Cyber-shot DSC-S730

Released January 2008

A 7.2-megapixel AA-powered compact with a 35–105 mm-equivalent lens, multipoint autofocus and a 2.4-inch screen.

Type: Compact
Sensor: Other
Megapixels: 7.2
Lens: 35–105 mm equivalent
Video: 320 × 240 at 30 fps
Body weight: 140 g

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Specifications

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Image and sensor

Camera type: Compact
Sensor format: Other
Sensor type: Super HAD CCD
Effective resolution: 7.2 MP
Largest image: 3072 × 2304
RAW recording: No
Standard ISO range: 100–1250
Sensor detail: Optical 1/2.5-type Super HAD CCD, not physical dimensions; exact instruction guide lists approximately 7,201,000 effective and 7,410,000 total pixels
Image formats: JPEG/Exif 2.21, maximum 3072×2304; 3:2 3072×2048 and 16:9 1920×1080 available. No RAW recording. UK archive contains contradictory 8MP template entries, not used

Lens and shooting

Built-in lens: 35–105 mm equivalent
Maximum aperture: f/2.8–4.8
Optical zoom: 3×
Stabilisation: None
Lens detail: Sony 3× zoom, physical 5.8–17.4 mm F2.8–4.8, equivalent 35–105 mm. Normal focus approximately 50 cm; macro approximately 5 cm wide / 35 cm telephoto from the front of the lens. UK archive mixes normal-focus distances into its macro row; exact handbook and Hong Kong maker press resolve this
Autofocus: Multipoint or centre AF, with distance presets; no AF illuminator, face detection or Smile Shutter in exact UK maker table. No manual focus
Shutter: Hong Kong maker table gives Auto 1/8–1/2000 second and Program auto 1–1/2000 second; Program exposure remains automatic
Burst detail: Exact handbook: maximum three frames at 7M or 3:2, four at 5M, six at 3M, 64 at VGA and ten at 16:9; approximately 1.2-second recording interval, flash off. These finite bursts do not establish a sustained headline frame rate
Flash: Hong Kong maker table: Auto ISO approximately 0.5–3.5 m wide / 0.5–2.0 m telephoto; ISO 1250 separately approximately 6.9 m wide / 3.9 m telephoto
Exposure controls: Auto, Program auto and scene modes; no manual or aperture/shutter-priority exposure. ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps; multi-pattern, centre-weighted or spot metering. ISO Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1250

Video

Highest video resolution: 320 × 240 at 30 fps
Video detail: AVI Motion JPEG, 320×240 at approximately 30 fps with mono sound; approximately ten-minute maximum continuous clip. Optical zoom cannot change during movie recording. MPEG-1 and VGA claims in secondary launch coverage conflict with exact instruction guide and maker press

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder: None
Screen size: 2.4″
Screen dots: 112,320
Touchscreen: No
Tilting screen: No
Display detail: Fixed 2.4-inch TFT with 112,320 dots in exact instruction guide, rounded 112,000 in maker press; dots are not captured image pixels. Movies have no audible playback through the camera; external A/V playback provides sound
Viewfinder detail: No separate viewfinder; composition uses the rear LCD

Connections and design

Battery life (maker's claim): 100 photographs
Body weight: 140 g
Release detail: Sony German release planned mid-January 2008; Hong Kong release planned end-January. Contemporary Les Numériques news dated January 27 states the camera was available on retail shelves, supporting January precision without claiming the first day. That news misstates video and face/Smile detection; these features follow exact maker manuals instead. No explicit manufacturer predecessor established
Recording media: Approximately 22 MB internal memory; Memory Stick Duo, PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo. PRO-HG cards operate at PRO Duo speed; optional cards are separate from the bare camera
Ports: Combined USB/A/V OUT terminal for mono audio and NTSC/PAL composite video; Hi-Speed USB 2.0 explicitly confirmed in exact instruction guide and handbook. UK archive A/V omission conflicts with these manuals
Battery life detail: Two supplied LR6 alkaline AA batteries: approximately 100 shots / 50 minutes CIPA at 25 °C, one shot every 30 seconds, alternating zoom ends, flash every other shot and power cycle every ten. Optional NH-AA NiMH pair: approximately 440 shots / 220 minutes; these are not the supplied alkaline cells
Charging: Supplied alkaline cells cannot be recharged. Optional compatible NiMH cells require an external charger; optional AC-LS5K power adaptor is separate
Dimensions: 91.4×61.0×29.1 mm width×height×depth, excluding protrusions, in exact instruction guide
Weight detail: 140 g body only in exact UK maker archive and Hong Kong press; approximately 189 g including two batteries, wrist strap, etc. in instruction guide. Plastic body per reproduced German maker table
In the box: Two LR6 AA alkaline batteries, dedicated USB and A/V cables, wrist strap, software/handbook CD and instruction guide. Optional NiMH batteries, charger, AC adaptor and memory card are separate; Hong Kong launch card/case package is a regional bundle

Pros and cons

Pros

Uses widely available AA batteries
Multipoint and centre autofocus
22 MB internal memory

Cons

No viewfinder or optical image stabilisation
No RAW or manual exposure
Video limited to 320×240

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Sensor	Megapixels	Lens	Video	Body weight	Released
SonyCyber-shot DSC-H10	Compact	Other	8.1	38–380 mm equivalent	640 × 480 at 30 fps	264 g	2008
SonyCyber-shot DSC-S750	Compact	Other	7.2	35–105 mm equivalent	320 × 240 at 30 fps	128 g	2008
SonyCyber-shot DSC-S780	Compact	Other	8.1	35–105 mm equivalent	320 × 240 at 30 fps	128 g	2008

Sources

Photo: Pixinfo

Silver DSC-S730 front-right oblique view with extended zoom lens: Pixinfo
Silver DSC-S730 front-left oblique view with extended zoom lens: Pixinfo

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