Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T5

Value (6.0)
The market is saturated with slim digital cameras that all have the same specs: 5 megapixels, 3x optical zoom lenses, and 2.5-inch LCD screens, although very few provide 230,000 pixel screens. As you will see in the comparison section, most of these models also have the same $350 retail price that the Sony Cyber-shot T5 has. The T5 is one of the more reasonably priced Sony digital cameras, as some of their other sleek models reach upwards of $500. Just looking at the specs, this is a good value. However, after testing the camera out and getting lots of blurry pictures due to the inability of the camera to boost the shutter speed, I wouldn’t even pay $350 for it. However, if adequate lighting is available, overall image quality is strong.

Comparisons
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T33 – The T33 has a more rectangular shape at 3.9 x 2.4 x 0.8 inches, but weighs a little more at 4.4 ounces without the card and battery. It has 5.1 megapixels and appears to be a copy of the T5 in many ways. They have the same 3x optical zoom lenses, mode selections, white balance modes, ISO and shutter speed ranges, and 2.5-inch LCD screens. The biggest difference between the T33 and the T5 is the sliding lens cover. The T33 doesn’t have any sort of cover, which leaves its lens slightly vulnerable. However, the Sony T5’s cover can be a curse when it accidentally slides and turns the camera off. The Sony T33 does not have internal memory, but does include a Cyber-shot Station camera dock. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T33 retails for the same $349.99.

Fujifilm FinePix Z1 – The stylish metal Z1 is very skinny, like the T5, and comes in a sleek black color. Fujifilm’s Z1 has 5 megapixels, a 3x optical zoom lens, and a 2.5-inch LCD screen – all in a 3.5 x 2.2 x 0.7-inch camera body. Weighing 5.3 ounces, the Z1 adds an ISO 800 setting that produced fairly low noise when manually set. Despite this feature, the camera still had substandard performance in low light and color testing. The Z1 does not have a burst mode, but does have five scene modes, an automatic mode, and a movie mode that shoots VGA and QVGA clips at 30 fps. Still, its movie mode doesn’t offer the white balance and metering options that the Sony T5 does. The Fujifilm FinePix Z1 retails for $450.

Konica Minolta DiMAGE X60 – This camera is a little stouter than the T5 with dimensions of 3.3 x 2.2 x 0.9 inches, giving it a more square form. Similar features are offered on this model: 5 megapixels, a 3x optical zoom lens with sliding door, and seven scene modes. The automatically oriented X60 has the same 2.5-inch size LCD screen, but it washes out easily in difficult lighting and has only 115,000 pixels of resolution. Images are much noisier and the burst mode and start-up times are slower on the X60. The movie mode can only shoot at a 320 x 240 size, which is half of what the Sony T5 can do. The Konica Minolta X60 has 15 MB of internal memory and retails for $350.


Nikon Coolpix S2 – This model looks very similar to the Sony T5 with its silver metal body and sliding lens cover. The Nikon S2 has a 2.5-inch LCD screen like the T5, but it comes with much less resolution at 110,000 pixels. Like many other slim models, the Coolpix S2 has a 3x optical zoom lens that does not extend from the camera. With 5 megapixels, the Nikon S2 comes with a technology set that includes in-camera red-eye fix, D-lighting compensation, and face priority auto focus. The digital camera also comes with 15 scene modes. The slim S2 comes with a Nikon COOLSTATION for easy uploading, recharging, and printing, and retails for $450.

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters – This digital camera is made for point-and-shooters. All that is required of the user is to open the sliding lens cover and the automatic settings on the camera take over. Just point and shoot. Simple.

Budget Consumers – This model ranks right with its competition in the $350 price range. It isn’t exceptionally cheap, but it isn’t overpriced either. Budget consumers could justify purchasing a Sony T5 online, where it can usually be found for considerably less than the retail price.

Gadget Freaks – The Sony brand name usually attracts gadget freaks, but there aren’t any interesting features here for the anxious gadget-seeker.

Manual Control Freaks – Without a manual white balance mode or manual options for shutter speed and aperture, manual control freaks will be freaked out to know they can only adjust the ISO and exposure value.

Pros / Serious Hobbyists – This segment of the market would only be drawn to the pocket-portability provided by the Sony T5. Pros and serious hobbyists would likely rather have a point-and-shoot camera that offers more control over the image or spend their $350 toward a new lens or flash accessory.