Sony Cyber-shot F505: 24 YEARS later! RETRO review vs F505v 

Trying out Sony's classic Cyber-shot F505 from 1999, 24 years after it was launched! Buy Gordon a coffee: www.paypal.me/cameralabs Gordon's In Camera book: amzn.to/2n61PfI / Amazon uk: amzn.to/2mBqRVZ Cameralabs merchandise: redbubble.com/people/cameralabs/shop Check eBay to find vintage gear: rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=1&pub=5574908462&toolid=10001&campid=5338329149&customid=&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg Check MPB to buy and sell used gear: bit.ly/3ULU9yL Lost photos? I recover mine with: www.dpbolvw.net/click-100568658-13808570?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stellarinfo.com%2Fphoto-recovery-software.php Equipment used for producing my videos Sony A6400: amzn.to/3hul53c Sony e 24mm f1.8: amzn.to/2TqWNzk Rode NT USB mic: amzn.to/3AdHcUp Rode Wireless Go II mic: amzn.to/3xkCvGo Rode Lavalier Go mic: amzn.to/3ygzzKY Godox UL150 light: amzn.to/2VpVbXE Godox QR-P70 softbox: amzn.to/3yQfGdF MacBook Pro 14in (16GB / 1TB): bhpho.to/3HiafJL Music: www.davidcuttermusic.com / @dcuttermusic As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases #digitalcamera #vintage

I've already binge watched almost every video, these are indeed one of the most fun camera reviews on youtube.

Sony often gets a lot of flack over their lack of photographic heritage against competitor's like Canon, Nikon, Olympus and Fujifilm. To be fair whilst Sony was never a real " photographic " company ( it's always majored in consumer electronics) you have to admire how they have really embraced and pushed forward digital photography since it's inception. Love this series Gordon, really makes me nostalgic about cameras like these that I couldn't afford at the time. I stayed shooting film right up to the later part of the 2000's so these models passed me by sadly despite much aspiration to own them 😊

Who would like to see Gordon traveling the world just with these retro cameras?

It's fun to see you having a great time with this channel. It is amazing where we've come from over the last 25 years!

Always a delight to see one of these show up in my subscriptions! Thanks Gordon!

Great video! I’m always excited when I see a new post on this channel ❤👍

Great to see these reviews, surprisingly good image quality I thought...keep 'em coming Gordon.

I miss how cool digital cameras used to be. The Sony F series were definitely iconic. I remember my family's first digital camera, the Polaroid PDC-640. I remember it used smart media, the picture quality wasn't that great, and my mother would complain about not having physical pictures but I remember just how cool it was to instantly see the picture you took.

I remember seeing these cameras everywhere back in the day, especially in airport duty-free shops…they were so intriguing I never forgot them. After getting into photography more seriously in 2013 with the A7r, I always remembered those early Sony cameras and wondered if they were really any good. Thanks Gordon for answering that question and taking me down memory lane. Coffee winging its way to you now.

The F505 I sadly passed on when it was released. Those photos look amazing, the zoom photos at Brighton are amazing quality for a digicam in 1999. I ended up getting the DSC-1 cyber shot the next year for its sheer portability. and megapixels. But if I had gone back in time I would have picked up the F505. Your video gives this camera the justice it deserves, Great video Mate!

Fun video. Thanks. My first digital camera was a Kodak DC3400, which I still have today. I then went to Canon with a Rebel DSLR. I upgraded through the 20D, 40D, 7D and finished my DSLR era with a Canon 5Diii, before switching to mirrorless and the Sony A7Riii. I have been enjoying that camera since it first came out, but I am now about to upgrade to the Sony A7RV, any day now. I have really enjoyed each camera as I have owned them, but never regretted any of the changes I have made

Fantastic video, Gordon. I really can't get enough of this stuff! Being born in the early 80s I was still in my teens when my dad brought home "our" first digital camera in 1997; a 0,3 megapixel FujiFilm DX-5. I still have it in working condition and I'm planning on making a video about it here on YT later this year. I started collecting old film and digicams last year focusing on fully working models I've owned myself in the past, and it's becoming a rather impressive little collection. Your videos are a huge inspiration mate, so huge thanks! Looking forward to whatever you put out next time. Cheers /Freddy

