Digital Camera - Sony's new 8MP sucks!

[Embs]

I love digital photogrpahy. My first decent digital camera was a sony dsc-f707, the 707 has been awesome. It is a 5 mega pixel camera that takes fairly clean shots for an early prosumer digital.
I also have a Canon 10D which is a 6.3 mega pixel high end prosumer SLR digital. Pictures from the 10D are awesome and not to be compared with the Sony on any level.


Recently we purchased the new Sony DSC-F828 8 mega pixel camera. The feel of the camera and the controls were excellent. The pictures were horrible and not nearly as good as the Sony 707.


Below is an example shot of the 707 (5 mega pixel) and the 828 (8 mega pixel). This is the bottom of a crystal vase shot in normal mode close up (macro).


I tried several other 828's with the same horrible results.

[RickM]

Is this using auto focus? I'd assume so if in "normal" mode.

It looks out of focus to me. Perhaps thrown off by the reflection.

[Embs]

Originally posted by RickM
Is this using auto focus? I'd assume so if in "normal" mode.

It looks out of focus to me. Perhaps thrown off by the reflection.

Yes, sorry for not being clear. It was in auto focus. Even using manual settings the image quality is very poor. I have tried to give this camera every opportunity and it has failed each time.


The images are either blurred or very noisy. Clarity escapes this camera at any focal point. It has a terrible blooming issue and guaranteed purple halo or fringing if lights or reflective metals are in the shot.

[RickM]

This is good to know. Hopefully you can return the camera.

While this unit has pretty high marks it seems many point out your exact observations ---> http://www.epinions.com/pr-Sony_Cyber-Shot_DSC-F828_Digital_Camera/display_~reviews

Even the reviewers that hand out high scores remark on the noise.

[84porsche]

I think it is too soon to move to 8 megapixel - I have the Sony DSC V1 - 5MP and I get some really good shots - the only thing I dislike is the flash is not as powerful as the F717 that I owned for a brief period of time.

[island911]

Have you checked the "sharpness" setting?

[Eric Coffey]

Like Island said, I would check the camera's internal settings. If it is a "prosumer" level camera, it will have a few settings for sharpness and contrast. There are plenty of other potential settings to check as well
(interlaced vs. progressive scan mode, image resolution/compression settings, ISO, etc). After all that, if it still takes sh***y pics, I'd be returning it quick.

[Embs]

Yep, all of the settings were checked. I have been playing with cameras for the better part of my life. I tried everything to get a good picture out of it.


The story gets worse, CompUSA, which is where I was STUPID enough to buy this, is trying to charge me a 15% ($150.00) open box fee!! Everything is there in the box as it should be, I have the receipt, yada yada...


CompUSA is saying that inside the flap of the box it states that if there is a problem you must deal with Sony! I told the CompUSA manager hag that I didn't buy it from Sony, I bought it from them and that you have to open the box to see the bullsh@t sony statement. It ended up getting much worse, so the hell with it I am just going to dispute the charge.


Sometimes I think I need a nose wheel, I could just stay bent over!! No more CompUSA for this chump!

[Eric Coffey]

Good to know about Comp(lete bull*****)USA. The strange part is that many high-end digitals are using Sony CCD's.

[SteveStromberg]

I was going to buy a Sony because I already had $400 worth of their batteries for my Sony Vid cam and Digital camera then I find out the would not work in the New camera so I would have to buy more batteries at $150 each. I said fuch that and bought a Minolta Dimage 7 that uses AA rechargeables that I buy 4 for $20 with the charger. The photos I post from the car shows are shot wiht the 7 it works great very happy with the camera. I reccomnend Dimage it a great camera here is the current model.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=317275&is=REG

[Embs]

Steve, I checked out the Minolta at DPreview and it is very impressive. It doesn't appear to have any of the purple halo effect or noise problem that the Sony 828 has.


Below are some sample images from DPreview from the Konica-Minolta DiMAGE A2: (the images are slow to load)

http://www.dpreview.com/gallery/?gallery=konicaminoltaa2_samples/


The review:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Konica_Minolta/konicaminolta_dimagea2.asp


To be honest, the choices these days can be overwhelming. It's hard to find and honestly compare every product within a price/technology range.

Todd

[beepbeep]

Can you change the lens? Many cheap lenses expirience loss of sharpness in macro mode. I suggest redoing this test in ordinary mode.

That being said, I always found Sony CCD's very corny and un-satisfying. That was couple of generations ago, so they probably improved.

Also: are picture segments you are showing in their natural resolutions? Reason I'm asking is that if they are, 8MP pic would show smaller segment of the vase.


You can see it's very soft...pixels are there but it's all blured. Check with Photoshop to see if there is information left in those softish pictures.

If it doesn't work, send it back.

[SteveStromberg]

I bought one of the early Mavica And it was a waste of $1k. I never got the quality I wanted. Send it back and have it checked out.

[RickM]

Unfortunately most are lured by the amount of pixels. I'm not suggesting that is the case here.

The BEST digital pictures I have are from my 3 CCD Sony camcorder. Because of the dedicated color handling the color saturation is second to none. Obviously the relatively low number of pixels would not be at professinal levels for a still camera but I just wanted to throw this dimension out. Is there a multi CCD still camera?

[Embs]

Originally posted by RickM
Unfortunately most are lured by the amount of pixels. I'm not suggesting that is the case here.

That was indeed part of the case, trust me I have learned my lesson. There is way more to it than pixel count.


I was under the impression that the Sony F828- 8 megapixel was going to out perform my Canon 10D 6.3 megapixel SLR. That was a HUGE mistake.


The Canon images looked better at a 200% magnification VS. the Sony at 100%.