Product Description

Sony's DSC-N1 opens a new world of shooting and sharing, with 8.1 megapixel performance and internal memory that holds up to 500 VGA images for pocket album viewing anywhere, anytime. A huge 3.0" LCD Monitor with Clear Photo LCD Plus technology provides touch-screen convenience for controlling camera functions and searching thumbnail images -- and Free Spot AF lets you focus on a subject by just touching it on screen. Also features Slide Show capability, Carl Zeiss 3X Optical/6X Digital zoom, 26 MB internal memory for capturing images in-camera, and high-stamina Lithium Ion rechargeable battery. A built-in Memory Stick(R) Duo card slot lets you add additional memory for more practical image storage (J&R advises buying an optional card of 256MB or 512MB). In addition to normal autofocus mode, the DSC-N1 lets you focus on a subject by just touching it on your LCD monitor -- a fast and simple way to adjust focus for complex scenes or moving subjects. A high-stamina NP-BG1 Lithium Ion battery lets the DSC-N1 shoot up to 300 images, giving you plenty of power when traveling or shooting on location Buy optional UC-TNA Cyber-shot(R) Station cradle - Provides USB connector for PC hookup and TV connector for viewing images on large screens -- so when your DSC-N1 comes home, hookup can be quick and simple Full PictBridge compatibility Unit Dimensions (WHD) - 3 13/16? x 2 3/8? x 7/8? (96.7 x 61.1 x 22.7mm) / Weight - 5.5 oz (151 g) body; 6.8 oz. (185 g) including battery and Memory Stick(R) media

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #23389 in Camera & Photo
• Brand: Sony
• Model: DSCN1
• Released on: 2005-11-16
• Dimensions: 3.50" h x 6.70" w x 7.30" l, 2.45 pounds
• Display size: 3

Features

• 8.1-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 16 x 22-inch prints
• 3x optical zoom; huge 3.0-inch LCD display with touch-screen functionality (stylus included)
• 26 MB of internal memory allows you to save up to 500 VGA-size images in any easy-to-access album
• Create slide shows, with pans, fades and zooms and a pre-loaded soundtrack, in the camera without a PC
• Powered by a Lithium-Ion NP-BG1 battery; stores images on Memory Stick Duo or Memory Stick PRO Duo media

From the Manufacturer
Sony adds more enjoyment and value to your digital photography with its new full-featured compact digital camera with built-in photo sharing functions that goes beyond just picture taking.

About the size of a deck of playing cards, the stylish Cybershot DSCN1 is a high-performance, 8-megapixel camera, with an amazingly large, 3.0-inch, touch-screen LCD that is rare for a compact camera of this size. The N1 features a new album function that automatically stores up to 500 of your favorite images in VGA resolution and uses them to create dynamic slide shows with music and transition effects--in the camera.

The Sony N1 features a huge 3.0-inch LCD display that also functions as a touch screen.

All You'll Need in a Compact Camera
Take pictures with the confidence that you'll get excellent picture quality. With the DSCN1's 8-megapixel Super HAD CCD, its resolution is extraordinary for a compact camera. The cameras Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar lens lets you capture images with the utmost sharpness and clarity.

Sonys Real Imaging Processor LSI provides excellent color accuracy and incredibly fast response times. Its advanced power management system delivers long battery life--up to 270 shots per charge (actual battery life depends on usage conditions). With shutter lag minimized to just 9 milliseconds, you won't miss life's most important moments.

Moreover, the N1 offers excellent ISO sensitivity, which is of particular importance when shooting in low-light conditions. You can capture faster action at night with less blur or, in certain conditions, avoid using a flash altogether.

With an optional Memory Stick PRO Duo media card, shooting high-quality video is a breeze. MPEG-VX fine mode allows you to record MPEG video with 640 x 480 pixel resolution at 30 frames per second, up to the capacity of a compatible media card.

Your Pictures on the Big Screen
Now showing pictures to your friends and family is even more enjoyable. The Cybershot N1's 3.0-inch LCD screen is almost the size of an actual photograph--large enough for easy viewing. The camera's menu functions are accessible with your finger or thumb, and its innovative touch-screen interface reduces the need for traditional keys next to the LCD, allowing for a large screen in a very compact body. With Sony's Clear Photo LCD technology, your images will be bright, with high-contrast, and easy to view in virtually any environment.

Store Up to 500 of Your Favorite Photos
The N1's album function automatically stores up to 500 of your favorite images for a "pocket full of memories." By recording each image separately, once in full-resolution and again in 640 x 480 resolution, your favorite images accumulate for easy recall and sharing wherever you go.

