Sony launches Cyber-shot DSC-T10

Ah, our true unabashed, unabating Sony-guilty-pleasure: their so sexy Cyber-shot line's got another notch on the bedpost called the DSC-T10, a not-too-distant T30 ultracompact cousin with a seven megapixel sensor, 3x optical zoom, ISO 1000 setting, 2.5-inch display, and 56MB of internal memory (should you run out, or if you're anything like us, forget your memory card in your media reader). They're claiming 250 shots per charge on their NiMH cell, and it's all yours to start shooting with for four Benjamins some time this month when it hits store shelves.

[Totalfixation @ Aug 2nd 2006 1:29AM]

My god!!! damn you sony, seriously your releaseing new cameras and yet you do nothing to the added features, im still waiting for wifi support or bluetooth or something that i can use to wirelessly transfer pictures to my computer. So what, wow you can take more shots per charge, why not just improve battery life on current cameras? Geez never seen a company milk the consumer so god damn much.

[MRG @ Aug 2nd 2006 1:41AM]

Calm down. Go find another company's offerings if you are not happy with what Sony is bringing to the table. Also I would not expect those features from Sony in their ultra compact.

[tc @ Aug 2nd 2006 1:54AM]

wtf i just bought a T9

[Snarky @ Aug 2nd 2006 2:39AM]

I am interested in getting a point and shoot (ultra) compact camera... would the knowledgable engadget community recommend the cybershot line?

[sam @ Aug 2nd 2006 2:50AM]

The black one looks sexy

[Silver R. Wolfe @ Aug 2nd 2006 3:08AM]

@Snarky

Sony has been doing really well as of recently. Though the Canon Powershot line is tough to beat. It would be between those two for me.

[matteo @ Aug 2nd 2006 3:38AM]

can't wait to get one... i don't mind about wi-fi connection... (it does reduce battery life) even if i'd love if this new camera would sport a stand mini usb plug... way more convenient...

[A.A. Fussy @ Aug 2nd 2006 3:40AM]

Obviously hard to dismantle, the previous T series SM's are on Sony ESI and by the looks of them, special tools are needed. And also for the Alpha

[Martyn @ Aug 2nd 2006 4:06AM]

I bought a T30 last month. Nice camera but not as good as my Fuji E900 by a LONG SHOT! Although the SONY is smaller and truly idiot proof....I can't understand how this T10 is significantly different....SONY really has a bizarre product managment...

[Nick @ Aug 2nd 2006 4:31AM]

So *that's* the point of internal memory... I always though it was a bit useless with GB cards so cheap, but thinking about it, I've done that too!

My only question: is the T series as robust and reliable as my trusty, water resistant, ice proof, snow proof, drunk proof U30?

[fightorflight @ Aug 2nd 2006 4:34AM]

Snarky, Sony are good if you are willing to pay a little more for essentially nothing more than the brand.

Also, think about if you can put up with their legendary proprietary memory sticks, connections/interfaces, software etc. If you've got a lot of Sony stuff it's generally cool (ie sharing 1 Memeory Stick Duo between phone, camera and PSP), but it can get pretty limiting when it comes to getting new toys.

BTW I know everybody's Bluetooth crazy right now, but wouldn't it be a little time consuming transferring even 50 seven megapixel shots?

[CK @ Aug 2nd 2006 4:40AM]

"wtf i just bought a T9"
Posted at 1:54AM on Aug 2nd 2006 by tc

Quoted for truth. Damn you Sony.
(I love my t9)

[Phil @ Aug 2nd 2006 5:51AM]

I reckon it's good that Sony releases an ultra compact frequently. It brings the price of the previous model down and you will have something slightly diffrent from the people with the older and newer ones.

[Temple @ Aug 2nd 2006 10:10AM]

>>My god!!! damn you sony, seriously your releaseing new cameras and yet you do nothing to the added features, im still waiting for wifi support or bluetooth or something that i can use to wirelessly transfer pictures to my computer.

What the hell is wrong with you, calm down.

First off, its a 7-megapixel camera, which is 1 megapixel more then the previous version. Also the camera goes to an ISO setting of ISO1000, and with image stabilization should take much better pictures in low light situations (The DSC-T9 maxed out at 640).

As far as BT and WiFi are concerned, those are the dumbest features in digital cameras, they don't make the picture any better and just eat battery life.

Atop that most ppl don't take pictures near their computer, and using a card reader or usb cable is much simpler then setting up a wifi connection. Also most computers don't have BT on them anyway.

Also, 4GB Memorystick Duo are around a $100 now, people need transfer files less often, and when they do moving it via memorystick or USB is a lot faster then transfering it over WiFi or BT.

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=10388962&SearchEngine=Froogle&SearchTerm=10388962&Type=PE&Category=Comp&dcaid=17379

[fastboxster @ Aug 20th 2007 7:04PM]

Almost all newer printers have bluetooth. Now it's time for the camera manufacturers to catch up (HP and Kodak have had products in the works for some time). Anyone who blogs will appreciate wifi and bluetooth features, as most camera phones/pda's only have 2 MP sensors, so having a "real" camera to capture images makes for better blogs. So far the only manufacturer to have the newer feature-set is Ricoh. Some people don't get into technology though as I understand. Some people may never understand that wires are so passe, although I would not expect that of Engadget fans.