This is one of my favorite accounts, grateful for both your longevity in the field and wealth of knowledge shared. I watched this in 4K at a reasonable viewing distance from my 55” tv. Obviously it’s after RU-vid compression but I was stunned at the image quality holding up really well in many of those photos you showed. Super cool. I also didn’t actually have a personal digital camera until 2015 believe it or not despite being born in 1996. My family growing up even until 2014ish used disposable cameras for everything or Polaroids when they were more common because they wanted the physical print. They were fairly technology averse though. My first camera I shot on for work was a t2i but my first personal one I owned was a Canon 5D. Little to say that I did end up a photographer now despite not really being around digital much

Excellent video and such a great camera! Never owned one, but there is something amazing about that style of camera, the ergonomics are fantastic! Reminds me of one of my fav digicams, the Pentax MX4 it had a Buck Rogers ray gun look! Love to see more and thanks for your passion and commitment to these gems!

Color quality of the stills is amazingly good! I'm sure detail and noise will fall apart upon close inspection, but at screen resolution not bad at all. Was always intrigued by these, but never had a chance to use one myself. Thanks for the detailed (re)look!

I love this series Gordon. I bingewatched half of them today. 😅

My first digital camera was the Canon Digital Elph S100, which I got in 2000 whilst surviving a horrible corporate job. Man did I have fun with that camera, including at work! I totally got the digital photo bug! I still have it - both the bug and the S100 (turns on but gets a lens error). Then I moved up to a Sony F707, then a F717, and a F828 when it came out. I did a lot of infrared photography with them, modified with no internal blocking filter so they could shoot at all speeds, and sold the modded cameras. I later modded the Sony P series, and even got my evocative IR photos in juried photo shows. I sold the F707, 717, F828 long ago, but recently got a F828 off eBay (for $75) for fun after seeing how good some of the old F828 photos I took in the desert looked - sharp and clear and detailed - and repaired it myself. Woohoo! Fun again... Thanks for this video - good timing!

Wow the photos and video out of this look miles better than the highest end consumer Canons of the time.

Macro photography was so good on these models! I got an F505v as a hand-me-down from my brother way back then. You could set this camera down in the grass and use macro mode to see a completely new world. It was very exciting!

The Sony DSC-P10 was my first camera. But the F717 was what got in into the photographing hobby where I learned about the basics of aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and image composition. I still own the F717, an F828 and an R1 currently, and I am happy to use F717 and F828 in good lighting conditions. I recall many of the F717 had CCD sensor issues back in the days, and Sony had to extend the warranty for all of them. As-to the R1, it has developed some burned pixels on the CMOS sensor over the years, and it is a real shame as the lens is a true gem.

Great camera for the time. I had this and the later 707. Great out-of-camera pics.

The 717 was my first digital camera and I loved it. I still have prints I made from its images hanging in my home.

Thanks Gordon for another wonderful video of gear from the past. It's strange but I find more enjoyment shooting these older cameras than my newer ones. Back then they had character and style. Everything today seems like it was designed by the same team. I wonder how the F505 would pressure up with the famous Oly C-2100 UZ?

I've been waiting forever for this one! Great retro review as always. You've inspired me to dust off my Pentax Optio A10. 8 megapixels so a little newer, but it still has that CCD look. By the way, would you ever consider making some DinoBytes gear available for sale? I'd love that 8 bit graphic of you riding a T. rex on a shirt.

Thanks, Gordon, for such a nice review. My first serious digital camera was the Sony Cyber-Shot F717 which is still with me. I bought it after selling my last and beloved film camera a Nikon F4s. Now a days, thinking in returning to the analog photography, I did buy back the Nikon F4s (brand new). I will appreciate you can share a review of the F717 model alongside with tips to keep it in working conditions.

Man that's some impressive photo quality for it's age. Might need to pick one of these up...

Although I'm just too young to have missed the heyday of these models, your reviews are a fantastic archive to learn the evolution of digital cameras! So interesting to see how the F series gradually evolved towards a 'standard' DSLR style as the market found its footing in the world of digital cameras. Also, question, why was there a trend for early 2000s cameras to have all those bright marketing stickers? Were they easily removed?

Thanks for this review. I have 2 717s and one 828. All take amazing pictures!

I feel like the CFexpress type A is essentially the modern day memory stick or memory stick duo. Sony, why do you always have to do something slightly different?

Will be eagerly waiting for R1 review as it was one of the 1st compact camera with APS-C sensor.

Awesome video Gordon! And great Tshirt! Is that a clip mic? I like Dino Bytes '23!

