Sony's T30 7.2 megapixel ultracompact

Looks like Sony (Ericsson) decided to forgo the CTIA announcements this week and go straight for the digital cameras: their new 7.2 megapixel T30 ultracompact has a 3-inch display (though not touchscreen, like their N1, which also has a 3-inch screen), added ISO 800 / 1000 levels for lower light / higher noise shots (which, paired with their Steady Shot OIS is now called Super Steady Shot), 3x optical, 58MB internal memory, a 420 shot (CIPA-rated) battery, and an expected $500 price tag for May release. As usual, our bone to pick with Sony making extremely desirable devices that use Memory Stick applies, but if you're one of the 16% willing to look past all that, this looks like a very promising little camera.

[Via DC Review]

[Ben Tong @ Apr 6th 2006 3:50AM]

Nice design indeed. : )

[max @ Apr 6th 2006 4:12AM]

What is that weird silver clasp-like thingy on the front opposite the sony logo? A belt clip or a key ring??? ;-)

[miller @ Apr 6th 2006 4:24AM]

Wow, look suprisingly similar to the Samsung Digimax i6....

[Alex @ Apr 6th 2006 4:28AM]

hell yeah i like that one am going to get one till june :)

[Michiel @ Apr 6th 2006 8:09AM]

For those who know a camera is just a silly box and that glass is all that matters some more details found at the Sony website:

� Focal Length: 6.33 - 19.0mm
� 35mm Equivalent: 38 - 114mm
� Aperture: f3.5 - f5.6 (W); f4.4 - f10.0 (T)

38mm is a very decent length for everyday shooting. f3.5 is rather slow I'd think. You won't be able to use this camera in (not so well lit) doors or during twilight, unless you like using the on-camera flash.

Just some extra info. I like the look of the camera, but reading some more specs not given in the write-up, I wouldn't buy it. The lens seems too slow for available light photography.

[Drew @ Apr 6th 2006 8:23AM]

3. Obviously you're not familiar with Sony's ultracompacts. They were the first ones followed by all of the "copycats" by Nikon, Samsung, Fuji, etc.

[Randal @ Apr 6th 2006 8:59AM]

I don't care how nice this camera looks. I own the Sony T7, and unless you are shooting in bright daylight, or an upclose flash, the pictures are horrible.

I will never buy a Sony ultracompact again. I'm getting the Canon Powershot SD700 when it comes out in May.

[geedeck @ Apr 6th 2006 9:25AM]

Memory stick really isn't that big of a deal. With the advent of the PSP, memory has really dropped and I've seen 2gb for ~100. That's not bad in my book.

Also, #8, that's really strange. I've had really, really good experience w/ my T7 in a variety of situations. Are you sure you're using the right settings beyond just auto?

[Kamalot @ Apr 6th 2006 10:10AM]

Where did the 16% number come from? Is it really only 16% of cameras sold that use Memory Stick?

I don't care how much the price drops; if it is more expensive and used in fewer devices than SD cards, it is worthless.

[bob mugabe @ Apr 6th 2006 10:30AM]

I second #8, T7s are HORRIBLE. a cousin own one and bitch alot about the exposure so I tried it and then send it to sony auth. repair centre and they OK'd that bloody thing but we received back the same old junk.
#9 manual mode with spot meter produce garbage (yes, I do know how to use the spotmeter) these toy cameras should be avoided at all cost. any canon is a safer bet.

[scott cate @ Apr 6th 2006 10:41AM]

How is this in size, compared to the T7?

[Lau @ Apr 6th 2006 10:48AM]

what about the sony T9??? is it better than T9?? is T9 any good?? is canon better than T9??

[kevin @ Apr 6th 2006 10:53AM]

damn it, i had a hard time deciding between the super compact t9 and the superior low-light functionality of the fuji f30... i wish there was a way to get the best of both worlds into one camera but no.. life has to be unfair.

so i decided to go for quality of photos over compactness.

then THIS camera comes along...
i was thinking, "the next T series camera better be improved for low-light shots" but from what people are saying here, it doesn't look so hot on that issue.

so i guess i'm sticking with the bulky f30.... right? argh..

[Lau @ Apr 6th 2006 10:59AM]

what about the sony T9??? is it better than T9?? is T9 any good?? is canon better than T9??

[Chad @ Apr 6th 2006 11:09AM]

I have a T5 and it take great pictures. These camera's however are not for beginners. They have a ton of settings for all kinds of diffrent light situations. I have a Sony FD83 1.1 Megapixel camera that requires a floppy dics and that takes better pics that my Olympus 3.1 Megapixel. Also I have the Sony CD350 Mavica 3.2 megapixel and this one take great pics as well. My only real complaint is the the price is high which doenst bother me for a quality product but they couls at least include a 128 memory stick. Kind of cheap of them not too.

