magnesium body. Carl Zeiss lens 28-200 F2.0-2.4 is best out there in this class camera. ease of handling. superior color palette with e+RGB. RAW is a little slow compared to DSLRs, but it works fine. Live Histogram is a "can't live without" feature. Ability to use non-dedicated flash units for multi-flash setups is pro feature all the way for the serious shooter. Ability to shoot IR only adds to it's unique creativity as a tool. Ability to shoot very good quality video at a flip of the switch means you don't lug around a video camera too. You have options.

A little bit of the purple fringing occurs at times. It only affects subjects with very high reflectance with high specular highlights. This occurs in maybe 10% or less of my shots and can be handled on post-processing with PS. I actually have two F828's now and the first body has exhibited more purple fringing than the more recent second body I received just as of late. This second body is brand new from Sony with a production date of December '04 and the first one was used and an early production one from the first year of production in 2003. I think there is an improvement in the newer camera in the images concerning the purple fringing issue. Still shooting and comparing. But all my digital cameras have some purple fringing. Just keep blowing up their size, you'll find it. It goes with the digital medium for now until they improve it. Not a problem. Just a given.

I'm a pro and the bottom line with any piece of equipment I invest in is.. "will it make money for me..?" And the answer for me was "yes" from the first time I started to shoot with the F828. I've used it for modeling shoots, I've used it for product shoots, weddings and other types of event photography and rarely has the F828 disappointed me. It consistantly produces with usable and salable images. That's the bottom line. I've owned the 707 and the 717 cameras in the Sony line and seen the progression Sony has made in the "F" series of cameras. The 707/717 cameras had good to excellent image quality, but the F828 takes imaging to a much higher level with it's 8MP size, it's e+RGB processor/filters,it's ability to shoot in RAW if needed and even the ability to shoot above-average MPEG video when the need arises. These features force the user to compare it to DSLRS costing thousands more..not to other All-in-One point and shoot clones. I have a DSLR system that I've invested over $6,500+ in for my work, but the F828 has a place right next to them because of the imaging it can produce. I use the Sony as my backup at every shoot. In fact, often, I begin my shoots with the F828 Why..? Because the color pallette with the Sony e+RGB processor is extremely accurate. In subjects where I'm doing modeling shoots, I'll shoot both my Canon DSLR and the F828 and later in editing, I often pick the Sony images to use for the portfolios because of the luminous skin tones and the crisp details without having to resort to lots of editing in Photoshop, etc. There is a certain color quality right out of the camera I prefer that the F828 possesses that the more expensive Canon and Nikons DSLRS do not. This is most obvious when using the Sony Standard color preference, but also when using the Real Color preference as well. I can't quite describe it, but it's sort of a combination of the film color palettes from a Fuji Velvia slide film and a Kodak Portra print film..two standard films that I've used over the years for my work. Somehow, Sony has designed the F828 to produce a glowing, smooth skin tone like the Kodak Portra but with a contrast range that looks and reproduces like a color slide film, like Fuji Velvia. This feature alone makes the F828 a keeper. At least for me and my way of shooting and post-editing. Obviously, it has a multitude of features that has been decsribed elsewhere. So I'm not going to keep repeating. But another feature that is greatly appreciated is the fact that you don't need to change lenses frequently or to carry multiple camera bodies around in order to have a usable range of lenses at the ready when shooting. It means more time shooting and less time changing on and off the glass. Which is something a pro deals with more than the occasional shooter. Add in the accidental dropping of lenses and their breakage and/or of the bodies themselves or the increased chances of dust and grit entering the imaging sensor in DSLRS when you remove lenses to switch out inevitably causes downtime and repair costs to the cameras and lenses. But not with the F828 because you don't remove the lens, ever. And lightness of weight over the course of a shoot as compared to a bag full of DSLR bodies, lenses, flashes and multiple accessories needed to make it all work don't exist when using the F828. The F828 alone and just a small bag to hold it and a few memory cards and maybe the F32 flash if you can afford that is really all you need for excellent quality pictures anywhere. And of course, if are not a pro and you are not trying to squeeze a dollar out of your images, all the above is icing on the cake. The still images at 8MP are overall excellent as long as you shoot in the 64-100 ISO range. And the video is very usable as long as you use the highest video quality the F828 allows. Overall, a great camera and very satisfying whether for personal use or pro.

Customer Service

Actually, Sony service was a little slow on a repair I needed for my first F828 body. Broke the little battery retaining clip inside the grip at a shoot. I sent to them for repair and they fixed under warranty but it took 60+ days because the part supposedly was in short supply. But whatever. They sent UPS Blue Label when it was done, so no complaints.

Similar Products Used:

Sony F707, F717, Canon 10D, 20D, Canon 1D, Canon 1Ds, Nikon D70, Contax, Pentax, Hassy, Leica, Mamiya, Minolta.. changed systems over time like underwear.

SOLID feels like a rock and "performed" like one in the beginning. Programmed mode is really good. Tilt body remind me of my old RoliFlex twin lense and is as useful.

macro is poor. low light performance POOR

Mine was one of the first out, manuf Dec 2003. I ordered it in November 2003 and it was delivered Jan 2 2004. I have just went over 14,000 shots with it. Taken better care of it than any other camera I've owned in thrity seven years of being a photographer. All this said, I have been noticing a reduction in the quality of the images I shoot. I just went back and found a dramatic difference. I will contact BesrBuy tomorrow about repaire thanks to their 4 year extended warranty plan. This was a gradual process looking over the last years photos. And it is heartbreaking because I really do like this camera. I really don't want to get out my F1 Canons and go back to 35mm. I have used FD, stick, and mini harddrives for storage and all exibit the same quality loss. I have a DCR-TV70 that takes a better 1.1 mega pixal shot that the 828 does now. I will reply when matters change. Anyone Else experienced the same thing?

Customer Service

Getting ready to try extended service at BestBuy.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F10, Fuji S7000, Nikon 5700, and Kodak DX4800 (great camera)

awkward on-off buttons, awkward buttons on lens barrel also i feel

Purchased this neat little sony "pro-sumer" digital camera. First of its kind i've bought as last DSLR bought was a Canon EOS1d-Mark2. Let me say that for the money it has one of the most convieniant zooms ive ever seen 28-200 (f2.o - 2.8!!!!!) Find a lens this fast for under $1650 aust dollars, letherlone having a 8mp camera also, magnessium steel body, dual memory card slots (CF and M/Stick) live histogram, awesome macro capabilities, RAW image capture, unlimited video as much as your memory card can handle thats also running at 30 frames per second (most other d/cams run at 16fps)

very solid construction fast ZEISS optics 28-200mm range excellent overall picture quality two memorycard slots: CF and memory stick no artefacts a joy to use

some purple fringing (like some DSLR, too) really noisy at ISO 400 and higher no memory buffer for saving tiffs and raws

OK, it is true...it takes pictures with purple fringing occasionally, but: The sharpness, the colors, the brillanz of each picture I made are simply great. And please note: You have a really outstanding ZEISS zoom from 28mm to 200mm with 2.0-2.8! Getting this picture quality with a DSLR you can by your Canon/Nikon (about 1000Euro) plus a wide angle zoom (about 400Euro, ebay) plus a tele toom (about 500Euro) = 1900Euro all together! The SONY body is very solid and a joy to use. It has a fast AF and very good noise reduction for long time exposures. It is really an alternative choice to all DSLRs, if you don´t want to change lenses!

Customer Service

not needed

Similar Products Used:

Panasonic LC1 Nikon d70