Editorial Review:

Product Description:
Combining point-and-shoot convenience with a host of manual photographic controls, this camera is sure to inspire digital photographers to expand creativity and get better results. Armed with high-quality Carl Zeiss optics, ISO sensitivities of 100/200/400/800 and shutter speeds of up to 1/2000 second in auto mode, the DSC-F717 produces stellar results, even in the most demanding of shooting situations.PRODUCT FEATURES:Multi-Point Auto Focus;Memory Stick Media;Slow Shutter Noise Reduction;Hologram AF Low Light Laser Focusing Assist;Multi-Pattern Measuring;Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar Lens;NightShot.

Amazon.com Review:
It takes two hands to hold Sony's new DSC-F717, which you'll need to use all the many features packed into this digital camera. The F717 captures images at up to 5.2-megapixel resolution--2,560 by 1,920 pixels--which allows for prints of 11 by 14 inches or even greater.

Images are crisp, colorful, and deep with detail. With USB 2.0 support, transfers to the PC zipped by and can be set to dispatch automatically. The large, autofocus Carl Zeiss lens zooms optically at 5x, with another 2x in digital mode. Atop the lens, the automatic flash pops open when needed. It also performs preflash metering and corrects the amount of light sent to create shots with the best possible exposure.

This aids the NightFraming mode, which incorporates the camera's NightShot infrared technology, and can help with taking optimal shots in low-light or no-light situations. If you've never used an infrared viewer before, you'll be impressed by the additional photo opportunities it provides, like snapping shots of teenagers stealing your jack-o'-lanterns and catching them orange-handed.

NightShot can also be used with the camera's movie-capturing mode. The audiovisual movies can be played back full screen with the HQX mode; we played our movie at 1,280 x 1,024 and could only find minor pixilation around the edges.

Video size is limited only by the capacity of the Sony Memory Stick inside the camera. The F717 ships with a 32 MB stick, so an upgrade to a larger size is recommended. It comes with a shoulder strap, but we also recommend buying a case to protect your investment. Not a camera for beginners, the F717 does everything you'd expect from a high-end digital camera. --J. Curtis

Pros:

• 5-megapixel resolution with 5x optical zoom
• NightShot infrared mode is quite handy
• Multiple modes, including movies with audio

Cons:

• Not compact

Amazon.com Product Description:
Combining point-and-shoot convenience with a host of manual photographic controls, the Sony DSC-F717 can help expand your creative palette for better photographic results. Armed with high-quality Carl Zeiss optics, ISO sensitivities of 100 to 800, and shutter speeds of up to 1/2,000 in auto mode, the DSC-F717 produces stellar results, even in the most demanding shooting situations. The DSC-F717 is an update to Sony's popular DSC-F707, featuring a number of additions and improvements, including a new manual focus and manual zoom ring, hot shoe for external flash units, USB 2.0 support, and improved startup and shot-to-shot speed.

Step-up Value
Here's a Sony feature that adds value to this digital camera and differentiates it from other models in the Sony lineup.

Hologram Autofocus (AF):Projecting a Class 1 laser patter, Hologram AF reads the contrast between the pattern's edge and the subject for precise focus, even in low- or no-light conditions.

Optics and Resolution
The Sony DSC-F717 features a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar lens with 5x optical and 2x digital zoom (for a 10x total), an f2.0 maximum aperture, and a focal range of 9.7-48.5mm (equivalent to 38-190mm). It contains a 5-megapixel (effective) Super HAD CCD, or 5.2 million gross pixels.

More Features
The DSC-F717 uses Sony's NightShot technology, the same feature seen on Sony's camcorders, which uses infrared illumination and an infrared filter to take photos in complete darkness. The NightFraming system provides infrared light as a composition assist, and utilizes hologram autofocusing and preflash exposure metering for consistently great shots, even in low- or no-light conditions.

Picture quality is enhanced with clear-color noise reduction, which reduces color noise, and slow-shutter noise reduction, which captures and subtracts CCD noise from long exposures.

Other features include:

• Swivel lens to capture photos in even the most challenging situations
• Eye-level through-the-lens (TTL) 180 KB pixel LCD viewfinder and 1.8-inch, 123 KB pixel LCD display
• Through-the-lens (TTL) preflash metering and red-eye reduction, hot shoe and Acc terminal for HVL-F1000
• Twilight, portrait, and landscape scene autoexposure
• Multipattern measuring exposure system
• 46-step shutter priority (30 sec to 1/1,000 sec)
• 13-step aperture priority (f2.0 to f8.0)
• Full manual exposure
• High-speed scan autofocus
• Manual focus ring with LCD magnifier

Movie Mode
In movie mode, the DSC-F717 produces color digital videos in multiple creative formats, including 320 x 240 (high quality), 320 x 240 (normal), and 160 x 112. You can fill up the Memory Stick with digital video, even with the new high-quality mode (which was limited to 15 seconds on the DSC-F707). Another movielike feature is called ClipMotion, which will take 10 images and put them into an animated GIF.

