Sony Cybershot DSC-T500 10.1MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom with Super Steady Shot Image Stabilization

Product Description Sony Cybershot DSC-T500 10.1MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom with Super Steady Shot Image Stabilization
With Sony's Smile Shutter technology, the DSCT300 helps automatically capture smiles as they happen, while Face Detection technology helps deliver accurate, natural images of family and friends. You can expect stunning detail and color thanks to its 10.1-megapixel resolution, Carl Zeiss 5x optical zoom lens, and intelligent scene recognition mode.

Product Details
Amazon Sales Rank: #107 in Camera & Photo
Brand: Sony
Model: DSC-T500
Dimensions: 2.75" h x .90" w x 4.20" l, .90 pounds
Display size: 3.5
Included Software: Yes
Features
10.1-megapixel Super HAD CCD image sensor
Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 5x optical zoom lens; Optical SteadyShot image stabilization
HD Movie Mode records 720p high definition video
Face Detection technology captures faces naturally;
4MB internal memory; capture images to Memory Stick Duo Media or Memory Stick PRO Duo Media

Editorial Reviews Sony Cybershot DSC-T500 10.1MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom with Super Steady Shot Image Stabilization

Manufacturer's Description
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T500 digital camera features 10.1-megapixel resolution, 5x zoom, Optical SteadyShot image stabilization, and Face Detection technology, as well as the ability to record 720p high-definition video and even take a picture while recording. After shooting, you can play your videos back on the large 3.5-inch LCD touch-screen display, on your PC, or your compatible HDTV. HD videos are recorded in the MPEG4 format, which offers superb image quality in a smaller file size than comparable video formats. Cyber-shot DSC-T500 Highlights 10.1-megapixel Super HAD CCD image sensorA powerful 10.1-megapixel 1/2.3-inch Super HAD CCD image sensor helps you capture gorgeous images with superb contrast and clarity down to the finest detail. With 10.1 megapixels, you can create stunning, photo-quality prints up to A3 size, or crop your images and still come away with high resolution shots. Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 5x optical zoom lensThe newly developed Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens enables close-up shooting up to just 4/10 inches (1cm) from the subject (in Magnifying Glass Mode), while the optical 5x telescopic zoom offers superior visual acuity for a compact digital camera. 3.5-inch Clear Photo LCD Plus touch-screen displayCompose and review your images on a large, bright 3.5-inch widescreen LCD (230K) display, and use the touch-screen interface to navigate menus, specify focus points, or zoom in on the pictures you've taken for a closer look at details. Capture HD MovieWith the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T500, you can quickly and easily record video in 720p high definition1, and even take up to three pictures per movie sequence while shooting. HD videos are recorded in the MPEG4 AVC/H.264 format, which offers superb image quality in a smaller file size than other comparable video formats. This smaller file size lets you record more to your Memory Stick Duo Media, as well as upload them to Internet sharing sites to share with friends and family. Face Detection technologyFace Detection technology detects up to eight individual faces and adjusts focus and exposure to deliver crisp, properly lit images of family and friends. Double Anti-blur SolutionThe combination of Optical SteadyShot image stabilization and High ISO sensitivity helps compensate for shaky hands, minimizes blur, and allows flash-free shooting to preserve the mood. Optical SteadyShot image stabilizationOptical SteadyShot image stabilization uses a built-in gyro sensor to detect camera shake and automatically shifts the lens to help prevent blur without sacrificing image quality.

