Overview
The Sony DSC T20 is a stylish, pocket sized digital camera. It is an eight megapixel model and has a standard three times optical zoom lens. Key selling points include the camera's looks and also the ease of use of the DSC T20.
Main Features
Megapixels:
Zoom:
LCD Screen:
Dimensions:
Weight:
8
3x
2.5 inches
89.7 x 55.7 x 22.8mm
127g
Macro:
HD Movies:
Manual Controls:
Batteries:
Memory Cards:
1cm
No
No
Lithium-ion Rechargeable
Memory Stick Duo
Image Quality - See Sample Images Below
Outdoor Scenic Shots in Good Light
Outdoor 1:
This is a good effort. I'm impressed by the levels of sharpness in the photo. Even as you move towards the edges of the photo the sharpness levels remain high. Sun glare is coped with very well and colours are true as too.
Outdoor 2:
I like the brightness and colours in this photo. As is true of many digital cameras focusing is not quite as sharp when the zoom lens is zoomed out to its maximum width.
Outdoor 3:
With the lens fully zoomed in the DSC T20 is still able to retain a pleasing amount of colour in the photo. Sharpness is good without being perfect.
Portraits
Outdoor Portrait:
A bit disappointing. The photo has a dull feel to it.
Indoor Portrait:
This photo is letdown by the amount of red eye in the photo. When I tried to fix the red eye using the in camera retouch facility it did a good job of repairing red eye in one eye only and could not detect red eye in the second eye at all. There is also a slight red / orange tinge to the photo.
Lowlight:
This is a very good attempt by the DSC T20. Considering the lack of light the photo is well focused and there is also a surprisingly high level of brightness.
Macro, Colours and Noise
Macro:
A fairly standard macro shot. This photo is sharp enough and the photo is bright too. Although I wouldn't suggest this camera to anyone who wishes to specialise in macro photography the DSC T20 is fine for the occasional close up shot.
Colours:
Well balanced and strong without being overpowering.
ISO 400:
When the ISO setting is increased to ISO 400 picture quality is roughly what you would expect. Noise begins to creep into the photo and although the standard is better than some cameras produce you are still likely to be able to notice the dip in quality in any printed photograph.
ISO 3200:
At the highest ISO level picture quality is sharply reduced and I would suggest only using this setting if there is no other way of getting a photo.
Summary
On the whole the DSC T20 manages to produces a good set of test photos. I am a bit disappointed by the two portrait shots. I would have liked to have seen a bit more life in the outdoor photo. As with many other Sony digital cameras red eye is a problem when the flash is used.
Style
The DSC T20 is a sleek looking digital camera. This is helped by a sliding lens cover. It is one of the more slimline models and you should have no problem slipping this camera into a pocket.
Shutter Lag Times
Single Shot
Five Shots
Single Shot With Flash
Five Shots With Flash
0.15 seconds
7.63 seconds
0.29 seconds
12.67 seconds
Ease of Use
I like the way the menu system has been designed. It is easy to find your way around and the there is also text that pops up to describe each of the options. Buttons and dials on the back of the camera control zoom, flash, macro mode, self timer and picture review.
Points I Like
Low shutter lag - ease of use - stylish
Where it Could Improve
Red eye on indoor photos
Verdict
The Sony DSC T20 is a cut above most pocket sized cameras. It has a stylish design and I can see it being a very popular camera. The very low shutter lag times are impressive and I found the camera very easy to use.
Product Shots
Front View
Back View
Top View
Sample Menus
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Related Pages
Sony DSC T20 Review Sony DSC T20 Specification Sony DSC T20 Sample Images Sony DSC T20 Features
Review Date
September 2007
