Sony DSC-T9 Review

Click on the T9 for a 360° QTVR tour

The Cyber-shot DSC-T9 is the first of Sony's ultra-slim "T" series cameras to offer both Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization and high light sensitivity. With these Sony technologies, the six-megapixel DSC-T9 delivers more detailed images with significantly less blur and graininess than typical point-and-shoot cameras. Optical image stabilization reduces image blur from hand movement, while high light sensitivity helps to lessen blurriness resulting from low-light conditions. The end result is better-focused, expressive images that look more like the way you see them, with the human eye.

Sony is the first manufacturer to incorporate an advanced lens-shift optical image stabilizer into a camera with an internal folded-path lens system. This is what allows for a compact form; the lens does not have to extend from the body of the camera. High light sensitivity (up to IS0 640) allows you to capture clearer pictures in available light, giving you the option to not use a flash, which sometimes creates unwanted glare or harsh highlights. As a result, images have greater atmosphere and more detail.

With a slim body only 0.8 inches thick, this compact powerhouse not only takes great pictures but also brings them to life with Sony's new Clear Photo Plus LCD screen and slide show function. The 2.5-inch LCD features astonishing vividness and greatly improved color reproduction compared to previous models. It is the perfect screen to show off your pictures as a slide show, which the camera creates for you -- without having to use a PC.

You can select from four different themes, such as "Stylish" or "Active," to play back your images, complete with dynamic transitions choreographed to your choice of music clips. Depending on your PC configuration, you can also upload your own music with the supplied software.

The DSC-T9 provides six megapixels of resolution for high-quality images, a 3x Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar optical zoom lens, MPEG movie recording, and 58 megabytes of internal memory for storage and easy transfer to an optional Memory Stick Duo or Memory Stick PRO Duo media card, now available in capacities up to two gigabytes.

As with other T-series cameras, you simply slide the lens cover down and the camera is ready to capture images in seconds. Despite the power consumption of the optical image stabilizer, Sony's Real Imaging Processor power management system helps this model to achieve exceptional battery life, up to 240 shots per charge. The high-speed USB 2.0 connectivity lets you quickly and conveniently transfer pictures and movies to your computer.

With the slide show feature, sharing your photos right on the camera's LCD is more enjoyable. You can even connect directly to your television with supplied cables. If you have a wide-screen home theater then you'll love the new 16:9 image mode that creates HDTV proportional pictures that perfectly fill the screen. If prints are what you want, then connect the DSC-T9 to a Sony DPP-FP50 digital photo printer, or any PictBridge enabled printer, and print directly from the camera, no PC is needed. Don't think that you're limited to basic prints with this camera; you can even create postcards or calendars using the printer's supplied software.

Cyber-shot DSC-T9 Features:

• 6-Megapixel CCD sensor with 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 aspect ratios
• Carl Zeiss "folded" 3x Zoom (38-114mm equivalent in 35mm photography)
• Sony Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization
• Stylish, durable and ultra-thin 0.8" stainless metal body
• Magnifying Glass Mode for subjects as close as 1cm (0.4 in.)
• MPEG Movie: 640x480 w/audio at 30fps, length limited only by media
• Auto, Program AE plus 9 Scene modes
• Live histogram display in capture and playback modes
• 5 Area Multi-point AF; auto or selectable Spot AF point
• 2.5" Clear Photo LCD Screen with Auto Brightness
• ISO Sensitivity: Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 640 equivalent
• Adjustable color saturation, contrast and sharpness
• Noise Reduction: Automatically cleans up long exposure images
• 14bit DXP A/D Conversion - allows a wider dynamic range from highlight to shadow
• Flash with Auto, Fill, Forced Off, and Slow Synchro (Red Eye reduction available)
• USB 2.0 high speed Auto-Connect to host computer
• Rechargeable InfoLithium battery and AC charger included
• 58MB internal memory + Memory Stick Duo & MS Duo Pro cards
• DPOF and PictBridge direct-print USB compatible
• Optional Cyber-shot Station camera dock

The Cyber-shot DSC-T9 is available now for about $399 online, see the current pricing in our PriceGrabber buy box below.

The camera is supplied with an InfoLithium™ battery, battery charger, multi-connector cable, wrist strap and software CD-ROM. Optional accessories include the Cyber-shot Station™ cradle for about $80, a sports pack for about $100, and leather carrying case for about $40.

Sony DSC-T9 Specifications