NEW Reviews Beta Feedback

Sony Cybershot DSC-F717 Digital Camera (Sony-DSCF717)

-

Pending

Avg User Rating
5 User Reviews | add yours »

Performance
Overall rating	80
Image quality: To gauge picture quality, we take a series of shots, with and without flash, at 640 by 480 resolution and at the camera's highest resolution. We photograph a complex still life and a mannequin to see how well each camera captures details and subtle colorings such as skin tones. A panel of judges reviews the on-screen and printed photos and assigns image-quality scores; we then average those scores.	Very good
Ease of use	Good
Features	Good
Maximum effective pixels/resolution	5 megapixels at 2560 by 1920
Bundled media	32MB Memory Stick
Focal range (35mm equivalent)	38mm to 190mm
Aperture range	f2 to f8
Shutter speed range (seconds)	30 seconds to 1/1000 second
Viewfinders	Optical viewfinder, 1.8-inch LCD display
Video / audio recording	Yes/Yes
Semi-automatic/manual modes	Four scene modes; aperture-priority, shutter-priority, manual modes; manual focus
Optional lenses	Wide-angle and telephoto
Software	MGI PhotoSuite and MGI VideoWave
Battery score	Very good
Battery life	491 shots, 172 minutes
Battery type	One rechargeable lithium ion
Dimensions and weight	6.3 by 4.9 by 2.5 inches; 23.8 ounces
Support policy score	Fair
Support policies	One-year parts and 90-day labor warranty, 15-hour daily toll-free support

User Reviews for Sony Cybershot DSC-F717 Digital Camera (Sony-DSCF717)

Reviewed by: unclesmrgol

Duration of ownership:

Strengths: standard hotshoe -- you can use non-Sony flashes.excellent magnification range -- 35mm to 200mmbest autofocus I've ever hadno step-up filter ring needed.

Weaknesses: wide angle isn't wide enough for vistas.a bit of noise at high ISO settings.a lot of shutter lag

Overall Evaluation: I take thousands of pictures of marching bands every year. This camera was purchased as a replacement for two previous cameras, and has not failed to produce pictures which wow the crowds. A marching band can fill a football field, and your average high school or junior college stadium doesn't have seating far enough from the field for this camera to get the entire field without a wide angle adapter. The camera certainly does have enough magnification for you to catch individuals on the field, provided you use a tripod. With that thought in mind, the camera has produced excellent pictures at all magnifications and ISO settings. I normally take parades during the day at ISO 100/200, and this camera produces stuff good enough for 11x14 photos. At ISO 800 (night time field shows), the results aren't as stunning due to a bit of noise, but are certainly more than adequate for a full screen web display. The non-dedicated hot shoe is really cool. Unfortunately, you have to navigate Sony's menu system to turn it on, but once on, you can stick your favorite ancient giant manual flash on the top, set shutter speed to flash's sync speed, calibrate the f-stop to the flash's output, and there you go.
Reviewed by: Grigolly

Duration of ownership:

Strengths: movable lens, plenty useful functions, comfortable form

Weaknesses: Expensive accessories and memory cards

Overall Evaluation: It is a great camera. Very easy to get used to, comfortable L form, movable lens, just great. Moreover it has plenty of options! 5mp is enough even if you are going to print A3 size photos. Noise on ISO 100 and on ISO 200 is low; ISO 400 and ISO 800 are very noisy. if you are going to purchase this camera, you'd better buy at least 128mb memory too. And if you are going to use it while camping, of sightseeing tour, I would recommend you to acquire better battery (290 minutes are not enough and it takes 140 minutes to charge it).Anyway I am using this camera for more than 7 months and I still think that it is the best camera