Digital Camera Review

First Impressions Review

Jan 05, 2006 - By Emily Raymond
Sony announced the Cyber-shot DSC-M2 in January as the successor to the hybrid M1. The M2 has 5.1 megapixels on its 1/2.5-inch Super HAD CCD and the power of a Real Imaging Processor – just like the M1. Both models have Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 3x optical zoom lenses as well. They share similar dimensions and the same vertical design that makes them reminiscent of cell phones. The Sony M2 has not only still and video recording modes, but adds a Hybrid Record Mode that merges them further. The mode records 5 seconds of video, takes a full resolution shot, then finishes with 3 more seconds of video. The hybrid camera has a nice movie mode complete with editing functions, stereo audio, and optical zoom. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-M2 also claims to have “advanced circuitry for bright, low noise images,” according to the Sony web site. The digital camera has 57 MB of internal memory which it uses as a pocket album to hold up to 1,100 VGA-quality shots. Users can play slide shows complete with transitions on the 2.5” LCD screen and even listen to background music while they do so. The Sony M2 comes with a Cyber-shot Station cradle and will be available in January for about $500.
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Connectivity
Software
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-M2 comes with a suite of software that includes the standard Picture Package that comes with most Sony digital cameras. This software has basic editing features and adds a function that imports background music for the camera’s slide shows. The M2 also comes with Nero Vision Express 3 software that edits movie footage and burns DVDs.

Jacks, Ports, Plugs
The M2 comes with a Sony Cyber-shot Station cradle that eases transfer of images and video to the television and computer while charging the lithium-ion battery within the camera. The M2 has a jack that connects to the cradle. Users can connect directly with the camera’s DC in port, but must use the cradle to connect to the USB and A/V out ports. This is a great setup if the camera is used primarily at home. The cradle can always be connected to the computer or printer. However, if you’re on the road and you’re trying to pack light, do you really want to bring the cradle along with the camera? I wouldn’t want to carry it around, but I’d have to if I wanted to download images to a laptop to relieve my memory card.

Direct Print Options
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-M2 is PictBridge compatible. From the Playback menu, printing is simple. Users can add individual pictures to the DPOF print order or they can print all pictures at once. There is no single button to print photos like on Kodak or Canon digital cameras, but it really isn’t difficult to figure this feature out.

Battery
The Sony M2 has an InfoLithium NP-FT1 battery that recharges within the camera body when it is docked at the included Sony Cyber-shot Station cradle. According to Sony, It survives 210 shots before needing a recharge.

Memory
This digital camera has a lot more included memory than most models. Many compact cameras have 16 or 32 MB at most, but the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-M2 has a vault of 57 MB. This supports the camera’s built-in photo album feature. For every full resolution shot taken, a smaller 640 x 480-pixel copy is stored in the internal photo album. Up to 1,100 shots of that size can be stored for easily accessible slide shows. The camera also has a slot for Sony MemoryStick Duo and Duo Pro cards.

Other Features
Hybrid Record Mode - The Sony M2 records five seconds of video, then snaps a still image at full resolution, and then tops it off with a three second video. This feature is definitely unique to the Sony M2, although its true functionality is questionable. It seems like this will only lead to tiny random movie clips scattered across a computer’s hard drive.

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