Sony's 5 megapixel DSC-T7 ultra compact reviewed

With Sony's DSC-T1 and DSC-T3 seemingly the de rigeur ultra compact digicams for red carpet groupies and chi chi party-goers, we can except to see even more Sony-madness abound now that their even-smaller-so-it-must-be-better DSC-T7 5.0 megapixel model has been released. The T7 is one of a trio of similar cameras in Sony's lineup (the T5 and T33 being the others) that offer good quality photos despite their diminutive sizes. Steve's Digicam just got it on with the T7, and they could barely find a fault, what with the quick startup time, short shutter lag, large, sharp LCD, attractive design and smart ergonomics. The downsides are mere quibbles in comparison: no tripod mount (big whoop), awkwardly-placed lens prone to smudging, and the inevitable million-and-one, lose-them-and-you're-screwed dongles, doodads, and chargers that Sony loves to torture us with.

[Justin France @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

From the 'read' link:

"...On the bottom is a standard tripod screw mount so it can be used if you want to put the T7 on a tripod. "

[Kevin Chow @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

" we can except to see even more Sony-madness abound now that their even-smaller-so-it-must-be-better DSC-T7 5.0 megapixel model has been released."

the T7 has been around for a couple of years now, I just got mine earlier this past summer. I noticed though that a price dropped happened with the T7 when the T5 came out.

[daaper @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

Justin-

I think the site is saying that the tripod mount is on the bottom of the included stand rather than the camera itself...which i guess isn't a big deal: you just leave the stand attached to the tripod, then attach the camera to it whenever you need the tripod.

"Included with the T7 is this handy stand to hold the camera when you have the cable adapter plugged into it. On the bottom is a standard tripod screw mount so it can be used if you want to put the T7 on a tripod." -Steve's Digicams

[Dan @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

I've had mine since May (when it was released - Kevin, you may be thinking of the T1 which was the first of Sony's cameras to have this form factor) - though I wouldn't have gotten it until I found out that you can indeed hook a tripod up to it. My only (minor) issue with the camera after 4 months of everyday use is that the lense cover sometimes pops open when carying the camera in your pocket.

[Kevin Chow @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

Dan: ya my mistake, it was released earlier this year already though, but my main point was just... this shouldn't be said as a "new release"

Here it is @ Cebit 2005 (March 12 2005)
http://www.cebit-show.com/sony/002_Cybershot_T7_digital_camera_preview.html

Article on T7 (March 9 2005)
http://livingroom.org.au/photolog/reviews/sony/sony_cybershot_dsct7.php

digitalphotographyreview (March 8 2005!!!)
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0503/05030804sondsct7.asp

but i'm saying in terms of the tech world, something released back in march is a long long time ago.

"My only (minor) issue with the camera after 4 months of everyday use is that the lense cover sometimes pops open when carying the camera in your pocket."

ya, thats why for the later T-model's ,they took off the sliding door mechanism entirely, and it they put it back when they released the t5, which came under some criticism. but meh.. i got a slim neoprime(sp?) case for my T7, to prevent scratches and such, and it also solves this problem, doesnt add much heft to the size in my pocket either.. haha still smaller than my wallet in my pocket even with the case on