[Steve @ Apr 6th 2006 11:13AM]

Puuleease, can we get higher than 3x optical zoom?

[TroyG @ Apr 6th 2006 11:13AM]

Why are people so hung up on Memory Stick? Yes, it's proprietary, but come on, memory is disposable. You know that 64MB stick purchased 4 years ago for your new 3MP camera - is it still being used? Do you have any clue in what drawer you tossed it? Are you going to use it to store the 6 photos it'll now hold in 2006?

OK, OK, so there are some exceptions out there (you know who you are - I'm guilty as charged as well), but 98% of people will buy a card, whatever format, stick it in their device, and never take it out.

As for price - yup, it's a bit more spendy, but is an extra $10 or $20 gonna kill ya when you're buying a $400+ camera?

(For what it's worth, I've owned cameras from Sony and Cannon, and I have devices using SD, MiniSD, MemoryStick, MemoryStick Pro DUO, and CompactFlash.)

OK. I'm done... [[steps off of soap box]]

[simon @ Apr 6th 2006 11:15AM]

I'm still waiting to hear Engadget whine about Apple sticking with an OS that has much less than a 16% market share. BTW what % of digital cameras use only CF instead of SD? Just curious

[Tom @ Apr 6th 2006 11:36AM]

Re: #2

I'm pretty sure that silver ring is to hold the hand strap that comes with Sony's ultra compacts. I've got a similar ring on my t9.

[archie4oz @ Apr 6th 2006 11:43AM]

Actually, aside from CF, and USB jump drives, all flash memory card types are "proprietary"...

[sturmnacht @ Apr 6th 2006 11:48AM]

I looked at the sonystyle website for this model and 1/2.5" sensor? That's horrible. A typical size of a 7.2MP sensor is 1/1.8". Keep trying, Sony, because this is still not perfect.

[DirtHerder @ Apr 6th 2006 11:48AM]

I am kind of curious where that 16% number came from as well.

You gonna step up with the goods Engadget? Or should we just assume it's a fictional figure you've fabricated for dramatic effect?

Memorystick bashing reminds me of those poor sad kids in high school that would glom onto making fun of other kids that were deemed "un-cool", in order to make themselves seem cool. But would then be slow to pick up on when it was no longer "cool" to crack the same old tired jokes about those kids.

Sony memory bashing: Old, tired, move on.

[FuZi0n @ Apr 6th 2006 11:49AM]

Suprise, just when you thought you had a T series camera you wanted to get they drop another one. By the time people make up their minds as to which is the best buy there will be another one. I still love the T series, its fun to watch every one copy off of Sony. Don't forget they where the inovators on the ultra compact, not Nikon or Samsung.

[sean @ Apr 6th 2006 11:52AM]

hmmm......
design looks good,
but
since sony's MPEG VX movie doesn't work with imovie,
it's out of my interest.

[BG @ Apr 6th 2006 11:55AM]

I own a 5 megapixel T1, the original subcompact from which the current line evolved.


Worst.
Low-light.
Pictures.
Ever.

This thing is basically useless if you are not in a well lit area. Blurry pics, weak flash, pixelization, and the worst red eye i have ever seen in a camera. Sometimes it's ntoeven red, but orangy, so computer software won't detect it. Also, there is a weird violate haze in some pics. Save yourself the trouble, get a Canon or Nikon.

[Oliver @ Apr 6th 2006 12:46PM]

I bought a T5 last December. I'm really happy with the camera (and memory stick pro duo), and this camera looks even nicer.

But yes, low light pics can be disappointing.

[jon @ Apr 6th 2006 2:20PM]

sony actually was not the first ultracompact...minolta 's X was the first (commercially) and it was cool. then sony came with the T1, and everyone go on board. btw X1 is still the smallest ultracompact in terms of w X H

[sean @ Apr 6th 2006 2:37PM]

YES!
minolta was the first ultra slim camera with inner zoom feature.
sony copied idea from minolta.
I know because I had one before sony T1 came out.

[bgul @ Apr 6th 2006 2:54PM]

I think 16% is Sony's market share in the dig-cam market.

[Loban @ Apr 6th 2006 3:54PM]

I will never buy a camera with no viewfinder. Then again I will never buy a Sony camera. I cried when they bought Minolta's camera division.

[Drew @ Apr 6th 2006 5:19PM]

Viewfinder? Would you really want a viewfinder that would only show a fraction of what your picture would show?

