Using the '>' setting on the dial (automatic aperature and shutter)
Auto flash (if it needs it)
FINE mode (higher quality JPG)
AUTO 'film' type (ASA 100~400)
Image Size 1280X960 (compressed with iView to 80% quality - to conserve space)
Digital zoom on
Center sample

I think that's about all that effects the picture. There is probably more, but I think most are default settings. The night shots were mostly forced 30 second shutter and F2 with wide setting on lens.

Some things I've noticed: I seen this on PC cameras too, I guess it's a CCD thing. If the image is too bright on the CCD (aperature too big) despite the shutter speed, there appears verticle bands inline with the bright spots. The speed may be automatically set and be proper for the picture, but these bands appear (at least when viewing on the camera). I shut the aperature a bit to eliminate this. It doesn't show, in the saved file, with the totally automatic settings. For the night shots of the sky, I used manual focus, since the auto focus seemed to roam because it couldn't see much at night. Those were 30sec F2 mostly. Looking over these night pics, I'm wondering if infinity actually covers infinite focus. I think it might be just a little short of infinity. If I find more things to note, I'll post them here.

6/29/06
I've had a couple of problems dealing with rain with this camera. I had to be out in the rain taking pictures, and it wasn't a real heavy rain, but the next day, I couldn't take a picture. When ever I would press the shutter button, the camera would shut off. If I pressed the shutter with the camera off, it would come on! It was working like the on-off switch. All the other functions seemed to work. I took the back off, pulled out everything I could to get to the switch assembly, and blasted it with contact cleaner (the dry type). I put it back together, and that worked for about a week. Then the problem came back again. This time I just took the back off and blasted that ribbon cable on both ends and the small blue cable coming from the switches (without taking everything apart). I used the contact cleaner with oil this time. It's working again, and the switches are smoother. I'd hate to waste this camera to a little rain. I know it's a bit outdated, but it takes sharp pictures which is what I favor. Maybe next time I'll put conformal coating on everything I can. I'll keep you posted on the health of the 707.

7/5/06
The 707 is still working! It's going on 7,000 pictures I've taken. At 15 cents a photo, that's about $1,000! So, I guess it's paid off.. I bought an Olympus Stylus 600 for the Wife. It has more pixels than my Sony, but the focus isn't as good. Well, it was cheaper, too. It's weather proof, though! That's a hugh advantage! I guess the problem is the focus isn't as aggresive. I think I can get a sharper picture just manually focusing. It takes super movies! They are in MOV format, but the full 15fps or so. This Sony DSC-F707 claims 30fps but 3 frames are identicle, so really it's just 8fps. The sound on the Sony is great, however, where the Olympus doesn't have any sound. More on this camera as I play with it and find stuff.

11/2009
One of our cats took the Sony to the grave (clawed the strap and pulled it off the counter). It's been a good camera. But, I bought a Canon HF21 HD cam-corder instead. It's smaller, has a 64 gig flash drive, and I think it takes sharper pictures than the Sony, even though the still-picture resolution is less! It doesn't have night vision, which I miss, or long exposure, but it does alright. I think the optics are better and the electronics less noisy visually. The HD is phenominal, but that could be because I'm new to it. I'll try to get some pics and media on. You might try my YouTube channel too! The movies are in MTS format. They run about a meg a second at high compression!

Take Care!

Hydro