Sony Cyber-shot DSC-L1

225 reviews

Apr, 2024

Positive
portability (99)
usability (80)
performance (79)
design (58)
image quality (48)

Negative
reliability (23)
flash (18)
viewfinder (9)
contrast (2)

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 225 reviews of Sony Cyber-shot DSC-L1. The average rating for this product is 3.8/5, compared to an average rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras for all reviews. People are impressed by the size and design. The performance and portability also get good comments, but there are mixed views on the memory and durability. Many are negative about the contrast and viewfinder.

usability, portability, performance, design, size

reliability, flash, viewfinder, contrast

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Digital Compact Cameras the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-L1 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 84/100 = Very good quality.

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Review analysis

(Based on 225 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

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Features

usability
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portability
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performance
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design
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Showing 1 - 125 of 150 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (75)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Sony Cyber-shot DSC-L1

alaTest has collected and analyzed 9 user reviews of Sony Cyber-shot DSC-L1 from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 3.9/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.co.uk. Reviewers really like the size and battery. The design and usability are also mentioned favorably, but the image quality and viewfinder get less positive opinions.

portability, usability, design, battery, size

durability, flash, viewfinder, image quality

100% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Sony Cyber-shot DSC-L1

alaTest has collected and analyzed 106 user reviews of Sony Cyber-shot DSC-L1 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 3.5/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.2/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.com. People are impressed by the size and design. The performance and portability also get good feedback. Many are critical about the viewfinder and flash, while reviews about the memory and durability are mixed.

usability, portability, performance, design, size

image quality, reliability, flash, viewfinder

78% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Expert review by : Simon Joinson (dpreview.com)

Sony DSC-L1

Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area

Very compact, Useful 32-96mm equiv. zoom range, Excellent build quality and finish, Very fast operation, Fast, accurate focus, Clean results, decent resolution for this class of camera, Low noise, Well designed, easy to use interface, Good auto white...

Memory Stick Duo cards not that common, and quite pricey, Highest quality setting is a little over compressed, Stupid tripod mount needs bulky adaptor, Design makes accidentally activating spot metering easy, Mediocre macro capability, Underpowered...

Another month, another cute, easy to use and reliable Sony point-and-shoot camera.

Jul, 2005

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Expert review by : David D. Busch (cnet.com)

Sony Cyber Shot L review: Sony Cyber Shot L

Slick design and finish; available in four colors; quick performance; ultracompact; excellent battery life; wide-angle view; easy operation.

Subpar image quality, small LCD viewfinder; limited controls.

Quick performance and style only partially compensate for this compact shooter's mediocre image quality and limited LCD viewfinder.

Mar, 2005

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Expert review by : Narasu Rebbapragada (pcworld.com)

Sony Cybershot DSC-L1 Digital Camera Camera

The 4.1-megapixel Sony Cyber-shot DSC-L1 looks slick and performs well, even though its tiny buttons and sharp joystick aren't the most comfortable to use.

In our image-quality tests, this camera produced bright, vibrant color in our outdoor and still-life shots, yet its sharpness wasn't the best. Portions of our black-and-white test pattern were blurry and showed some color distortion. At least one test...

Feb, 2005

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Expert review by : Narasu Rebbapragada (pcworld.com)

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-L1 Digital Camera (4.1MP, 2304x1728, 3x Opt, 16MB Memory Stick)

Photograph: Rick Rizner

Feb, 2005

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Expert review by : Simon Joinson (dpreview.com)

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-L1 Review

At the tail end of August 2004 Sony announced the ultra-compact DSC-L1, a four megapixel digital camera featuring a new three times optical zoom lens which is considerably more compact than any Sony lens before it but provides a 32 mm wide (ish) angle....

Very compact Useful 32-96mm equiv. zoom range Excellent build quality and finish Very fast operation Fast, accurate focus Generally reliable exposure ( though see below ) Clean results, decent resolution for this class of camera Low noise Well...

Memory Stick Duo cards not that common, and quite pricey Highest quality setting is a little over compressed Stupid tripod mount needs bulky adaptor Design makes accidentally activating spot metering easy Mediocre macro capability Underpowered flash...

Another month, another cute, easy to use and reliable Sony point-and-shoot camera. The DSC-L1 offers little in the way of innovation, instead you get a simple, fast, very small, very nicely designed and well put together little camera you really can...

Feb, 2005

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Expert review by : Steve's Digicams (steves-digicams.com)

Sony DSC-L1

Physical Views The Cyber-shot L1 and a CD for size comparison. The playing card deck-size Canon S410 Digital Elph and the diminutive DSC-L1. The credit card-size Casio EX-Z40 and the diminutive DSC-L1. Go to Features & Controls Sony DSC-L1...

Aug, 2004

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Expert review by : Jeff Keller (dcresource.com)

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-L1

This review has been completed using a production model DSC-L1. Product shots have been reshot where necessary, and all sample photos are from the production camera

Ultra-compact, stylish metal body; comes in four colors ; Robust performance ; LCD usable in bright and dim light ; AF-assist lamp; good low light focusing ; Very good movie mode ; Live histogram in record mode ; USB 2.0 High Speed supported ;...

Images seem soft and muddy; some vignetting ; Weak flash ; Redeye ; No optical viewfinder or video out port ; No manual controls or macro mode ; Buttons are pretty tiny, as is the LCD display ; Software bundle isn't great, though the tutorial is helpful

If you want a camera that you can take anywhere, and don't plan on making large prints, I do recommend the DSC-L1. If you want more control over your camera's settings, better photo quality, or expandability, you'll probably have to buy a larger camera.

May, 2012

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Expert review by : Ilse Jurrien (photokina-show.com)

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-L1

The Sony Cyber-shot L1 is a true "take anywhere" digital camera, compact enough for a pocket or handbag, yet offering top quality image resolution, Carl Zeiss 3x zoom lens, versatile high-speed operation and a very stylish finish. Upgrading your...

Sep, 2004

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Expert review by : David D. Busch (cnet.com.au)

Sony Cyber Shot DSC-L1

A stylish pocket camera with quick performance but subpar photo quality.

Slick design and finish ; Available in three colours ; Quick performance ; Ultracompact ; Excellent battery life ; Wide-angle view ; Easy operation

Subpar image quality ; Small LCD viewfinder ; Limited controls

Mar, 2005

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Expert review by (digicamreview.co.uk)

Sony Cybershot DSC-L1

The Sony Cybershot DSC-L1, is available from £175 | $229 - and is an ultra compact 4 megapixel digital camera, with a 3x optical zoom lens and a 1.5" TFT screen. The camera is enclosed in an ultra compact silver metal body. The Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar...

Very compact ; Very solid metal body ; Rich vibrant saturated colours ; Saturation, Sharpness, Contrast Controls ; Info-Lithium battery displays remaining life in minutes ; Very good movie mode (640x480/30fps with Pro memory cards) ; Focus assist lamp...

Jul, 2005

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