Non recentissima:ha un anno di vita ma si trova per questo a 2/3 del suo costo:240 euro.
Veramente interessante.Compatta e di qualita'.
Ottica Zeiss 3x zoom
4 mega pixel:ideale per foto fino a 20x30 cm.
In the fast paced consumer digital still photo world, Carl Zeiss partners with Sony to supply a selection of attractive cameras with leading edge image quality. Sony is one of the very few companies in this market that develops and manufactures their own image receiver chips, the component next to the lens that is crucial for the image quality of the whole camera.
Carl Zeiss lenses on Sony cameras supported Sony to achieve the leading position in the digital still photo market.
Sony today announced the ultra-compact DSC-L1, a four megapixel digital camera featuring a new three times optical zoom lens which is considerably more compact than any Sony lens before it but provides a 32 mm wide (ish) angle. Looks wise the DSC-L1 is closer to the DSC-U series but has a larger LCD monitor (1.5" vs. 1.0") and the zoom lens. The DSC-L1 will be available in three colors / finishes. We've had a pre-production camera for a couple of days now and have some hands-on images. Expected street price around US$ 329.
AN DIEGO, Aug. 29, 2004 — The challenge to Sony engineers: pack a 4.1-megapixel, 3X- optical zoom camera into a hip little package a fraction the size of a candy bar. Their answer? The Cyber-shot DSC-L1 camera, an elegant confection that will come in four colors and finishes: brushed silver, dark blue matte, black and a striking dark red piano gloss.
The silver DSC-L1 camera will be available in mid-October, and the blue, black and red models will follow in January, each for about $300.
Measuring 3 ¾” x 1 ¾” x 1”, the L1 model is powered by Sony’s Real Imaging Processor™ circuitry, delivering outstanding shot-to-shot speed, stamina and quick start-up time for catching the action as soon as it happens.
For the first time in the ultra-compact class of digital cameras, the Cyber-shot L1 model delivers a 1.5-inch transflective LCD, making it easier to see what’s on the LCD even in bright sunlight.
It also has a new Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® 3X optical zoom lens, setting the stage for picture quality typically delivered by larger, more expensive digital cameras.
“Decades of expertise in miniaturization have enabled us to achieve a balance between fashionable design and such advanced features as the world’s smallest mechanical zoom lens,” said Greg Young, general manager for digital still camera marketing in Sony Electronics’ Personal Mobile and Imaging Division. “But size and features are only half the story. In the L1 camera, we’ve also created something that’s easy to grip and shoot, and takes outstanding pictures.”
Marrying High-Tech Features with Low-Tech Operation
Like all Cyber-shot cameras, the DSC-L1 model has speedy auto-focus and auto-exposure options to snap the best picture the first time. You can quickly select the best setting based on the shooting conditions by choosing from one of seven preset modes, including twilight, snow, beach and fireworks.
Four newly developed technologies – including a linear focus drive and a compact high-resolution optical system – combine to produce the ultra-small lens. This lets you zoom in for crisp images of a flower or zoom out for a far-away shot of the game-winning goal, all the while staying in sharp focus.
When used with Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media, the L1 camera’s high-quality MPEG Movie VX Fine mode captures and plays back high-resolution moving images with 640x480 pixel resolution at 30 frames per second, up to the capacity of the memory media card.
The L1 camera provides approximately 240 shots per charge of the InfoLithium™ battery, with a to-the-minute, on-screen display of remaining battery life.
Reveal New Sides to the Cyber-shot L1 Camera with Accessories
To get the most out of the new DSC-L1 camera, Sony will offer a variety of accessories, including:
An accessory kit (ACC-CFT) with a leather carrying case and a spare battery
A leather carrying case (LCS-UP) that was designed specifically to protect the L1 camera
A gray polyurethane carrying case (LCS-UQ/H) designed for a more personal style statement
A sportspack durable housing (LCS-UQ/H) to guard the camera in water up to three meters deep which will be available in October for about $100.
Sony DSC-L1 specifications
Sensor
• 1/2.7"• 4.1 million pixels effective
Lens
• 3x optical zoom• 32 - 96 mm equiv.• F2.8 - F5.1 • 'Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar'• Folded optics
Auto focus
• 5 area multi-point AF• AF illuminator
Focus range
12 cm - Infinity
Image sizes
• 2304 x 1728• 2304 x 1536 (3:2 ratio)• 1280 x 960• 640 x 480
Movie sizes
• 640 x 480, 30 fps (req. Memory Stick Pro Duo)• 640 x 480, 16 fps• 160 x 112, 8 fps• All limited only by storage capacity• All with audio
• Memory Stick Duo (16 MB included)• Memory Stick Pro Duo
Power
• Supplied Lithium-Ion NP-FT1 battery• AC adapter/charger cradle
Connectors
• Video out (via cradle)• USB 2.0 Hi-Speed (via cradle)
Dimensions
95 x 44 x 26 mm
Weight (no batt)
122 g (4 oz)
Camera
Dimensions (W x H x D, excluding protrusions)
Volume (bulk)
Mass
Canon PowerShot SD300
3.4 x 2.1 x 0.8 in.
5.7 cu in.
130 g
Casio Exilim EX-Z50
3.4 x 2.2 x 0.9 in.
6.7 cu in.
121 g
Fuji FinePix F440
2.9 x 2.5 x 0.8 in.
5.8 cu in.
150 g
Konica Minolta DiMAGE Xg
3.4 x 2.6 x 0.8 in.
7.1 cu in.
