Sony Cybershot DSC-T200 8.1MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom with Super Steady Shot Image Stabilization (Red) | Discount Price: $259.99
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Brand: Sony
Binding: Electronics
Release Date: 2007-09-21
Features: - 8.1-megapixel Super HAD CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 16 x 22-inch prints
- Carl Zeiss 5x optical zoom lens; up to 25x Smart Zoom feature
- 3.5-inch widescreen, touch-panel Clear Photo LCD Plus
- Face Detection technology (up to 8 faces); In-camera retouching
- 31MB built-in memory; compatible with Memory Stick media (not included)
Very disappointing follow up to my T100 [Posted on 2008-04-26]
I wanted a camera that would sit in my pocket wherever I was and that I could whip out whenever, take a shot and pop it away again. I wanted to get photos in the pub, in houses, out in parks, wherever. The photos would then sit in my Windows Media Center and play as slideshows (on my TV) while my Music is playing.
The T100 was great. While the focus wasn't ideal (a bit 'soft'), it took great snaps with 'actual' representations of where I was without the use of a flash. So the indoor/evening shots were a true reflection of what it was like to be there. I fell utterly in love with the camera without realising it. Until I dropped it into the Irish Sea.
I was devastated. Gutted. Really gutted. I missed that last set of photos (sailing around the south coast of Ireland over four days and there were some amazing scenes in there - now they sleep with the fishes) 'cos they were irreplaceable but I was going straight out to buy that brilliant camera again. It was superb.
Unfortunately, I then found that I would not be able to buy another one as they were end-of-line and none of the local stores stocked them. So I figured I'd go for its updated brother, the T200.
It's now 6 months later and I'm really disappointed. The OS has changed so the three basic presets that I used to use are gone and the new versions don't deliver photos that are even good, let alone near the quality of it's predecessor. I used to 'wow' people with the photos it took. Now they're blurry messes, overexposed startlers or underexposed duds.
I have spent a few mornings, afternoons and evenings trying out various settings, using stands to prevent blur on low exposure settings (which I never needed to do with the T100) and experimenting with the new OS features to no avail. So unhappy overall.
I'm stuck with it though, so I have learned to enjoy some benefits. Both cameras tolerated rain and water well but being touch screen the T200 feels more waterproof and, surprisingly, more robust. The touch screen works even when I've got my gloves on. The large screen is nice but don't be fooled: the 'widescreen' is actually a zoomed and cropped 4:3 so a nice viewfinder picture actually means a poorer quality resultant image! The focus is still more 'soft' than I would like but that wasn't a realistic issue for me before (but I should mention it because what's the point of 8.1 Megapixels when they give the focus quality of three or four megapixels).
One thing that both the T100 and T200 still impress with is the video. Taking video with the little jeans-pocket sized gizmo is brilliant. It's a much better video camera than I had counted on (as was its older brother).
So for me, great video and nicely waterproof but a disappointing camera in much the way that I find most cameras out there disappointing (I want something that takes true, good photos of my life). Better than most but can't fill the shoes of the T100, which was - to me - groundbreaking.
Oh, and the gadgets are fun but never seem to work properly at crunch time - before the moment is lost. I did have a lot of fun one night in the pub, turning on the smile feature and telling people not to smile. It kept going off taking photos and they laughed harder each time, making it take more and more photos. Actually got some good shots that time... so not all bad. But I give it two for being so inferior to the T100. Otherwise I would have given it three stars.
Style over Substance would sum this up nicely... [Posted on 2008-05-16]
My boyfriend got me this camera for Christmas, after I had read several positive reviews on various camera sites, and I found it utterly useless for my purposes.
Anything over ISO200, (i.e. outdoor light or indoor with very bright light from sun shining through windows, ect) looks TERRIBLE. Make sure to check out picture samples for this camera indoors, don't be fooled by the outdoor shots, anything taken in normal or even bright un-natural light looks noisy and grainy, even when viewing at small resolutions.