[KorruptioN @ Aug 2nd 2006 10:41AM]

With such a small CCD sensor, I wouldn't expect it to take any worthwhile pictures, especially in low-light. Sure it might have ISO1000, but you'll be looking at noise, not a picture.

[D-FENS @ Aug 2nd 2006 11:48AM]

Why would they use Ni-Mh instead of Li-Ion?

[jc @ Aug 2nd 2006 1:15PM]

D-FENS, i had the same question, sony has been going towards ni-mh in the recent years. but i think the most logical response would be that ni-mh last longer in terms of the number of cycles. a lot of li-on batteries last about 500-600 cycles while ni-mh offers over 1000 cycles. also cost could be another consideration. an infolithium battery from sound could set you back $70-80 due to the "premium" sony ic components in the battery. hehe

[Kemp @ Aug 2nd 2006 2:06PM]

>>Why would they use Ni-Mh instead of Li-Ion

to add to the comments of jc, Ni-Mh charges a lot faster then Li-ion, which is the reason why Hybrid cars like the Prius only use Ni-Mh.

Due to the slow recharge of Li-on due to a messy crystal structure of the electrodes.

MIT has shown Li-On batteries with cleaner crystal structure but that won't hit market for awhile.

[Kemp @ Aug 2nd 2006 2:13PM]

>>With such a small CCD sensor, I wouldn't expect it to take any worthwhile pictures, especially in low-light. Sure it might have ISO1000, but you'll be looking at noise, not a picture.

Still should take decent pictures, obviously not the quality of a DSLR, but decent for a ultra compact.

The ISO increase has less to do with the sensor size and more to do with the improved images stability, which should add 2-3.5 stops increase in exposure. For low light I.S. should dramatically improve picture.

However high ISO does equal higher noise, same goes for any camera, but it should be worlds better then the T9 and many other cameras in its category.

[Bart @ Aug 5th 2006 9:55AM]

how many times can they recycle that type of design. hehe oh well it looks nice so why not. brushed metal is a nice touch... maybe i should get sum sandpaper onto my t9... i joke i joke

[Lynn @ Aug 5th 2006 12:19PM]

I have just bought a T9 and am very very disappointed with the video quality. It is incredibly snowy and nothing like as good as the Pentax A10 or even older pentax models such as the 5SZ. On the plus side the 1cm magnifying mode is fantastic for incredible closeups and it is lovely and small with no external movement of the lens. Is anyone else having problems with video quality on the T9 or I am just unlucky. I would appreciate it if people could send me examples of their video quality to compare. Apart from this I think it is a good little camera.



Lynn

[Joe @ Aug 7th 2006 1:24AM]

What do you think the benefits of the T10 are over the T9..we obviously wont know practically until they release the camera and it's tested, but so far this is what I've heard makes it better in theory.

ISO 1000 (increased over ISO 640)
Improved Battery Life
1 Megapixel increase..

aside from the things mentioned.. something we've over looked is the Flash.. I would really hope that they took initive to increase the power and get rid of the red eye/dust bunny problem with the T9..

I'm looking to buy one of these soon, so I would love to hear your input!

[nate @ Aug 17th 2006 5:06PM]

feels like this is a cheaper, crappier version of the t30, rather than an upgrade to the t9.

The specs are very similar, with these variances:
-2.5inch screen instead of 3
-shorter battery life (250 vs 420)
-less powerful flash

but the sensor size, aperture range, shutter speed etc. are the same. (do a compare on a sonystyle site)

It's also heavier than the t30, but seems to be smaller, which can be a consideration in this compact cameras.

[matt @ Sep 1st 2006 8:42AM]

Im about to buy a camera and am not sure which one to buy, the T30 or the new T10. I like the idea of a 3" screen but the T10 is newer and might be better but i cannot see any reasons why. Sony confuses me by bring out different cameras all the time but i do want one. Can anyone help me as to which camera I should buy, the T10 or the T30?

[VICHALIM @ Nov 19th 2006 5:44AM]

JUST GOT T10 FROM BESTBUY 2AYS AGO, PIC LOOKS GREAT BUT I SOMETIMES SEES WHITE CIRLE SPOTS. 2 OR 3 IN A PICS. WENT BACK TO BESTBUY AND EXCHANGE. JUST GOT HOME FROM A PARTY STILL SEES WHITE DOTS ON PICS. IS THIS NEW PROBLEMS?? OR MY SETTING IS OFF.

[VICHALIM @ Nov 19th 2006 5:47AM]

PROBLEM WITH T10. I SEES WHITE CIRLE SPOT ON SOME OF MY PICS. EXCHENGE THE CAMERA STILL SEES THE WHITE CIRCLE SPOTSS

[Devin @ Jan 11th 2007 10:00PM]

I LOVE my new T10, I have owned 3 cybershots and this one is by far the best

[Dale C. Loop @ Jul 23rd 2007 12:34PM]

I just recievied this camera as a fathers day gift and I find it super. Better than my HP photosmart 407.