Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-N1 Digital Camera

Sony's new N1 is a stylishly thin compact digital camera that reminds me of the iconic little Contax T film camera. The N1 also features 8 megapixel resolution, a very good 3X zoom, and a super large 3.0" touch-screen LCD. It is small enough to be dropped into a shirt pocket and tough enough to go just about anywhere. If that's not enough, the N1 has a nifty portable photo viewer function that allows users to show (on the 3.0" LCD screen) up to 500 saved images, either individually or in slideshows (complete with music).

NUTS & BOLTS

Viewfinder/LCD

The N1's rear deck is dominated by a huge 3.0" LCD screen that also functions as an instant access touch-screen control center. Shooters can use their index finger (or the weird included stylus) to access camera functions, menu navigation, image review, and the nifty slide show option.

The N1's big (230,000 pixel) LCD screen is bright, fluid, and color correct. Sony's "Clear Photo LCD" technology provides improved visibility in bright outdoor lighting (sharper resolution, higher contrast, and a wider viewing angle) and that's a crucial consideration since there's no optical viewfinder. The N1's live histogram display makes it easy to assess (and correct) over/under exposure.

What's really neat is the N1's ability to function as a portable image viewer. The N1's on-board album utility automatically stores up to 500 VGA images in the camera's on-board (26MB) memory cache. Once users reach 500 images the oldest photos are sequentially deleted, but favorite photos can be protected. Slide shows are created in-camera, with pro looking transitions (pans, wipes and fades, and zooms) and accompanied by included or user created (with the N1's bundled software) MP3 soundtracks played back on the N1's built-in speaker. Images are filed by date, so retrieval is simple. Images can also be viewed on a TV or computer monitor.

Zoom

The N1 is equipped with an f2.8-5.4/7.9-23.7mm Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar (38-114mm - 35mm equivalent) all glass 3X optical zoom lens. When the camera is powered up, the lens automatically telescopes out of the camera body. When the camera is powered down the zoom is fully retracted into the camera body and a built-in cover slides into place to protect the front element of the lens.

The N1's optical performance is above average. Images are hue accurate (but slightly oversaturated) with very little noise (at the ISO 64, ISO 80, and ISO 100 settings). Resolution (sharpness) is excellent throughout the zoom's range, but corners are consistently a bit soft. There is minor barrel distortion (straight lines bow out from the center) at the wide-angle end of the zoom range, but no visible pincushioning (straight lines bow in toward the center) at the telephoto end of the range. I didn't notice any vignetting (darkened corners). Chromatic aberration (purple fringing) is well controlled but visible in high contrast color transition areas at maximum aperture at the wide-angle end of the zoom's range. Minimum focusing distance (in Macro mode) is 2.4 inches.

Auto Focus (AF)

The N1 features a capable, but unexciting 5 AF area (Closest Subject Priority) contrast detection Auto Focus system that seems very similar to the W5/W7-H1 Auto Focus systems. AF is very accurate, even in fairly low light (with the focus aid beam). More advanced shooters will appreciate the Center AF point and Flexible Spot AF (users can move the AF point to almost anywhere in the image frame via the touch screen) AF options.

The N1's AF is a bit faster than average (from scratch) but not really fast enough to keep up with genuinely rapid action. Photographers who pre-visualize their images, utilize pre-focus (press the shutter button half-way while composing the shot), and anticipate the moment of peak action by about a quarter of a second should have no problem capturing rapid action.

Manual Focus (MF)

The N1 provides a very limited and decidedly cumbersome (5 fixed distances plus infinity) MF option.

Flash

The N1's built-in multi-mode flash (Auto, Red-Eye Reduction, Fill, Slow Synch, and off) is tiny. Sony claims the maximum range is about 16 feet, but in real world shooting (as opposed to the ideal conditions in a test lab) the maximum indoor range of the flash is 6 to 10 feet. Anything beyond 6-10 feet is going to be somewhat dark unless shot against light colored backgrounds with lots of ambient lighting. The flash is above (and on essentially the same plane) as the lens, so redeye is a problem. Sony offers an optional auxiliary slave flash (HVL-FSL1B) unit, for shooters who want/need expanded flash capabilities.

