Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S730 7.2-megapixel digital camera with 3X optical zoom

General Features
Recording Images
Viewing, Editing and Printing Images
Supplied Software

General Features

LCD Screen: The DSC-S730 has a 2.4" color LCD screen with 112,320 pixels (resolution 480 x 234). The LCD screen allows you to view an image before taking a picture, replay images that have been stored in memory and view menu options. The LCD backlight's brightness can be adjusted between Normal or Bright.

Imaging Device: For optimal image quality, the camera uses a 1/2.5" (7.20mm) 7.2 Mega-Pixel (Effective) Super HAD color CCD imaging device with approximately 7.41 million gross pixels and 7.201 million effective pixels. The advanced Sony Super HAD (Hole Accumulated Diode) CCD design allows more light to pass to each pixel, increasing sensitivity and reducing noise.

Image Recording Format: The camera records still images in JPEG format. Moving images with audio (monaural) are recorded in AVI (Motion JPEG).

Image Size/Compression: When recording digital still images, the DSC-S730 allows you to choose from seven image sizes and two compression (image quality) settings--Fine and Standard. The larger the image and the higher the image quality you choose, the better the image will be, but it also takes a larger amount of data to preserve the image. The image sizes include:

Lens: The lens, constructed of 6 elements in 5 groups, has a 3x optical zoom and a focal length of 5.8mm to 17.4mm, which is equivalent to 35mm to 105mm in 35mm photography.

Digital Zoom: When the zoom exceeds the 3x optical zoom, enlargement is carried out using a "Smart" or Precision digital zoom. The Precision Zoom enlarges all image sizes up to a maximum of 6x, but there is some image quality degradation. The Smart Zoom intelligently uses the full CCD to let you zoom into the portion of interest by cropping the image size, thus avoiding the image degradation found in most digital zooms. The maximum zoom scale depends upon the image size (see table below).

22 MB Internal Memory: This camera has approximately 22 MB of internal memory. Even when there is no Memory Stick Duo inserted in the camera, you can record images using the internal memory. This memory is not removable. The images from the camera's internal memory can be copied to an optional Memory Stick (sold separately) inside the camera or you can copy images to your computer via the supplied USB cable.

Memory Stick Compatibility: The Sony Cybershot DSC-S730 digital camera is compatible with the following recording media: Memory Stick Duo, and Memory Stick PRO Duo. All compatible Memory Stick Duos can be used to record still pictures and moving images with audio.

Function Guide: When you operate the camera, the descriptions of the functions are displayed when the Function Guide is turned "On".

Auto Power-Off: If you do not operate the camera for approximately 3 minutes, it will turn off automatically to conserve battery power.

Battery Information: The DSC-S730 comes with two "AA" alkaline batteries. With optional Sony "Stamina Power" NH-AA-DB NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) rechargeable batteries (item # 158NHAA2DB), you can capture approximately 4-1/2 times the number of shots as with alkaline batteries.

Battery Performance: Under normal operating conditions the batteries have the following capacity:

Shooting Modes: In addition to its Normal shooting mode, the digital camera features a Burst shooting mode which records the maximum number of image in succession based on the Image Size you have set. The recording interval between shots is approximately 1.2 seconds. The maximum number of continuous shots are as follows.

Self-Timer Recording: If you want to record yourself, the self-timer recording feature will automatically start recording 10 seconds or 2 seconds after being activated.

5-Point Auto Focus: The camera's five-point auto focus evaluates your shot at 5 points on the LCD screen, so you'll get great results even with off-center subjects that make interesting photo compositions. You can change the focus method of the camera to better suit your shooting application. You can choose from the following auto-focus modes.

• Center AF: Focuses on a subject in the center of the finder frame of the camera automatically.
• Multi-Point AF: Focuses on a subject in all ranges of the finder frame automatically when the subject is not in the center of the frame.
• Focus Preset: Focuses on the subject using a previously set distance to the subject. You can choose Infinity (unlimited distance), 7 meters, 3 meters, 1 meters, or 0.5 meters.