120 g
Nikon Coolpix 3700
3.8 x 2.0 x 1.2 in.
9.1 cu in.
130 g
Olympus Stylus Verve
3.7 x 2.2 x 1.1 in.
9.0 cu in.
115 g
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX7
3.7 x 2.0 x 1.0 in.
7.4 cu in.
136 g
Pentax Optio S4i
3.3 x 2.0 x 0.8 in.
5.3 cu in.
105 g
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-L1
3.8 x 1.8 x 1.0 in.
6.8 cu in.
122 g
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T1
3.6 x 2.4 x 0.8 in.
6.9 cu in.
180 g
A small camera requires a compact lens and the L1 has one. It's an impressive feat of engineering to get a telescoping lens into something so thin! Just like many of Sony's other cameras, the L1's F2.8-5.1, 3X zoom carries the Carl Zeiss label. The focal range is 5.1 - 15.3 mm, which is equivalent to 32 - 96 mm. The camera does not support conversion lenses.
Above the lens is the AF-assist lamp, something that Sony cameras have had for years. This helps the camera focus in dim lighting conditions.
To the left of that is the built-in flash, which has a very short working range of 0.2 - 2.0 m at wide-angle and 0.5 - 1.5 m at telephoto. You cannot attach any external flash to the L1.
The L1 focuses very quickly when you halfway-press the shutter release button, taking about 0.4-0.6 seconds to lock focus in most situations. The AF-assist lamp helped the camera focus well in low light conditions, though focus times can exceed one second.
Shutter lag was very low, even at slower shutter speeds. Sony has done a good job of getting rid of this annoyance on all of their recent cameras.
Shot-to-shot speed was excellent, with a delay of around a second between shots (assuming the post-shot review feature is turned off).
You cannot delete a photo right after it's taken -- you must use the Quick Review feature.
Camera (Auto, program, night scene, night portrait, landscape, soft snap, snow, beach, candle) - most of those are scene modes; Program mode is the same as auto but with all menu options available Exposure compensation (-2EV to +2EV, 1/3EV increments) Focus (Multi AF, center AF) - the former is 5-point autofocus White balance (Auto, sunlight, cloudy, fluorescent, tungsten) - no custom mode ISO (Auto, 100, 200, 400) Photo Quality (Fine, standard) Rec Mode
Normal - regular shooting
Burst - took 4 shots in a row at about 1.1 frames/second at the highest JPEG quality
Multi burst - takes 16 shots in a row (at interval selected in menu) and compiles them into one 1 Megapixel image (like a collage)
Multi-burst interval (1/30, 1/15, 1/7.5 sec) - for the multi-burst feature described above Flash Level (Low, normal, high) Photo Effects (Off, black & white, sepia) Saturation (Low, normal, high) Contrast (Low, normal, high) Sharpness (Low, normal, high) Setup - opens setup menu, described below
There's also a setup menu, which has the following options:
Camera 1
AF mode (Single, monitor) - see below
Digital zoom (Off, smart, precision) - see below
Date/Time (Off, date, day & time) - whether date/time is printed on your photos
Redeye reduction (on/off)
AF illuminator (on/off)
Auto Review (on/off) - shows images on LCD after it is taken
Camera 2
Enlarged icon (on/off) - a visual aid for changing camera settings
Memory Stick Tool
Card format
Change/create rec folder - manage folders on the memory card
Setup 1
LCD backlight (Normal, bright)
Beep (Shutter only, on, off)
Language (English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese)
Setup 2
File number (Series, reset)
USB connect (PictBridge, PTP, normal) - you may need to change this depending on the operating system on your computer
Clock set
Single AF is just like you're used to: press the shutter release halfway and the camera locks focus. Monitor AF lets the camera focus constantly, even without the shutter release pressed. This helps reduce the time required to take a picture.
The DSC-L1 has two types of digital zoom. Precision digital zoom is the same old "enlarge the center" system that you should avoid. Smart Zoom lets you enlarge image without a loss in quality, with the catch being that you can't use much of it unless you're at a low resolution.
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-L1 is a decent camera for those who value size over features and photo quality. The L1 is ultra-compact and stylish, and it comes in four colors. While it's easy to hold, some of the controls are microscopic. The LCD is small as well, but it's viewable in both in bright outdoor light and dark rooms. Be warned that there is no optical viewfinder on this camera. Something else you won't find: manual controls. Photo quality is just okay, with details appearing soft and muddy, with vignetting (dark corners) popping up occasionally as well. Colors and exposure were good, however, and purple fringing was not a problem. The L1 offers a VGA movie mode that can keep recording until your memory card is full. Camera performance is very good in all areas, and battery life is above average as well.
Some other negatives include the lack of a macro mode (though you can still get as close as 12 cm in normal shooting modes), a weak flash, redeye, and the lack of a video out port.
If you want a camera that you can take anywhere, and don't plan on making large prints, I do recommend the DSC-L1. If you want more control over your camera's settings, better photo quality, or expandability, you'll probably have to buy a larger camera.
What I liked:
Ultra-compact, stylish metal body; comes in four colors
Robust performance
LCD usable in bright and dim light
AF-assist lamp; good low light focusing
Very good movie mode
Live histogram in record mode
USB 2.0 High Speed supported
Impressive battery life for its size
What I didn't care for:
Images seem soft and muddy; some vignetting
Weak flash
Redeye
No optical viewfinder or video out port
No manual controls or macro mode
Buttons are pretty tiny, as is the LCD display
Software bundle isn't great, though the tutorial is helpful
