Professional photographers, I need your help., PLEASE :)?

Question

I ordered a Sony Cyber-shot 8.1MP DSC-HP and it should be coming within the next few days! :) I know it's not the most professional, but it really is quite amazing for only being 8.1MP and for it's price. I tested it at the store and completely fell in love! (but, heck, after having a 5mp Kodak, anything beats that!)

Anyway! Haha. I was reading about this camera and I felt so naive about what I was reading. Here are the things I had trouble understanding, if you know what any of the following is/means, please tell me. :)

- Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens
- ISO
(ex, ISO 3200, High-sensitivity ISO)

Oh! And it comes with one Lithium-ion NP-BG1 battery.

I'm planning on buying a second battery anyway, but a battery like that..how long would it last in one session before it dies? Thanks!


I'm so excited for my camera!

Answer 1

The easiest way to put it...
The lens, is made by a well known and respected manufacturer.

ISO, is the sensitivity of film to gather light. ISO 100, is not sensitive to a great deal, while higher numbers are more sensitive. In digital, not having film, its the setting the camera will use to when processing light off the sensor.

Li-ion batterys, are for the most part, outstanding investment. They hold charges when not in use, and I get anywhere from 300-400 shots between charges, even when using lots of flash and review from the back screen. I want to swear each time I buy a new one, for backups, but they are worth the expense in the long run. I have never had one go bad on me, or lose charge at an unexpected rate. My original is about 3 years old, and in use, I cant tell the difference beween old and new batterys.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Carl Zeiss lens are some the best lenses in the world; the one reason why I feel suspicious about Sony saying they put that kind of glass on a $500 camera. A regular Zeiss lens is around 4 times that price and much more.

ISO is the film speed. That is, how sensitive the sensor is to light. ISO 3200 is fairly high for a digi camera, the images will be deplorable. The higher the ISO, the noisier the images will be. This equals poor images.

The battery that it comes with is nothing special. It should hold enough juice, but if you're going on a trip, you might want to consider another one.

Hope you have fun with your new camera. I always love getting new gear.

Answer 3

- Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens - Zeiss is a well known maker of fine lenses

- ISO
(ex, ISO 3200, High-sensitivity ISO) - Just like ISO on film, the higher the ISO the less light you will need to take a photo BUT it will be more contrasty and grainy (noise in digital) the higher up you go.

Answer 4

The lense is just stating the manufature which is a very good lense.

ISO is the sensitivity to light. They usually start at 100 and double so 200 then 400 then 800 then 1600 then 3200

The higher you go the brighter the picture. IE if it is a little dark you can up the ISO and it will make it look. This is kind of a simple way to put it but it makes it make sense.