Connectivity
Software
The Sony S600 comes with Sony Cyber-shot Viewer software version 1.0 and a Windows USB Driver on CD-ROM.
Jacks, Ports, Plugs
The Sony S600 does have a rubber door covering its USB 2.0 port, but it does not double as an A/V jack. There is no A/V jack anywhere on the camera – and this isn’t just a pre-production quirk. Instead, it’s disappointing; the 2-inch LCD screen has such poor resolution that users will want to hook up their cameras to televisions for slide shows, but this is not possible. There is no jack for a power adaptor either. There is a door for the AA batteries and a door for the MemoryStick slot.
Direct Print Options
The S600 has DPOF and Print options in its playback mode menu. These options specify which pictures and how many of each to print. There is no single button for simplified printing, but the process isn’t terribly difficult to figure out either. This Sony is PictBridge compatible.
Battery
As part of the Sony Stamina series, the S600 has endurance. It uses AA batteries, which are conveniently found at grocery stores all over the world. With standard AAs, the camera can take 160 shots. With the optional NiMH rechargeable AA batteries, the S600 can take 440 shots. The Sony site sells the rechargeable batteries for $8.99 a set, so it’s worth the extra power and money to get the Sony batteries. Sony always has to have a trick up its sleeve, though. The battery charger does not come with the camera either, but nor is it sold separately. The charger only comes in a package with the batteries and a carrying case; the lot is sold for about $35. Still, it’s probably worth the extra 280 shots a charge and the money saved from not having to buy a new set of AAs every 160 shots.
Memory
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S600 accepts MemoryStick Duo or Duo Pro cards. If users want to use the Fine 30 fps movie mode, a Pro card is necessary. The S600 supports Pro cards up to 2 GB. The camera also has 32 MB of internal memory, but unless users are okay with downloading pictures every 5 shots, they’d better purchase more memory. A 256 MB MemoryStick Pro card sells for $45 on the Sony site. With the optional batteries and charger and such, this $199 camera is beginning to cost quite a bit more.
