Sony MPK-THC Manuel D’Utilisation

16

Featuring a large, easy-to-see LCD monitor and
5.1 megapixel CCD in an ultra-compact, slim
body, the Cybershot DSC-T1 has been a best-
selling digital still camera in many countries since
its initial release in Japan in fall 2003.

About a year and a half ago, a group of young

engineers, determined to create a new digital still
camera unlike any before it, got together to
develop a next-generation model. The team
started from scratch, rethinking every aspect,
from product concept and design to components.
For example, CCD required a high, 5.1 megapixel
resolution, but also needed to be about half the
volume of a conventional CCD to achieve an
ultra-compact, slim size. A retractable zoom lens
would have made the camera too bulky. The
solution was a folded-optics lens system, co-
developed with Carl Zeiss, which moves within
the camera body instead of projecting in and out.
The result is a unique, ultra-compact, slim camera
with a 3x optical zoom. Further distinguishing
DSC-T1 is a 2.5 inch hybrid LCD monitor that uses
nearly half of the camera’s surface area. This large
display is one more reason this revolutionary
digital still camera continually amazes users.

Unlike a conventional camera, which has the lens
in the center and is held with two hands, the
innovative design of DSC-T1 was intended to
attract people’s attention. On the front is a sliding
cover made of aluminum alloy that protects the
lens. A specially coated stainless steel was used
for the camera’s body to prevent tarnishing and
preserve its beautiful appearance over the years.
The sliding lens cover also serves as the power
switch. Users can take out DSC-T1 from a shirt
pocket with one hand, open the lens cover,
switch the power on and snap a photo all in one
motion. DSC-T1 incorporates Sony’s latest ad-
vanced technologies, including a 5.1 megapixel
Super HAD CCD, Sony’s proprietary Real Imaging
Processor and a thin, high-capacity InfoLITHIUM
T-type battery. Incorporating these technologies
into such a compact space in DSC-T1 represented
yet another plunge into uncharted territory for the
project team. This achievement enables users to
immediately view and share photos with friends and
family on the large 2.5 inch LCD monitor, a capabil-
ity no conventional digital still camera can match.

Product Manager
Group 2
Product Design 2 Department
DSC Division
Personal Imaging Company
IT & Mobile Solutions Network
Company

Department No. 2
Imaging Technology Group
IT & Mobile Solutions Network
Company

Miniaturizing CCD to create an ultra-
compact, high-resolution digital still camera
was a challenge. Stainless steel was chosen
for the body material of the 17.3mm thick
digital still camera because of its strength
and resilience. The aluminum alloy sliding
cover protects the lens and also serves as
the power switch.

DSC-T1’s large 2.5 inch LCD monitor is
nearly three times the size of a 1.5
inch LCD monitor. The large
monitor makes it simpler to
compose photos and easier
to playback and share photos
with friends and family by using
the monitor as a display.

Equipped with Sony’s proprietary Real Imaging
Processor, the camera powers up in about 1.3
seconds, takes approximately one second between
shots and has a shutter lag of about 0.24 seconds and
a release lag of about 0.009 seconds.

The newly designed folded-optics lens system was jointly
developed by Sony and Carl Zeiss. The system was
designed specifically to keep the lens within the camera
body and features a 3x optical zoom. Another unique
feature is the Magnifying Mode, which allows users to
shoot objects from as close as a centimeter away.

Senior Art Director
Design Center

This 5.1 megapixel CCD is approximately
half the size of a conventional CCD.

2.5 inch LCD monitor

File 05: Digital Still Camera “Cybershot”

[DSC-T1]

17.3mm

Newly designed folded-optics lens system