Memory Media

The N1 saves images to Memory Stick Duo and Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. It also provides users with 26MB of internal image storage (plus an additional 26MB for the on-board photo album and 6MB for slideshow music). MS PRO Duo cards are required for recording video at the highest resolution (VGA)/frame (30fps) rate. No memory card is included.

Image File Format(s)

The N1 saves images in JPEG format only.

Connectivity

A/V out, USB 2.0 (high speed) out, and DC in.

Power

The N1 draws its juice from a proprietary Sony NP-BG1 lithium-ion battery. I didn't keep track of exposures so I can't provide specific numbers, but Sony claims 270 exposures (or 200 minutes of review time) with a fully charged NP-BG1. The N1 has above average battery life, but based on my use, almost 300 exposures is a test lab "best-case scenario" number. The included charger needs about 5 hours to fully charge the battery. Unlike other Sony digicams, the N1 doesn't provide a remaining-power readout.

EXPOSURE

The N1 provides shooters with a useful range of exposure options including Auto (Point & Shoot mode), Program (Point & Shoot mode with user input), and Manual mode (user selects all exposure parameters). The N1 also provides an adequate selection of Scene modes (Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Candle, Soft Snap, Landscape, Beach, Snow, and Fireworks). In all Scene Modes the camera's CPU automatically optimizes all exposure parameters (aperture, shutter speed, white balance, sensitivity, etc.) for the specific image type selected.

Based on my experiences with the camera, the N1's Auto (Auto, Program, and Scene) modes deliver dependably accurate exposures in most lighting, but there is a slight tendency to burn out highlights in bright outdoor lighting. Exposure accuracy in the camera's Manual Exposure mode is more dependent on the skill and experience of the photographer.

Movie Mode

The N1 captures video (duration is limited only by the capacity of the MS installed) at 640x480 @ 30 fps (only available with MS PRO Duo card ).

Metering

The N1's default multi-pattern evaluative metering mode consistently produces accurate exposures, even in tricky lighting. A Spot metering option biases exposure on a small area at the center of the frame (useful for portraits, back lit subjects, and high/low contrast subjects). The center-weighted option allows savvy users to create traditional looking landscapes and Classic style portraits.

White Balance (WB)

The N1 provides an adequate selection of WB options, including Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Incandescent, and Flash. The N1's Auto White Balance is consistently accurate in most lighting, but images shot under fluorescent lighting (at the Auto WB setting) show a very slight pinkish cast. Sony should have included a custom (manual) WB option.

Sensitivity

The N1's Sensitivity range is more than adequate for the camera's target audience -- TTL Auto and user selected settings 64, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800. The ISO 64, 80, and 100 options are virtually indistinguishable.

In-Camera Image Adjustment

The N1 offers a decent (but uninspired) level of in-camera image parameter tweakability. N1 users can adjust Color Saturation, Contrast, and Sharpening over an arbitrary 3-step (More, default, Less) range. The exposure compensation (exposure can be adjusted through a 2/-2 EV range in 1/3 EV increments) function can be used to help manage difficult lighting (by allowing users to quickly and easily lighten or darken exposures).

The N1's Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) feature allows users to automatically capture a series of images of the same subject at slightly different exposure settings/intervals (with one push of the shutter button). This almost guarantees at least one correct exposure in tricky lighting situations or with subjects that are noticeably darker or lighter than their surroundings. Flash output (plus 1EV, default, minus 1EV) can be adjusted to better balance flash lighting and ambient light.

CONTROLS, DESIGN, ENGINEERING, & ERGONOMICS

The stylish little N1 is about the size of a deck of playing cards and retro-evocative of the elegant miniature 35mm Point & Shoot cameras from the fifties, sixties and seventies. The N1's metal alloy body is tough enough to go just about anywhere. Though the N1 isn't the thinnest (or most compact) digicam available, it is still small enough to be dropped into a pocket and forgotten until needed.

This camera was designed for casual photographers who may want to experiment with composition and manual exposure occasionally, but who will primarily use the camera in Point & Shoot mode. The N1 sports only four dedicated control buttons, almost all camera functions are managed via the N1's 3.0" touchscreen LCD.

