The challenge to Sony engineers: pack a 4.1-megapixel, 3X- optical zoom camera into a hip little package a fraction the size of a candy bar. Their answer? The elegant confection that is the Cyber-shot DSC-L1. Measuring 3-3/4 x 1-3/4 x 1 inch, the L1 model is powered by Sony's Real Imaging Processor circuitry, delivering outstanding shot-to-shot speed, stamina and quick start-up time for catching the action as soon as it happens. For the first time in the ultra-compact class of digital cameras, the Cyber-shot L1 model delivers a 1.5-inch transflective LCD, making it easier to see what's on the LCD even in bright sunlight. It also has a new Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 3X optical zoom lens, setting the stage for picture quality typically delivered by larger, more expensive digital cameras. Sony's past expertise in miniaturization has enabled them to achieve a balance between design and such new features as the world's smallest mechanical zoom lens. The DSC-L1 has speedy auto-focus and autoexposure options to snap the best picture the first time. You can quickly select the best setting based on the shooting conditions by choosing from one of seven preset modes, including twilight, snow, beach and fireworks. Four newly developed technologies - including a linear focus drive and a compact highresolution optical system - combine to produce the ultra-small lens. T
1 It's going back
One reviewer mentioned that their L1 broke on the 29th picture. I never even got that far - it arrived with a malfunctioning zoom. Also, image quality has been highly erratic (could be the flourescent problem another user mentioned). This is my first digital - I'm an experienced SLR and computer user, but I found the menu to be cumbersome, and the LCD very small. The camera is very "cute" and compact, but I'll be looking into either a different Sony or Canon for an exchange.
2 A Great Design!
This is the first digital camera I ever got, and man, did I not regret purchasing it. There is so much that I can say about this camera, but I want to keep it down too a minimum.
Pros:
*Design - Slick and portable: Pretty much the height and length of a credit card, and the width of two CD Cases. So compact, I easily lose it in my pocket sometimes!
*Picture Quality - 3x Optical Zoom with 3.4 Megapixels and a Carl Zeiss lensframe. Don't understand what I'm saying? Neither do I, but damn if these pictures aren't good looking.
*Weight - Remember the really old cameras where you had to put them on a tripod, put your hand up holding a huge bulb, and hide your head under a cloth to take a picture? Well yeah, this isn't anything like it :-P
*Video - Not really something to point out here, but I just love filming video on my camera with friends (I've made over 100 videos, and I have a 1 GB Stick, allowing to film up to 46 minutes per video!)
Cons:
*Microphone - Filming takes a little used to, considering the microphone is on top of the camera where I usually put my index finger to rest
*Scroll button - Looking through the menus and previews of pictures/videos can be tough, being that the scroll is just a tiny knob that you have to push to the left/right/up/down.
In my opinion, a great first buy for me. I worship this thing for what it can do, even if it does not do as much compared to other types of cameras. If you want to start out small and relatively cheap, this product can be a great thing to buy.
3 Great little "on the go" camera
I've been a long time user of Sony digital cameras. The two I currently have (P5 and P100) have performed beautifully over the years. I've never had a lick of problem with either. So, when I decided to buy a small compact camera that I could throw in a pocket I decided to go with Sony again. After looking at the T1 model, I wasn't too impressed with the picture quality. Too much of a compromise was made to get the unit small. Then I can across the L1. It has been the perfect little camera. It's small- about the size of a Snicker's bar- so I can keep it in my pocket. The pictures are terrific- 4Mp meets all my needs. The picture quality has been superb too. Much better than the T1. Although I mostly run it off of full auto mode, it does have nearly as many manual options as my P100 has (ISO, scenes, quality). And to top it off, the camera is fast. Power on to first shot plus shot to shot timing is lightning fast. I've been very happy with this camera.
There are a few things that keep me from giving it a full 5 stars. First, while the LCD is sharp and works well in most lighting, it's still on the small size compared to other cameras. There is room on the camera where they could have put in a 1.8" or even 2" LCD instead. That would have made a big difference. Also for some reason, Sony chose to go with a separate bracket for tripod attachment instead of putting the screw mount right on the camera. This is a pain. Fortunately, I don't use a tripod with the L1 very often.
Overall the L1 is a great little camera. For the cost, it's portability and picture quality can't be beat
4 2 broken in less than a month of use
I have to admit that Sony, one of my favorite eletronics brand, really had a great idea to launch this model. It's small, quick and it has a Carl Zeiss lens, but I really think Sony will change this model.
I bougth two of those, and both are broken within less than a month of very small and carefull use. The first broke the small command lever located on the back of the camera, and the second the lens got stuck into the camera when I was going the take the 29th picture with the camera !!?! Impressive!
