saw them 'lo these many years ago). Rotating through about 135 degrees, the lens greatly multiplies your shooting options, and is especially handy for grabbing ground-level macro shots or when holding the camera above your head to shoot over a crowd. Additionally, with the tripod mount on the bottom of the lens barrel, you have greater flexibility when mounted to a tripod for tilting the camera back for easier viewing. Sony offers both wide and telephoto converters as accessories for the DSC-F505V which mount over the lens, using the 52mm filter threads.