Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T9 review

Image quality
Although not wide, the lens does yield very good photo quality. While some geometric distortion is present at the widest and narrowest angles, darkened corners (vignetting) are very minor, and common aberrations such as coloured fringing and blooming of bright onto dark areas are almost negligible, even upon close inspection. Noise is relatively under control, with only a little starting to appear at ISO 200. At the camera's maximum ISO rating of 640, noise is easily visible, but some usable pictures can be taken.

Though normal image noise is under control, the T9's photos do exhibit this processing artefact, which looks like yellow splotches in light areas

Colours are on the neutral side, sometimes becoming flat in heavy backlighting -- both characteristics can be easily reversed in photo-editing software. Flesh tones are pleasing except when using flash, which washes out darker skin and turns lighter skin ruddy. Red-eye is also a problem with this camera, showing up even in moderate light with the reduction preflashes enabled. The camera's exposure choices are generally very good, though, even in tricky lighting.

It took Sony a few generations to get the T series right, but it looks like the company has finally gotten the idea. Though the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T9 is far from perfect, it's very good for an ultracompact snapshot camera.

Edited by Lori Grunin
Additional editing by Nick Hide