Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Investment in Digital Photography
Review: Frankly, this IS an investment...you spending [$$$] for this camera plus some needed accessories. Few people will ever shoot 5 Mega Pixels (MP) shots every time, but serious (and serious amateur) photographers will certainly appreciate being able to produce stunning detail when the need arises. Look at images shot on your friends' 2 or 3 MP cameras...this level of quality is amazing...but you WILL want to exceed this occasionally, and (...) is the price you pay to get the technology NOW. A 5 MP head shot will allow you to EASILY discern individual hairs on life-size prints (as in 11x14)...it's truely amazing.I looked at the Minolta Dimage 7...the auto focus zooms past the subject and back...it seems irritatiingly "loose", for lack of a better term. The Sony is a bit crisper in it's approach to auto focus, though not perfect. The Fuji camera does not have the same zoom & expansion capabilities. It's an overgrown pocket camera. The Sony will handle weddings, public events, and function very much like a professional film camera. Low-light shots are a challenge, but the viewfinder does have a tremendous amount of information available, including exposure "F" stops, shutter speed, low light warnings, etc. The true genius is that you can essentially operate the camera in a manual mode, quickly overriding the meter to compensate for the light in any situation...backlight, contrasty light, reflections, etc. The 717 has some moderate metering improvments over the previous 707. Most major functions are the same. If you ever used a 35mm in manual in the old days (when you really had to KNOW photography), you'll love the control available. And younger photographers will find a whole new world in being able to make this camera do what most digitals will still not do...take the unusual shot. The camera is well balanced, and rather sturdy. You will get used to the shooting position...give it time. My biggest complaint is that the zoom selection switch operates "backwards" to my taste. Intuitively, I want to zoom "in" pressing the "out" button (!)... You have an adequate built-in pop-up flash...PLUS a PC connection for external flash AND a flash shoe! Slavery, anyone? The memory stick is a bit of a hassle, but extremely convenient once you get over the struggle. There are now numerous varities of portable USB readers. I* carry the Sony Floppy Disc reader and the Lexar USB reader. And buy the 128 MB memory stick...nothing smaller. The newer 256 sitcks require you flip them over but they ar even better bargains. A friend with this same camera recenlty pointed out that we should all be shooting at the highest possible resolution. You can always reduce the resolution later on the computer. Don't miss that shot of a lifetime. The images are good, but I do have to compensate a bit in low-light. Based on shooting several thousand "test" shots with another camera, I'm happy with this one. It does the job and can satisfy both consumer and professional. Note that I do not plan to replace this camera for several years. Why? Because printer technology has not caught up to the resolution of the camera (at least for the home user) and no one really needs much more in a camera. Five Mega Pixels will generate a poster-size image with very nice quality...you won't be doing it often, but you'll be glad you did when you do. I like it, and I shopped hard to ensure the most features with the best price. As with all electronics, find a cheap extended warranty. (...) . Cameras DO break. Shop carefully for a CASE to put it in...the unique shape requires some thinking. I have 3. One for everything including cords and cables, one for the camera plus memory sticks, and a Sony brand "ever-ready" case. Depends on how long you're out and how fast you want to access the camera..at what level of protection. Think. You'll want an extra battery. Perhaps a travel charger, otherwise you charge the battery by plugging the CAMERA in the wall (!)...thanks Sony. :-( Buy a UV filter (58mm) to protect the lens. This camera is expensive, and generally reliable - it's a Sony. Many features I have not detailed, and it has a superb 10x OPTICAL zoom (and a 2x digital). If you are thinking digital and want to not have to trade-up for a while, I suggest the Sony DSC-F707. If you love photography, do not buy a smaller CCD chip than 5 MP...even if you buy another brand. But I certainly recommend the Sony DSC-F717 camera for people to whom the image is important.
Rating: 
Summary: The camera that attracts attention.
