Sony DSCF707 Cyber-shot 5MP Digital Still Camera w/ 5x Optical Zoom

I have had three of these cameras since 2001. The first was stolen when I was mugged on the steps of the St. Deny Basilica in Paris. I had already fallen in love with the camera by then. When we returned home, I was blown away with the clarity of the photographs which I'd uploaded to a laptop, fortunately, before the camera was stolen. I only use the optical zoom on this camera and I was particularly impressed with the focus that allowed me to zoom into and blow up a small portion of photos I'd already taken with the zoom lens at its maximum length. I also like the feel of the camera. I know that many people rave about pocket-size cameras, but I'm used to a larger SLR and like the heft of this camera. This past spring as we set out on a two month vacation in Spain and Ireland, my F707 failed me. The card reader stopped working and I had to fall back on a pocket-size Nikon. While it did a credible job, I could definitely see the difference in focus and clarity of the photos that came from it as compared to my Sony F707. When we returned to the states, I inquired about having the Sony repaired and found that it was less expensive to purchase a used F707 than to have mine fixed. That's what I did and I'm now a happy camper again. I love this camera and felt lost without it. I know there are improvements coming down the line, but I'll wait until I can get the same performance in a new camera that I get from this one. The only features I miss from this camera are a better low light capability and a larger memory capacity.

First of all, I've owned this camera for approx. 4 yrs and have had some success in producing quality pictures. However, within the last year, I purchased the only telephoto lens made for the camera which is quite heavy to say the least. I believe, because of the weight, the lens has caused damage to the camera... partially separating the manual focus cylinder from the body of the camera.I've discussed with Sony and got little satisfaction. All they will do is refer me to a contracted vendor to repair it at substantial cost since I did not have an extended warranty.HAS ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM, AND IF SO, CAN THEY SHARE WHETHER OR NOT IT EVER GOT RESOLVED?ALSO, MY ACTION SHOTS USUALLY RESULT IN BLURRED IMAGINES. WHAT CAN BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE?Thanks,Roger

I bought this camera y-e-a-rs ago, a few months after its first release date. Some people laughed at it's "ïdiot"design. But when viewing the pictures, they suddenly turned very enthousiasic!Some months ago, I was viewing some of my older pictures.The pictures of this camera amazed me again: at first I thouht they were made with one of my newer camea's. Of couse, low-light isn't a strong point of this camera. Too bad you can't exchange the sensor, the lens alone is worth it!Smaller drawback: the hefty accu's. Mine are allmost all dead now. Replacement?.

Love the looks of surprise when I elevate lens body to different angles. Great photos.

Needed replacement parts which were far more costly that thisold camera was worth.

complicated but once you figure it out it is great. Wish I could get a better memory stick.

The DSCF707 has a great lens and a lot of functionality (including full manual mode, infra-red capabilities, mpeg w/ audio, etc.). The main thing for me, though, is how the lens can pivot vertically relative to the body (or the body to the lens?). This means you don't have to hold it up to your face--you can take shots discreetly from waist-level or around a corner, or you can hold it up over a crowd for a better angle, and still see the LCD screen. Very handy, and I don't understand why it's not a common feature. It came (from benselectronics) without a lens cap (58mm) or the camera-charging unit (Sony AC-L10A) AND a battery (Sony NP-FM50 M) at the very end of it's useful life, but that's all stuff I was able to buy elsewhere. I don't know how the next generation (the 717) compares, but Sony doesn't make anything along these lines anymore, so get one while you still can, and buy a couple extra batteries in case those become obsoleted too.

excellent quality , as well as super performance, picture also very sharp in detail each and every not even single picture fail or not clear