Editorial Review:Product Description:The traditional 'rangefinder' styled Sony Cyber-shot V3 is a compact Cyber-shot camera with an immense resolution of 7.2 effective Megapixels and which features a powerful 4X Vario-Sonnar zoom lens from the world-famous Carl Zeiss company. That's not all - a large range of exposure modes on the camera offer full manual control or a choice of program and scene selection modes. The sizeable 2.5-inch LCD screen is also designed to give a full and clear picture, whether you're shooting, reviewing or setting the menu options. Another big feature is the file format - you can choose to save your high-resolution images in the professional RAW or TIFF data formats, keeping them uncompressed for use in graphics applications that require fine detail.
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
-
Still happy 3+ years later
I bought my V3 in February of 2005 so this is a long term report. I've shot at least 5000 photos with it over the years and I'm still happy with it and it hasn't broke or gave me trouble. I came to this from years of using a Canon F1 and EF. Outside of the cool factor, I can't say I miss my old film cameras. Don't miss the weight on my neck either.
Just ordered the Sony HVL-F32X flash unit for this since I have confidence that I'm not ready to move on to another camera until I forced to by circumstance. Hope I don't drop it ;)
Wes
Rating: 
-
Three Years Later, Still Going Strong
It seems like compact digital cameras are being phased out at hyper-speed these days as each model is quickly supplanted by the next generation. These new cameras usually boast a boost in megapixels and zoom range, but those who look beyond the marketing mayhem are aware that more is not necessarily better.
Meanwhile, my V3 still holds its own three years after I purchased it. I've looked carefully at the current crop of compact digital cameras out now, and I've come to the conclusion that none are worthy of replacing my V3, though I expect that day will come eventually.
In general, I am very happy with the features, performance, image quality, and reliability. There are only two things I wish this camera had:
*A wider angle lens (at least down to 28mm equiv.)
*Image stabilization (or better yet, a wider aperture)
I realize it is possible to address both these issues on the V3: by attaching a wide angle conversion lens for the former, and by putting the camera on a tripod for the latter. But it would be nice if these features were included as standard capabilities. If they had been, this camera would have been a home run. As it is, I still give the V3 4 stars...even by today's standards.
Rating: 
-
Not for converts from film SLR
I am a 35mm art photographer and purchased this in January 2005 for snapshots of our new child.
I have hated it almost every day I have owned it. Why?
1) I have tried every "focus pattern" in the box and still have so many out-of focus pictures. Rarely is there a shot with true focus right on the subject's eye, for example. This is just not an issue with my old manual-focus film cameras.
2) I have to scroll through menus to change ISO and shutter speed. I would have preferred controls that match the old film SLR's, manual, and right on top of the box.
3) There is no grip area on the left side of the camera so when I let my preschooler hold it, her finger just naturally hits the lens.
4) I prefer fixed-focus lenses because the image quality is so much better than a comparably-priced zoom lens.
5) There is no way to bounce the flash off the ceiling to get a diffuse light instead of that awful, cheap-camera harsh glare on the subject.
6) I need a faster lens.
What do I like about it? It fits in a medium or large purse. But, frankly, I've stopped carrying it because I'm sick of the lousy images.
For my purposes, I would give this camera zero stars.
I'm so frustrated. I'm wondering if I should just shoot film for a couple more years, or if it's safe to buy a digital SLR yet. UGH.
Rating: -
Definitely one of the best cameras I've ever owned
1. I know it really doesn't make much sense to write a review on a camera that has been discontinued for many years, but I just wanted to document that this camera is still one of the best cameras I've ever owned / used. I continue to use it as my primary camera (mainly for snap shots)--> and it just produces excellent shots; both in JPEG and RAW (I mainly shoot RAW). The wide angle and macro lens are also excellent.
2. The main cons are that of:
a. very very very slow RAW write times.
b. ... I think that's my only beef.
3. It's sad that essentially most camera companies have abandoned RAW in their compact cameras (current exception Panasonic and Olympus... and I guess Fuji E900). However, I have renewed hope with the recent announcement that the Canon G9 will again have RAW capabilities. It would be even greater news if Sony came out with a "V4".
4. Main point: if you want a semi-compact camera that'll deliver amazing results and can actually find one of these, you definitely will not be dissapointed. Kudos to Sony for producing this gem.
Rating: -
Best Camera I've owned!
This camera is phenomenal and definitely the best camera I've owned. I've had the camera now for about 3 years and it still amazes me with the quality and clarity of photos I get from it. I had a Canon Powershot prior and wish I had this Sony DSCV3 instead. The fact that the Sony DSCV3 accepts both the Memory Stick and Compact Flash (and yes both in the camera at the same time) made it easy moving from the Canon which was Compact Flash only.
There are so many settings capable on this camera as well as the scene modes, its hard to take a bad picture. Even with low light situations the hologram projection makes capturing your photo easy. Some situations definitely benefit from having the external flash unit available.
I also love the Multi Burst and Speed Burst modes of the Sony DSCV3. These settings allow you to take several continuos shots in succession, typically for moving objects. It works great, does take some getting use to, and the recording time seams a little long at times. This recording time being the main thing it takes practice to get use to.
I also have used the video capture capabilites quite a bit on various vacation trips and am very pleased with the results. Again, this is where the dual cards in the camera at the same time comes in handy, you can capture video to the Memory Stick card and capture your photos to the Compact Flash card. Very simple to do and provides for a lot of storage space.
I did not like the Picture Package software that came with the camera, but I found a couple software programs I do like a lot, Corel's Photo Album 6 Deluxe is great for downloading the photos and videos from your camera as well as orgainizing them and most importantly, backing them up to an external hard drive and DVDs. I also have used the Corel Paint Shop product for editing my photos, one of the easiest to use that I've found. However, with the Sony DSCV3 I find the biggest thing I correct on my photos is the red eye. Even though it has the red eye reduction settings, you still get some red eye, depending on whether or not the people you are shooting are looking right at the camera lens or not.
I'll probably have this camera for some time to come. The one I will look at next will be the Sony Alpha. Loving their cameras!
