We had the pleasure to be the
first to review the Sony
Cyber-shot DSC-T1, when it came out in Japan.
We also reviewed the Japan-only Sony
DSC-T11, when it came out. Thanks to our
friends at Dynamism, we
are able to continue the tradition to review the
World's Thinnest 5MP Digital Camera from Sony. The
DSC-T3 is thinner than the DSC-T1 through a design
change of the lens-cover. Dynamism sent us the black
version of the Sony DSC-T3, that is only
available in Japan. Sony made a strange move a
couple weeks ago pulling back the launch
of the Sony Cyber-shot T3 in the USA. The silver
version of the DSC-T3 is shipping in Europe and of
course in Japan. The US is officially left with
the Sony
DSC-T1. Although there are several small
online stores that offer the DSC-T3 in the
USA. Read my review below to see if the T3 is
actually is better than the T1.
The Japanese release
Black and Silver Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-T3 sell
for $599.00 at Dynamsim.
Overview I am using a Sony
Cyber-shot DSC-T1 since almost a year now. I
am quite happy with it. It is small enough to
carry it in my pocket and powerful enough to use
it for our Gadget
Reviews. The DSC-T11
I reviewed was only a fashion release, but no
technical improvement to the DSC-T1. The new Sony
Cyber-shot DSC-T3 release promised some new
technical improvements I was looking forward to
test. The obvious change is the missing sliding
lens cover, saving the Sony DSC-T3 a couple of mm
in width. The T3 measures now only 17.3mm in width
across the whole camera. The also recently
announced Casio
EX-S100 is a bit thinner with 16.76mm, but has
only 3.2MP. I like the haptic lens cover on the
DSC-T1, its like playing with a Zippo. On the
other hand the DSC-T3 convinces with the
integrated automatic lens cover. The DSC-T11,
which also does not have the sliding lens cover
did not have that - it came with a protection
pouch. When switching on the DSC-T3 I hear a
little clack and the lens cover jumps open. It
automatically closes after a couple of seconds
when reviewing photos and of course when switching
the camera off. I like the black design of the
DSC-T3, it makes it different. The more I played
with the Cyber-shot DSC-T3 the more little
differences I found to the DSC-T1.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T3
versus Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T1
Main optical difference: the
missing sliding lens-cover on the
DSC-T3.
Sony made several small
changes to the DSC-T3, which all make sense and I
think most of them are driven by consumer
feedback. The buttons on the back got rearranged.
The DSC-T3 feels also a bit snappier. Based on
spec the startup time is 1.3sec (Same as DSC-T1)
and the shutter time is 0.23s (DSC-T1: 0.24s). The
high-speed burst mode also got faster. The 2.5
inch screen is based on specification 30% brighter
and has more pixels than the DSC-T1. Under normal
conditions I do not see much difference here to
the screen of the DSC-T1. In the software the only
difference I found is the additional Camera mode
option for candle light conditions. Another
software improvement is the large icon animation
for mode switching.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T3
Buttons. Sony moved buttons around and also
moved icons onto the buttons. The controls feel
better to
use.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T1
Buttons.
DSC-T3 Sample Photos
compared with DSC-T1 Sample Photos All sample photos below are shot with the
same automatic settings on both digital cameras.
As you can see there are differences especially
when it comes to colors. It looks like the DSC-T3
has warmer and more intense colors. The DSC-T1
shows colors less vibrant and in direct comparison
the photos look a bit washed out. The photos taken
at night with flash are even more different. I
think the DSC-T3 makes definitely better photos
for my taste.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T3 Sample
Photos (click on images to
see photos with 640x480)
Close-up
1
Close-up
2
Scene
1
Scene
2
Close-up with Flash
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T1 Sample
Photos (click on images to see photos with
640x480)
Close-up
1
Close-up
2
Scene
1
Scene
2
Close-up with Flash
Conclusion I
already liked the DSC-T1. The Sony Cyber-shot
DSC-T3 is definitely better. Sony introduced small
but valuable improvements that look like they
listened to Consumers and their experience with
the DSC-T1. With 17.3mm and 5MP and Zeiss optics
the Sony DSC-T series is still a winner. With the
T3 it just got better. Even the picture quality
improved with warmer more pleasant colors. It is
quite disappointing that Sony decided not to
launch the DSC-T3 officially in the
USA.
How to
Buy The
Japanese release Black and Silver Sony
Cyber-Shot DSC-T3 sell for $599.00 at
Dynamsim.
Dynamism is providing the original English
language manual via PDF and of course ships
international. The silver version of the Sony
DSC-T3 is available in Europe. The silver DSC-T3
sells for £291.99
(~$552)
at Amazon.co.uk.
Some stores are also offering the black
version in the UK.
Jakobs Digital sells it for £344.89 (~$651). It is actually cheaper to
buy directly in Japan at
Dynamism then in this case.
None of the
big stores are carrying the DSC-T3 in the USA. But
there are a set of small
stores that sell the silver version of the
Sony DSC-T3 in the USA online (range: $399-$499).
To own a Black DSC-T3 directly from Japan
is more expensive, but that is the price for
having a unique Digital
Camera.
