Color and Chrome makeup for the T3

This review covers the Sony Cybershot DSC T33.
At the point of this writing the T33 is announced but not available in the US in retail, just via internet. So to test it I had to go to Taiwan, as Sony hasn’t launched it in Japan either.
Strange model policy if you ask me. T1 in US, T3 not officially ever in the US, T33 outside Japan and US.

In my other reviews on Sony T1 and Sony T3, I opted for the T1 model, as I prefer the slide down lens cover, that would allow me to switch the camera on, while pulling it from the pocket. Also the quality feel of the Sony T1 was higher then the T3.

I took advantage of a business trip and went to a Taipei electronic store to check the T33 out. At first blush, there are no fundamental functional improvements over the T3, so most of the data below is the same then the T3. The T33 is really an outer redesign package.

Basic Features:

5.1 Megapixel Sensor, Zeiss 3x zoom lens (38 mm - 114 equivalent) inside the sleek body, the camera weighs 5.1 ounces at the size of a pack of cigarettes.

The camera features NO viewfinder, but an excellent 2.5 in color TFT display at 230.000 pixels, which is nominally higher then the 210.000 pixels of the T1, same as the T3.(In direct comparison, I could hardly tell the difference. No wonder, resolution needs to increase by area, so 10% more pixels hardly show up). It is transflective and you can really see it under all lighting conditions, even bright sunlight. Now when taking photos in low light conditions, on some cameras you will find that the monitor doesn't display anything but a dark picture. With the Sony, a built in infrared lamp illuminator will brighten the screen when you plan to take a picture quite comfortably.
It is suitable for 'orienting' during dark night conditions. but not for the point and 'wait for the right moment' snapshot, as the illumination will time out.

Value engineering: I found the T3 in direct comparison to the T1 mainly trying to shake cost out, rather then improve.
Following details are less satisfying on the T3:
Body styling: The T3 features instead of a relief type font a 'tackier' Sony label
The iris shutter: works quite well but looks a bit flimsier then the large lens cover
At the silver unit the buttons at the rear are black plastic and don't match the case color
The 2.5 inch display features a clear antireflection coating, that is more susceptible to finger print smudging then the matte AR the T1 has.

Finally, and this was the key decision maker for me to buy the T1 instead: The release button and the switch on button where somewhat recessed at the top of the unit and very close to each other. The fingers would not rest comfortably and finding the small power on button was a chore. In contrast the T1 comes on by sliding the big front lens cover down and before you even have it up to your eye, the unit is ready. Don't get me wrong BOTH power up blazingly fast, but what use is it, if with the T3 you have to search for the tiny button all the time. Major inconvenience, to slow and the single reason I discarded this camera. On the other hand if the T3 would have been out first, I still would have been ecstatic about it. See the complete T3 review here.

The T33 in terms of inner values is identical to the T1 and the T3.

So what did Sony improve on the T33 over the T3 ?

Let’s see: The camera actually got slightly LARGER then the T3, as they added a chrome type frame around the perimeter.
T3: 3.9 x 2.5 x 0.8 inches 6 ounces
T3: 3.5 x 2.4 x 0.7 inches 5.3 ounces

While it sounds big, I could not detect a noticeable weight difference when holding both cameras. They are both feather light.

Design: T33 Available in 4 colors: Silver, metallic blue, metallic burgundy and white
T3 2 colors: Silver, black

Gripe T3: Body styling less nice then T1
Fix T33: Body styling (Sony logo) improved (New gripe: Chrome frame looks bit
tacky, matter of personal preference though)

Colors: Blue and burgundy definitely for the female buyer, white paired with chrome??? Eeek… Silver with Chrome… Naahhh If you like chrome though, this will go right down your alley.

The blue is different from the blue used on the Sony P series. Better look at it.