A unique paint function allows you to draw symbols or words on the pictures in your in-camera album.

When you release the shutter, the full-resolution image is saved to an optional Memory Stick Duo media card or in the camera's 26 MB of internal memory. Automatically, the image is resized to 640 x 480 and stored in the portion of the camera's internal memory dedicated to the album.

Because you will take hundreds or perhaps thousands of pictures with your N1, the album function lets you protect the images you want to keep, so that over time you will have a collection of your favorite photos with you wherever you go. And with the cameras file management system, you can quickly locate your images; simply search for pictures by the month and date that you originally created them.

Use your finger or the included stylus, shown above, to access menus on the N1's touch screen.

To expand your playback options, you can view your photos on your television, through the optional Cybershot Station cradle, or on your PC. You decide how to share your photos; Sony lets you do it.

For even greater personalization of your photos, the DSCN1 model also has a distinctive paint function that lets you draw symbols or words on the pictures in your album using your finger or the supplied stylus.

Dynamic Slide Shows Without a PC
Now you can bring your photos to life with this latest model's slide show function. The N1 creates slide shows directly on the camera without using a PC. Images can be played back with such advanced features as transitions, pans, wipes, fades and zooms, choreographed to pre-loaded soundtracks. You can also use your own music, using the cameras supplied software. With the cameras built-in speaker, your slide shows are sure to have that cinematic effect with sound to complete the experience.

More for Your Memories
Sony has even more ideas for enjoying your cameras pictures and sharing them with family and friends. Connect the N1 model to a Sony DPP-FP50 digital photo printer (not included--must be purchased separately) and make prints at home or turn them into postcards or even calendars.

Whats in the Box
Sony N1 digital camera, Lithium Ion battery, battery charger, multi-connector cable, wrist strap, stylus, and software CD-ROM.

Customer Reviews

SONY's DSC-N1 has delivered another unique great performer
Sony has once again delivered another unique pocket camera. It delivers great high resolution images with good detail and saturation. When I set up the camera, in the menu system, I set the saturation and sharpness up one tick; I also set the, what appears to be a huge 3" LCD touch-screen monitor up to brighter level. What a incredible difference going from 2" to 3" monitopr size. One can really share the shot captured with family and friends... With this done, the camera produces great images from the pocket. The flash seems significantly brighter than the "T" series cameras. I purchased a spare battery and SONY's high speed 1GB data card, which will hold over 250 images at the my recommended highest resolution setting. Also set the video to "Hi Resolution Fine" 640x480 mode. The videos are stunning, vivid, and compete with typical tape video camera performance, for the casual viewer. May be over-spoken, but, the video quality is so good comming from this little footprint, the results are shockingly positive.

There are a number of sites including SONY's site, and www.dpreview.com which describes the camera in exhaustive detail, so I will not repeat these facts here. I am an adjunct faculty member of Florida Altantic University, FAU, teaching "Principles of Digital Photography and Post Image Processing," Pearson Education, 2004. To help our students with their study of this topic I attempt to keep up with the latest releases of digital camera equipment. Go to the site address a part of www.416-1100.com site, to see images from this exciting new camera. FYI, I purchased this camera for my personal use and am delightd with its performance. I also have professional Canon digital SLRS, however I cannot put them in my pocket. There are trade-offs with a pocket camera, but this little masterpiece has what it takes to capture those pictures, when carrying a SLR is not convenient. Jim Wilson, quesitons email directly to FAU@bellsouth.net for further Q&A.

(...)

not for beginners ?
N-1. i have migrated continuously from the p5 to p10 to p100, and p150 and lastly the p200 as they were released. this n-1 is pretty different from them, but yet familiar. they returned the on-camera trimming and movie editing, which i like(d). they also made this new one very light, and quick. sadly, it requires yet another docking station, since both the p100/150 and the p200 don't fit the N-1. also missing is a charging slot on the camera, so the station is more important here. but they include a wall plugin converter for the battery. the battery is also yet another new size and shape.

TOUCH SCREEN. the coolest new feature is the touch screen, which replaces all of the buttons except the zoom. the screen is large and adult fingers can navigate easily. but they give you a small plastic stylus which clips onto the leash. this operates all electronic controls except the zoom. the screen is so large that you can really review your work without downloading to a pc, and sharing with others is easier. this 3 inch screen has 9 times more real estate than the p100, which cost the same when it was new. which also means it has 4 times more real estate than the flagship f-828, also an 8 megapixel.