I was a professional photographer using both f505 and f707 from 1999-2005, covering current events all over the world. Never felt the need to go DSLR. These little workhorses allowed me to get closer and with less intrusion than a big bulky DSLR covering my face and partitioning the communion between myself and the subjects. Some of my best images were captured with those cameras.

I had an 808 which I liked except for fringing on specular highlights, Loved the design of these cameras. Changed for an R1 which I still use at times and was comparable to a decent DSLR but with a superior lens.

I bought one of these bad boys shortly after I got hired into my first job. I didn't know much about photography at the time. I wanted a cool digital camera so I can shoot away at my heart's content since I like taking picture of randon things. What drew me to this camera was the unique appearance. I loved that thing. I moved out and forgotten about this camera. I found out that my brother kept it. I'll see if my brother remembers where he stashed it.

These cameras were my second start in digital photography. Looking forward to the D717, as I liked it the most of these three 505, 717, 828. I still have the 828, with its 10 seconds or longer waiting time for a 8MP RAW file writing 😁. The 717 has the better night vision which was at that time something unseen and made it possible to use the cameras even in dark areas, although eyes become horrible fireflies. Thank you, Gordon, enjoyed your video very much

Thanks for the review. I own a Sony U20 Cybershot camera. Until now it is with me but havent test to take photo.

Sony F717 + Topaz Enhance = Brilliant photos. My favourite Sony camera.

I had a Nikon Coolpix 2500 back in 2002 with only 2 megapixels and the pics are still great.

Kia Ora Gordon :-) Was looking forward to this one, having been an F505V owner back in the day - my first mirrorless yay. Went on to the F707, which as I mentioned I still have today, though need to track down another battery haha. The F505 video footage doesnt pass muster today, but I was seriously impressed by the stills!! Quite amazing. Nice to see you managed to get Stephen Seagull in again :-) Another top review mate. When's the F707 review out? Or did I miss it? Been busy with a new job here in NZ lol. Kia pai tō rā

The old Sony digital cameras were so interesting and cool. Especially the designs.

I still have my 505 and 828. You did take me down memory lane.

Cool! Thankfully memory stick is a thing of the past! Keep up the the good work! By the way, what is the name of the song you use during the section where you show the pictures and video?

thank you 👍

I had an F717 as well as an R1 and loved both of them. I didn't keep the 717 for long as it was in my "buy a camera and use it for a few months then sell it and buy something else" stage but it took great photos for the time. And the laser AF assist was very cool and very effective. The R1 was one of my favorite cameras ever. The ergonomics of that camera were just perfect IMHO and it was an absolute joy to shoot with. And the results were amazing, well within DSLR territory. I would love to have another one but they still command a premium on the used market, with working models around $150-200. Actually on second thought that's a bargain for such a great camera...I just might need to pick one up ;-)

Awesome, a new review! Was eagerly awaiting it. The pics look still nice today. Had the R1 back then. Wish Sony would revive this designs, instead we are getting boring vlogging cams... Anyway keep up the good work, Gordon.

Thanks for this video. Very cool the F505, especially the hinged form factor. How relatively hum-drum camera designs are today! As an aside, one of my favorites along the way was the Canon Powershot SD1000. A unique design in its solid metal brickness, and truly pocketable. Not sure if it's retro enough for what you're doing here, but if you're inclined... Thanks again and cheers, GB

I had the successor DSC-F717 which was a fantastic camera with a 5MP sensor. You should do a review as well.

I had never own either 1 of them in the past but this video makes me want to bring my 15 years old compact camera out for a walk~

Loved my 505V back in the day. If I remember correctly it was dpreview gold rated back in the day. I still have mine but I think it needs a new internal clock battery. Such an interesting time for cameras when manufacturers experimented on all sorts of body styles (Similar to what mobile phones experienced). I was an early adopter of digital cameras and my first camera was the Casio QV200 and was a fun camera. Might be also worth revisiting the Fujifilm vertical grip cameras like the MX2700 and 4700 zoom. Remember those?

Hey Gordon, for what it's worth I don't think that USB connection is proprietary. My Camedia C4040Z has what looks to be the same port, and I was able to find cables by searching "USB Mini type B 4 pin" ("5 pin" being what we think of as "mini usb type b"). Maybe that will help getting some other camera out of the junkyard.

My first one was an HP PhotoSmart C812

Should’ve lined them up in order, for a timeline style picture. Good video, though!

I hoped it had a 2/3" type sensor looking at the physical focal length of the lens... with a 1/2" type the wide angle is really tight lol

The sony F505 was my dream when I was teensager, and finaly, my first « proper » digital camera was the R1 when I was student… I now own also the F707 and the F828 but the F505 is still missing in my collection, and still use them time to time.

