Description
Sony dsc-85
Connections
On the left side of the camera we’ll find a neat hinged and sprung door behind which lurk the mini-USB connector and AV output terminal, just above the door is the ACC connector for connection to a proprietary Sony accessory (such as the HV-FL1000 flash unit).
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On the bottom right corner of the camera is the DC-IN connector for connection to the provided AC adapter / charger. Sony lose marks here for using one of those awful rubber grommet doors (just like the G1) which had already lost its shape and was fitting badly. Hinged plastic door next time please.
All that said they gain points over the opposition for simply providing excellent rechargeable battery and an AC adapter / charger as standard. |
Lens
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The S85 shares the same “Carl Zeiss” lens as the S75. It’s a 3x optical zoom (34 – 102 mm equiv.) F2.0 – F2.5 lens, which means it’s relatively bright and so should still perform well in low light. Because it’s of the retracting type it causes a slight startup delay while it extends to its normal length. |
Flash / AF Illuminator
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The S85’s flash unit is located on the right hand edge of the camera. Just to the left of the viewfinder lens you can just make out the AF illumination lamp, this comes on automatically in low light situations and bathes the target subject in an orange light which is used to assist the cameras AF system. |
Accessory Shoe / ACC connector
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The S85’s accessory shoe is connection-less and is designed to take the optional HVL-F1000 flash unit which is in turn connected to the camera via the ACC connector on the side.
There is also a new tripod (VCT-D480RM) which includes a remote control and connects to the S85 via the ACC connector. |
Tripod mount / camera base
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On the bottom of the s85 you’ll find a nice shiny metal tripod mount, unfortunately Sony decided to put it in the corner of the base almost right up against the front edge of the camera, this means that on any normal tripod mount the camera has a tendency to lean forward once the mount screw is tightened.. Uh oh.
Still.. You can change the storage card and battery while it’s still on there, that’s a consolation. |