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on Memory Sticks, Sony's proprietary memory card format. The included 32 MB stick holds approximately 23 images at the camera's standard 5-megapixel setting (2,560 x 1,920 pixels). Memory Sticks are reusable, but if you tend to take more than 23 images per outing, then you'll want a bigger card. A 128 MB stick is a great size for this camera, storing around 70 images.

Power, Size, and Content
The DSC-F717 uses a proprietary rechargeable InfoLithium battery (model FM50), which should provide 3.5 hours of use per charge (Sony estimate). The camera measures 4.75 by 2.75 by 6 inches and weighs 24 ounces with battery and Memory Stick. This package includes the DSC-F717 digital camera, InfoLithium NP-FM50 rechargeable battery, AC adaptor, AV output and USB cables, shoulder strap, lens cap, 32 MB Memory Stick, printed manual, and CD-ROM featuring Pixela ImageMixer and drivers for Windows and Mac.



Accessories:
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Accessories:

• Corel Photo Album 7 Deluxe
• Adobe Photoshop CS4
• PhotoPlus X2 Digital Studio
• Adobe Photoshop CS4 Upgrade
• Adobe Photoshop Elements 7

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Rating: - Great camera now
I like so many others, love this camera, because it does so much, and does so much well. I, also like most others, had to send my camera back to Sony when the CCD element (which is the subject of a recall) went bad. Sony fixed it free of charge, and sent it back, and it has performed flawlessly ever since.
If only it hadn't gone bad on the first day of my 10 day disney vacation with my wife and 4 year old son.
I've used other digital cameras, and without exception I remember wishing I had my camera instead. I still see no reason to upgrade to a newer version yet, and I've taken over 15000 photos with this camera. When the time comes, I'll definitely look at the current model in this line.

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Rating: - Proven Technology
I bought mine back when most of the reviews (below) were written - back in in December 2002. I paid about $700 for mine at the time and have taken thousands of superb quality photos with this camera. so why write a review now?

Since it is still listed for sale there are a couple of things to point out that a buyer should know:

A big issue for digital photography back in 2002 - was the 1/2-1 second photo delay between pressing the button and the shutter actually releasing. Any parent out there knows how critical that 1/2 a second can be when it comes to capturing a child at play or that tender moment when siblings give each other a hug. They are gone in an instant - so you'll need to take that into account when taking pictures.

Another issue is a flaw that Sony has with the CCD chips in these cameras. What would happen is the LCD display would start to show static or frequency distortions. These distortions would show up on the photographs. There was actually a class action lawsuit against Sony to repair the CCD chips in cameras experiencing this issue. The time frame for the repair according to the suit ended in October 2007 - which is when I started to experience the issue with my camera. But Sony has extended the free repair until September of this year. Mine is currently in a UPS box on its way to Sony for repair.

So if you are looking to buy this camera - verify that the CCD chip has already been replaced - and if not - make sure you send yours in before September 2008.

Despite the repair issue - this camera is still a great buy. Nice to know I could sell mine after nearly 6 years and still get a good price for it.

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Rating: - Absolutely Awesome Camera
After four years of enjoying the ease and superb quality of this camera I am mourning its demise. Yes, after four years of being left in cars (feezing nights, Phoenix days)being abused by our now 4 year old son, being dropped, banged and even taken apart a few times it has finally bit the dust. (by the way I don't recommend subjecting any of these abuses to your own personal camera). We have stopped paying large sums of money to portrait studios for family pics and even had many pics with this camera published in two local newspapers and our city brochure. All of our family and freinds used to request that we bring our camera to any and all events as the pictures produced were quite fantabulous. My husband has photographed many bugs, spiders and even a book worm within an inch with clear detail so he can then research and identify them. I am sorry that Sony has discontinued this model. In my search for something that equals this one-of-a-kind, I have purchased the Sony DSC-H9 which even though sports 3 whole megapixals more cannont even come close to the quality I am used to with the DSCF717, so I have returned it. So on with my trek to find something simple to use, within price and with the same awesome quality I have enjoyed from this camera. Fare thee well loyal DSCF717, you will be missed.

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Rating: - worste camera I ever owned
I too have had this camera for 3 years exactly and have the same problem it suddely went black. I would do all the functions but the picture would turn out black no matter what I did. I called a couple of places and they told me to replace the battery and reset the camera and neither worked for me either. I am very dissatisfied with this camera and Sony. I am now forced to buy a new camera because of the rediculious cost to fix my camera. I am going with the Nikon I have not heard any bad issues with these cameras. I own a 35mm and love it. It takes excellent pictures, but I require a digital because of the kids and it may take 10 tries to get a good one. Anyway I will never buy sony agian!!!!!

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Rating: - LOVE this camera!
I purchased one of the DSC 717's several years ago and this I LOVE this camera. It is still one of the best cameras out there, even though it was made in 2002. I love that I can flip the lens up so I can use this camera like a camcorder. I love the photos it takes in all light situations. It does a great job when I use it as a manual camera or an automatic. The only downside is this is a large camera, so it doesn't fit in your pocketbook (unless you have a LARGE bag). To me I'd rather it be large than miss out on all the great features it has. My camera goes with me everywhere. Thanks to Sony for making such a great product.