Sony Camcorder With 3 3 Mp Sensor

Sony DSC-M1 Cyber-shot(R) Digital Camera is a remarkably tiny camcorder and digital-camera in one. A key reason is that video and still images are all recorded on MemoryStick or MemoryStick-Pro digital media. It doesn't use any tapes! It's also the first Sony Cyber-shot(R) Digital-Camera to offer MPEG-4 codec for excellent video motion recording and, in a sense, is styled more like a camcorder than a compact digital camera. Cyber-shot(R) DSC-M1 is a 5.1-megapixel digital still camera that pays particular attention to the role moving images play in preserving memories, and even more attention to making it easy to use. The camera, a slim, matte-black device about the size of a deck of cards, is held vertically, and its 2.5-inch articulated LCD swivels upward and rotates a full 270 degrees. This new shooting orientation provides more surface area to access both the menu navigation buttons and two "hot" buttons for direct access to recording stills and video. The outer edge of the LCD also has buttons serving two functions. While the LCD is extended and the camera is in record mode, the buttons can be used to record, and toggle back and forth between stills and video. When the LCD is facing outward, but flush with the camera's body, the buttons can be used to playback stills and video, turning the camera into a personal media viewer. Up to 640x480 VGA movie images Large 2.5 LCD viewer Auto and manual focus modes Programmed and manual exposure modes Self timer mode Approximate Unit Size - 2 x 4.5 x 1.1 inch

Amazon Sales Rank: #10854 in Camera & Photo Brand: Sony Model: DSCM1 Released on: 2009-11-30 Dimensions: 4.80" h x 7.50" w x 7.50" l, 1.00 pounds Display size: 2.5 5.1-megapixel sensor allows for photo-quality prints up to 13 by 17 inches Camera features 3x optical zoom in a unique vertical orientation Large 2.5-inch free-angle rotating LCD design makes viewing effortless Non-extending lens and Real Imaging Processor mean near instant startup and shutter release Supplied Cyber-shot Station makes camera-to-TV/PC connection quick and simple

Amazon.com Review Sony's DSCM1 interestingly designed 5-megapixel digital camera is easy to use right out of the box--and extremely fast, too. The M1 is ready to shoot about as quickly as you can fold out its free-angle LCD, and its unique form factor--the camera looks like a winged robot or a small boomerang--captures subjects' attention immediately. The M1's Twilight Portrait mode creates interesting effects.(See larger image.) The M1's great features don't end with its fast start-up time, though; the pictures and video this camera takes are amazing. We put it through its paces in a variety of situations, from indoor evening parties to snowy outdoor activities and all sorts of cafes and museums in between, and almost without fail, the results were gorgeous. The camera's Twilight Portrait mode creates great effects by combining a flash with a long exposure time, and the Auto setting could be relied on to deal with even backlit or low-light scenes. One of the M1's crisp, colorful images from the NYC installationof Christo's The Gates.(See larger image.) The free-angle LCD, in addition to wowing photo subjects and passersby, is also useful for taking overhead or low-to-the-ground images, or for composing self-portraits. After swinging out the LCD to turn the camera on, the screen can be rotated approximately 270 degrees, making complex shooting situations a snap. In addition, at 2.5 inches, the LCD screen makes viewing images a real pleasure, and we were amazed at how often we found ourselves taking a friend's picture and then showing the friend every image we had stored on the memory card, or pulling out the camera to review images privately during a few minutes of down time. The M1's interior shots from the new lobby of New York's Museum of Modern Art.(Click images for larger views.) It is also worth noting that the M1's autofocus does an excellent job of quickly evaluating a scene and making relatively intelligent assumptions about the image subject. In the rare cases where edges or features in images were slightly fuzzy, it would've taken a poster-size print for the problem to really stand out. In all cases, the autofocus was quite fast, further contributing to an impressive recycle time between shots. The areas in which the camera could have done slightly better were in a couple of the scene modes-- Landscape, for example, produced less stunning sunset images than the camera's Auto setting--and in transferring images to a computer. We found that images were less vibrant on the computer than on the M1's screen when transferred to a PC, using either the supplied Picture Package software or treating the camera as an external hard drive. However, it's easy to adjust them slightly using imaging software, and the muddiness did not occur at all when downloading the images to a Mac using iPhoto. One further drawback is that while the camera body is quite sturdy, the memory card slot is exposed, meaning that taking photographs in inclement weather is an iffy proposition. Also, because the camera comprises three segments joined by hinges, it's got more seams for water and gunk to seep into than would a camera with a simpler construction. (It was not