High Sensitivity ISO 3200High Sensitivity ISO allows for faster shutter speed, so you can take pictures indoors or in low light without the need for a flash. In addition to High Sensitivity Mode (ISO), you can select up to eight ISO settings (Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200) when shooting in Program Auto Mode to adjust sensitivity to your shooting conditions. High Sensitivity Mode for MoviesWhen shooting movies in low-light situations, you can use High Sensitivity mode to help ensure clear results. Convenient photo modesChoose from eleven convenient photo modes to quickly adjust for specific shooting conditions. Photo modes include Auto, Program Auto, and Scene selections, such as High Sensitivity, Soft Snap, Twilight Portrait, Twilight, Landscape, High Speed Shutter, Beach, Snow, and Fireworks. Function GuideThis beginner-friendly optional function helps navigate through the various functions and settings displaying the description of chosen functions or settings on the LCD screen. 16:9 High Resolution ModeUsing the 16:9 High Resolution Mode, you can record high resolution images in the 16:9 aspect ratio favored by HDTVs. This setting is ideal if you plan to view your images on a compatible HDTV and invite friends and family members over for a slideshow. 4MB internal memoryWith 4MB of internal memory, you can still capture a limited number of shots, even without using Memory Stick Duo Media, then transfer them to your PC or removable Memory Stick Duo Media at a later time. Memory Stick Duo Media ConvenienceA built-in slot accepts Memory Stick Duo Media or Memory Stick PRO Duo Media. Both sold separately. Stamina Battery PowerProvides extended battery life and shooting capacity when using a fully-charged lithium-ion battery. View and Share HDTV compatibilityView your photos and movies in high definition on your Sony BRAVIA or similar compatible HDTV using the supplied multi-output stand with HDMI connectivity. Just connect the multi-output stand to an HDTV with an HDMI cable (sold separately), then place your Cyber-shot DSC-T500 on the stand. It’s the perfect way to share your memories with friends and family members. BRAVIA SyncWhen connected to a BRAVIA Sync enabled BRAVIA HDTV via HDMI output on the supplied multi-output stand (HDMI cable required, sold separately), the Cyber-shot playback screen will automatically display, and you can control camera playback using your BRAVIA HDTV remote control. Just press the Sync button on the remote to display a dedicated menu. Such easy operation makes viewing your photos and videos on a large-screen TV even more enjoyable. PhotoTV HDBring your photos to life and enjoy highly detailed, HD 1920x1080 images with PhotoTV HD-capable Sony BRAVIA HDTVs. PhotoTV HD fine tunes settings on your HDTV, such as sharpness, gradation, and color to display images that look more like actual printed photographs. Wide Zoom displayTo use the entire image area of the compatible HDTV screen, Wide Zoom display automatically expands standard 4:3 and 3:2 images to 16:9. PHOTOMUSIC featurePHOTOMUSIC combines images with music to produce fun and entertaining slide shows. Select from five visual effects (Simple, Basic, Nostalgic, Active, and Stylish) and four pre-loaded tracks on camera or transfer your own music from a PC. In-Camera Retouching Tools Retouch and enhance your pictures on the go with three in-camera editing functions: Trimming, Red-Eye Correction, and Partial Color. Multi-Purpose Resize functionThe Multi-Purpose Resize function lets you change the aspect ratio of an image right in the camera, so you can adjust images as necessary, whether you want to display them on a compatible HDTV, email them or upload them to a blog. Picture Motion Browser ver. 3.1: Sony Picture Motion Browser (PMB) software provides a simple, easy-to-use way to transfer video and still images to your PC, as well as sort, edit, and output to data disc and the Internet.

Customer Reviews Sony Cybershot DSC-T500 10.1MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom with Super Steady Shot Image Stabilization

