Sony DSC-F828 Digital Camera Review

by Nathaniel Hansen
Published on July 15, 2004

Navigation
Intro	Testing / Performance
Physical Tour	Components
Design / Layout	Modes
Control Options	Image Parameters
Connectivity / Extras	Overall Impressions
Conclusion	Specs

Manual Control Options
The Sony F828 contains manual control of ISO settings, white balance, exposure, and metering. For an 8 megapixel camera, the F828 grants the required manual controls to take full advantage of its imaging capabilities. Many of these features are accessed through the menu options and the main mode dial. The dial rotates to aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual exposure modes in addition to the auto exposure and full auto modes. The F828 layout makes for easy navigation, covering the controls needed to give the user as much or as little control is desired.

Focus
Auto (7.5)
Auto focus on the Sony DSC-F828 is quick and reliable and can be utilized in any mode. The mode selected may give auto focal priority to an area of the scene, but overall, users should feel very confident with the ability of the auto focus on the Sony DSC-F828. Adjustments are made very quickly, even in poor light, by holding down the shutter button halfway. Once the appropriate focus is obtained, users can snap off their photo. Users should be advised: focusing obviously functions far more like a compact camera's than a DSLR's.

 

Manual (7.5)
Manual focus on the Sony DSC-F828 is controlled with a studded focus ring towards the back of the lens, behind the thicker manual zoom controller. On the left side of the lens barrel, users can switch from automatic to manual focus. When manually focusing, if set to “expanded focus,” the image on the LCD and in the Viewfinder will magnify, allowing users to get images as crisp as possible. This method is not traditional, but is perhaps useful in a digital medium. Look for pixel stepping near the edges and around curves, which seems to indicate that the image is in sharp focus.

The manual focus feature functions wonderfully, but requires an attentive and trained eye. Often what appears to be in focus may actually not be in focus when the images are later reviewed.

Metering (7.5)
Metering mode can be selected to determine the exposure based on a select part of the image. Three different metering options are available on the Sony DSC-F828: multi-pattern metering, center-weighted metering, and spot metering. Each of these settings has its own icon, each somewhat resembling a type of target.

Multi-Pattern Metering-- Multi-pattern metering splits the image up into several zones, relying on the camera to derive the best exposure from the average brightness in each zone. Multi-pattern metering is the default exposure setting for Auto modes.

Center-Weighted Metering-- Center-weighted metering gives exposure priority to the images near the center of the frame.

Spot Metering-- Spot metering permits users to meter subjects directly, regardless of backlight brightness. When the Sony DSC-F828 is set to Spot metering mode, a crosshairs appears in the center of the frame. Whatever falls on or near the crosshairs will be properly exposed.

The metering mode button is on the left side of the Sony DSC-F828, on the lens barrel, and resembles the Japanese flag: a rectangle with a solid circle in the center. Users can access metering mode while in any mode other than automatic. Once pressed, the all-black command dial can be rotated to switch between the various modes. The adjustment made between varying exposures in each mode is relatively quick, with a slight stutter when the image has both under- and overexposed areas. The metering function is easy to engage and easy to navigate, as all that is required is rotation of the black command dial to switch between modes.

These metering modes are easy to get to, and are useful for the various situations users may find themselves having difficulty metering. Although not an exacting science, these somewhat manual modes do allow for some freedom outside the balanced metering option that is the camera's default.

Exposure (7.0)
Manual adjustments can be made via the +/- button on the top right side of the Sony DSC-F828. EV increments ranging between -2.0 to +2.0 are accessible when the button is held and the small black wheel is scrolled through. The EV icon and accompanying measurement appears in the lower left corner of the LCD. The EV control available is adequate for most settings, and depending on the mode, the +/- button will engage other exposure related functions such as aperture and iris settings.

White Balance (8.0)
White balance modes of auto, daylight, cloudy, fluorescent, incandescent, flash, and one-push manual are accessible by depressing the WB button on top of the grip section of the Sony DSC-F828. The auto mode adjusts to different light temperatures relatively seamlessly, and the manual one-push mode makes setting the white balance a breeze. White balancing on a Sony camera is very easy, and much less convoluted and confusing compared to many digital cameras on the market.

ISO (7.5)
ISO, or sensitivity, settings include Auto, 64, 100, 200, 400, and 800. As with any sort of electronic amplification, users should be aware that the lower the setting, the finer the grain or noise in the image. Additionally, more light is required for lower ISO settings. This is an ok range for digital cameras in this price range. I would have expected slightly higher and lower ISO levels, but for the user to which this camera is targeted, the range is appropriate.  

Shutter Speed (6.0)
Shutter speed settings of auto (1/8-1/3200 sec.), program auto (1-1/3200 sec.), shutter priority (30-1/2000), and manual (30-1/3200) are available on the Sony DSC-F828. When the camera is in S, M, or A modes, the shutter speed can be manually adjusted using the all-black dial on the upper right side of the back. When users rotate this dial, the shutter speed digital icon appears, displaying the speed in tenths. Each of these modes are easy to get into and adjustment.

Shutter Speed Priority-- Shutter speed priority allows users to adjust the shutter speed manually. In this setting, aperture is automatically adjusted depending on the brightness of the image. The mode dial on the top of the camera should be set to the “S” icon. Utilizing the black command dial on the upper right of the back of the camera, users can select shutter speeds from 1/2000th to 30 seconds. Shutter speeds longer than one second are displayed as 1”, 30”, etc.

Aperture (5.5)
Aperture Priority-- Aperture priority mode allows users to manually adjust how much light enters through the lens. The aperture is measured in F-stops; the smaller the F-stop, the more light gets captured by the imager. (Or, more traditionally, the celluloid film frame.) Adjusting the aperture also allows users to define the focal range of an image. Shutter speed is automatically adjusted in this mode. To set the Sony DSC-F828 in aperture priority mode, users can set the mode dial to the “A” icon. Using the black command dial, users can rotate through the F-stop selections, which range from f/2.0-f/8.0.

It’s great that Sony has included these features on the Sony DSC-F828. Each of these modes, all easy to set up, will give advanced users manual options often only dreamed for in the sub $1,000 price point. With a little practice and some creativity, these easy to use features could be put to good use.