24: You're suggesting that the current T30 is equal to the T1? Only Nikon has a comparable ultracompact and I don't think it's any better than Sony's offering.

28: Care to elaborate what's wrong with Sony's other digital cameras?

[Alex @ Apr 6th 2006 8:37PM]

T9 is far better for shots than the t7 with the stabilzer. it is designed for portablity not bloody poster sized shots. This is just the ongoing range. the silver thing is a little loop for a lanyard.

it's a nice looking camera. The battery life if like the T9 will be great. I mean a camera that can tell you to within 3 mins of no life left is pretty good.

as for Minolta bringing out the first compact.. it's all good.. sony own them now. so the saying sony brought out the first one is still technically correct :P

[Ryan Gardner @ Apr 7th 2006 9:53AM]

I own a T3 - (an import.. domestically released in a slightly different case as the T33) - I love it. With the T3 sony departed from what I consider the #1 flaw in their design of a "carry-in-your-pocket-everywhere-you-go" camera... the sliding lens cover.

Sure - it can take 400+ pics on that battery... but how many hours will that battery last while your camera is staring at your pants pocket?

Sliding lens cover = bad. Push-button + on-in-less-than-1-sec = good.

[Ryan Gardner @ Apr 7th 2006 9:57AM]

#24 - Mpeg VX does work with iMovie - you just have to convert it first. The conversion process is very simple, and involves a free piece of software known as "MPEG Streamclip"

I've made entire movies using MPEG VX - the image quality is excellent, but the lack of steadyshot on the T series makes the video slightly jittery...

(Wish list: A Sony DSC-H32 like camera with support for MPEG-VX recording onto MS Duos... that would rock my world. I would buy lots and lots of 2GB MS Duos...)

[sean @ Apr 7th 2006 9:46PM]

wow!! thanks a lot!^^ Ryan Gardener.
it works great!
but one question.
after I converted the clip, the size of 12MB. becomes to about 70MB.
why is that?
thank you again.~^^

[sean @ Apr 7th 2006 9:55PM]

never mind.
I found it.^^
thanks Ryan Gardener.

[Dan Howard @ Apr 22nd 2006 6:33PM]

I have a Sony F828 and carry my T9 in my pocket ALL the time. I'm a retired pro photographer and find both cameras top notch. I do a great deal of research before I buy and the T9 is my 5th Sony. Learn how to use them.

[Ryan Gardner @ Apr 28th 2006 2:22AM]

To reply to Dan Howard on this very old post... - yes, you can carry one with a sliding lens cover in your pocket. However, there is always a small chance that your lens cover will slide open accidently. Sure, it may not have happened to you - or you may not have noticed it yet - but as the cameras get older and the sliders get easier to move, it's more of a problem.

With a simple on/off switch it's probably 1000x less likely to open accidently in your pocket. Push the button - camera lens opens. Simple as that.

I think we both agree that Sony cameras are top-notch (despite everyone's complaints about the ms format...)

[Richard @ May 21st 2006 1:09PM]

Just purchased the New Sony DSC-T30 and i think its fantastic! a quick and easy to use Camera with a brilliant Screen, also a good feature is the Slideshow option that plays a groovy sound while looking at your recent pictures, not cheap but well worth the money !

[Shu @ Jun 8th 2006 3:14PM]

I want to know the questions that Lau posted also - Basically how does the T30 compare to the T9? I have had a T11 and I just got the T9 last month not paying attention about the release of the T30 and it seems that a lot of my photos are blurry, but I still have to adjust to the settings. But I just got back from a trip to Las Vegas, NV and I had to take multiple photos of the same place because the photos would constantly be blurry until I was happy with one of them. And the T30 has the new Super SteadyShot, so how do the two cameras compare?

[DAVE @ Jul 2nd 2006 2:13PM]

I've still got a T1 from 2004 with a 1GB MS duo, i use it all the time and never found anything wrong with it. I don't know if to get the T30 or keep what ive got!

[Simon @ Aug 15th 2006 6:39PM]

I just bought the T30 and I have to say I'm EXTREMELY impressed.

I have previously owned the T1 and the T7. The T1 was a truly awful camera. Low light pictures were abysmal which made the camera pretty much useless. The T7 was a BIG improvement but there were two major problems, red eye and still poor performance in low light.

The T30 is a big step up. Red eye is still evident but no more so than with my Canon Ixus 750. The biggest difference is the quality of indoor or low-light photos - these are now far sharper with more natural colours than I ever achieved with the Canon. I have taken various pictures today with both cameras using similar settings - the Sony is far superior - thoroughly recommended.