Sony Cyber-shot DSC-M2 Review

By
May 31st, 2006


Summary

The DSC-M2's sleek hi-tech vertical design makes you look smart -- and you can shoot, share, and save your memories by recording high-resolution 5.1 megapixel still images, high-quality MPEGMovie4TV clips, or simultaneous still images and video clips in Hybrid Recording Mode. Pocket album function lets you store up to 1,100 VGA images for sharing anytime.

Specs

Imaging Device: 1/2.5" 5.1 Megapixel Effective Super HAD™ CCD
Recording Media: Optional Memory Stick Duo™ Media, Memory Stick PRO Duo™ Media. Tested to support up to 2GB media capacity
Lens Construction: 11 Elements in 8 Groups (Including 3 Aspheric Elements, 1 Prism)
Zoom: 3X Optical, 2X Digital, 6X Total Zoom
Filter Diameter: N/A
Lens Type: Carl Zeiss® Vario Tessar®
Focal Length: 6.33 - 19.0mm
35mm Equivalent: 38 - 114mm
Focus Area: 5 Area Multi-Point AF, Center Weighed AF, Spot AF
Minimum Focus Distance: 19.7" (50cm) Minimum Focus Distance
Macro Focus Distance: Selectable 3 1⁄4" (8cm), Magnifying Glass Mode 0.4” (1cm)
Aperture: Auto, f3.5 — f8.0 (Wide-angle), f4.3 - f10.0 (Telephoto)
Aperture Range: f3.5 - f10
Exposure Compensation: ±2.0 EV, 1/3 EV steps
Color LCD: 2.5" 123K Pixels TFT Hybrid LCD Screen1
Flash Modes: Auto/Forced Flash/No Flash/Slow Synchro
Red-Eye Reduction: Yes, On/Off
Flash Effective Range: 4”-8'.6” (0.1m — 2.6m)
White Balance: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Incandescent, Flash
Burst Mode: 4 Shot (5 Megapixels JPEG Fine), 3 frames per second
Picture Effects: Black and White, Sepia
Power Save Mode:Yes (after approx. 3 min. of inactivity)
ISO: Auto, 64, 100, 200, 400
Scene Modes: Beach, Candle, Fireworks, High Speed Shutter, Landscape, Magnifying Glass Mode, Snow, Twilight, Twilight Portrait
Self-Timer: Yes, 10 Seconds
Date/Time Stamp: Yes
Erase/Protect: Yes
Audio/Video Output: Yes, by Supplied Multi-connector Cable
DC Inputs: DC Power-in via supplied AC-LS5 Mulit-connector cable
Still Image Modes: JPEG (Fine/Standard), Burst, Multi Burst, Auto Bracketing
Movie Mode2: MPEGMOVIE 4TV (MPEG4) with Stereo Audio (640 x 480, 30 fps/2.88 Mbps Bit Rate); MPEGMOVIE 4TV (MPEG4) with Stereo Audio (320 x 240, 30 fps/975 kbps Bit Rate); MPEGMOVIE 4TV (MPEG4) with Stereo Audio (320 x 240, 15 fps/277 kbps Bit Rate)
USB Port: Yes, by Supplied Cable Connected To Cyber-Shot® Station Cradle, Supports USB 2.0 Hi-speed3
Battery Type/Capacity: Designed for use with InfoLithium® Ion (NP-FT1), 2.4W (680mAh)
Supplied Software: Picture Package™ for Sony v1.2 (Windows) for DSC-M2, Nero Vision Express 3. Macintosh®: ImageMixer VCD2 + Music Transfer
OS Compatibility: Microsoft® Windows® 98, 98SE, 2000 Professional, Me, XP Home and Professional. Macintosh® OS 8.5.1, 8.6, 9.0, 9.1, 9.2, OS X (v10.0/v10.1)
Supplied Accessories: NP-FT1 Rechargeable InfoLithium® Battery, ACL-S5 AC Adapter/In Camera Battery Charger, UC-MB Cyber-shot® Station, Stereo A/V Connecting Cable, USB Cable, Wrist Strap, Software CD-ROMS (2x). NOTE: No Memory Stick or adapters are included.
Dimensions (WHD): 2” x 4” 7/8 x 1/14” (51.2 x 123.1 x 32.0”mm)
Weight: 6.6 oz (180g) Body; 7.7 oz (210g) Body including Battery and optional Memory Stick Media
Real Imaging Processor™ Technology: Yes
AF Illuminator Light: Yes
PictBridge Compatible: Yes
Clear Color/Clear Luminance NR: Yes
Histogram Display: Yes
Mulit-Pattern Measuring: Yes
Media/Battery Indicator: Yes


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