Product Reviews

Sony's Cyber-shot N2 is the maker's top-of-the-range compact, replacing the similar-looking N1 with a 10.1 megapixel sensor, flexible Spot AF system and large, 3in touch-sensitive screen. Like the earlier model, the N2 has 25MB of internal memory for snaps, but also carries a similar amount for storing up to 500 VGA-sized (640 x 480 pixel) copies of images and downloaded music for slide shows.

Allowing repro to 13 x 8.5in at 300dpi, the 10.1 megapixel sensor might put it on a par with some of the latest digital SLRs in terms of pixel count, but the 1/1.7in CCD lacks the dynamic range and sensitivity of those cameras' physically larger sensors.

Undeterred, the N2 boasts a wider sensitivity than its predecessor, ranging from ISO 100 up to a digital SLR-like ISO 1600, but lacks the Sony's Super SteadyShot anti-shake system, seen in less-pricey models such as the 7 megapixel Cyber-shot T50.

Despite a remarkably similar feature set and capability, the N2 and T50 models contrast greatly in design. Their build is typical Sony - good, with some classy touches, but, ultimately, not quite up to the likes of the best from Canon or Casio.

Both cameras feature highly respected Carl Zeiss-branded zooms, with the equivalent focal length of a not-so-impressively wide 38-114mm lens on a 35mm camera, but the T50 uses so-called folded optics, maintaining the camera's user-friendly dimensions while in use.

Although the T50's lens is small, it's relatively bright at the wide end for low-light shots without flash. Neither does it hinder its power-up times or speed of focus. In bright light, the five-point, wide-area AF system that's also used by the N2 is more than a match for rivals, capturing large, fast-moving subjects with ease.

Doubling as the power switch, a heavy-duty, sliding metal lens cover protects the lens and tiny built-in flash. The aluminium-bodied N2, on the other hand, adopts the conventional retractable zoom, much like the hugely popular Canon Digital Ixus and Casio Exilim models. We've no real preference in operation, but from our Labs tests, the ultra-compact folded optics rarely deliver the same resolving power as their retractable counterparts. At this level - with models from Pentax and Olympus boasting expansive x5 zoom ratios - a standard 3x zoom range starting at just 38mm on the N2 is poor.

Selecting the Flexible Spot AF option from the menu with the supplied stylus or a fingertip, the user can direct a small AF point with a single tap at any point within a 2in frame located in the centre of the viewfinder. Although precise and responsive, it's more likely to be of use when you have time to carefully compose your shots, such as when taking snaps of close-ups on a tripod.

But, while the T50 can focus comfortably just 1cm from the lens using the magnifying mode, the N2 struggles with anything less than 8cm away and is far less impressive.

Focus accuracy in low light levels

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was also poor, though saved on occasion by the inclusion of very bright but fairly ineffective AF assist lamps. Focusing speed drops off a fair bit and there's some hunting before the AF system latches on to subjects less than a metre away.

With the exception of two backlit buttons and a simple three-step slider for selecting the operating mode, there isn't much in the way of external control, thanks to the cameras' 3in touch-sensitive panels. And, after accommodating such large screens in so small shells, neither have room for an optical viewfinder. We appreciate the inclusion of a live histogram, though, and both display shutter speeds and apertures selected by the camera.

The panels are reasonably well lit, refresh quickly without smearing, and possess generous viewing angles. On the downside, neither are particularly detailed nor colour accurate, and as the cameras' features and functions are almost entirely selected from the menu using the touch-sensitive panel, there's obviously no crush-protective screen.

Further, the anti-reflective coating easily shows greasy fingerprints and is difficult to clean. Fortunately, there's none of the delay in response seen with other touch-sensitive panels, and both can be used in bright sunlight, although they're still pretty reflective.

The cameras' menus and features are practically identical. Both offer the usual auto-exposure and raft of scene-based shooting modes, but a manual exposure option on the N2, using the screen to adjust settings, is also on hand. However, users are more likely to appreciate Sony's decision to provide adjustment of image parameters - colour, saturation, sharpness and contrast. With just one plus/minus adjustment, it's a little limited in scope, but enough to influence the look of pictures over the defaults.

During our tests, both models produced quality snaps. However, on enlargement, the images showed sharpening halos and compression artefacts. While this is not unique to Sony, it could easily be avoided with less-aggressive image processing.

Noise levels were high, too, with the distracting colour speckles and grainy look affecting images above Iso 400. The T50's maximum sensitivity of Iso 1000 and the N2's Iso 1600 are just simply too ambitious to be taken seriously. By far the more useful feature for preventing blur from camera shake while maintaining image quality is the T50's optical image stabiliser - we frequently managed sharp shots with the wide-angle zoom setting down to a usually blurry 1/15sec.

It's also no surprise to see the N2 comfortably out-resolve the T50 in our Labs tests, though there's little to be gained in real-world use. We were pleasantly surprised by the accuracy of the auto-white balance. Although there was a slight yellow cast under indoor incandescent lighting, both Cyber-shots produced more-than-passable prints, better even than some pricey digital SLRs. Video clips are pretty impressive, but there's no widescreen option and you'll need to budget for faster-writing Pro Duo cards to benefit from the smooth, 30fps capture rate.

Although a little gimmicky, the N2's 500-frame buffer for VGA copies is handy, but we would have preferred to see a wider zoom range or an image stabiliser. At the price, the N2 fails to impress us with its performance, or offer the user any real killer features.

To our minds, the T50 offers a better balance of features and price between the two, but even that is comfortably out-performed by the similarly priced Canon Ixus 850 IS.