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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-F707 Wow! 5 megapixels, a super-sharp lens, Hologram AF, NightShot, NightFraming and more! Killer technology, great photos from Sony! Select a topic Reference: Datasheet Cyber-shot DSC-F707 Sample Images --------------------------------- 1. Intro and Highlights 2. Executive Overview 3. Design 4. Viewfinder 5. Optics 6. Exposure & Flash 7. Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests 8. Operation & User Interface 9. Camera Modes & Menus 10. Image Storage & Interface 11. Video, Power, Software 12. Test Results & Conclusion --------------------------------- Print-Friendly Review Version Additional Resources and Other Links Reader Comments on Cyber-shot DSC-F707 Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Camera Modes & Menus :(Previous) | (Next): Video, Power, Software>> Page 10:Image Storage & Interface Review First Posted: 08/20/2001 (Full production model update 11/20/2001)

Image Storage and Interface
The F707 uses the proprietary Sony Memory Stick technology for image storage. A 16MB Memory Stick is supplied with the camera and additional media are available up to 128MB. Individual images can be write-protected from accidental erasure (except through card formatting) via the Protect option under the Playback settings menu. Individual write-protection also prevents the image from being changed in any way, such as rotating or resizing. The entire Memory Stick can be write-protected by sliding the lock switch on the stick into the locked position, which also guards against the entire stick being formatted.

The F707's LCD monitor reports storage information in the detailed information display, including the current number of images captured, how many additional images can be stored (based on current image resolution and quality settings), and a small card graphic lets you know approximately how much space is left on the Memory Stick. (In Movie mode, the camera reports the available recording time.) Through the Playback settings menu, you can designate whether the camera numbers each image sequentially (from one Memory Stick to the next), or restarts file numbering with each new Memory Stick. The Playback menu also offers a Resize option, as well as Copy and Rotate tools. The camera's Digital Print Option Format (DPOF) compatibility allows you to mark specific images for printing on a DPOF-compatible printer. Through the Setup menu, you can decide whether or not to print the date and / or time on the image as well.

Image Size options include 2,560 x 1,920-, 2,560 (3:2), 2,048 x 1,536-, 1,280 x 960-, 640 x 480-, and 320 x 240-pixels (E-Mail recording option). Movie file sizes are 320 (HQ), 320 x 240-, and 160 x 112-pixels for MPEG Movies, or 160 x 120- and 80 x 72-pixels for Clip Motion files. In addition to the uncompressed TIFF file format, the F707 offers both Fine and Standard JPEG compression levels, and a GIF option for the Clip Motion recording mode.

The table below shows the approximate still image capacities and compression ratios for a 16MB Memory Stick (main resolution sizes):

 

Image Capacity vs Resolution/Quality		Fine	Standard	Uncompressed TIFF
Highest Resolution 2560 x 1920	Images	6	11	0
	Approx. Compression	5.5:1	10:1	-
High Resolution 2048 x 1536	Images	10	18	-
	Approx. Compression	6:1	11:1	-
Standard Resolution 1280 x 960	Images	24	45	-
	Approx. Compression	5.5:1	10:1	-
Low Resolution 640 x 480	Images	96	240	-
	Approx. Compression	5.5:1	14:1	-

 

The F707 is also accompanied by a USB cable for quick connection to a PC or Macintosh computer, as well as a software CD containing interface software and USB drivers. Data transfer is very fast: We clocked a download of a 5,372KB file at 8.72 seconds, a transfer rate of 616 KB/second. This is about as fast as we've measured for a USB-connected camera.

Lost Images? - Download this image-recovery program so you'll have it when you need it...
Since we're talking about memory and image storage, this would be a good time to mention the following: I get a ton of email from readers who've lost photos due to a corrupted memory card. It's tragic when it happens, there are few things more precious than photo memories. Corrupted memory cards can happen with any card type and any camera manufacturer, nobody's immune. "Stuff happens," as they say. A surprising number of "lost" images can be recovered with an inexpensive, easy to use piece of software though. Given the amount of email I've gotten on the topic, I now include this paragraph in all my digicam reviews. The program you need is called PhotoRescue, by DataRescue SA. Read our review of it if you'd like, but download the program now, so you'll have it. It doesn't cost a penny until you need it, and even then it's only $29, with a money back guarantee. So download PhotoRescue for Windows or PhotoRescue for Mac while you're thinking of it. (While you're at it, download the PDF manual and quickstart guide as well.) Stash the file in a safe place and it'll be there when you need it. Trust me, needing this is not a matter of if, but when... PhotoRescue is about the best and easiest tool for recovering digital photos I've seen. (Disclosure: IR gets a small commission from sales of the product, but I'd highly recommend the program even if we didn't.) OK, now back to our regularly scheduled review...