Review: I like this camera very well, but in the several months I've owned it I did uncover a few minor weaknesses that detract from my original perception of it as a dream camera. Here's my list of pros & cons. POSITIVES: (1) Upload of photos is incredibly easy, compared to Sony's TRV-140 camcorder, which the saleslady never should have sold me. Do not use Pixela. It's garbage, and with this camera you don't need it at all. (2) Colors are beautiful. I couldn't believe the colors in my first photos of iridescent seashells! That's why I still bought Sony instead of Nikon, despite my earlier troubles with a Sony camcorder. This Carl Zeiss lens is supposed to be better than a Nikon lens. (3) Portrait mode creates the narrow depth of field effect that I like. (4) An entire memory stick of photos can be quickly deleted at once, instead of one at a time. (5) Macro mode allows very close-up (2 cm distant) pictures using the same lens. (6) Viewfinder-to-LCD display switch is quite useful. (7) Lens cap included. (8) The hot shoe allows an external flash, which is supposed to be the only sure way to get rid of red-eye. (9) This 5 megapixel resolution will produce quality 8"x10" prints with an unpixelated appearance--any camera with a lower resolution will not do this. (10) The ability of the camera body to tilt almost 90 degrees upward from the lens is outstanding for catching candid people pictures from your lap. (11) The white balance features are extremely useful for indoor photos. If you haven't played with those yet, do so! NEGATIVES: (1) Another lousy Sony manual. The manual doesn't mention that the exposure button must be reenabled after each photo before the jog dial will function. It doesn't say why the macro icon disappears when the camera is switched to manual focus. The troubleshooting guide never caught my first real problem: everything was blurred at all times, and only after much experimentation did I discover that the finder adjustment dial had accidentally gotten rotated. The 3-pronged icon that keeps popping up automatically is not explained anywhere that I can find. Many terms are not listed in the rear index. (2) Auto exposure often gives an ugly, grayish tint to the pictures. I use manual exposure almost exclusively now because of that. (3) Macro mode is tricky and counterintuitive. One must zoom *out* before being able to get macro shots, and then there are problems when focusing around the 0.9 meter range, which unfortunately is the distance of most museum exhibits and flowers. (4) The flanges on the hot shoe constantly snag on the interior netted pocket on my Sony carrying case. They should have been rounded off. (5) Too many automatic features that are annoying, like the flash unit that scared the hell out of me the first time it automatically popped out of the side of the lens, the pretty music that plays upon powering up the camera that alerts animals and people that you're about to snap their photo, and the added complexity of unnecessary video capability and special effects. (6) Similarly, all this complexity and having to traverse electronic menus discourages me from changing settings often, with the result that I often end up using an inappropriate mode for some shots. (7) Red laser beams that shoot out of the lens when taking photos in dim lighting, which alert people that their photo is about to be taken. RECOMMENDATIONS: (1) Get an ultraviolet lens immediately to protect this expensive lens. UV lenses are only about $10-15, have no discernable visual effect, and screw on easily. (2) Use 128 MB memory sticks or higher. With the resolution I use, I can get 90 pictures per memory stick, which is quite good. SUMMARY: So far I haven't found any flaws serious enough to make me want a different camera, and I'm quite pleased with all the positive aspects. This camera is used by some pros selling photos on the Internet and it's certainly the best camera I've owned so far. You can buy a 6 megapixel camera, but if so you're going to double the price for that extra 1 mp, and unless you're making unusually large prints, that extra resolution will be useless. And all the attention and comments I get with this camera are fun: "Now *there's* a camera!" "That's quite a lens you got on that camera." "That lens is bigger than the camera!" "How do you like your camera?" "Excuse me, can I ask you about your camera?"
Rating:
Summary: Perfect for the amateur photographer!