unusual for us to transport the camera in a pocket and pull it out to find that a stray piece of paper had lodged between the LCD and body.) A case would go a long way toward clearing this up, though. --Sarah Sternau Pros It's fast Movie mode creates impressive MPEG4 video (with crisp audio) at a length limited only by available memory Unique form factor makes complex picture-taking situations easier Cons Bulkier than many compact cameras currently available Memory card slot is exposed, making wet weather a concern Some downloading methods caused the images to lose vibrancy, necessitating simple touch-ups The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-M1 is the ultimate 2-in-1 device. It allows you to record 5 MP-resolution still images with high-quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar optics and to capture TV-quality MPEG4 video using Memory Stick DUO with lengths limited only by the capacity of media. The camera's ultra-slim design makes it easy to carry in a pocket or purse and makes its large 2.5-inch LCD seem even more amazing! 1/2.4-Inch 5.1 MP Effective Super HAD CCD Super HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCDs provide excellent image quality by allowing more light to pass to each pixel, increasing sensitivity and reducing noise. Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar Lens The Vario-Tessar lens is specially produced for compact cameras and provides rapid auto focus with appealing zoom range. Utilizing a highly transmissive optical grade prism, the lens is housed entirely inside the camera body, and does not need to extend for use. Folding the M1's 2.5-inch LCD back on the camera's body creates a personal media viewer. Innovative Design Compact and just 1-inch slim, DSC-M1’s vertical orientation and articulated LCD flexibly adapt to the demands of still and video recording, with direct access keys for each. Folding the 2.5-inch LCD back on the body creates a personal media viewer! Enhanced Control Layout The DSC-M1 is designed with "Mode-less Recording" functionality with dedicated oversized function keys designed for direct still image capture or MPEG4 movie recording. Real Imaging Processor The innovative Real Imaging Processor in the DSC-M1 not only improves picture quality and clarity but also improves camera response time, decreases shutter lag, and improves battery stamina. 3x Optical/2x Digital/6x Total Zoom 3x optical zoom helps you frame your shots for better digital pictures. And Sony’s Precision Digital Zoom provides an additional 2x magnification without the jagged edges of other designs, resulting in smoother images. 14-Bit DXP A/D Conversion Sony’s 14-bit Digital Extended Processor captures the range between highlight and shadow with up to 16,384 values, for extended dynamic contrast and detail. 2.5-inch Hybrid LCD Monitor The enormous 2.5-inch LCD provides a high-resolution view while shooting, with transmissive/reflective Hybrid design for extraordinary brightness in direct sunlight and large, easy-to-read menus. Unique in such a compact camera, this large screen makes it easy to share image playback with friends. The M1's free-angle LCD allows for great picturesin a variety of shooting situations. Free-Angle LCD Free-angle LCD rotates for the shooting/playback situation. Folded in for protection when carried or folded out for easy recording. On-LCD button functionality allows for recording ease as well as direct playback. Scene Selection Mode With nine Scene Modes, parameters can be matched to the shooting conditions. Choose from one of the following: Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Landscape, Snow, Beach, High Speed Shutter, Fireworks, Magnifying Glass, and Candle. Magnifying Glass Mode With its extraordinarily close focusing capability (1 centimeter) and oversized LCD, the DSC-M1's Magnifying Glass mode can display images at over 3x actual size. This capability opens up new possibilities in Macro photography. Five-Area Multi-Point Auto Focus By evaluating five separate focus areas of the frame, Sony’s Multi-Point AF system can intelligently focus on the subject and avoid mistakenly focusing on the background. In addition, you can manually select a point, or position a point anywhere in the frame with Flexible Spot AF (Auto Focus) Illuminator. Briefly illuminating the subject, in low or no-light conditions, the AF Illuminator helps establish a positive focus lock. Continuous Auto Focus To maintain accurate focus lock with fast moving subjects, Continuous AF keeps focusing from the time the camera is turned on until the moment of exposure, providing properly focused images even when your subject is moving. Memory Stick Duo Media Digital. Powerful. Transportable. Memory Stick Duo media is compact, portable, and rugged--connecting a variety of hardware and software applications. Multi-Burst Mode Captures 16 consecutive 320 x 240 frames as part of a single 1280 x 960 image which plays back sequentially in the camera or as a single image on your computer. Selectable 1/7.5, 1/15, 1/30 second frame intervals provide convenient motion analysis. MPEG Movie 4 TV Mode By capturing full-screen (640 x 480), high-frame-rate (up to 30 frames per second) video with stereo sound in MPEG4 format, DSC-M1 video clips have 50% more