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Sony Cybershot T50
Sony Cybershot T50
C
HQ Grade: C
A is outstanding and exceptional, rated in the top 10% of digital cameras.
B means they are good, with some standout features.
C means they are mediocre, and probably more trouble than they are worth.
D & F mean they are absolutely awful or old. Avoid at all costs.
  • 4 out of 5
"Sony Cyber shot T50"
  • 4 out of 5
"T50"
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Sarah (sarah725) 887 pts
January 16, 2007 3:28 AM
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How does the Sony T50 do indoors and in low light?

I am considering buying the Sony T50, but am curious about how it will do in low light situations. I know it has a high ISO, but does this create a lot of noise on this model? Also, does the touchscreen collect a lot of fingerprints? How is the image stabilizer?

I am really hoping to hear from someone who actually owns the camera. I am aware of the features and technical capabilities, but I would like a hands-on response. Thanks!
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This question is also associated with Sony T10.

Answers This question has been answered!
Ben Keough (DeadWolfBones) 10631 pts
January 16, 2007 10:26 PM
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Hi Sarah,

I don't actually own the camera, but here's what I've managed to find:

According to this in-depth review, the higher ISO settings on the T50 do indeed produce a lot of image noise, comparable to its predecessor, the T10. Furthermore, nearly half of the "cons" listed at the end of the review have to do with low light shooting:

# High-ISO shots are very noisy, particularly under limited-light conditions
# Short exposure times limit low-light shooting somewhat (still more than adequate for typical city night scenes though)
# Below-average white balance performance under household incandescent lighting

Reviews from CNET and Steve's Digicams also confirm the high ISO/low light issues, though CNET downplays them and says the pics should be fine for viewing on the computer or 4x6" prints. User reviews here at DCHQ are generally pretty positive, but none of them really address the low light issue (unlike the reviews of the T10). Amazon user reviews talk about red eye/white spot issues when shooting with flash, but not much about the image noise.

Hope this helps!
Best Answer
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Sarah (sarah725) 887 pts
January 18, 2007 1:34 AM
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Thanks Ben,
I saw those reviews too. I was really excited when I first heard about the camera because I loved the specifications. So when I saw those reviews I was hoping that they were wrong, which is why I posted it on here. I was hoping someone who actually owned the camera would tell me what I wanted to hear. Doesn't seem like that happened though. Anyhow, I bought the camera anyway because I really like the other specs. We'll see how it does...hopefully it is at leaste better than my Nikon L1 (which is an amazing camera other than low light). Well, since no one else answered I will show you my thanks for your attempt by giving you the points. Thank you...it was so nice of you to take the time to get this info for me!
Sarah
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Ben Keough (DeadWolfBones) 10631 pts
January 18, 2007 10:32 AM
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No problem. Sorry you couldn't get anyone who owns it.

Once you've got it you should post back here and let us know how it actually is, in case anyone else searches and finds this thread.

Good luck!
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Hazel 0 pts
January 21, 2007 4:58 AM
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Hi Sarah - I'm wondering the same things u asked ben. I am also waiting for a reply to the question you posted. So, how is it? I am also concerned with the red eye since it seems to be an issue also. Please reply to my email add too in case I lose this thread.

Thanks much,

Hazel
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Sarah (sarah725) 887 pts
January 22, 2007 2:12 PM
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hazel...i don't actually have the camera yet. I had to order it online and I am expecting it by Friday. I will let you know as soon as I get it and play around with it for awhile.
Also, I don't have your e-mail. The best thing to do is click on the "watch this question" link on the top of the page right above my original question.
-Sarah
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Hazel 0 pts
January 22, 2007 10:53 PM
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Hi Sarah. Sorry for not including my email add. It's <purpleshangkai@yahoo.com.ph>. Thanks. By the way, I am also considering the N2. I am curious as to what made you finally decide on the T50?

-Hazel
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Sarah (sarah725) 887 pts
January 23, 2007 1:20 AM
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I chose the T50 over the N2 because it is smaller, available in black (which it think looks better), it doesn't have a lens that protrudes outside of the camera, and it has the protective cover over the lens when not in use. I primarily wanted a camera that I could put in my purse, so this was a great feature for me...
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Hazel 0 pts
January 25, 2007 12:18 AM
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I see. have you considered other brands? I initially was attracted to the Panasonic Lumix FX 50 but the more I researched, the worse the user reviews became. Shucks. Now I am more than ever hesitant which cam to buy. I have read the probs of the T50 such as red eye, white spots. these 2 are the most common complaints. Do email me or post ur own reviews here once i get it on friday, okay? Don't hold back, hehehehe.