Gripe T3: The buttons were black in the silver body, which didn’t look ‘clean’
Fixed T33: Button color matches body color (new gripe: looks kind of tacky plasticky
in blue and burgundy)

Gripe T3: Finger doesn’t rest well on the trigger button
Fixed T33: Yes

Gripe T1-T3: Weak Flash prone to red eyes
Fixed T33: NO

Other Fixes: All buttons on T33 are more recessed into body and have slightly better
placement for thumb operation
Battery compartment: Battery has a lock now to avoid it sliding out when
changing the memory stick
The camera reportedly has changes in the software to have less blow out of
highlights, I could not verify that claim
Evolutions, no revolutions

What is in the box?
Camera, Li-Ion battery (about 90 hours), docking station, USB cable, TV cable , Sony transfer software, a (useless) 32 MB memory stick pro duo (ticks me off, holds a grand total of 6 -7 pictures...) and a pretty decent instruction manual.

What you definitely should get right away: About 512 MB Sony or Lexar Memory Stick Duo (around 90 USD now and that is roughly 2x the price of other flash media, hey it's a Sony..)
Nice feature, the charger cable can plug into the cradle, as well as the camera directly, therefor you do not need to take the cradle along for the photoshoot to reload (major drawback on Casio Exilim cameras).

The camera takes 5.1 Megapixel pictures, a 3:2 format (roughly 4.2 MP) which is the same format then 4x6 prints, so you don't loose the sides with this , a 3 MP a 1 MP and VGA resolution,which you can also shoot movies with sound at.

Useful feature: Digital smart zoom: it only kicks in at lower resolution settings, where you can digitally zoom until you have reached the required setting. That secures that your pictures will always have the desired resolution, no pixelation like normally. Also means at 5 MP, you have no digital zoom.

Compromises:
At a camera this size, the manufacturer has to make compromises, and here are the ones I found.

Slightly less resolution then larger size cameras (that is a lens limitation, smaller lenses are harder to make accurate). Nothing that should deter you though. It is still a fantastic image

Weak flash: Now for the party animals under you, the flash is suitable for taking a picture of let's say a seated table, but don't plan shooting with a tele across the room or fill even a 15 x 30 feet room with the built in flash. No such luck. Where the Sony P92 dazzles you with a hyperstrong flash, the T33's is meager. So if you are a night animal, you might find that a bit disturbing. Also personally I would prefer a viewfinder for night shots. Switch the display off and look through the viewfinder for the right moment. You want the guys smiling at you. Also the flash is very close to the lens, causing red eyes in practically all night shots, even when using the red eye multi flash feature.

So night operation is the one limitation I see in this camera. Not a strong performer there.

Here is the recommendation for the T line up:

T1 my personal favorite for high quality case and fast readiness with instant switch on
T3 if you like black , the black one is really nice.
T33 definitely a female target group for blue and burgundy color choice
White looks ‘ugly’ and silver is no improvement over the T3
You should like chrome though, the chrome frame is really a matter of taste


Verdict: Evolution, no revolution
Let yourself be guided by personal taste. I still prefer the T1 for it’s body styling and fast switch on. If you like a sexy little camera the whole Sony line up is attractive and you will run little risk of wanting to trade one model for another.

Review of other cameras:

Find the T3 review here:

http://www.epinions.com/content_166914657924

And here is my review on the Sony DSC T1, with a bit more detail about the software package and firmware updates, which are the same for T3 and T33

http://www.epinions.com/content_167347654276


If you are a party goer that also likes to save some money the Sony P92 is still a good choice, as it has a strong flash. Review is here:

http://www.epinions.com/content_122227887748

If you are a serious party chronographer that wants to use an external flash, go with the Sony V1, which has a hot shoe. Also read about the issue with slave flashes, that you will run into with digital cameras. Review is here:

http://www.epinions.com/content_125044756100


If you are first time shopper for a digital camera I recommend starting with following basic's article:
Most common misconceptions when buying a digital camera or how much you really need:

http://www.epinions.com/content_3650658436

This list looks like I am a Sony addict. Fairly speaking I wasn't until I decided what I wanted in a camera and inevitably ended up with a Sony. Recently I bought a Nikon Cool Pix 5400 as well, as the Sony consumer models have no hot shoe for an external flash. time.

What I am not a fan off are Sony memory sticks. Generally very expensive. I prefer trusted other brands like the Lexar covered in this review. Saves you about 30 USD over Sony and holds over 200 pictures (hey, once you go digital your picture volume will double to triple over your current film based use mode:

Here is my review of the SanDisk Pro Duo:

http://www.epinions.com/content_168500629124