DSC-L1: Sony's Latest Ultra-Compact Digicam

The Design: Sony DSC-L1

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The front of the DSC-L1 features its 3x Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar optical zoom lens. The lens is protected by a sliding metal door that moves out of the way to allow the lens to extend when the camera is powered on. Just above the lens is the Self-timer/AF-assist lamp. To the left of this is the thin built-in flash. When the camera is set to Auto ISO, the flash has a working range of 0.7' - 6.6' at wide angle and 1.6' - 4.9' at telephoto. Although this flash range is rather short, it is not unusual for cameras of this size. The left side of the camera is left open to leave room for your grip.

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On the back of the camera is a 1.5" LCD monitor with ~78K pixels. Just below the LCD are three buttons: Image size/Delete, Display, and Menu. To the right of these buttons is a multi-controller for navigating the menu. In addition, each direction corresponds to a recording function. Press the controller up to toggle between multi-pattern and spot metering, down to enter review mode, up to toggle the various flash modes, and down to enable a self-timer. The controller can also be pushed in to select items in the menus. Above the multi-controller is the speaker as well as small bumps to increase traction on your thumb while holding the camera. At the upper-right corner is the flash/charge light. This light will blink while the flash is charging. It will also light up during a self-timer shot or while the battery is being charged.

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On the top of the camera are the microphone and main power button. To the right of this is the Mode switch with options to enter playback, still image, and movie modes. To the right of the Mode switch is the shutter button. Finally, at the far right is the zoom controller, which serves to operate the optical/digital zoom in record mode as well as to magnify images in playback.

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On the bottom of the camera is a tiny screw mount on the right side. However, there is nothing to fear; the supplied tripod adapter attaches to the camera via a thumbscrew. Although we didn't find it necessary, the screw also has a slit for a flathead screwdriver. After attaching the tripod adapter to the camera, it is ready to be fitted to a standard tripod screw.

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On the right side of the camera is a spring-action sliding door that conceals the battery compartment and Memory Stick Duo slot. The camera comes with a NP-FT1 rechargeable battery, which takes about 2.5 hours to recharge from a completely depleted state. Sony bundles a 16MB Memory Stick Duo with the camera. However, we highly recommend starting out with something more like 128MB. The Memory Stick Duo is approximately a third of the physical size of the regular Memory Stick. Luckily, Sony has included a Memory Stick Duo adapter that allows you to use the Duo in regular Memory Stick devices (card readers and other Memory Stick electronics). Just to the lower right of the flash card slot is a disk activity light. Also on this side is a post for the included wrist strap.

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On the left side of the camera is a plastic sliding tab that covers the USB and DC-in ports. On the bottom of this side is a notch where the tripod adapter snaps in to add further security.

The Sony DSC-L1 feels very solid in our hands. The body is constructed almost entirely of metal and is shaped in a brick-like design. The only possible design-wise drawbacks that we notice are a relatively small LCD monitor and the absence of a viewfinder. On the other hand, we are happy to see the inclusion of an AF-assist lamp on such a small camera. Now, let's move on to the recording capabilities of this little digicam.