Sony
I used the DSC-F55’s predecessor unit for two years before losing it, sadly, on a Christmas vacation trip to Mexico a year ago… it was a terrific unit, easy to shoot with, good capacity (about 50+ in medium resolution mode); with all its shortcomings on resolution, etc. It had two features that I personally consider critical for easy, spontaneous day-to-day use, especially on travel: extremely lightweight/small (fits in pocket) and rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.
When I saw the DSC-F55 this spring, I jumped! While expensive, it very largely retained the best elements of the small form-factor/weight and rechargeability elements that I was looking for while presenting significantly enhanced resolution and(!) MPEG video, to boot. This latter capability has been a tremendous boon.
I’ve picked up a 16meg memory stick (have 2 4Meg sticks in addition); agree with another reviewer that compared with downloading to PC over serial port, nothing beats using memory stick in a PCMCIA port adapter directly in a notebook since trasferring images to the PC has to be the most time consuming and least attractive part of the digital photography value proposition, make no mistake: direct memory stick insertion into a PC is the way to go (especially if you’re using a Sony PC.
I’m not, so the only drawback is having to pay a usurious amount on a PCMCIA adapter to carry the memory stick; maybe there are better third party alternatives now) Lithium ion battery recharges rapidly and is standard Sony issue (i.e., not proprietary to this camera, therefore relatively readily available in many video stores — good for 60-70 minutes continuous use typically. I recognize there are some risks with Sony’s proprietary memory stick form factor, versus Compact Flash, but it works brilliantly.
Controls on camera look complex, but after a day, most features are intuitively accessed and ergonomics are first rate; continue to like the rotating lens; mpeg capabilities invariably wows anyone unfamiliar with the product; I always follow up with an email; agree that bundled software is not so, album manager pretty helpful can always use Mediaplayer for MPEG. Audio went dead in second month but was easily repaired under warranty. Don’t miss absence of optical zoom find digital 5x capability more than adequate given the resolution. My only regret is that these products, as compelling as they are, tend to have product cycle half-life of 9 months if you buy for features, you have to be ready for 70% depreciation in year 1.
Conclusion: terrific product quality, great images — most importantly, for me, delivers this with the best in portability and rechargeability.
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I ordered this for use with my Cybershot DSC-F717 camera. The lens they used
to sell for this camera was the VCL-HGD1758. It sold for well over $200 and
had a list of $299 on Sony’s website. Although it is not advertised as a
match for this camera, it seems to be the same lens as the VCL-HGD1758,
except it is in an ABS plastic housing.
I have compared the images I have taken with the lens I just received from
you with sample shots from the VCL-HGD1758 and they are equal if not maybe
even better. This lens weighs a lot less than the older one and should be
even easier to use. It appears to be an even better lens arrangement than
the heavier, higher priced unit.
I have noticed that the VCL-HGD1758 lens no longer appears on Sony’s
website, nor will a search on their site turn up any reference to it. And
they do not refer to the VCL-DH1758 as a replacement for it. Sony does say
that this lens is to be used with Cybershot models with 58mm threads, but
only recommends the DSC-H1 model
What I’m getting at here is that you might consider advertising this lens
as a great telephoto lens for the DSC-F717 camera. You should be able to
sell quite a few to the users of the DSC-F717 model. They sold tons of those
cameras, and it also will match the DSC-F707 as well. I’m pretty sure that
it is a match for the DSC-F828 also. The price difference probably would
make it very attractive to owners of these cameras who aren’t willing to pay
over $200+ dollars for such a lens. And, as you are probably aware, most of
the aftermarket lenses of this type are absolutely dreadful. On Ebay, even
the used VCL-HGD1758 goes for over $180 and although I was outbid on 2 of
them, I’m very glad that I bought this one instead. A very consistent
complaint about the VCL-HGD1758 was it’s cost and extremely heavy build that
made it difficult to handle the camera when attached.