Very dissapointing. Video quality is poor and time between shots is very slow. I run a photography studio, so I know a little about cameras. Although, we do not use point and shoot cameras for our business we do use them day to day and on vacation because we hate carrying the big boys around. I have been a long time user of Canon cameras (both professional and point and shoot) and I have always been extremely pleased with them. However, my wife and I wanted a small camera that could take some high def video because we presumed that would give us better video quality. We also wanted a camera that you could optical zoom while recording video. When we bought this camera 4 months ago, there were not any Canon point and shoots with high def video so we bought this Sony. I have always been a big fan of Sony consumer electronics and recommend them to my friends all the time. However, I am very disappointed with the DSC-T500 for the following reasons: 1.) Though the video is "high def" the quality is almost always poorer than what we get out of our old Canon which takes standard def. Now, if you are taking a video outside with good lighting conditions, this camera does an awesome job and the high def quality is great to have. However, when inside or if lighting is not perfect than the video you receive is very poor because it is grainy and the coloring is always off. Everything looks very red when videoed inside. 2.) The picture quality is WAY below that of my Canons. The flash is always too strong and washes out anything within 6 feet of the camera. However, if the subject is more than 15 feet away the flash is too weak and cannot lighten them up at all. 3.) The camera is slower to take a picture than my Canons. Also, the refresh rate on the flash is miserably slow. If you take a picture with a flash you will definitely be waiting at least 3-5 seconds before it is ready to take another. When trying to photograph my children, that is an eternity. 4.) The battery life is abysmal. We had to take three batteries for this camera on our recent trip because it would always go through at least 2 every day. My Canons never did anything even remotely like this. You can literally watch the battery meter fall while recording a video. I haven't seen a digital camera go through batteries like this in over 7 years. I definitely would NOT recommend this camera to anyone. The only feature this camera fulfilled that we wanted is that it can optically zoom while recording and does a fine job with that. However, since the video recording is so poor this feature is basically worthless, too.
Worst Sony yet... Of all my 3 T-series cameras, this is by far the worst. First, the IQ is ok, better than the T30 but not as good as my Panasonic TZ5. The 720p video quality is however, awesome, almost as good as my VadoHD 720p pocket camcorder. The fatal flaw in the T500 is the HORRIBLE touch screen and the goofy menu structure. Believe me, you will hate this approach. Lo-res screen, fingerprints everywhere, dim in bright daylight, buttons that require many presses to register. Finally, did I mention the 20-minute battery life? I could not even review 125 images I had taken over the course of a week without draining a freshly-charged battery.
Amazing Camera if you are fine with its Limitations! I purchased this camera recently from Amazon as an alternative to the slow in coming Samsung HZ10W and have really been amazed by what it can do! About the size of a deck of cards, the Sony T-500's big selling point to me was the availability of stereo HD (720p) Video in MP4 format, something extremely scarce in any digital camera to date. This was my second attempt to get a compact HD shooter - the first was a Kodak Z1275 that seriously disappointed with its choppy video that was jumpy and would actually shift the entire picture to follow moving objects due to a lack of IS. Thus, I was quite skeptical of getting usable results from a camera that looked like a chic hipster tagalong. My skepticism has been silenced. The MP4 results are very stabilized, very clean, and play with pretty good fluidity on my somewhat under-powered box. When zooming in outdoor situations, it has never lost focus. Stereo separation is really pretty good, and overall sound quality is excellent. The compact size is very discreet and makes it a great option when you want to shoot video with a more candid feel. In short, it is amazing. Yes, this is a camera as well, and I've used it a bit in that regard as well, though not as much as the video feature. Overall, colors are very punchy (somewhat too punchy in the VIVID mode) and you may find the need to notch up the exposure by .3 to .6 stops (an available option) to keep from muting out shadow details. Other than EV compensation, there is no real manual exposure control when taking photos. There is a bracketing mode if you're shooting still lifes though. Once the novelty of the video feature wears off a bit, I'm sure I'll do more stills and report back. The camera has a whole lot going for it, but perfect it isn't. Read on for some of its limitations. First of all, keep in mind that this is ideally an outdoor camera, as it doesn't have the fastest lens. I have yet to attempt dusk or night shots or video, but certainly will in time. If you plan on taking the camera travelling or out for a day, you will almost certainly need to budget for at least one backup battery before buying this camera, as it likes to drink juice thanks in part to the huge 3.5" touchscreen on the back. You'll discover this is NOT the camera to pass around to show all your friends the last shot or clip you all took - if you do, you'll find yourself soon looking at a dead battery. This is probably the biggest shortcoming about the camera, but if you can be patient about reviewing your shots and conservative about having the camera on unneccessarily, you should be ok. It does go from off to ready VERY quickly, so this does help combat the need to keep it on at all times. The 5X zoom covers roughly a 38-190mm equivalent on a 35mm range, so it should be good for most settings, but some may wish for wider or longer options. Also, when stowing the camera in a waistcase, it's easy to mistakenly switch from video setting to camera setting, so this should probably be the first thing to check when taking the camera out. Overall, the camera feels sturdily constructed and with just decent TLC, should provide the purchaser with years of enjoyment. The form factor on this camera is really nice, and is only nicer when one considers that it has the function to match. Four out of Five Stars with the only drawbacks being battery life, and the general nuissance of the need to use propietary media and power supplies.