The DSC-F88 is equipped with a rotating internal F3.5 6.7 - 20.1mm Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 3x optical zoom with 38 - 114mm coverage (as compared to a 35mm camera.)  An optional Wide Angle Lens converter (VCL-07FEB) can be attached to the F88 to further extend the focal range.

It employs a 5-point Multi-point auto focus system, with automatic or user selectable AF points. The center AF target area can be wide or narrow. The working range is from 19.7 inches to infinity in normal mode, in Macro the coverage is from 3.1 inches to infinity, Magnifying Glass mode covers 0.4 inches to infinity. You can also manually select one of five focus distance presets from 0.1m to infinity.

The DSC-F88 also features an AF Assist beam designed to achieve accurate focus on subjects with little contrast in dark conditions. It also makes the LCD screen image brighten to aid in framing.

With the ability to rotate the lens 300 degrees, you can be sure your self portrait will be framed properly, and your subjects can view themselves with the LCD while you use the optical viewfinder. When you open/close the lens it toggles the power on/off.

The eyelevel optical real-image zoom viewfinder has a field of view of approx. 80-85% (80% in wide and about 85% at tele) of the captured image. As with most consumer digicams, there is no diopter adjustment. The LEDs indicate card activity/self-timer, autofocus/auto exposure lock, and flash status.

The built-in flash has modes for Auto, Forced On, Forced Off, Slow Synchro, and Red-Eye Reduction mode can be enabled or disabled via the Setup menu (see next page.) It uses a pre-flash for precise metering of the exposure. It also has auto daylight synchro fill flash for backlit for shadowed subjects as well as dynamic flash white balance for greater color accuracy. The working range is 0.5 - 7.2 ft. (0.15 - 2.2m).

On top you'll find the shutter release, and on the right side is the Mode Dial with positions for Auto, Program, Manual, SCN (Scene modes), Setup, Movie, and Play. In the center is a Power button, but the lens is the "main" control that toggles the power on/off.

Controls on the back: Top right is the zoom lens controls, in playback the Tele button magnifies the image and the Wide button displays the thumbnail index. The Monitor button turns the color LCD on and off and controls the amount of information (and histogram) that is displayed. The MENU button calls up or dismisses the onscreen menus. The 4-way selector lets you navigate through the menus or select images during playback. Pressing it in the center accepts selections. In record mode, pressing "Up" lets you select the flash mode, "Right" controls macro focus mode, "Down" toggles the self-timer and "Left" enters Quick Review mode. The button on the bottom right lets you quickly change the image size in record mode and acts as the image delete button in playback.

The I/O port located on the bottom handles USB 2.0 connectivity, Audio/Video output, and interfaces with the optional Cyber-shot Station. The video signal can be set for NTSC or PAL standard. Audio is monomial.

The DC IN port is located on the left side of the camera and allows you to charge the camera's batter and serves as an AC adapter.

Located on the side is the memory card/battery compartment. The DSC-F88 comes with an 32MB Memory Stick and can use any capacity Memory Stick or Memory Stick Pro card. The use of a Memory Stick Pro card is required for recording 640x480 VX Fine mode movie clips.

Shown here is the number of images that can be stored on 16MB - 1GB size cards.

Power is supplied by a rechargeable Sony InfoLithium NP-FR1 3.6v 4.4Wh battery. Sony includes the AC-LS5 AC charger / power adapter, the battery is charged in-camera.

The optional Cyber-shot Station (CSS-FEB, about $80), which accommodates the DSC-F88 camera, makes transferring images and movies to your PC fast and easy, while recharging the unit’s battery. You can also connect it to your television for on-screen slide shows. It even includes a wireless Remote Commander for total control anywhere in the room.