-hazel
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Fatima 0 pts
January 28, 2007 7:15 PM
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i am curious if you also considered the canon powershot sd900? i am debating between that and the sony t50.
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Hazel 0 pts
January 29, 2007 1:05 AM
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Hi fatima. That must be the equivalent of the Canon Ixus 900Ti (I live in Asia) - I have read negative reviews regarding that part. model of the Ixus line of camera. If I recall, one of the comments that stands out is that despite it being the newest in the Ixus line, it is a disappointment compared to its predecessors. It is also very expensive. A friend ended up advising me to stop reading reviews since no 1 camera got a passable score from different users/reviewers. I think the adage "to each his own" is very apt in this case. hehehe.
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Hazel 0 pts
January 29, 2007 1:07 AM
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Karen, so how is your T50 - assuming you already got it? Ü

Thanks!
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Sarah (sarah725) 887 pts
February 1, 2007 6:31 PM
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Umm...not sure who Karen is, but i got my T50 and I am loving it. I am having some buyer's remorse because it was so expensive, though. I love the 3" touchscreen, the lens cover, and the slide show features. This camera was a great buy for what I want it to do, which is to leave in my purse and take pictures of my friends and family. The slide show feature is a great way to show off those pictures! I tested it out in low light. The noise and red eye aren't as bad as the reviewers make it out to be. Shooting pictures in low light will always set the scene for red eye no matter what camera you use. I didn't use the red eye reduction because I didn't want to blind my friends with the camera flashing 3 or 4 times before taking the pictures. However, on the few pictures I actually experienced red eye, I suspect using the red eye reduction tool would have helped a lot. If youa re concerned about red eye, you can reduce this by requesting that your subjects not look directly at the camera when shooting in low light settings.

I did however notice the orbs. Little white spots did show up in many of the darker photos which is a bit distracting. This I was not pleased with.

Bottom line: If you want a cool camera to show off to friends and family and has fun features like the touchscreen and the slide show function, this is an awesome camera. But if you are looking for something that is small and won't have a lot of red eye...good luck finding one of those. Also, if you like the design of the T50 but aren't worried about the touchscreen and prefer a smaller price tag, the T9 and T10 are great little cameras. Plus, they are significantly smaller than the T50. The only downside is that they don't have quite as good of an image stabilizer.

Hope that helps.
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Hazel 0 pts
February 4, 2007 11:44 PM
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Hi Sarah - I dunno why I typed Karen. Anyway, thanks for your reply - it is helping me a lot in deciding. I am still on the lookout for a digicam and it is among SOny T-50, Panasonic FX 50 and Casio Exilim 850. Locally, the t-50 sells at about $370. Is this a fair price, you think?

Hazel
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Endre (Endre) 52 pts
February 5, 2007 4:31 AM
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Hi Sarah,

I also have the whit bubbles on my pictures made with flash. Check out the question about this in the 'Ask' section of T50 (http://www.digitalcamera-hq.com/digital-cameras/sony-cybershot-t50_question.html?qid=9233).

IMHO, it is not a 'bit distracting', but so bad, that if don't manage to get rid of that, I'm gonna send my camera back. For so much money I want to have a camera which performs well under lowlight conditions, too.

I have made over 200 test pictures already. I must say, the camera performs excellent in decent daylight, handling is just perfect, I love the LCD touchscreen, and all the fancy features. But these bubbles drive me crazy. 50-60% of pictures with flash are practically useless. See the other thread for sample photos.

Really a pity to screw up such a nice camera this way... :(

I contacted Sony Support on this issue and waiting for their answer. Depending on that I decide if I send the cam back or not.
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Ben Keough (DeadWolfBones) 10631 pts
February 5, 2007 4:17 PM
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Hazel,

The baseline price for the T50 at reputable internet sites right now is about $330 (I use Amazon as a baseline because their prices are low but not the lowest, and they're among the most reputable internet retailers). So, $370 sounds about right for a brick & mortar markup. Personally, I'd always look to internet retailers before I'd buy from a store, but I know some people prefer the hands-on experience. :)

Hope this helps.
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Hazel 0 pts
February 5, 2007 10:35 PM
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Helped a lot, Ben. Thanks. WIth Endre's input above, I'm nowhere near making a decision - I'm back to square one. Ü
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Endre (Endre) 52 pts
February 6, 2007 6:13 AM
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Hazel,
I contacted the Sony Support ,and they said I should send the camera to their service center for examination, but I don't have the time for that right now. I'm not even willing to do that hassle, bitterly I chose the easier way and have the camera sent back to Amazon.
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Hazel 0 pts
February 6, 2007 10:09 PM
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Hi ENdre- i've been reading the talk forum digital photography review for almost all brands of digital cams and have narrowed down my choices (HOPEFULLY) to casio exilim and panasonic lumix (but as to the model, still researching which). I do feel bad for your unpleasant experience. Hope everything works out.
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Carrie 0 pts
February 7, 2007 2:15 AM
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If you're looking for a quality camera, STAY AWAY from the Casio Exilim. It's absolutely awful. The pictures are mediocre, the functions are not user-friendly, and theimage stabilizer is awful. I have a Z40, although I'm sure it's really out-dated. It's still a piece of junk.