Technical Specifications

Resolution: 8 megapixels
Viewfinders: 3.0" touchscreen LCD
Lens: f2.8-5.4/7.9-23.7mm Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar (38-114mm - 35mm equivalent) optical zoom
Auto Focus: 5 AF area contrast detection autofocus system
Exposure: Auto, Program, Scene modes, Manual mode, and Movie Mode
Flash: Built-in multi mode
Metering: Multi-Pattern (evaluative), Center-Weighted, or Spot
White Balance: TTL auto and presets for Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Incandescent, and Flash
Sensitivity: TTL Auto and ISO 64, 80, 100, 200, 400, and 800 (35mm equivalents)
Exposure Compensation: Yes /-2EV in 1/3-step increments
Memory/Storage Media: Sony Memory Stick Duo & Memory Stick PRO Duo
Image File Format: JPEG
Connectivity: USB 2.0 & A/V out
Power: Sony NP-BG1 lithium-ion battery

Included

Wrist strap, combined USB- A/V-DC-in cable, NP-BG1 rechargeable lithium-ion battery and charger, Stylus, Software CD-ROM, Quick Start Guide and Printed users manual

Optional

CSS-TNA camera dock, HVL-FSL1B slave flash, MPK-NA underwater case, AC adaptor, 12v (Car) adaptor, and soft case

In the Field/Handling & Operation

My friend (who sells new and used digital and film cameras) was able to get a Sony Cybershot DSC N1 digicam for us to play with. The first thing we did was to run some color tests. We use a homemade macro stage and a selection of brightly colored (red, green, yellow, blue, and purple) plastic children's beach toys arrayed on a white background. This test allows us to check color accuracy and the precision of the camera's white balance system (and compare the results from camera to camera). The N1 showed consistently accurate (hue) color balance, although typically (for consumer digicams) colors are somewhat oversaturated.

Our first adventure with the N1 was a trip to Cave Hill Cemetery to shoot some late winter scenics. Cave Hill started out as a small heavily forested farm on the outskirts of the city and became Louisville's primary burial ground in the mid 1830's. Since that time the area has been planted with thousands of trees, shrubs, and bushes. Many of these plantings are rare and exotic which makes Cave Hill absolutely gorgeous in the spring, summer and fall. Things are a bit different in the winter.

January weather is always pretty nasty here in Louisville, with daytime temperatures in the twenties and thirties and (mostly) ugly gray skies. The cemetery was completely deserted when we got there so we were able to shoot some native limestone 19th century headstones still dark from recent snow melt and surrounded by a uniform brownish carpet of last year's fallen leaves. The sky was gray and the light was pretty diffused, making it easy to convey a "dark" sort of gothic look to the weather worn hand-carved grave markers.

It didn't take the cold long to get to us, so we packed up after about 30 minutes and headed for nearby Cherokee Park. The sky had cleared up a bit and was now a pale washed out blue. The scenic loop runs alongside Beargrass Creek between steep hillsides covered with old growth trees. During Spring, Summer, and Fall Cherokee Park is absolutely gorgeous---but during the winter Kentucky is pretty depressing -- gray skies, leafless trees, and dead yellowish grass highlight a landscape that is essentially dull, brown, and supremely boring from mid November to early March. Our shots from Cave Hill and Cherokee Park were so flat, colorless, and boring we deleted all of them.

We got together Sunday morning and headed for Louisville's Extreme Sports Park to shoot some skateboarders. The weather was much better than the day before with pale blue skies and fairly bright but diffused lighting (it was still very cold). Skateboarders turn up at the park at all hours of the day and night (and in all sorts of weather) to hone their skills -- so local photographers have a great place for capturing action shots.

The N1 is very quick which radically simplifies tracking and framing skateboarders in action. Optimal framing/timing (centering the boarders in the frame AND stopping the action in mid air) is very difficult. I managed to get a few fairly decent shots which I showed to some of the skateboarders with the N1's nifty slide show feature (they were very impressed).

The following weekend (for our final adventure with the N1) we headed to the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center (KFEC) for the Louisville Auto Show. We wandered around looking at all the new cars including a very retro looking 2007 Shelby GT500 Mustang (and several other very fast and equally impractical cars from Cadillac, Dodge, Mercedes, Mazda, and Pontiac). The N1 turned in an impressive performance under the mixed (natural/ fluorescent/incandescent) lighting in the huge KFEC West Wing hall, capturing bright improbable colors, massive expanses of chrome, sensuous curves and styling details, and several gorgeous models with equal aplomb.

