Sony Cyber-shot DSC-F828

- 8 megapixel sensor allows for quality image capturing
- Ease of use and overall handling
- Mechanical manual zoom
- Hot accessory shoe
- Dual media formats
- Multiple format image compression
- Look and feel      Dislikes- Highly visible noise in certain settings, worse than that of 5 and 6 megapixel cameras
- Forced auto review
- Barrel distortion at wide angles

Pros and Cons
There are several handling features that I like on the Sony DSC-F828, namely the rotating body/lens. I often find myself straining or working to get into a position to see through the viewfinder on traditional SLR cameras, and the fact that I can rotate the camera’s body to suit my needs is very appealing. I also like some of the more professional options available on the Sony DSC-F828, such as the live histogram display and the multi-format compression options.

Conclusion
The Sony DSC-F828 is an improvement over the Sony DSC-F717 and Sony DSC-F707. By keeping the lens-centric design, and enhancing the look and feel with a more contoured body and lens barrel hinge and a sleek black design, as well as adding the mechanical zoom, the Sony DSC-F828 is a prosumer digital camera to be reckoned with. The DSC-F828 handles extremely well, despite the unique design. The forced auto review delay and the pseudo burst modes, as well as the slow write speed in some modes, most notably RAW, may leave some trigger happy users twiddling their thumbs.

The Sony DSC-F828 is a fast prosumer digital camera with a zoom that’s adjusted as fast as the users’ hands are able to make the adjustments. The DSC-F828 has equally quick manual settings that perform well in good and low light settings. The menu and internal navigation and layout is top notch, and very intuitive. Fine tuning in any of the priority manual modes is also intuitive and easy. Some work with the manual may be in order for new Sony users, but this is expected with any new electronics product.

The DSC-F828’s biggest sore point is image quality. There is much more noise and color inaccuracy than was originally expected from a camera boasting a 4 color filter enhanced 8 megapixel CCD. The Sony DSC-F828 picture image quality is comparable to that of a 5 megapixel imager, and users should be prepared for somewhat noisy and grainy images when put to close scrutiny.

Overall, the Sony F828 is a digital camera that I would recommend to the consumer wanting to move up from the higher-end consumer cameras. This is one of the most convenient and comfortable digital cameras to use and hold. The menu is one of the most intuitive and easy to use on the market, and the mechanical lens and manual focus are top notch. The DSC-F828 has some prosumer features that newer users can ease into. Experienced users should check this digital camera out as should other manufacturers, as some of the design implementations could be implemented and improved upon in model lines across the board. This is not an SLR camera, so experienced users seeking that type of digital camera should look elsewhere.