Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-F828 Digital Camera {8MP}

Sony's 8-megapixel CCD superzoom with a f/2 Zeiss lens

The DSC-F828 pairs an eight megapixel 2/3" CCD sensor with a fixed 28-200mm equivalent Carl Zeiss lens holding a constant f/2 maximum aperture, a combination that let photographers shoot in dim rooms and evening light without reaching for flash. Sony's four-color RGBE filter array (adding Emerald to the usual Red, Green, Blue array) sets this sensor apart from typical three-color designs, aiming to widen color gamut and refine tonal response in the CCD's output.

Manual controls run deep here: full aperture and shutter priority modes, shutter speeds from 30 seconds to 1/3200 sec, and a proper manual focus ring with magnification assist for critical work. A 2 cm macro focus range opens up close-up shooting without add-on lenses, and the 5-point AF system covers general framing needs. The electronic viewfinder and a 1.8" 134,000-dot LCD both offer live view, giving you a choice of eye-level or waist-level composition.

Storage flexibility is a practical strength: the F828 accepts both Memory Stick / Pro and Compact Flash Type I or II cards, useful if you were already invested in either format. A hot-shoe accepts external flash units for more control over fill and bounce light. At 906 g with a metal body, it has the heft and handling of a small system camera while staying fixed-lens simple. This is a camera built around one exceptional lens and a sensor design that took a genuinely different approach to color.

Who It's For

Travel photographers get a single 7.1x zoom (28-200mm equivalent) that spans wide interiors to distant details without swapping lenses, and the f/2 aperture keeps shutter speeds usable at dusk or indoors. Macro shooters benefit from the 2 cm minimum focus distance for tight close-up work on flowers, insects, or product details. Photographers who value manual control get real aperture priority, shutter priority, and a mechanical manual focus ring with magnification, than menu-buried digital approximations. Anyone curious about color science will find the RGBE four-color filter array a distinctive alternative to standard CCD color reproduction, built into a body that also takes external flash via its hot-shoe.

Key Features

• 8.0MP 2/3" CCD with four-color RGBE filter array
• 28–200mm f/2 Carl Zeiss lens with 7.1x optical zoom
• Manual focus ring with magnification assist and 2 cm macro range
• 30 sec to 1/3200 sec shutter speed with aperture and shutter priority modes
• Electronic viewfinder and 1.8" 134,000-dot LCD with live view
• Memory Stick/Pro and Compact Flash Type I/II card support
• ISO 64–800 with custom white balance
• 906 g metal body with hot-shoe external flash

FAQ

What makes the DSC-F828's sensor different from other 8MP compacts?

The Sony ICX456 CCD uses a four-color RGBE filter array instead of the standard RGB design, adding Emerald (cyan-like) filters to expand color gamut and improve tonal response. The 2/3" sensor size gives it a 2.7 µm pixel pitch.

Can you shoot in low light without flash?

The f/2 Carl Zeiss lens stays wide open across the entire 28–200mm zoom range, letting you work in dim rooms and evening light. ISO ranges from 64 to 800, and shutter speeds extend to 30 seconds for additional low-light flexibility.

What manual controls does it have?

Full aperture and shutter priority modes, a mechanical focus ring with magnification assist for critical focusing, manual white balance, exposure compensation in 1/3 EV steps, and shutter speeds from 30 seconds to 1/3200 sec.

Does it handle close-up work?

The macro focus range is 2 cm, letting you shoot extreme close-ups without add-on lenses. A 5-point AF system covers general framing, and the focus ring magnification assist helps with manual close focusing.

What storage and connectivity does it offer?

It accepts both Memory Stick/Pro and Compact Flash Type I or II cards, useful if you were already invested in either format. USB 2.0 handles file transfer; there's a hot-shoe for external flash units.

What are the video capabilities?

640 x 480 MPEG VX at 30 fps with no duration limit on Memory Stick Pro, or 16 fps on standard cards. Lower resolutions like 160 x 112 at 8 fps are also available.

How does it handle battery life?

The body takes a rechargeable battery; Sony supplied an AC-L15 adapter with the original kit. At 906 g with a metal body, it has the heft and handling of a small system camera.