Also, stay away from Canon Powershots, especially the later models. They look beautiful, but that E18 glitch is a killer. EVERY camera gets it, and it won't recover.

I'm also looking for a new digital camera, and I think i want a Sony Cybershot T50. I go to a lot of shows, and i think this camera will be perfect for me.

I do, however have one query:
do the white spots still appear if the picture is taken in the dark, with the flash function fully utilized? Or do the spots only occur when the flash is off?

Thanks!
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Endre (Endre) 52 pts
February 7, 2007 3:19 AM
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Hazel, thanks, I will survive :). I'm now also on the search for another camera. I was thinking of a Canon IXUS 900 Ti, but I'm going to research more before I decide.

Carrie, without flash it is all fine, no spots.
In lowlight condition it is more difficult to make pictures without flash that are not blurred, but this is more of a general photography problem. Best is to use a tripod. I wanted to have a camera for snapshots, and that in dark, too.
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Hazel 0 pts
February 7, 2007 10:47 PM
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Carrie, thanks for your input. Re your intention to get a T-50, I suggest you research some more. I was already bent on getting the T50 but was bothered by the negative reviews. Sarah's own first-hand experience has confirmed it. Btw, have you taken a look at the Pana Lumix?

Endre, based on what I have researched, the 900 Ti was called "a big disappointment" in the Ixus line of Canon. My cousin got the Ixus 800 last year and he's still very happy with it. Due to the very many (and I am not exagg.) reviews and blogs I have read, there was a "star model" in the Ixus line and the 900 Ti ain't it. Do tell me what you have finally decided to get. I am going to H. Kong this coming March and will not make a decision until then. Hope when the time comes, I'll have made a decision. This is a big investment for me since I am not a techie.

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Endre (Endre) 52 pts
February 9, 2007 3:03 AM
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Hazel, thanks for the hint. I realize it's pretty difficult to find a good and reliable compact digicam... I will let you know what I decide to get.
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Carrie 0 pts
February 12, 2007 11:25 PM
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hey guys.
i think it's seriously impossible to find a flawless compact digital camera.
i'm keeping my Casio Exilim and getting a SLR camera instead.
even the Panasonic lumix has its problems.


my personal conclusion:
when you take that much technology and cram it into that small of a space, you're bound to go wrong somewhere.

my advice:
splurge and get a higher-quality camera.

i hope this helps.
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Hazel 0 pts
March 10, 2007 6:24 AM
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Hi Endre, long time. So what camera have you decided on? My choice is between the Casio z1000 and the Pana FX50 mainly bec. of its lower price.

Best regards.
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Carrie 0 pts
March 11, 2007 12:15 AM
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Hazel,
PLEASE rethink buying the PanaLumix FX50. the lens is REALLY bad. I tried it out, and you can tell immediately how awful it is. I'm sorry if you were really set on this camera, but i was too, and it's a piece of junk.
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Hazel 0 pts
March 27, 2007 9:17 PM
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Hi Carrie and Endre, just bought the Casio Exilim Z-1000. It's a great cam. Pix turned out great and for the cheaper price tag, I love it. I got a good deal when I bought it in Hong Kong - a Toshiba 2 gig SD card was thrown in and the standard case and strap. Most salespeople there advised me not to get the Sony T-50. I learned that there is a T-100 but t'was way too expensive for me. I ended up not buying the Panasonic FX 50 bec. they didn't have an international warranty + it felt bulkier compared to the Casio.
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Carrie 0 pts
March 27, 2007 10:27 PM
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hahaha.
nice, hazel.
i bought the cybershot n2.
i'm basically in love with it.
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Endre (Endre) 52 pts
March 28, 2007 3:24 AM
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Hi Hazel and Carrie. I almost gave up, I'm actually satisfied for my purposes with my old Sony DSC-F717.
My wife insisted on having a small cam for point and shoot pictures as she is kind of afraid of the big cam and its controls :). So I halfway left it over to her what she wants. We had a look on some cameras and she decided for the Kodak v705. It's a pretty nice cam, quick and has lot of settings, although I'm not 100% satisfied with the picture quality, which is much worse than those made by the Sony (of course there is a tiny bit of difference in lens, too :) ). I think it just compresses the pictures too much and there is no possibility to set the pic quality. My Sony makes ~2Mb pictures at 5MP, the Kodak ~1Mb at 7MP, sometimes only 800Kb. For normal printouts it's fine, I think it wouldn't even appear on an A4 picture. So it's a compromise, I still have my Sony, she has hers, everyone is happy :) (the original idea was to replace the Sony).

I wonder if the T-100 has better qualities in lowlight conditions than the T-50.
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