We take the sexy DSC-T77 for a walk in the park. Is it just a sleek piece of digital eye candy, or does it possess the brains behind the looks? Find out in our in-depth Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77 review.
Review summary of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77:
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 The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77 holds a definitive place for the fashion-conscious consumer crowd. It's sleek, sexy and comes in a variety of hot color options. The DSC-T77 also has a slick sliding faceplate and an ample touch screen LCD. Unfortunately, the LCD screen didn't live up to our expectations and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77's image quality proved to be lacking in many aspects. Playback is probably the best part, allowing shooters to perform Photoshop-esque image modifications in camera. Those looking for a plethora of manual controls and shooting options will be disappointed while those who crave the latest in swanky digital imaging will fall head over high heels for the DSC-T77. Release: September 2008. Price: $255.
Pros: Hot looks. Great playback features. Super compact.
Cons: Mediocre image quality across the board. Poor touch screen response. Minimal manual controls.
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Full Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77 Review:
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Design - Good
Cue the techno and strobe lights, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77 has just hit the runway in all its fierce, sexy splendor. This cam is exceedingly thin, just like most of the consumers who will be drawn to its chic architecture and alluring color schemes. At just over 5 ounces, the camera will slip right in the pocket of a pair of super-snug Armani slacks with ease. The chrome metal trim and minimal external controls render the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77 more an accessory than a serious, accurate digital imaging device.
So, don't be surprised when you reach for the zoom toggle and find a tiny plastic tab in its place. If you have elf fingers, the camera's zoom toggle will still be too small. This is style, people. No hideous mode dials, obscene lens barrels or revolting directional pads to be found here. Instead, it flaunts a giant 16:9 LCD touch screen measuring 3 inches diagonally. Another glorious serving of swank comes in the form of a sliding faceplate that bears the lens and powers on the DSC-T77.
Interface - Mediocre
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77's ample touch screen is the driving force behind all menu navigation, image control and playback features. The touchscreen's responsiveness and sensitivity, therefore, needed to be spot on. Unfortunately, the touch screen is sluggish to respond and cooperative only half the time, much like certain supermodels. Sony includes what they refer to as a "Paint Pen", which is simply a plastic stylus, but you'll have better luck with freehand finger mashing. Furthermore, the overall screen resolution is lacking significantly. Style may be the sole victor here after all.
On the plus side, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77's menu system is intuitive and easy. Most options, such as shooting modes, flash settings and macro, are arranged vertically along the left and right sides of the screen. More extensive menus are accessible from the corners of the LCD screen, which is where you'll find more of the administrative options and manual controls. The tabbed menu structure is a great organizational boon as far as navigation, though we wish the LCD screen was more responsive. Sony also has the best menu sounds in all the land. They're actually not annoying.
Features - Good
This is not a camera for advanced shooters and manual control militants, no way no how. This is style with a touch screen, ladies and gentlemen. Therefore, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77 is severely limited in the eyes of the aspiring Ansel Adams. Manual Controls? What manual controls? The DSC-T77 has manual exposure and ISO control and that's it. Focus can be adjusted by pressing on a specific area of the screen, but due to the screen's poor resolution, it is nearly impossible to attain an accurate view. White Balance settings only offer presets, such as Cloudy or Incandescent. Everything else is some sort of Auto variation or scene mode. It's obvious that the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77 is geared toward people who don't know how to manually tweak a camera, but want to look hot anyway.
The camera's shooting mode menu is where you'll find most of the image control action. Here you'll discover scene presets, such as Landscape and Fireworks, in addition to the motion-friendly Hi-Speed Shutter and night-geared Low Light mode. Hi-Speed Shutter is designed to capture a fast-moving subject and requires a lot of light. The Low Light mode requires a tripod because the shutter speed is dropped so low to accommodate the dim environment. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77 includes minute popup messages that explain each feature and how to set the shot up to suit that feature's particular requirements.
Then you have your Auto and Easy modes, which force the camera to do all the grunt work. These will be the most popular shooting modes, given the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77's intended audience. In Auto mode, all image adjustments are done via the DSC-T77's internal brain. You can set the macro, flash and a few other minor adjustments, but all of the big guns like focus and exposure are automatic. Easy mode takes Auto a step further by purging even more options from the screen and blowing up the onscreen font. Easy mode is very geriatric-friendly, with minimal functionality and giant buttons.
Classic consumer favorites like Face and Smile Detection are available, allowing the shooter to adjust the sensitivity based on how wide the subject's smile is or set child or adult face priority. The options function adequately, but don't expect them to provide a golden ray of photographic magic to your subject.
Playback on the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77 is one of its highlights, as photos are arranged as thumbnail icons that you can tap to select. There is also a musical slideshow option, allowing you to play all images in a fading montage sequence, accompanied by Sony's heartwarming selection of soundtrack tunes. You can add your own mp3 files by connecting the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77 to a computer and dragging and dropping new files. Of course, this can only be done after installing Sony's Music Transfer software.