Review: When I say amateur photographer, I mean someone who wants a little more control in their photo composition than someone who prefers a 'point and shoot' model. While you can let this camera pick all the settings for you, I love being able to work through trial and error, finding the right settings for a picture. I learned a lot of photography basics in high school, and I wanted to pick up a model with which I could put my education into use. I have the filters, and picked up the Sony telephoto and wide angle lens for a steal. While I've made good use of all of them, over time I've found that I don't really need all these accessories as much as I thought I would. The zoom on the camera works very well. I even took a picture of the Missisippi riverbank from the 29th floor of my office building a quarter-mile away, and the pictures came out fantastic, with incredible detail. The 8 x 10's I print out come out fantastic. A lot of people have asked me when I'm going to devote my time to this professionally after seeing my portfolio. I think it takes a good eye to come up with great pictures, but great equipment doesn't hurt either. I'm not sorry at all that I stopped using film.
Rating:
Summary: Why I bought SONY and what else you should Buy.
Review: I base my purchases on what I require and REVIEWS, so I hope this is helpful...First if you are like me this camera is in your top three choices (and it should be) Five Megapixels is a minimum, not an option for printing out 5x7's or 8x10's, if you are looking at anything under five then quit. Buy a Canon i850 printer and Adobe Photo Shop Elements and you need little else.
Get a 256mb Pro Card or a 512mb Pro...shoots faster, get a MonoPod...this has a large lens and is steady on a monopod, makes it easy to carry. Why SONY?...Huge battery capacity/Highest Quality Lens/Zoom...I can shoot all weekend and not have to recharge...shooting in the highest quality mode...why buy a 5mgpixel if you shoot low res? This camera has THE longest telephoto lens for the money and the highest quality lens.
Resolution and picture quality is amazing...flesh tones are excellent...USB straight to the computer...plug this into your front port and the pictures are sent automatically to your hard drive...if you can, get an external Hard Drive and keep all your photos on it...you can take it with you to share photos with family. This Camera is Sooo much better than my 2meg Fuji...Night Vision is a very cool option, this camera has complete Manual control as well, good for photography classes for the Kids, Way more than a point and shoot but can be used that way if you wish. The Zoom lens is something I use ALL the time, didnt think I would but you start lovin it...I have shot over a thousand pics with no trouble. If you can afford a SONY Tripod then get one! You can control the camera from the handle of the Tripod! shoot/zoom/pan all from the handle...Sony knows what they are doing...If you just cant deal with a camera that is this big, then get the DSCV1...it has the High quality optics in a smaller package...I have recomended this camera to all my friends and family...I'm buying the 8meg version as soon as I can!
Rating:
Summary: A great digital camera
Review: I have had this camera for almost a year now and have been very happy with it. Pro:
* I have been very please in how it does in low light situations without the flash
* The optics are sound
* The ability to manually focus
* Controls easy to navigate
* Excellent picture quality
* Special settings such as sepia
* Three burst mode for action or hard to capture shots (Beware of long write time before you can take pictures again if you are using a high resolution setting)
* The battery life is really good (however if you plan a long day of picture taking an extra battery is essential)
* Ability to manually set shutter and / or aperture Cons:
* On high resolution can take a while to write to
* Bulky compared to a lot of other digital cameras (but not so much so when compared to a good 35mm)
* Memory sticks have historically cost more than other digital cards but I find that prices have come down significantly
* Sony really should ship this camera with a 128MB memory stick. The 32 it comes with captures only a few pictures at a high resolution. Things I would recommend to get along with the camera * Extra memory sticks.
* Memory stick case
* A UV filter. You don't need to get the one that Sony makes for the camera. Any 58mm-thread filter will work.
* Tripod
* Sony's shutter remote
* A Neoprene camera strap
* Extra batteries This is a great camera and I have been very happy with it.
Rating:
Summary: Good enough even for serious photographers
Review: I did my homework for 3 months for a digitnal camera under $800 before I finally decided to purchase this one. Frankly I hesitated at first because most F717 pictures I viewed on websites looked kind of flat and the color was less saturated. I was WRONG. I found out that I can control the contrast and color saturation on a photo editor program (I use free Microsoft Photo Editor, which comes with Windows XP). I am also impressed with the overall body design. You may question what is good about the lens barrel moving up and down. You will find that feature convenient when you hold the camera up above the head; when you take a close-up picture; even when you shoot at eye-level.
