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Sony DSC-S50 Sony makes a compact 2.1 megapixel digicam with full movie/sound capability! Select a topic Reference: Datasheet DSC-S50 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 <<Image Storage & Interface :(Previous) | (Next): Test Results & Conclusion>> Page 11:Video, Power, Software Review First Posted: 4/12/2000

Video Out
US and Japanese models of the S50 come with NTSC video cables for connection to a television set (because there is a PAL setting on the camera, we assume that European models come with a PAL cable). Once connected to the TV, you can view images and movies or record them to video tape. The TV display will also carry the live viewfinder imagery, so you can use a TV as a remote viewfinder.
Power
The S50 is powered by an NP-FM50 InfoLITHIUM battery pack (M series) and comes with an AC adapter and battery charger. The InfoLithium battery packs actually exchange information with the camera, reporting approximately how many minutes of battery life is left. This information is displayed on the LCD monitor with a small battery graphic. Because the S50 uses the (power hungry) LCD monitor continuously, we highly recommend keeping a second battery pack freshly charged for times when the AC adapter isn't convenient. We normally measure camera power consumption, but the "intelligent" communication between the S50 and InfoLITHIUM battery meant that we couldn't intercept the power feed without the camera complaining and shutting down. The best we can do in the case of the S50 then, is to report the number of minutes of operation the camera/battery predicts with a fully-charged battery. These numbers are in the (brief) table below.

Operating Mode	Battery Life
Capture Mode, w/LCD	128 minutes
Image Playback	162 minutes

Included Software
The S50 comes with a USB cable for quick connection to a PC or Mac. Also included is a software CD loaded with MGI PhotoSuite SE (with English, Italian, Japanese, French, Spanish and German versions). The application is compatible with Windows 3.1x, 95, 98 and NT as well as Mac OS 7.5 and higher. MGI PhotoSuite SE retrieves images from the camera in a very organized manner, allowing you to view them through a slide show or an album and set them up for printing. In addition to the traditional editing and manipulation tools, PhotoSuite offers a variety of templates to help you turn your images into mock magazine covers, sports cards, greeting cards and calendars. Combined with the camera's own internal picture effects menu, MGI PhotoSuite SE allows you to really get creative with your images. As noted earlier, the S50's USB interface provides very fast photo download times.