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Sexy lines, a lens with a Carl Zeiss pedigree, and a whopping 7.2 megapixel
image sensor—put them together and what have you got? A Sony Cyber-shot
DSC-V3 (also known as my new best friend).
Despite the camera’s compact size and light weight, the V3 has a handgrip
that’s comfortably thick and guides your fingers to the correct positions
for efficient camera operation. Options you’ll change most often are very
accessible, and menus are clean and understandable. Overall, the V3 gives you
the sensation of high quality when the camera is in your hands.
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The Sony DSC-V3 features 7.2-MP resolution and many versatile
features.
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The Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar lens is a 4x 7–28mm zoom equivalent to 34–136mm
in the 35mm format. The 34mm wide end is a minor weak point—compared to
cameras that begin at 28mm—but lens performance is astounding. Images
are crisp and clean and show no evidence of purple fringing, the nemesis of
high-density CCDs. The f/stop range is a second minor annoyance, with a maximum
aperture of f/2.8 in wide angle and f/4 in the telephoto position.
The bright, 2.5” color LCD monitor makes composition easy, and the extra
size comes in handy when shifting the position of the Flexible AF spot indicator.
Exposure settings are visible at the bottom of the screen, so it’s easy
to invoke the Program Shift feature to modify the f/stop/shutter speed combination.
You can also display a real-time histogram if you choose.
Autofocus is lightning fast and dead-accurate, even in total darkness, thanks
to Sony’s unique Hologram AF assist light. If shooting pictures in the
dark is your thing, you’ll love the NightFraming and NightShot modes.
In either mode, the camera projects enough infrared illumination to allow you
to compose properly.
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Sony’s RAW converter is slow and offers only limited controls.
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The software lets you adjust EV, Saturation, Contrast and Hue.
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Sharp
shots don’t always appear so in the Sharpness window. |
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As one would expect to find on any advanced digital camera, the Sony V3 offers
Auto, Program, Shutter-Priority, Aperture-Priority, and Manual exposure modes.
Seven preset Scene modes optimize settings for Twilight, Twilight Portrait,
Landscape, Portrait, Snow, Beach, and Candlelight situations.
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