Macro Focus: For close-ups of small objects such as flowers and insects, this camera has macro focus capability. With the zoom set all the way to wide, the camera can focus on objects up to 2" from the lens. With the zoom set all the way to telephoto, the camera can focus on objects up to 13-7/8" from the lens.

AE/AF Lock: If you have difficulty focusing on an off-center subject, you can set and lock the focus and exposure on the subject by pressing the shutter button halfway with the subject in the AF rangefinder, then recompose the shot and press the shutter button fully to take the picture.

Metering Modes: You can select Spot, Center-Weighted or Multi-pattern Metering. Spot metering lets you adjust the exposure to the subject, even when the subject is a backlit or when there is strong contrast between the subject and the background. Center-Weighted metering measures the center of the image, and determines the exposure base on the brightness of the subject there. When multi-pattern metering is used, the image is divided into multiple regions and metering is performed in each region. The camera judges the subject position and background brightness, and determines a well-balanced exposure.

Exposure Adjustment: Besides auto exposure, you can manually adjust the exposure from +2.0EV to -2.0EV in steps of 1/3EV.

White Balance: When the white balance is set to auto, the white balance is set automatically in response to the condition of the subject, and the overall color balance is adjusted. When shooting under special lighting conditions, you can select from the following preset WB modes.

• Flash (WB): adjusts for the flash conditions
• Incandescent: adjusts for lighting conditions such as under and incandescent lamp or bright lighting such as a photography studio
• Fluorescent: adjusts for fluorescent lighting
• Daylight: adjusts for a sunny outdoors, shooting evening scenes, night scenes, fireworks, sunrises or conditions before and after sundown
• Cloudy: adjust for a cloudy sky or shaded area

ISO Speed: The ISO speed can be set to Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, or 1250. When shooting under dark conditions or shooting a fast-moving subject, you should use a high number setting. When recording high-quality images, use a low number setting.

Scene Selection Modes: In the Auto shooting mode, the camera can automatically adjust the focus, exposure and white balance. Other Scene Selection modes include:

• High Sensitivity: The camera shoots without flash in low light, reducing blur.
• Twilight: This mode is used for shooting a distant subject at night. (tripod recommended)
• Twilight Portrait: This mode is used for shooting people in the foreground at night. (tripod recommended)
• Soft Snap: This mode lets you shoot the color of a person's skin with a bright, warm color tone.
• Landscape: This mode is used for shooting landscapes at a distance.
• Beach: This mode is for shooting at seaside or the lakeside.
• Snow: This mode shoots whitish scenes brightly.

Color Modes: When desired, you can select one of the following picture effects:

• B & W: The image is recorded in monochrome.
• Sepia: The picture is sepia-toned like an old photograph.
• Natural: The image is set to natural colors.
• Rich: The image is set to richer colors.
• Normal: The image is set to standard color.

Flash Modes: The flash can be set to Auto, Forced Flash, Slow Synchro, or No Flash. In Auto mode, the flash automatically strobes when the surroundings are dark. When the flash is set to Forced Flash, it strobes with every shot. In Slow Synchro, the flash is used regardless of the amount of ambient light, but the shutter speed is slower under dark conditions, allowing you to clearly shoot a background that is out of the flash-lit area. You can also change the flash level to adjust the amount of flash light used. In addition, this camera has a "red-eye reduction" setting, which causes the flash to pre-strobe before shooting to reduce the red-eye phenomenon.

Flash Range: The recommended distance using the flash is approximately 19.75" to 11.5' with the zoom set to wide and 19.75" to 6.5' with the zoom set to telephoto.

Sharpness Adjustment: The camera allows you to adjust the sharpness so you can either sharpen or soften the image being recorded.

Approximate Still Image Recording Capacity:

Shooting Movies: Besides recording still images, you can also record moving images with sound. Moving images are recorded in AVI (Motion JPEG) format at a frame size of 320 x 240 and frame rate of 30 frames per second. You can also record movies in macro mode for excellent close-ups. If you want to be in the movie, you can use the camera's self-timer feature.

