Sony Cyber-shot DSC-V1A no-excuses "enthusiast" camera from Sony: 5 megapixels, 4x zoom, fast AF, and features galore<<Camera Modes & Menus :(Previous) | (Next): Video, Power, Software>> Page 10:Image Storage & InterfaceReview First Posted: 04/18/2003, Updated: 7/1/2003 |
Image Storage and Interface
The
V1 uses the proprietary Sony Memory Stick format for image storage. I'm not
sure what size Memory Stick will actually ship with the camera, given the prototype
status of my evaluation model. Memory Sticks are currently available up to 1GB,
and I would advise picking up at least a 32 or 64-megabyte card, given the high
resolution of the DSC-V1. 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
rotated, but does permit resizing and trimming, since those operations don't
disturb the original image, but rather make a new copy. 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 stick being reformatted.
The V1 lets you set up individual folders on the Memory Stick, so you can manage
images by folder and choose where images will be recorded. This could be handy
if you wanted to organize your photos by events, date, etc.
The 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), while
a small graphic shows you approximately how much space is left on the Memory
Stick. (In Movie mode, the camera reports the available recording time remaining.)
Through the Setup 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 inserted. The Playback menu offers a Resize option,
as well as a Rotate tool. 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 640 x 480 and 160 x 112 pixels for MPEG Movies. In addition to the
uncompressed TIFF file format, the V1 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 32MB Memory Stick (main resolution options):
|
Resolution/Quality |
|
|
|
|
| Highest Resolution 2,592 x 1,944 |
Images (Size) |
12 2.56 MB |
1.33 MB |
|
| Approx. Compression |
6:1 |
|
14.7 MB |
|
| High Resolution 2,048 x 1,536 |
Images (Size) |
1.56 MB |
865 KB |
|
| Approx. Compression |
|
|
|
|
|
1,280 x 960 |
Images (Size) |
634 KB |
342 KB |
|
| Approx. Compression |
|
|
|
|
|
Resolution 640 x 480 |
Images (Size) |
162 KB |
65 KB |
|
| Approx. Compression |
|
|
|
|
A USB cable accompanies the camera for quick connection to a PC or Macintosh computer, as well as a software CD containing interface software and USB drivers. Thanks in part to its USB 2.0 computer interface, the DSC-V1 is capable of very fast downloads. I clocked it at 1369 KB/second on my Sony VAIO desktop machine, which has a 2.4 GHz Pentium IV CPU running Windows XP. (This high a download speed is dependent on having a computer with a USB 2.0 connection. Computers with older USB version 1.1 connections will probably see download speeds closer to 600 KB/second.)
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...
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