I wanted this camera to take pictures at conventions, which are mostly indoors, and this camera was awful for that. I can't stress enough how horrible the indoor shots are. By changing the ISO level, you can improve the noise problem, but by doing so, you reduce the flashes effectiveness, and need to be closer (like closer than 5-6') to your subject, and you'll get some blurriness that way too, but it does look somewhat better. For an entry-level consumer camera though, it's not very user friendly.
Also, the battery life isn't nearly what Sony claims, even on lowest LCD backlight setting. The touch-screen is pretty, but doesn't respond all that well, and anyone with larger hands would find the zoom toggle and other buttons frustratingly small. My boyfriend couldn't hold the camera without smudging the screen really bad, there's virtually no space on either side of the screen, just a little silver bar on one side, which works okay for small hands, but otherwise, it'd be very aggravating.
Also, since this camera obviously is at it's best taking outdoor pics, the lack of viewfinder is obnoxious, but par for the course for ultra-compacts, but the screen is hard to see in sunny weather, very hard, making framing up a shot and reviewing shots a pain.
The video mode would have been nice, were it not for the 10 minute recording limit, that's annoying, and not present on any other Sony camera I've owned, even the much cheaper ones.
For $400, this camera was a complete disappointment. I returned this one after Christmas, and recently purchased the Sony W120, which, while a cheaper camera (MSRP $200), takes much better pictures, has better battery life, is much more user friendly, has a viewfinder, and is overall a terrific deal for the money.
The T200 may be pretty, but don't let it's sexy touch screen suck you in like I did, it does not perform well at all, and is certainly not worth what it retails for, it's honestly not worth half that, unless you never take pictures inside, or have another camera for that purpose.
Beautiful but serious battery problem [Posted on 2008-05-31]
I have used Sony digital cameras for many years, and take thousands of photos in my occupation worldwide. When my trusty Sony bit the dust, I ordered this one. The biggest dissapointment is the battery, which runs down within a short half day of shooting. Worse yet, is that you have to remove the battery, and put it in a charger. You can't just plug in the camera, which means that when you are downloading the pictures to your computer, you are using the battery! Mine has quit in the middle of important downloads.
The touch screen is gorgeous, but takes getting used to.
I would reccommend you get a more conventional camera, if you are looking for a simple camera.
Prof. Kris
Common Myths about T200 - Clarified [Posted on 2008-06-13]
I am a kind of person who would do a lot of reviewing before I buy a product, especially an electronic.And it was the same scenario when buying my camera.Reviewed a lot of sites- CNET, PcMag, Amazon,etc... list goes on and on.
I had my mind on T-100 initially. I didn't want to go for the touchscreen versions: T70 and T200 for the obvious reason of less battery life.
Fortunately, Sony had stopped production of T100 and the ones in the market were as expensive as T200.
I ultimately made up my mind for T200 thinking that if I'm gonna spend so much on a camera, why not get the latest one.
I'm totally satisfied with the camera.I would like to clarify certain facts about the camera:
1.Battery Life: It is obvious that a large touchscreen would drain the battery fast.But my experience has been really good. Once on a full charge, it doesn't run out that quickly as people say.And I'm a person who would take random pics of anyone and no one.So my usage is pretty high and I've never run out of battery.Its more about battery management than the actual battery life.
2.Smile Shutter: This is the most amazing feature of the camera.And it really is efficient.The pictures are clear too.
3.Indoor Pics: Some people complain that the pic indoors are very grainy.Although thats true for all the ultracompact cameras, but this one does a good job comparatively.I have rarely had tht experience.
I don't need to write about the other features as people have already written so much.
Conclusion: Its a great ultra compact camera and I would buy it again if needed to!!
Awesome camera! [Posted on 2008-07-22]
This is the best camera that I have ever owned. Very easy to use, almost don't even need the manual. The touch-screen options are very easy to use, and the screen is larger than any other camera I have seen. Battery life is great also. I highly recommend getting at least the 2GB flash drive, which will hold more pictures than you will probably ever need.
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