PAINT, or a small version of it, is in the camera, so you can edit an image on camera, then write or scribble with lines, curves and colors. there is also a stencil function with hearts, snowflakes, etc. also with colors. and the eraser, of course. saving an edited image creates a new file, preserving the original image.

BUILT IN MEMORY/ALBUM. new to sony is the built in memory which keeps a rolling 500 thumb image library for every shot, in an album. it also stores the pictures taken when the film chip is not inserted. finding my images across these two locations was confusing at first, but you can copy from/to each to the other.

DUO. unfortunately, a reguler memory stick doesn't fit the n-1. the smaller duo is not included. i bought a 2 gig sandisk for $170. from dell, and they come with a converter for a memory stick slot, so you don't need to buy that for $ 10. from sony. a 4 gig sandisk memory stick is only $ 260. at dell, and these are both the currently largest available for their respective size.

DSC - NICE ONE
I was looking all around for an ultracompact camera. I was on the fence between the Canons (SD400, 450, 500 and 550), Nikon S1 and the Sony DSCT1. While the SD500 and SD550 were top of the line (fantastic image quality), all of them have their shortcomings. There is no such thing as a perfect point and shoot digital camera. Just before I made my purchase though, I was lucky enough to come across the Sony DSC-N1 on www.StevesDigicams.com. My first digital camera was a Sony (DSCP1). I did love it, but poor battery performance and expensive proprietary accessories led me to jump the Sony ship. Within the following 5 years, I acquired the Canon EOS D60, the Canon S60, and the Canon S410. So let me just say, I am a Canon guy. I gave the S410 away as a gift and decided to get a new ultracompact. Enter the Sony DSCN1.

The camera sports the largest LCD (3 inches), which at the same time is a touchscreen. There are hardly any physical buttons on the camera itself. For an ultracompact, there is an unusual amount of manual control (Aperture, Shutter Speed, White Balance, ISO speed, Color Saturation, Contrast, Flash Levels, Sharpness, etc.). The shutter speed can be set from 30 seconds to 1/1000 of a second. Aperture ranges from f2.8 to f16. You can even compose your picture, and then touch the screen to select which object you want to be in focus.

Like many other ultracompacts, there is no viewfinder on the N1. All your shots are composed on the LCD. Some think this is a "con", but I honestly don't know why one would really need the viewfinder. Perhaps the bright LCD may be problematic in a dark theater where you are bootlegging the latest Sony Pictures release... Picture quality is excellent. Focusing is very quick and COMPLETELY silent. Macro performance was impressive. The camera itself powers on quickly so it's honestly only about 2 seconds before you get your first shot.

The camera comes with 26MB of onboard storage for pictures and supports the Memory Stick Duo storage cards (Why so proprietary Senor Sony?). It is an ultracompact, but it is on the larger side of the ultracompacts. It will drop into your shirt pocket but there will be a noticeable bulge... It's about the size (slightly thicker) of a deck of cards. The N1 sports 3x optical zoom, but an oddly diminutive 2x digital zoom. You would think it would be harder to incorporate optical zoom than digital but whatever. That should not keep you from this camera. You can easily zoom in and crop after you put your photo on your computer. 8.1 megapixels affords you great license in that arena. There is only one thing that seems pretty inconvenient. It takes hours to charge the tiny little battery. It took me about 4 hours to finish my initial charge and the manual suggests that you leave it in an additional hour after the light goes off to get it to maximum charge.

This is clearly an awesome camera. I saw a rating of 6.6 on Cnet.com and am still scratching my head over that one. Meanwhile their readers rated it 8.5 on average. Like I said, there is no such thing as a perfect point and shoot digital camera, but the Sony DSC-N1 packs quite a punch. I'm going to date this review by saying I paid $450 for mine (I'm going to be pissed in a year's time when it's going for a hundred dollars less). It retails for $499. While the price can be considered high, the value is definitely just as high. I highly recommend this amazing little gadget.

Pros:
8.1 Megapixels
Awesome Touchscreen Controls
Good Battery Life (well over 200 shots)
Photo Album/Slideshow Review
Manual Focus Targeting
ISO - 64, 100, 200, 400, 800
Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar Lens
Good flash range

Cons:
- It takes 4-5 hours to charge the battery
- Bulky Ultracompact
- LCD gets fingerprints
- Pricy (mine was $450)
- 2x Digital Zoom