T1 Disaster Pictures Examples for you to see

[jrichmond]

Yes, noise reduction does at times change colors.

[amazingthailand]

Personally, I think you are expecting too much from the camera. What you bought was a very small compact 5MP take everywhere camera. But honestly, even my S2 would produce photos that looked similar, if I did not hold it very steady.

Sony's response was not saying there was a problem with the camera, just explaining how it worked.

Declan

[jrichmond]

Yes, but this is not only undocumented in the manual (leading a reasonable person to believe there is a bug) but does cause a problem. It is under difficult light conditions that you are most likely to want to adjust a number of settings, but you have the choice only of program mode without the ability to switch off noise reduction -- resulting in pictures which are often nothing short of grotesque -- or auto mode, which allows no flexibility. The small size of the camera and the inability to use a tripod also compounds problems of camera shake.

All I know is that I have taken many shots under similar conditions in the past without noticing problems which are serious with this camera. I note that few reviews have as yet appeared and that this information will be useful to reviewers who can then check this out and decide for themselves.

[mestleman]

I may not get my F55 for another week because USPS is
so slow. Can you kindly upload a low light shot taken with
a F55 just like you did with the above? I'd like to see how
it really performs against the T1. I've been analyzing the
past few days and visualizing how it should theoretically
look like taken into account the data sheet. Some state
low light shot of the F55 would come out black because
its faster shutter is 1/30 second. Anyway, I should have
asked for your sample pic before paying the bid at ebay
(which I can't returned to the seller).

matt

[jrichmond]

Here is a picture taken recently with the F55.

Note: To be fair, there isn't any motion here, while there's plenty in the shopping center scene.

But, you'll note that this shot is sharp in all areas, while the T1 shots often lack sharpness even in areas without motion. There is a good feeling of balance here, and also depth.

The F55 has no white balance settings, and I have corrected out a reddish hue. I would not know where to begin correcting the scenes taken with the T1.

As I have stressed, I am not recommending people to run out and get F55s as many of this model's characteristics are updated. It does seem to do better than the T1 at avoiding camera shake and image processing problems, however, and I continue to recommend purchasing the T1 because of its basic dysfunctionality.

[jrichmond]

The asia.cnet.com review of the T1 says what I've been saying:

"Similarly confounding is the absence of a tripod mount. Although the DSC-T1 sports a HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD sensor, which permits more light to enter the CCD, the camera is unable to take credible low-light photos unlike previous HAD-equipped Cyber-shots. The absence of the mount makes this feature useless as you'll have trouble stabilizing the unit, let alone bother with composition and exposure."

I've also mentioned the tendencyt to overexpose, which the
review captures:

"In terms of image quality, the DSC-T1 delivered average-quality 5-megapixel photos. In our shots outdoors, we found the Cyber-shot had a tendency to blow out highlights in its default multi-pattern metering mode. Changing to spot metering generally gave us decent exposures for such situations. Like most fashion cams, this Sony's optimized for point-and-shoot photography, offering average performance in terms of dynamic range. The colors captured, on the other hand, were pleasing."

Review is at:

http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/digital...16862p,00.htm?

[jrichmond]

The asia.cnet.com review of the T1 says what I've been saying:

"Similarly confounding is the absence of a tripod mount. Although the DSC-T1 sports a HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD sensor, which permits more light to enter the CCD, the camera is unable to take credible low-light photos unlike previous HAD-equipped Cyber-shots. The absence of the mount makes this feature useless as you'll have trouble stabilizing the unit, let alone bother with composition and exposure."

I've also mentioned the tendencyt to overexpose, which the
review captures:

"In terms of image quality, the DSC-T1 delivered average-quality 5-megapixel photos. In our shots outdoors, we found the Cyber-shot had a tendency to blow out highlights in its default multi-pattern metering mode. Changing to spot metering generally gave us decent exposures for such situations. Like most fashion cams, this Sony's optimized for point-and-shoot photography, offering average performance in terms of dynamic range. The colors captured, on the other hand, were pleasing."

Review is at:

http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/digital...16862p,00.htm?

[mestleman]

Hey, great F55 shot It's such an improvement over
the T1. I wonder if its all about pixel sensor size. The F55
has about 20um pixel while the T1 has 7um (or so). This
means more light fall on the 20um F55 sensor, and the T1
smaller pixel size can introduce more noise to its
neighboring pixels resulting in total loss of contrast.
This is the theory I'm thinking. However, since the V1
pixel size is not far from the T1. The V1 should perform
somewhat badly too. Anyone can confirm or deny
this. If the V1 perform the same as the F55, then it's
the small lens and internal prisms for the built in
zoom responsible for the bad picture in the T1.
About the F77. I've visited and researched about
it yesterday in many sites. I wonder how well it
perform versus the V1. The F77 pixel sensor size
is similar to the Canon Powershot S45. So we have
to see the performance of the Canon in low light. Come
on, anyone who has low light pics taken at night. Pls.
share it. I'd like to decide whether to get the V1, Canon
S45, or F77. My application is low light shots just like
Richmond. If none of them produce satisfactory
image, then I'll get more F55 for backup. You know what.
The F55 may have few setting adjustments. But after
one month spending time with all the advanced settings
of the T1 and mastering them, I'd say that optical quality is
what counts. The F55 may have few adjustment but it
produces better image than the T1.

matt

[amazingthailand]

Again, the T1 is a general purpose point and shoot camera. However, I do believe that it is possible to obtain good low light photos with the T1, if the photographer takes the time to perfect the skill required to do so.

Perhaps with your skill set, or with the amount of effort you are willing to devote to it, the T1 is not the night shot camera for you.

A good photographer does not blame his tools.

Declan

[nicke2323]

I started a thread at dpreview yesterday in which I requested low-light pictures taken with the T1:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...essage=7363646

One response so far, with a very dark parking lot picture. Not bad, but no movement.