Sony DSC-S50 CyberShot

Turning the mode dial on top to the Play position brings up the last image captured. Overlay data included is battery condition, image size, image number and total number of images plus remaining space on the Memory Stick.

The Menu Bar is onscreen across the bottom, more on this below.

Choosing the Index option brings up 6 small thumbnail images so you quickly search through the stored images to select one to display full screen.

While viewing an image you can use the zoom control to magnify the picture up to 5x and pan around the zoomed image using the 4-way jog switch.

You can playback your recorded movies and start and stop them at any frame desired. The white bar beneath the playback frame indicates where you are in the duration of the movie clip.

The Play mode menu options:

• INDEX: Displays six thumbnail images to quickly search through the stored images (see the second frame above)
  
  
• DELETE: Deletes the displayed image
  
  
• FILE
  • FORMAT: Format the MemoryStick
  • ROTATE: Rotate portrait images in 90 degree increments
  • SLIDE SHOW:
    • Interval: Set interval between pictures (3,5,10,30 or 60 secs.)
    • Repeat: Slide show repeat function on or off
    • Start: Start slide show
    • Cancel: Cancel slide show function
  • PRINT MARK: Mark images to be printed using DPOF information
  • PROTECT: Write protect images from erasure.
  
  
  
• TOOL
  • Copy: Copy images
  • Resize: Resize image to 1600 x 1200, 1024 x 768 or 640 x 480
  
  
  
• SETUP
  • Video Out: NTSC or PAL format
  • Language: Menu language English or Japanese
  • Clock Set: Set date and time
  • Beep: Turn beep sound on or off
  • LCD Bright: Adjust LCD backlight

Steve's Conclusion

The Sony InfoLITHIUM is one of the best battery system available for high-drain devices like digicams. A year ago I had my doubts about the Memory Stick media but they have since become plentiful, larger in capacity and cheaper per MB than CompactFlash cards. They're still slower at R/W operations than CF but the new Lexar brand Memory Sticks are getting faster.

The S50 is equipped with a 3x zoom lens with a fast F2.8 maximum aperture which makes it a better than average performer in low-light situations. If you need to shoot closeups of small objects the macro mode will let you get down about 3cm from your subject. You also have full manual focus control too. The lens exhibits the usual amount of optical distortion as most in its class, there's mild barrel distortion in full wideangle and moderate pincushioning at the extreme telephoto position.

The S50's Programmed AE modes make it easy for the beginner or experienced photographer to capture that special moment. Shutter speed priority lets you freeze fast-moving subjects and aperture priority gives you control over the focus depth of field. Landscape mode that sets the focus to infinity and night scene uses slower shutter speeds and slow-syncro flash to iluminate foreground objects. Most users will probably just leave the camera in fully automatic and shoot away but the advanced features are there if you want or need them.

The only real negative about this camera is a lack of an optical viewfinder as is found on the DSC-S70. The color LCD must be used for framing as well as reviewing your pictures. It is a bright LCD and there's even a switch on the side to make it even brighter but it does leave you wanting for an optical finder outside in the bright sunlight. I find it difficult to hold a camera out in front of me when framing or following a moving subject. It is more natural to put a camera up to your face and use an eyelevel viewfinder. It might just be personal preference, there are a lot of Sharp ViewCam type camcorders out there and people don't seem to mind using them in that fashion.

Sony has an even more economical version of this camera in the 1.3 megapixel DSC-S30 if all you need is a good camera for grabbing those special moments and posting them on a web site or making average size 4x6" prints. The S30 does not have the movie mode but other than that and the lower image resolution, these two cameras are very similar. I'm sure that both of these cameras will find their way into the hands of many satisfied users as they are priced right and deliver excellent image quality.