horizontal resolution and take up 1/4 the file size. This allows more clips to be stored and longer continuous recording. Hybrid Recording Selectable with still images, Hybrid Record combines a brief 320 x 240 video clip with the shot in a separate file. By capturing continuously before you release the shutter, Hybrid Record keeps five seconds of video and sound before the shot and three seconds after--perfect for unanticipated moments! The Sony Cybershot DSCM1 comes with a dock for charging batteries, and for connecting easily to a computer for image download or to a TV for big-screen display. Rechargeable InfoLithium Battery The rechargeable InfoLithium battery provides reliable, long-lasting power for continuous shooting, without memory effect. The supplied AC-LM5 adapter/charger provides stable power for USB transfer. Cyber-shot Station Supplied Placing the DSC-M1 on the supplied Cyber-shot Station provides a quick and easy connection between the camera and a TV for easy viewing, or a USB supported computer for MPEG video and still image transfer. It also supplies power to the camera for charging the battery. What's in the Box: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-M1 digital camera, NP-FT1 rechargeable InfoLithium battery, AC-LM5 battery charger, UC-MA Cyber-shot Station, stereo AV connecting cable, USB cable, wrist strap, MSA-32A 32 MB Memory Stick Duo media, Memory Stick Duo adapter, software CD-ROM

Most helpful customer reviews 147 of 151 people found the following review helpful. Christmas came early by Tim Mouradian This is a great little camera takes high quality pictures and videos incredible. I got this gadget as a replacement for my old Sony, and so far have been very hapy with both new functionality and quality of production. My only comment is that the software that came with the camera is basically worthless. The video was produced in MP4 format (which is actually QuickTime on steroids), so you need a decent MP4 players. I downloaded an MP4 player known as "MPEG variable", which comes as a standalone application or a plugin for Microsoft Media Player. It works very well in both modes. If you plan to convert video to other formats (such as writing to DVD) you should invest in a good drive, I have QuickTime Pro with great success. As a side note, my favorite DVDSource not work with MP4 Creator is produced by this camera. The video output (on the highest settings): Size: 640x480 Frame Rate: 2997 fps Bitrate: 2734 kb / s Audio: 2 channels Sampling rate: 24000 Hz Depth: 16 bit Bitrate: 123 Kb / s Video On closer inspection compression artifacts are visible, but overall the quality is very good. The low light performance is sufficient, given that a 3CCD camcorder is not. The camera has image stabilization, so try to limit or otherwise gentle movements of your hand. I had to throw my old memory sticks and related hardware (adapters, etc.), because this camera has a new memory format called Memory Stick Duo and Pro Duo. I bought half of a duo for the show from Dixons that the camera does without problems. The picture quality is very good, there are many new menu options to play. What is striking is how immideately 'magnifying' the new, and the "hybrid" mode. The latter can record video hybrid / even combinations. I'm not sure how useful it is. --- 1 week update: I had the opportunity to take more pictures and videos with the camera I'm still optimistic about the video features, images simply not so. First and foremost it is my conclusion that taking good pictures with this camera it is possible, however, requires some serious fine tuning of the menus to read the manual and understand the basic photografy. If everything is 'auto' mode the pictures come out blury left, standard flash is simply not enough, every single picture taken inside the red eye problem. There are also sporadic 'discolored' problem when the background is feverish yellow / purple for no apparent reason, it is what I have to deal with the problem. 1) Turn on auto-mode, ie ( maintain the program's function) 2) Turn off the multi-spot nonsense again focusing permanent position 3) Turn on the red-eye reduction function 4) Turn off AF illumination 5) increase from normal to flash flash + 6) Selected 3-megapixel format (this is arbitrary, I do not need the 5-megapixel images) 7) Try to select the correct ISO (100/200/400) and the balance of light in his hand before he fired 8) Try to keep your hand perfectly still when recording result is nice, cool pictures. But I feel that the provider must have programmed the automatic mode, so users do not have to go through the menus / setup all the time. The last thing I need is to learn the importance of speed histogram and shooting. Finally, an automated camera that is not forgiving. It will not be able to take pictures at a party (or anywhere else for that matter) without changing the menu setting or two. However, the understanding of how the camera works and to read the manual once (or twice) to improve the quality of the images. I would deduct a few stars from my original assesment 5 stars, but I do not think that Amazon can do it all at once the rating of 70 out of 72 customers found this review helpful. Wait until the M2 by Richard R. Harman Two shots from my old 3-megapixel camera.