Click on the F717 to take a QuickTime VR tour

This new Sony Cyber-shot DSC-F717 combines point-and-shoot convenience with a host of manual photographic controls, sure to inspire digital photographers to expand creativity and get better results from their efforts. Armed with high-quality Carl Zeiss optics, ISO sensitivities of 100/200/400/800 and shutter speeds of up to 1/2000 second (Program AE only,) the DSC-F717 produces impressive results, even in the most demanding of shooting situations. Additionally, Sony's DSC-F717 offers a fast start time - just over 1 second to powerup the camera - as well as rapid capture and processing times.

The DSC-F717's new features and controls include its new five-area multi-point focusing system enables photographers to focus left, center, right, up or down of their framed shot, providing more accuracy when focusing on the subject. The camera has a live histogram display, accessible both in capture and playback modes, helping to ensure more accurate exposure. Additionally, the camera's multi-burst mode can snap up to 16 frames at 320 x 240 resolution that adds up to a single 1280 x 960 image - perfect for capturing every detail of subjects in motion, like a golf swing or high dive.

For better organization and easier access to image files, the DSC-F717 features a file folder option that allows photographers to create and select specific folders for customized photo-indexing. Lastly, when using the camera's zoom capabilities, the DSC-F717 has a new rotating zoom-control ring, for more intuitive precision handling, offering the photographer an alternative to the camera's standard toggle switch.

• Resolution - Sony's 5.02-megapixel effective CCD image sensor (5.24 MP gross) provides the Cyber-shot DSC-F717 camera with a maximum image size of 2560 x 1920, ensuring high-quality results with clear, vibrant, true-to-life color.

• Optics - To catch high-resolution images from afar, the camera has a pivoting Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar 5X optical zoom lens (38-190mm equivalent) with F2.0 aperture, giving it extraordinary light gathering capability.

• Two LCDs - Photographers can compose shots with either the 1.8-inch LCD screen or a through-the-lens electronic viewfinder they can hold up to their eye.

• USB Connectivity - Sony's DSC-F717 is the first Sony digital still camera to offer high-speed camera-to-compatible-computer transfer via USB 2.0, as well as USB 1.0.

NightShot® - Taking pictures in low- and no-light situations is easier than ever with Sony's NightShot feature. With the flip of a switch, the infrared NightShot mode is activated, which defeats the flash and an infrared picture is captured with no visible light at all. NightShot mode makes it possible to take pictures or MPEG movies of sleeping children and nocturnal wildlife in a way that is impossible with all other digital still cameras.

NightFraming - In order to compose pictures in a dimly lit restaurant or other settings with challenging light, NightFraming, another Sony exclusive feature, integrates NightShot technology, Hologram AF laser focusing system and TTL pre-flash metering. This seamless system enables the photographer to properly frame the subject, attain accurate focus and achieve correct flash exposure for consistently excellent flash shots.

Multi-Pattern Metering - In addition to spot metering and center-weighted averaging, the DSC-F717 also offers multi-pattern metering. To get accurate exposure in uneven lighting, the multi-pattern metering option divides the scene into a matrix of separate cells. Each cell can be metered independently to accurately calculate exposure when highlights and shadows exist outside the center of the frame.

Pre-flash Metering - To get the best shots with the flash, the DSC-F717 incorporates Sony's advanced pre-flash metering system, which actually measures the light from the flash as it passes through the lens to calculate correct exposure. At the time of exposure, the flash fires twice: once to illuminate the subject and calculate correct exposure, then a second time to record the image with the best exposure possible.

Sony's new Cyber-shot DSC-F717 camera captures the moment in a variety of still image formats including JPEG and TIFF. It also has MPEG-HQX video recording capability with with full frame playback, up to the limit of the memory card. The camera ships with a 32MB Memory Stick media, an InfoLithium M battery, an AC adapter/in-camera charger, an A/V output cable, a USB cable, a shoulder strap and a lens cap.

The Cyber-shot DSC-F717 will be available in October for about $999.

Cyber-shot F717 features:

• 2/3-inch 5.24-megapixel CCD imager
• Still image sizes: 2560x1920, 2048x1536, 1280x960, 640x480
• 5x (38-190mm) all-glass Carl Zeiss F2-2.4 zoom lens
• TTL autofocus with hologram laser AF assist
• 5-zone Auto Focus area, auto or manual selection
• Manual focus with ring on lens and magnified LCD view
• 1.8" 123,000 pixel color LCD monitor
• High-resolution eyelevel TTL color viewfinder
• Program AE and four Scene modes
• Shutter speed priority (30 secs. to 1/1000 sec. in 30 steps)
• Aperture priority (F2 to F8 in 13 steps) with 6-blade iris diaphram
• Manual exposure with EV indicator
• Exclusive NightShot and NightFrame exposure modes
• Auto Exposure Bracketing with +/- 0.3, 0.7 or 1.0 steps
• Three shot burst mode at 2fps
• Multi-pattern, Center-weighted or Spot metering
• Five white balance presets and one-push custom;
• Selectable ISO sensitivity (Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800)
• In-camera sharpening (+/- 1, 2)
• Picture Effects: Negative Art, Solarize, Sepia
• 14-bit A/D conversion for wider dynamic range from highlight to shadow
• Adjustable TTL flash with Red Eye reduction
• Hot shoe and connector for optional external flash
• 3:2 image ratio for making "perfect" 4x6 prints
• MPEG-HQX 320x240 video at 15fps w/audio; limited only by memory
• TIFF uncompressed and JPEG in Fine or Normal quality
• Voice Memo Mode to add narration to still images
• Clip Motion 10-Shot GIF Animation
• MultiBurst mode captures sixteen 320x240 @ 7.5/15/30fps
• A/V output for displaying images and movies on TV sets
• USB 2.0 connectivity for fast downloading to PC
• Sony InfoLITHIUM NP-FM50 battery with longer runtime
• Exif 2.2 compatible

Physical Views

The 5-megapixel Cyber-shot DSC-F717 and the Minolta DiMAGE 7i.