Sony Net Sharing Cam
Jan 5th, 2008 by William Jones
So you’ve got a cat who sings when she yawns, or you want to capture Uncle Jimmy crushing beer cans on his fat head – well, the Sony Net Sharing Cam is for you. The YouTube generation, that group of youngsters and the not-so-young who feel the need to record and share absolutely everything with everyone in the world will love this camera.
This stylish camera functions as well as a web video maker as a still camera. But it’s really the onboard software that makes it so attractive. Forget about going through the upload pages of various filesharing sites in order to upload. The PMB Portable software makes file uploading easy and fast, allowing you to upload directly from the camera.
Shooting video from 15 frames per second (QVGA 320×240) to 30 frames per second (VGA 640×480), the resolution is enough for most users and will outshine most of the videos seen online. If you’re looking for a camera that shoots more than video, this Sony stands alone as a 5-megapixel still camera with a built-in flash.
Features include 4X Precision Digital Zoom, creating a clearer picture and less distortion that previous digital zooms. Sony’s Steady Shot Picture Stabilization System uses motion sensors to compensate for “the shakes”, without compromising on quality. The 2.4” Swivel Screen LCD Display has been upgraded to provide increased resolution and functionality by rotating 270 degrees.
USB streaming functionality allows the user to broadcast live video and audio, as well as immediate playback. Like many new Sony products, the Sony Net Sharing Cam comes complete with various scene selection modes (Beach, Candlelight, Fireworks, Twilight, etc.) which enable easy recording even in difficult lighting situations.
On the down side, the manufacturer’s listed price of $200 is steep for what is essentially, a highly functioning webcam. Although it can be found online for less than $150, it’s still rather pricey for most amateur YouTubers. Common complaints of this product often reference the lack of an optical zoom. For a camera of this price, an optical (rather than digital) zoom is expected. Most reviewers seem to like the look and style of the camera, but its awkward controls and oddly placed flash have proven problematic.
Overall, this seems to be an attempt by Sony to make a move into the YouTube market. The streamlined downloading process is a plus, but the lack of optical zoom and high price may make it simply inappropriate for that market. If you can afford it and don’t want to shop around for a cheaper equivalent, it’s a fine looking camera.
To read more on the Sony Net Sharing Cam, click here.
