Sony · Cyber-shot

Cyber-shot DSC-S85

Released 2001

A 3.98-megapixel compact with a 34–102 mm-equivalent F2.0–2.5 Carl Zeiss lens, manual exposure, three-shot bursts and automatic exposure bracketing.

Type: Compact
Sensor: 1/1.8-type
Megapixels: 3.98
Lens: 34–102 mm equivalent
Video: 320 × 240
Body weight: 352 g

What reviewers say

DPReview and PC Watch’s beta-unit hands-on test praised the direct controls and image detail. PC Watch considered the resolution gain over the S75 modest and noted small rear buttons and limited jog-dial use, while DPReview criticised startup, zoom steps and the proprietary flash connection. Their noise comparisons differed: DPReview found stronger high-ISO results, while PC Watch saw a slight increase over the S75 in its beta samples. The beta findings are preliminary.

From dpreview.com and pc.watch.impress.co.jp

Product links

Specifications

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Image and sensor

Camera type: Compact
Sensor format: 1/1.8-type
Sensor type: Super HAD CCD
Effective resolution: 3.98 MP
Largest image: 2272 × 1704
RAW recording: No
Sensor detail: Sony Japan specifies 4.13 million total and 3.98 million effective photosites, primary-colour filter, interlaced square-pixel CCD scan. Optical 1/1.8-type is not a physical sensor measurement; 2272×1704 output pixel count is distinct from effective photosites
Image formats: JPEG Fine/Standard, uncompressed TIFF, black-and-white GIF Text and animated GIF Clip Motion; no RAW. Maximum 2272×1704 or 2272×1520 3:2, with lower resolutions. Voice mode adds mono MPEG-1 audio
Image processor: 14-bit analogue-to-digital conversion in exact maker launch; JPEG output is not thereby 14-bit

Lens and shooting

Built-in lens: 34–102 mm equivalent
Maximum aperture: f/2–2.5
Optical zoom: 3×
Lens detail: Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar physical 7–21 mm F2.0–2.5, equivalent to 34–102 mm. Threefold optical zoom with additional digital enlargement up to 6× combined. Optional black VAD-S70 B adaptor supports conversion lenses and filters; no kit accessory included in body figures
Autofocus: Maker gives autofocus from 0.5 m to infinity, macro from 4 cm to infinity. AF illuminator and selectable distance presets in exact shared manual
Shutter: Maker Auto 1/30–1/1000 second and shutter priority 8–1/1000 second; mode limitations retained
Burst detail: Burst 3 records only three stills at approximately 0.6-second intervals in Sony launch/manual; no flash and no shutter slower than one second. DPReview measured a faster short burst with a subsequent writing wait; neither is a sustained continuous frame-rate claim. Its copied two-shot summary table not used
Flash: Built-in Auto, red-eye Auto, forced and off, recommended 0.3–3 m at Auto ISO. Accessory shoe has no electrical contacts; optional Sony HVL-F1000 flash connects through ACC minijack
Exposure controls: Automatic, aperture priority, shutter priority and manual exposure. Rear jog dial and AE Lock. ±2 EV compensation; three-shot automatic exposure bracketing with ±0.3, ±0.7 or ±1.0 EV steps. Automatic, Indoor, Outdoor and One-push white balance

Video

Highest video resolution: 320 × 240
Video detail: Mono MPEG-1 at 320×240 HQ or standard and 160×112. Sony limits each HQ clip to 15 seconds; MPEG Movie EX runs to card capacity. Maker 90-minute recording capacity applies to 160×112 with optional 128 MB card, not HQ. Animated GIF Clip Motion is separate

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder: Optical
Screen size: 1.8″
Screen dots: 123,200
Touchscreen: No
Tilting screen: No
Display detail: Fixed 1.8-inch TFT, 123,200 dots (560×220) in shared exact English manual; Japan launch rounds to approximately 123,000. Separate rear status LCD. Dots are not image pixels
Viewfinder detail: Optical finder with dioptre adjustment; exact manual recommends rear screen for accurate close-up framing

Connections and design

Body weight: 352 g
Release detail: Sony Japan announced 7 June 2001 with planned 28 June sale. Contemporary July 2001 owner test records actual Hong Kong shop purchase; first actual on-sale month not established, so year precision retained. S75 remained a separate lower-resolution option; no assumed replacement link
Recording media: Original Memory Stick with 16 MB supplied. Maker gives approximately eight Fine maximum-resolution JPEGs on supplied card; format and capacity affect count
Ports: USB mini-B, mono A/V OUT with NTSC/PAL selection, ACC accessory minijack and DC input. USB does not establish USB 2.0 Hi-Speed or USB charging. Optional Sony remote tripod uses ACC
Battery life detail: NP-FM50 InfoLITHIUM pack. Shared exact guide claims approximately 2500 shots / 150 minutes LCD on or 3000 / 180 LCD off: continuous VGA 640×480 STANDARD NORMAL at 25°C, one shot about every four seconds with card replacements. These are not CIPA or normal-use figures. Playback 5000 / 270 minutes and 160×112 movie 170 minutes LCD on / 210 off are separate tests
Charging: Charges in camera while switched off using supplied AC-L10 adaptor. Approximately 150 minutes full charge from completely discharged at 25°C in exact manual; not USB charging
Dimensions: Approximately 117×71×64 mm width×height×depth excluding maximum protrusions in Japan launch; shared guide gives same dimensions
Weight detail: Approximately 352 g body in Sony Japan launch; approximately 462 g includes NP-FM50, MSA-16A Memory Stick, shoulder strap and lens cap. Shared English guide also specifies 462 g loaded; not substituted for body weight
In the box: 16 MB Memory Stick, NP-FM50, AC-L10A adaptor and mains lead, USB and A/V cables, shoulder strap, lens cap/tether and software CD; Japan iJump and PlayStation 2 trial software are regional extras

Pros and cons

Pros

34–102 mm-equivalent F2.0–2.5 lens
Manual exposure and three-shot exposure bracketing
TIFF recording and dedicated external-flash connection

Cons

No RAW recording
Fixed rear screen
Proprietary Memory Stick storage and limited three-shot burst

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Sensor	Megapixels	Lens	Video	Body weight	Released
SonyCyber-shot DSC-P3	Compact	1/1.8-type	2.8	36 mm equivalent	320 × 240	165 g	2001
SonyCyber-shot DSC-P5	Compact	1/1.8-type	3.2	39–117 mm equivalent	320 × 240	185 g	2001
SonyCyber-shot DSC-S75	Compact	1/1.8-type	3.24	34–102 mm equivalent	320 × 240	352 g	2001

Sources

Photo: Sony Japan

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