Thank you for the video. : I still have my sony cybershot DSC-F717 , had the CMOS replaced per recall/fix. Haven't used it in over 18 years... I have no idea what i am going to use to read the "memory stick"... If i was to use it today... I would just use it as an IR night sight viewer. Canon 20D (still have) replaced my use for images back then.... I used to love the laser "matrix" that shot out for focusing...so cool.

Missed out on a brand new in box F505 for about US $90 on eBay last year :( My own F505’s flash no longer works and the battery retaining tab broke.

I remember a Panasonic camera with the 360 rotate lens I think that some influencer use today like Luisito comunica. I don't remember if are Panasonic or canon

My was 717 and I'm love it ))

I have the 707 and just order the 828 and Ill be getting the R1 soon

I lost the battery of this.. still wannna try again. any idea from where can I get the batteries of this. ps. I have the camera...

Hi Gordon, great to see this video. I'm totally spellbound by the F series, I own and use an F505, and an F828, but I have to say my Sony R1 is my favourite. My F505, F828 and R1 came with the Sony mains chargers, memory sticks are available on everyone's favourite auction site. I also have a Sony H1 and H2 which are just brilliant and easy to use bridge cameras (using AA rechargeable batteries), in fact dare I say the H1 is the F505 in a DSLR style body. Oh my, I'm ranting on, got to go, thanks Gordon.

One day all cameras will look like this

Wasn't there a F828? That was a really lust-worthy model. I ended up with the canon EOS300D which still works today despite the measley 6.3mp CMOS sensor.

The image quality is not bad at all. The video did not age well though. Of course it is also blown up to match today's screen resolutions. When this came out computer displays also only supported lower resolutions, so even the 320x180 resolution appeared to be not quite as awful. I remember watching 320x180 Quicktime clips on my Macintosh Quadra and I was very impressed that I could run 5 or 6 in parallel.

Reckon I had the first one :)

Impressive results given its age. My first decent digital camera was a Canon Digital Elph S200 back in 2002 or 2003 which looks worse in overall output quality. Looks like the Sony was $1100 upon release so I guess money talks even back then. 😄

As a portuguese boy/young men in the early 2000's PRICE ( or lack of money😅) kept me away from Digital.My soon's first home made photos in 2004 are from film cameras🥲. Now i have Fuji's X100V and Xpro3 to over compensate those sad years 😅🤭🤗

I remember well that Sony was the king of compact digital cameras long before the purchase of Konica Minolta in 2006. Sony then didn't have the same expertise in lens technology like Canon, Nikon and Minolta but that wasn't necesarry in the early digital era of compact cameras. In some cameras Sony collaborated with Zeiss. But what it was more important then was the miniaturization of electronics in compact cameras and videocameras and not the optical performance of lenses. After all the number of megapixels weren't enough to reveal most of the optical issues of an inferior lens in a compact digital camera. So Sony was unbeatable between mid 90's to mid 2000's.. When smartphones cameras started to replace compact cameras Sony realized the danger and decided to enter the professional camera market where the lens is the king, So Sony has to buy the lens technology by Konica Minolta in 2006. Initially Sony was unsuccessful in the dSLR market. Sony was lucky with mirrorless technology after 2010 because for many many years Canon and Nikon believed that mirrorless cameras belonged to the amateur market. It was a huge mistake by them and gave Sony the advantage.

No, Gordon, don't do it! Don't review the F828! If you tell people all about it they'll want to buy one, and I'm still hoping to find some good deals on them because two of my friends want one just like mine, and I wouldn't mind getting another for myself as a backup. Especially don't tell anyone how a magnet can be used to flip the infrared filter out of the way on the 7 series and the 828 in order to take full-spectrum, infrared, UV, or UV-IR photos - then people will REALLY want one!

I had all 3 My f505 was brilliant could not fault it used it for years then i got a f717 which suffered from ccd breakdown apparently very popular fault at the time then i got f828 and was plagued with purple fringing on most my pics so got turned off sony i should of stuck with the f505

fuck 24 years i just saw it at a online used shop for 40€, the style is a remake now, but i dont really know the new released ones maybe i should get a newer one than 24 years im fucked the options are endless

I need a charger

Doesn’t have 4k60 10bit and obviously overheats if only can do 15 sec videos. Deal breaker for me. 😉