Sony's latest digital camera, a semi-professional model called the DSC-V1, has a number of features usually found in professional cameras.Priced at HK$5,290, the DSC-V1 does seem to have a lot of features advanced shutterbugs would lust for - five megapixels, charged couple device, a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar lens (standard for Sony cameras), a resolution of 2,592 by 1,944 pixels, and four-times optical zoom with the option of adding telephoto wide-angle lenses at HK$1,200.
Not for entry-level users, the V1 is built for photo enthusiasts who want total control of the picture-taking process, while keeping the option of automatic features to help balance light and exposure. Key features include manual exposure controls, a NightFraming system which allows clear images to be captured in dim or no-light conditions and an infrared system that enables infrared images to be captured in total darkness.
A hardcore shutterbug would want to add to his shopping list an external flash, HVL-F32X, which costs another HK$800 and would add another 260 grams to the total weight.
It supports the Memory Stick VX video format, which uses the extremely expensive Memory Stick Pro media.
Sony Cybershot DSC-V1
Specifications