In fact, it seems like more playback options are available than shooting options. There's a Paint feature, in which you can use the included stylus "Paint Pen" to draw on your pictures much like you would in Microsoft Paint. Captain Morgan moustaches have never been so easy! There's also a small army of image effects, such as Radial Blur and Starburst, allowing Photoshop-less users to edit in-camera. You can resize and crop as well, and some consumers might be attracted to these advanced editing features.
Hardware - Good
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77 has a common 10MP imager, Optical Image Stabilization and a 4x optical zoom. These are run-of-the-mill specs, and you can expect the same in performance. It takes about two seconds for the DSC-T77 to power on via the sliding faceplate and another second to snap a picture. This is a reasonably long time to wait, compared to other cameras in its class which can fire off a shot in a little over a second from a fully powered-down state. The lens is tiny and offers an average focal length—nothing that would do the Grand Canyon justice. The battery life is moderate, and after a full day of shooting we still had enough juice to last us through playback.
Image Quality - Good
With so much poured into the design and interface of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77, we surmised that the image quality would be left on the backburner. For a 10MP camera with a lower-tier imager, you can expect decent pictures, but nothing to match the DSC-T77's suave looks. In nearly all pictures, compression was noticeable and noise flourished in low light. This is just an adequate performance, perhaps forgivable as the DSC-T77's intended audience isn't going to be printing or blowing up these shots.
Scene Test – View From Wollman Rink
It's that time of year, folks, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77 captures the overwhelming spirit in this shot. Aside from the ostentatious name on the rink boards, this is a feel-good image. However, up close you can see that the trees look like they belong in a Seurat painting, mashed together with compression. Certain buildings also exhibit slight fringing and discoloration along the edges at the sky.
Landscape Test – Central Park Foliage
Landscape Test – Central Park Sunday Afternoon…
The first image exhibits how the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77's auto focus fails to get its act together at times. Both images were captured in Landscape mode, which hones in on a distant focal point. The colors in the first image are vibrant, but it's too seizure-inducing to look at. The second image is blanketed by ethereal sunlight, but there are flaws amidst the beauty. The blowing out in the leaves and overall compression assault do not assist the image in any positive way.
Color Test - Balloons
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77 renders colors quite nicely, but they lean toward the cool side. Unfortunately, there are no color swap or accent options like you'd find on a Canon camera, so white balance is the only option to warm up the atmosphere. Despite this, the DSC-T77 does not have any issues exhibiting naturalistic color in optimal lighting environments. Under a glaring sun, well, that's a different story.
Detail Test - Rock
Now we're starting to see the goods. The detail here is splendid within the focused portion of this image. Compression is not detectable and noise has fled. This is yet another symptom of the "Best Light Available" syndrome, as the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77 is exceedingly picky when it comes to illumination.
Motion Test – Manhattan Bridge
Our classic 35-40MPH Manhattan Bridge motion test captures the stunning scenery of Chinatown this time. Surprisingly, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77 holds its own here as the scene is focused and there is minimal blur. The metal pole is the definitive test, and it's in pretty good shape for an up-close ride-by. Colors are decent, but there's still a swarm of compression artifacts throughout the image.
Zoom Test – Mr. Squirrel
Zoom Test – Up Close With Mr. Squirrel
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77's 4x optical zoom will come in handy for situations like this. One additional millimeter of a step forward and the finicky little bugger would have blasted up the tree at the speed of light. Again, not the best detail here, but the zoom made the shot.
Macro Test - Spigot
We were able to shoot this image from a very short distance, thanks to the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77's Macro focus option. For the first time, the detail is exceptionally spot on. We don't want to know what's been on that spigot, but our imagination is set to run wild, thanks to the intricate reproduction of its weathered existence.
Night Test – Times Square
Here the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77 falls into the trap many cheaper cams plummet into when the sun goes down. Noise pollutes the Manhattan sky as signs and lights explode unnaturally. Compression, blue noise and stepping can be found kick-lining down Broadway.
Night Test – Tattoo Shop
Night Test – Tattoo Shop In Easy Mode
On the unpleasantly quiet side streets of Brooklyn, light is even more scarce. The first image was taken in Auto mode without the flash while the second image was captured in Easy mode, which used the flash. Easy mode pulled through here, as the second image is actually usable. The first image is far too dark, yet it handles noise very well. Noise is hyperactive in the second image, but that's to be expected in such a low light environment with this sensor.
Low Light – Desk and Lamp
Now all of the noise comes out to play. Sony's red and blue noise can be caught creeping up the walls, TV, poster, pretty much the majority of the image. The brightness is not bad, but it's a noise festival in here.
Candle Test – Auto
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77 does not have a distinct Candlelight mode, so this image was taken in Auto. Darkness surrounds the candle in this image, but the detail in the candle itself is stellar. This is another wildcard performance. Despite the inherent noise, the glass portion is crisp and the color has virtually no discernable lines of gradation.
Price and availability
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77 can be found online for as little as $255.
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