Cyber-shot DSC-S600

Released 2006

A 6-megapixel AA-powered compact with a 31–93 mm-equivalent Carl Zeiss lens, optical finder, 2-inch screen and ISO settings up to 1000.

Model history · 2 models, 2005–2006

2005Cyber-shot DSC-S40 Compare
2006Cyber-shot DSC-S600

Type: Compact
Sensor: Other
Megapixels: 6
Lens: 31–93 mm equivalent
Video: 640 × 480 at 30 fps
Body weight: 133 g

What reviewers say

Imaging Resource and Digital Trends found the wide-angle lens useful and automatic shooting straightforward, but both reported uneven image quality and limitations at high sensitivity. Imaging Resource criticised high contrast, optical distortion and slow flash recycling; Digital Trends found colours inconsistent when changing ISO in Program mode and missed A/V output. Both considered the camera better suited to casual shooting than manual control.

From old.imaging-resource.com and digitaltrends.com

Product links

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Image and sensor

Camera type: Compact
Sensor format: Other
Sensor type: Super HAD CCD
Effective resolution: 6 MP
Largest image: 2816 × 2112
RAW recording: No
Standard ISO range: 80–1000
Sensor detail: 6.0 million effective pixels and 6.1 million gross pixels in exact Hong Kong maker release; optical 1/2.5-type is not a physical sensor measurement
Image formats: JPEG, maximum 2816×2112, 2816×1872 3:2 or 1920×1080 16:9. Clear RAW NR refers to internal noise processing, not RAW file recording
Image processor: Sony Real Imaging Processor

Lens and shooting

Built-in lens: 31–93 mm equivalent
Maximum aperture: f/2.8–5.1
Optical zoom: 3×
Lens detail: Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar physical 5.1–15.3 mm F2.8–5.1, equivalent to 31–93 mm. Autofocus close limit 12 cm wide / 50 cm telephoto, automatic close focusing rather than a separate macro mode
Autofocus: Multi-area or centre autofocus, Single or Monitor AF and AF illuminator. No manual focus or focus-distance presets
Shutter: Exact UK archive gives Auto 1/8–1/2000 second; scene-dependent slower shutter and slow-shutter noise reduction
Burst detail: Exact UK maker archive lists maximum seven frames and approximately 0.8-second interval, not sustained burst. Multi Burst stores 16 subframes together in one image
Flash: Auto ISO range approximately 0.2–7.0 m wide / 0.5–3.8 m telephoto. Exact Hong Kong release separately gives ISO1000 range 0.8–11.0 m wide / 0.5–6.4 m telephoto; 11 m is not the Auto ISO range
Exposure controls: Auto, Program auto and seven scenes including High Sensitivity; no manual exposure or aperture/shutter priority. ±2 EV compensation in 1/3 EV steps; multi-pattern or spot metering

Video

Highest video resolution: 640 × 480 at 30 fps
Video detail: MPEG-1 mono audio; VGA Fine 640×480 at 30 fps requires Memory Stick PRO Duo. VGA Standard approximately 16.6 fps or 160×112 approximately 8.3 fps; optical zoom cannot change during movie recording

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder: Optical
Screen size: 2″
Screen dots: 85,000
Touchscreen: No
Tilting screen: No
Display detail: Fixed 2-inch TFT with approximately 85,000 dots; dots are not captured image pixels
Viewfinder detail: Separate optical finder

Connections and design

Bluetooth: No
Body weight: 133 g
Release detail: Sony January 4 US announcement and January 10 Hong Kong announcement planned regional sale; Hong Kong stated early February. Exact March 2006 production-camera review establishes actual 2006 sale; earliest worldwide first-sale month remains unestablished, year precision retained. Sony Hong Kong expressly calls S40 the predecessor
Recording media: 32 MB internal memory; optional Memory Stick Duo or Memory Stick PRO Duo. Full-size original Memory Stick cannot be inserted, and no card is supplied
Ports: Hi-Speed USB 2.0; no A/V output. Optional AC-LS5K power adaptor uses the battery-compartment connection
Battery life detail: Two supplied alkaline AA batteries. UK archive claims 130 shots/80 minutes CIPA, while exact Hong Kong maker table gives 160 shots/80 minutes. Optional 2500 mAh NiMH pair gives 460 shots; optional batteries and charger are not supplied. Unresolved supplied-cell conflict means headline shot count omitted
Charging: No charger supplied. Compatible optional rechargeable AA batteries require an external charger; supplied alkaline batteries must not be charged
Dimensions: 99.9×52.0×36.8 mm width×height×depth in exact Hong Kong maker release; UK archive rounds width to99.0mm
Weight detail: 133 g body; approximately181 g including batteries and wrist strap in exact maker release
In the box: Two AA alkaline batteries, USB cable, wrist strap, software CD and guides. Optional rechargeable batteries, charger and AC-LS5K adaptor excluded

Pros and cons

Pros

31 mm-equivalent wide-angle lens
Uses widely available AA batteries
32 MB internal memory

Cons

No RAW recording or manual exposure
No A/V output
VGA 30 fps video requires Memory Stick PRO Duo

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Sensor	Megapixels	Lens	Video	Body weight	Released
SonyCyber-shot DSC-S500	Compact	Other	6	32–96 mm equivalent	320 × 240 at 30 fps	146 g	2006
SonyCyber-shot DSC-H3	Compact	Other	8.1	38–380 mm equivalent	640 × 480 at 30 fps	264 g	2007
SonyCyber-shot DSC-S650	Compact	Other	7.2	35–105 mm equivalent	320 × 240 at 30 fps	130 g	2007

Previous model: Cyber-shot DSC-S40.

Sources

Photo: Pixinfo

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S600 front-right view: Pixinfo
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S600 front-left oblique press view: Sony Korea via Newswire
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S600 rear controls and 2-inch LCD: Pixinfo
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S600 rear oblique press view, screen off: Sony Korea via Newswire

Spot a mistake? Tell us