Sony DSC-S2100 Review

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DSC-S2100

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DSC-S2100
Specifications

Basic Specifications
Full model name:	Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S2100
Resolution:	12.10 Megapixels
Sensor size:	1/2.3 inch (6.2mm x 4.6mm)
Lens:	3.00x zoom (35-105mm eq.)
Viewfinder:	LCD
Extended ISO:	100 - 3200
Shutter:	1/2000 - 1 sec
Max Aperture:	3.1
Dimensions:	3.8 x 2.4 x 1.1 in. (98 x 61 x 27 mm)
Weight:	6.5 oz (184 g) includes batteries
MSRP:	$119
Availability:	01/2010
Manufacturer:	Sony
Full specs:	Sony DSC-S2100 specifications

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12.10 Megapixels	3.00x zoom	1/2.3 inch size sensor

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S2100 digital camera is based around a 1/2.3"-type 12.1 effective megapixel Sony SuperHAD CCD image sensor with RGB color filter array, coupled to a Sony-branded 3x optical zoom lens. The Sony S2100's lens offers a 35mm-equivalent range from a rather tight 35mm wide angle to a moderate 105mm telephoto. The lens has a two-step aperture which offers either F3.1 or F5.6 positions. Autofocusing is possible to a minimum of just five centimeters at wide angle, or 40 centimeters at telephoto. The camera can capture 4:3 aspect ratio images at up to 4,000 x 3,000 pixel resolution, 16:9 aspect ratio images at up to 4,000 x 2,248 pixels, or 30 frames-per-second video at VGA (640 x 480 pixel) resolution or below with monaural audio.

On the rear panel of the Sony Cyber-shot S2100 is a 3.0-inch TFT Clear Photo LCD panel with 100% coverage, and a resolution of 230,400 dots. This serves as the only method of framing and reviewing images, given that the Sony S2100 doesn't feature an optical viewfinder. The Sony DSC-S2100 has a 9-point autofocus system, and does include a face detection system, capable of detecting up to eight faces in a scene. This capability is used to provide a Smile Shutter function that automatically triggers the shutter when your subject is smiling. There's no blink detection feature in the S2100, however. The S2100 offers three methods for determining exposures - multi-pattern, center-weighted or spot metering. Shutter speeds from 1 to 1/2000 second are possible under automatic control, and sensitivities ranging from ISO 100 to 3,200 equivalents are on offer, with ISO 100 to 800 available under automatic control. 2.0EV of exposure compensation is available, in 1/3 EV steps. The DSC-S2100 doesn't offer any form of optical image stabilization.

Eight white balance settings are available, including auto and seven presets, but there's no manual white balance setting in the Sony S2100. As well as Intelligent Auto and Program modes, the S2100 offers a selection of eight scene modes - High Sensitivity, Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Soft Snap, Landscape, Beach, Snow, and Gourmet - which offer a modicum of control over the look of images. There's also an intelligent scene mode which can automatically select from a subset of seven of these scene modes, as appropriate. The Sony S2100 includes a four-mode flash strobe with red-eye reduction capability. Flash range is stated as 0.5 to 3.3 meters when using automatic ISO sensitivity. A two- or ten-second self timer allows the photographer to get in the picture themselves, or to avoid camera shake caused by pressing the shutter button when shooting on a tripod.

Images and movies can be recorded on Sony's proprietary Memory Stick Duo, PRO Duo, PRO Duo High Speed, or PRO-HG Duo cards, as well as the more common Secure Digital and Secure Digital High Capacity cards. A nearly useless 6MB of internal memory is also available, enough to capture a handful of test photos should you forget to purchase a flash card along with the camera. The Sony S2100 doesn't include any form of video output connectivity, with the only connector being for the camera's USB 2.0 High Speed data connection. Power comes courtesy of a pair of AA batteries, with alkaline disposables included in the product bundle.

The Sony S2100 digital camera is available from January 2010, priced at around US$120.