The snazzy little N1 attracted a lot of attention, drawing positive comments from skateboarders, car shoppers, and one absolutely luscious model. The N1 was up to every challenge we threw at it, but a few of the images we shot at the car show displayed a very slight pinkish cast, which could have been easily fixed if Sony had included a custom (manual) WB option.

PERFORMANCE

Image Quality

The N1's colors are consistently hue accurate, but a little punched-up with hard default contrast which will likely appeal to most amateur shooters. Images shot in the N1's auto modes are generally well-exposed, but the camera blew out highlights in some shots. Corners are a bit soft, but chromatic aberration (purple fringing) is very well controlled. ISO 64, 80, and 100 images are consistently excellent with sharp resolution, bold colors, and lots of snap (although some very minor pattern noise is visible in shadow areas). ISO 200 images are very good, but with a little less pop and slightly higher noise levels. Results at ISO 400 are a bit flat and detail is softer, due to higher noise levels. The ISO 800 setting is a nice feature, but won't likely get much use since images are far too noisy for anything more demanding than 3x5 snapshots. Overall, our images (when viewed full size on a NEC 19" CRT monitor) were very good to excellent. Saturation is a bit high, but colors are accurate and I suspect that the N1's target audience won't be bothered much by its "consumer" color.

Timing/Shutter Lag

The N1 is a very quick digital camera. The Boot-up cycle is 1.6 seconds. Shutter lag (about 1/10th of a second) shouldn't be a problem since shutter fire is essentially real time with pre-focus. AF is consistently very fast (about half a second) from scratch. Shot-to-shot/write-to-card times (1.5-3.0 seconds) are faster than average.

A Few Concerns

I don't have many complaints with the N1 -- Images can't be easily and immediately deleted (direct access) users must shift to playback mode to delete images and I don't understand why the N1 doesn't provide a custom (manual) white balance mode, this is an 8 megapixel camera – manual WB is not an unreasonable expectation.

Who is this Camera best suited for?

The N1 is a very good choice for busy folks who like trendy techno-toys, casual photographers who want a camera compact enough to take along everywhere they go, style conscious snap-shooters looking to "wow" their friends, and those looking for a bar/party camera that works well in dim/low light.

Conclusion

The super svelte little N1 is a precision-engineered imaging tool that delivers consistently excellent picture quality, impressive performance, and better battery life than the Energizer Bunny – plus this camera puts the fun back into taking pictures. It is stylish, remarkably well designed, user friendly, surprisingly versatile, and capable of dependably superior results.

The huge touchscreen LCD, portable image viewer capability, and on-board album feature really take the sting out of the N1's high price. Consumers could do much worse than moving the N1 to the top of their must buy lists.

IMAGES

If you would like to see a selection of images that are very similar to and typical of the sort of test pictures I shoot for my epinions digital camera reviews -- click on the top link under Favorite Links on my profile page (to get to my EPS profile page from this review, just click on my name under about the author above). The Favorite Links link will take you to my forum page at DCR -- Click on the find all posts by Howard Creech link (under Forum Info). My DCR reviews each feature a selection of my images.

The observations, opinions, recommendations, and conclusions provided in my digital camera reviews are based on more than 30 years experience as a photographer and extensive hands on testing of each of the cameras reviewed. I receive no compensation from DCR.com for your visit or any subsequent purchase you may make. You can return to epinions at any time (either open the link in a new window or hit your back button). The Canon Powershot SD500 and the Canon Powershot A520 posts were submitted as text only reviews and the images that illustrate those two posts were shot by a DCR staffer.

Links

For definitive advice on How to Choose a Digital Camera please see my (updated) review

http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-2E46-17B174E2-39A418E3-prod1

Looking to ramp up your imaging experience with your own digital darkroom? Check out my review of a very capable (discontinued and heavily discounted) Pro quality ink-jet printer

The Epson Stylus Photo 2200 http://www.epinions.com/content_167980076676