Approximate Movie Recording Capacity:

Viewing Images: Still and moving images can be played back on the camera's color LCD screen, your television (using the supplied AV cable) or the images may be transferred to a computer, where they can be displayed or manipulated with the use of compatible software.

Auto Review: Auto Review displays the recorded images on the screen for approximately two seconds immediately after shooting a still image.

Index Mode: In addition to viewing images one-by-one in full screen, you can view multiple images at once in the index mode. This feature lets you display up to  nine images at one time, allowing you to easily find the image you want.

Slide Show: The Slide Show function lets you play back images one after the other. The interval between the pictures can be adjusted, allowing you to choose 3, 5, 10, and 30 seconds or 1 minute. You can select Folder play (all images in the selected folder) or All play (all images on the Memory Stick Duo). When repeat is selected, the images are replayed in a continuous loop.

Deleting/Protecting Images: You can delete a selected image, or you can delete all the unprotected images at once. In order to avoid accidentally deleting an image, it can be protected.

Playback Zoom: You can enlarge a recorded still image up to five times the size of the original image. You can also record the enlarged item as a new file. To select the area to be enlarged, you can move the enlargement "frame" up/down/left/right with the arrow buttons, and adjust the zoom with the W/T button. You cannot enlarge movies or images recorded in multi-burst mode.

Rotate Image: You can rotate a still image clock-wise or counter-clock-wise 360-degrees.

Resizing Images: After an image is captured (still images only), you can resize the picture and save it as a new file. Images can be resized to 7M, 5M, 3M, and VGA. The original image is retained even after resizing. You cannot resize a picture to a 3:2 or 16:9 sized image, and if you resize a 3:2-sized image, black bands will appear at the top and bottom of the image.

Print Mark: You can place a print mark on still images recorded with this camera. This mark is convenient when you have images printed at a shop that conforms to the DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) standard.

Exif Print (Exif 2.21): The DSC-S730 conforms to "Exif Print", a worldwide standard. Vital camera settings (such as: exposure mode, white balance, exposure time) and scene data are recorded to the image file when it is captured. Printers compatible with "Exif Print" are able to use this information to produce high quality photographs, exactly the way they were intended at the time of capture. This intelligent communication process also allows the printer to correct for poor lighting or mistakes, resulting in photos that can be even better than the originals.

PictBridge Printing Capability: Using the supplied USB cable, you can connect this camera directly to a PictBridge compliant printer. PictBridge is a standard that allows you to connect a PictBridge compliant camera directly to a PictBridge compliant printer and make prints, regardless of brand.

Windows Software: The DSC-S730 comes with Cyber-shot Application Software compatible with windows, which includes "Picture Motion Browser." This program allows you to do the following:

• View images saved on your computer
• View photos organized by date
• Edit images
• Display the shooting locations of still images on maps online (Internet access required)
• Create a new data disc (CD Burner or DVD Burner drive required)
• Print or save still images with the date inserted

System Requirements: The supplied "Picture Motion Browser" software can be used on a Windows PC but cannot be used on a Macintosh. Your Windows computer must have these minimum system requirements:

• Operating System: Windows 2000 Professional SP4, Windows XP SP2 and  Windows Vista (64-bit editions and Starter (edition) not supported)
• CPU: Pentium III 500 MHz or faster (Pentium III 800 MHz recommended)
• Memory: 256 MB or more (512 MB is recommended)
• Interface: USB jack provided as standard (for copying images)
• Hard Disk: Disk space required for installation--200 MB or more
• Display: Screen resolution of 1024 x 768 dots or more and Color requirements of High Color (16-bit color) or more

Macintosh Computers: You can copy images to your Macintosh computer without the use of the supplied Picture Motion Browser software. The following environment is recommended for a Macintosh computer connected to the camera.

• OS: Mac OS 9.1/9.2 and Mac OS X (v10.1 to 10.4)
• Interface: USB jack provide as standard (for copying images)