An eye-catching little camera that takes a nice shot. Both snap JPEG images in 24-bit color at 640 by 480 resolution. Beyond the basic features, however, these cameras are remarkably different. It also has several image-capture settings, including Continuous mode for fullframe action sequences, and Multi Screen mode for capturing action shots such as a golf swing in a series of nine rapidly recorded thumbnails. The Sony DSC-F1's lens and flash pivot freely from front to back.
Normal focus is automatic and fixed.
There's no zoom feature, but the Macro mode records as close as 3 inches. The company also bundles Arcsoft's PhotoStudio image editor. All these great features take a lot of juice. The Sony's rechargeable lithium-ion battery lasts only 20 minutes in Record mode and slightly longer in Playback mode, yet it takes five hours to recharge. It won't take alkalines in a pinch, either.