DSC-T7:
Pictures:
Overview:
I’ve owned the T1, and very happy with it, for quite a while, and did not think I would get rid of it in the near future. Seeing the designs of the T3, T33, etc I wasn’t too impressed. I don’t want to search for an on/off button when I want to take a picture, I want to slide a lense cover and have the camera turn on. When Sony revealed the T7 I knew I was upgrading. My only concern was the placement of the LCD.
Contents:
Sony generously includes a 32MB stick + sled (yes I am exaggerating), a dock, an interface adaptor, neck strap, USB cable, A/V cable, a battery, and a stand-alone charging unit. Unlike the T1, the cradle does not charge or sync the T7. You must attach the connector to the T7 to sync the pictures. The battery charges in a stand-alone unit (pictured below).
I like the stand-alone charger idea…I bought one for my T1 because I hate ‘cradles’. The only issue I have with this one is that because of it’s design, it takes up a considerable amount of space on the A/C wall outlet. I like the hidden prong idea (sparing us from another cable) but I loose valuable surge protector space. On a side note, the charger can charge both the T1 and T7 style batteries (one at a time).
Differences:
Beyond the design, I notice several differences from the T1 - T7. I feel it is correct to compare the two because they are essentially the same camera, 2.5” LCD, 5.1 MP, 3x Optical Zoom. I notice the T7 turns on quicker and snaps pictures much quicker. This was never a problem with the T1 but the T7 is noticably faster.
To me, the LCD on the T7 seems to have a slower refresh rate and it isn’t as sharp. I have not compared the two side by side, but I am recalling from my T1 memory. I could be wrong, however.
It seems the firmware has been updated…for example, when you change the flash type on the T7 a bigger, yellow, icon shows up to inform you of the change. Unlike the T1 where the little icon changed. Essentially, it’s easier to tell you’ve made a change and what you’ve changed it to.
The hand stap they gave you with the T1 has been replaced with a longer neck strap for the T7. Why? I liked the hand strap better.
Conclusion:
It’s hard to say if I really like the T7 better then the T1. Yes, it’s much thinner and lighter, takes pictures quicker, and has the newer firmware for ease of use, but it’s hard to justify the price difference. With the camera case, the T7 is about as big as the T1, so right there you lose some of the advantage. The LCD being on the right prohibits one hand use (you can use it, but its annoying and awkward) and the zoom button is hard to use in all situations…it’s placed weird.
LCS-THE:
Pictures:
Overview:
When buying the new T7 I knew I wanted a case that would protect a fragile camera. I had a perfect case for my T1, it was leather and was soft on one side and hard on the other (to protect the LCD). It was not an offical Sony case and I couldn’t find anything like that on eBay for the T7. Sony’s case said it was a soft carrying case and I figured I would buy it and use it until I found a better case. The case is soft, but just hard enough to protect the camera IMO. It uses a long strip of velcro to keep the case closed. My only issue with the case is that by the time the camera is in the case it’s almost as big as the T1 (I think). Otherwise, it’s a great case and looks real nice with the T7.
DPP-FP30:
Pictures:
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The case below is for size use only:
Overview:
After picking up the T7 I decided I wanted a new photo printer. I have an HP photo printer that uses Ink Jet technology. It’s a great printer, don’t get me wrong, but I wanted something that uses a bit higher technology.
I was considering Sony’s older printer, DPP-EX50 as well as the higher end version of the one I chose, DPP-FP50. I liked the connectivity of the EX50 (TV, MS & CF ports, LCD display) as well as similar features on the FP50, however I chose price and size this time around. The EX50 is downright huge, which was the deciding factor in passing it over. The FP50 was $50 more expensive and was a bit larger as well.
I settled on the FP30 which lacks any form of LCD display, does not allow you to connect it to a TV, and has no MS or CF ports. What the FP30 does do is allow you to print from any PictBridge camera via USB or from a computer via USB. The FP30 comes with 40 pictures, the EX50 does not come with anything.
Use:
It prints from the T7 in about 90 seconds, making several passes, the last being a protective coating. This was the main reason I decided to ditch my inkjet. Eventually the photos would break-down. I am told this is not the same with sub dye and coated pictures. When buying 40 pack pictures it comes out to about $0.50 a picture. It’s a bit more expensive then going to Walmart or RiteAid, but you can print them at home, or on the go, considering it’s size. I plan to pickup a small case to bring the printer and the cord together when I go on trips.
Conclusion:
I love the print quality, the size, and the price…$150.00. With the T7, the case, and the printer, I can go anywhere, pack light, and have a complete photo-lab.
Erik