As to the features, the camera allows a whole range of operation from fully automatic to complete manual. Most people would be happy with fully atomatic or programmed automatic, but as they avance in the skills they will appreciate the manual operation features. I personally would love to meet the people responsible for designing this camera, and shake hands with them to say "Thank you!"
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best Prosumer Digitals On the Market
Review: With the Sony 828 coming out in January, the 717 may soon be a relic. But at this time it is hands down the finest digital camera in the Sony line and strong competitor in the $750-1,000 range. I've only given this camera 4 stars primarily because the price is misleading. For all practical purposes you can not operate a camera like this with the small Memory Stick provided by Sony. You'll need to upgrade to at least 128 or preferably 256MB or you'll spend more time downloading files than taking photos. So tack another $100 onto you bill. Also consider a UV filter to protect that protruding (and thus vunerable) lens (add $20). PROS
- overall outstanding image quality
- best-in class low-light photos (helpful at Xmas!)
- optional manual controls and hot shoe add flexibility
- Burst "feature" allows three essentially simultaneous shots.
- surprisingly quiet
- decent battery life CONS
- bulky
- zoom is ergonomically difficult to get used to. Practice before a big event! Also check out the Minolta Dimage and the Nikon Coolpix 5700 --- comparable cameras with a lot to offer and have a more traditional SLR feel. I ultimately chose the Sony because reviews showed it outperforming the others in low-light, a situation I find myself in frequently.
Rating:
Summary: Solid Update to the F707
Review: We've had the Sony DSC-F707 for over a year and love it. I had a chance recently to test drive the newer F717 and was suitably impressed. The features and use are nearly identical to the 707, as is the performance. One difference is price - the 717 reatils for $100 less than our 707 did. And, if you shop around, you can easily get a free 128 MB memory stick thrown in, maybe a case too. On the test stand, the two cameras measured virtually identically. That's a tribute to the dependability and quality, considering the thousands of images I've acquired with the 707, in a wide variety of demanding conditions, such as high altitude winter mountain photography and hot, dusty shoots in the desert. This camera makes the A list for consumer digital cameras and if you can afford it, you'll be a happy camper. One of the major challenges in consumer digital is the optics and the 5x optical zoom Zeiss optics are excellent. The electronics of the 717 seem a tiny bit faster than on our 707, but both have less lag than most 5 MB models I've compared (over 30 onto the test bench in the last 3 months). This baby is a keeper.
Rating:
Summary: A pro photographer's dream!
Review: I've had this camera for 5 months, I haven't had a single problem with it. You will be amazed with the array of features this camera has. I still discover new features everyday. This camera is also a HEADTURNER! I took it to a prom and a few parties, it attracts so much attention. The pop-up flash is very cool. Let's look at why I love this camera so much. The Pros:
- Excellent quality and crisp pictures
- Rechargeable battery wiht grrrreat battery life. Takes atleast 300 shots in the highest quality picture setting (The last one I had barely even took a 100.)
- 5X ZOOM!!! It is great! trust me.
- Flash is great, even in complete darkness
- Auto/Manual Focus, Many different modes to take pictures
- Nightvision is amazing.
- FAST USB 2.0 Connection, camera acts as a removable HD
- VIDEO! you can take great quality videos, and the length is only limited by the size of the memorystick.
- Charges quickly (in about 3 hours) CONS:
- POOR WARRANTY, only 90 days. I'd recommend buying an extended warranty for it, even though I don't have one.
- Memory stick is expensive. But I really think you will not be disappointed with this camera. Having used many cameras, I'd recommend this over any other camera in this range.
Rating:
Summary: This camera rocks!!
Review: I bought this camera a year ago and it's been absolutely wonderful! I use it all the time, in fact, I used it this morning to snap some pics of my boyfriend before work. It is easy to use even if you don't know how to use the manual features since it has automatic settings also. Takes amazing pictures, has macro and nightshot/nightframing!!! The only drawback is its size.
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