Those were my third Sony digicam model, having owned previewisly a F717 and a P9, never had problems, but this model may have been launched in a hurry for the 2004 Xmas sales and might have not been kept for testing for the necessary period of time.
I hope I can save some of you from having trouble.
5 camera doesn't charge through USB connection
BIG PROBLEM if you're a traveler: if you're planning to travel abroad, make sure you have a voltage converter or extra batteries...
i just assumed that this would work, now i'm abroad without a backup plan!!!
6 Amazing Little Camera
I just bought this camera and am extremely happy with it. I have already had the chance to use it under different lighting and it works great with the preset functions. I also bought the sports pack and am absolutely thrilled with it. I took it skiing on the weekend and the camera was perfectly safe. In summer I can take it to the beach and not worry about getting sand or water in it.
When I used it in the snow I used the preset "Snow Function" and the pictures were amazing. It really contrasts the individuals from the extremely bright backgound.
In all, a great camera the size of a candy bar.
7 good, but limited applications.
this camera is good for most amateur snap shots, but when it comes to sports shots, it lacks. the reason for this is that it does not allow for manual adjustment of shutter speed. this is not a very advanced skill for photographers. in fact, it is impossible to take mation shots with this camera. sure, there is a 4 shot burst mode, but that makes you take 4 shots and takes up memory. just so you know what the limitations are on this camera. also, with 4.1 megapixels, you will want to upgrade the memory card. as opposed to another review posted.
8 Erratic performance
The good: This camera is very attractive: compact and sleek. Pretty easy menu system and the most important functions are readily accessible. When conditions are right, it takes clear, beautiful photos. Rechargeable internal battery means you don't spend a fortune in double A's. LCD screen is a good size.
The bad: Focus problems!! In certain lighting conditions (e.g. fluorescent lights) you cannot take an in focus picture using the automatic setting. I missed so many potentially great holiday pics of my kids due to fiddling around with the settings. Mostly, I simply gave up trying to get a clear pic. I finally contacted Sony tech support and they acknowledged the focus problems under certain lighting conditions, including bright sunlight. They suggested changing the white balance and shutter speed- but when you're a novice photographer, changing these settings is not so intuitive!
Bottom line: Buy a Canon elph. I wish I had. It would have been worth the extra money!
9 stop looking for a camera this is Great!!!
I love this camera it lets me take losts of photos on its 16 gig memory card Also its optical zoom is great so much better then other cameras digital zoom.and its perfect for 4x6 and 5x7 prints with its megapixles it has a optical veiwfinder, and a LCD screen.Its the best!!!
10 Size matters
Many times what determines whether you will use the technology alot is whether you have it readily available when you need it. This is particularly true for cameras, especially if you want to capture all those spontaneous moments in life. Size therefore plays a major factor.
In this camera, Sony proves that size doesn't mean less capability. To be able to pack a 4M pixel camera with 3X optical zoom, and NTSC resolution full motion audio/video capture (with no time limit) in a form factor the size of a candy bar is pure genius.
The interface is easy to use. I picked up the camera and started using it without having to read the manual.
There are only 3 weaknesses with the camera:
1. the microphone is positioned on the top left hand side of the unit so it is easy to cover it up when you are holding the camera to take videos.
2. when in video shooting mode, zoom is fixed but autofocus continues to operate.
3. flash pictures in dark environments can sometimes yield lens flaring.
11 Fantastic consumer level digital camera, worthy of any home
If you are just an amateur photographer that is either finally switching from analog to digital or just want a decent camera to take on family vacations or school projects, this is a great camera. It is small, lightweight, and does just about anything you could possibly need it to do. It won't take pictures of hummingbirds feeding across a forest bed, but it will take a decent photo of the grand canyon. The quality of the 3x optical zoom is really good, but the picture is sacrificed slightly as you try to artifically enhance it with the digital zoom. The battery life is good enough to take on extended trips from your hotel or on a hike without having to carry around a charger or spare batteries. If you plan on taking lots of high quality large photos, you will need to get a larger memory stick (64 MB will work, 128 MB even better), but the memory stick it comes with will be enough to photograph your child's birthday party as long as you download the photos onto your computer afterwards. At 4 MegaPixels, this camera will pick up individual hairs on a persons head and it will even be able to clearly define a flea in the hair. There are 5 MegaPixel cameras out there, but at the consumer level there is really no point in spending the money on one (5 MP won't come in handy unless you are student taking pictures through a microscope or a telescope) All around, while Sony's camera lenses may not compare with Canon or Olympus, Sony makes up for it with their superior knowledge of how to make a great consumer digital device and turn it into a decent digital camera. It is a great value for the price.
