SONY DSC-T9 - 6.0MP Compact Digital Camera test images, Serial Number 106xxx

These images have been captured with SONY's DSC-T9 camera, with no out-of-camera post image processing other than cropping, and no Photoshop work whatsoever. The Camera's internal settings generally are: Program mode with Sharpness and Saturation both turned up one tick for images to DSC00043; For images DSC00044 and over, the Saturation remains up one tick, the sharpness setting was set back to Normal, and all other settings in the camera are set to Automatic. The "bee on the flowers" image (DSC00041) was taken with the camera set to "Magnifying Glass" mode, which permits auto-focusing as close as 1.0 centimeter; For this image I was approximately 2cm from the bee. This camera is one of the best I have tested in the last 6 years. As an adjunct faculty member at FAU a south Florida +29,000 student University, teaching "Principles of Digital Photography and Post Image Processing" and authored/published a book with the same name, with Pearson Education, Inc., 2003, I have tested hundreds digital cameras that have been offered to the public in recent years, and this one is truly unbelievable. One must understand that all cameras cannot do all things regardless of price and size. Digital SLRs, like Canon's 1DsMk2, which I proudly own and consider the very best digital SLR on planet Earth as of January 2006, can execute most imaging tasks beautifully; however you cannot place it in your pocket, does not have built-in flash, and cannot make a video! Comparing the image quality and color to other similarly priced cameras, the T9 seems better than on previous SONY "T" series units (the T1, T11, T3, T33, T5, T7) in their 6-step progression to the T9. The brightness on the LCD panel is also better and has two brightness levels; The LCD also seems to have a protective covering. The flash also seems a bit stronger, and the imager noise is significantly lower. Understand, the tiny built-in flash is effective for groups of 3-6 people placed within 8' or less of the camera, period; any further away, other than fill-in flash, the results will be unsatisfactory. It is hard to imagine than so much technology can be contained within this truly thin package. This version has a trut OPTICAL IMAGE STABILIZER that really works in both Still image and Movie Modes. The large and bright LCD panel is great for sharing images and movie clips with friends after the images are taken; The T9 has an in-camera slide-show mode with user settings for type of slide change, styly, with or without music. Most critics fail to mention the packaged the Software; Be it known, SONY has one of the best (included) software packages available; Auto-Install the software; then plug in the camera into an available USB post, turn on the camera, and in 5,4,3,2,1 seconds the images and movies, begin their migration into a unique folder in your hard-drive, in a subdirectory in "My Pictures" with today's date as the folder name; Could not be a simpler process. Then options are presented for making a CD-ROM. To see T9 sample images you can go to http://bocadigital.smugmug.com/gallery/1074988. Images will be added periodically so check back often; and while you're there look around at other images posted at your pleasure. NOTE: I have had requests for test video clips. This camera and millions of other SONY cameras produce beautiful high resolution 640x480 30fps MPEG1 video. This site is based on smugmug's site engine which cannot display MPEG1 video. I have attempted to convert MPEG1 to other formats for uploading, however, the results are terrible; so I'd rather not display inferrior conversions, which would improperly represent actual results.

Comparison of SONY's N1, T9, T30: We have/own all three cameras. My wife carries the N1 in her purse, will probably switch to the T9 as she wants the image stabilization, and I carry the T30 in my pocket, as it is a bit thinner than the N1. All three cameras take great shots. The N1 has a bit stronger flash, however, the T9 has a more sensitive Imager, and the T30 has a High Sensitivity Mode for low level image capture, like at an evening party, or at a gymnasium. It would be best for you to go to a retailer that has these so you can hold them and get a feel for their footprints. I can understand being torn between these; I too had that feeling. So I/we decided to buy all three, one for me and one for Marilyn. I/She loves the huge 3” touch-screen; and the 8Mp imager gives plenty of information for serious cropping, and plenty of detail for an outstanding 8x10” print. However, she has a habit of shaking the camera occasionally, to the image stabilization will help, probably placing the N1 on the “to be given to relative shelf.” The T30 gives improved portability, and has Image Stabilization which gives better performance in low light, available light situations, and plenty of detail for an outstanding 8x10” print. So there are a few trade-offs. Marilyn carries her N1 in her purse; he N1 fits neatly in the purse. I carry the T30 camera in my front pants pocket, so I opted for the T30 which is much more "men’s pocket-friendly" and now has the 3” screen, and easier to use Macro modes. These cameras have water/beach protective housings, “Sports-pack” for the T9 a 10’ underwater housing for $90; the N1 and the T30 have a true underwater housing good down to 40 meters for about $200. The choice of ONE is pretty much a personal decision as to the form-factor. They are all technology marvels. There is no bad choice between these three SONY models, its like buying shoes; Which form of loafers or sandals do you prefer? My personal choice would be the T30 of the three, because it now has the 3” screen, has more sensitive ISO setting of 1000, built-in noise reduction circuitry, several new program modes… the list goes on and on. Once again - Good Job SONY, and thanks for listening to your customer’s comments & suggestions. We are permitting the downloading of the Original Size images for those interested in looking at all available detail. Over the next several weeks more images will be added. We are testing the camera in Auto mode in a variety of real-live settings, no special lighting, no set-ups... We are trying to show the camera just like any average user would actually take pictures.


Torn between the SONY's T9 and the T30, as I was; I personally choose the T30 because:
The improved sensitivity of the imager to ISO 1000, and 7.2 million pixels.
The improved firmware dealing with low light image noise reduction;
The improved menu system, placing both macro-modes on the external macro button;
The improved and larger LCD screen. Set it to Brighter in the set-up screen;
The improved Imager sensitivity coupled with Image Stabilization, less need for flash;
The improved flash, slightly brighter output.
The trade-off is, the T9 is several millimeters thinner than the T30. Truth is both cameras are wonderful. My test images demonstrate this. It is really a toss-up; I decided to give up on minor portability, several milli-meters. I suggest that you go to a retailer that has both on display and look at both cameras side-by-side. Use them for a few minutes and feel the differences. This is very much a personal choice between the T9 and the T30. Truth is, I had both for a week before I was comfortable with a decision.

Comparison of CANON's SD700-IS Compact PowerShot Digital Elph with SONY’s "T" series: These cameras are similarly sized, priced, and featured; both cameras take great videos and snap-shots in a variety of circumstances. I would rate this as a tie-vote overall. Feature wise, the T30 does have their bright 3” screen, and 7.2 million pixels, however, the SD700 (90 x 57 x 26 mm / 3.5 x 2.2 x 1 in) is 5mm shorter in overall size than the T30 at (95 x 57 x 23 mm /3.7 x 2.2 x 0.9 in). In shooting modes; the T30 is a bit more sensitive for low light images, having an ISO capability of Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1000 with the Canon having ISO capabilities of Auto, 80 ,100, 200, 400, 800; however Canon's SD700 has a 4x zoom lens giving the equivalent of 35-140mm focal range. If you are into Macro modes, the T30 is a clear winner here in that it has two macro ranges letting you shoot to as close as 1cm. Also the focusing is superior at these close ranges, I had difficulty getting the Canon camera to focus at the point where I wanted it to focus, when taking the “bug shots.” As I have stated before, picking a point-and-shoot camera is like buying sandals, a very personal choice. If you stick to the most popular brands (The BIG Six: Canon, Sony, Nikon, Pentax, Panasonic, Casio) and buy a current new model, US$400/500; they all will take great shots once you are familiar with the controls, etc. Do not buy prior years’ sale models. Too much is happening with digital, and 24 months (ago) is a whole generation in dog-years for cameras.
JimWilson//06/July/2006/11pm