The Sony DSC-S85 Enthusiast Compact Camera from 2001: Is it Worth Seeking Out?

[@LowcastleTech]

The picture quality is surprisingly sharp. Also, that cat is awesome.

[@forgottencameras]

It is; especially for something that is just an update of an update. Arnold is an awesome guy. He likes to sit on laps; I am wondering if he is worthy of sitting on chairdesk.

[@LowcastleTech]

@@forgottencameras 😄 Cat's are always worthy!

[@dano8328]

I found this camera at Goodwill 8 years ago and ever since I loved it. It takes really nice shots

[@forgottencameras]

It was good when it was new, and it is good now.

[@JoaquimGonsalves]

Really nice to see a new video and to see you. Thank you for the time and efforts and hope all is well. Stay blessed!

[@matthieuzglurg6015]

Damn, that's a surprise ! I was watching your videos last month (that promptly lead to the acquisition of an SDQ-H, MPB mistakenly listed it and priced it as a "regular" SDQ and I just couldn't pass on that. Your 3 videos about the SDQ were really super helpful (so was Ali's (from One Month Two Cameras)). To see that you didn't upload in 2 years and that right around the time I'm browsing through your channel you drop a new video was kind of wild lol

[@forgottencameras]

I'm glad they were of help; I'm actually really happy that those videos have lead to a lot of interest in the sdQ; it was a really underappreciated camera during its lifetime, and I want 1. Sigma to see that there is an audience for that kind of camera and 2. That, when people learn about it (when it is marketed properly), people will be interested in it. Yeah, I just had a feeling that I needed to get back to it. It was one of those things that I agonized over daily, and figured that I needed to get back into making videos.

[@gotja]

You're back!

[@forgottencameras]

I LIVE AGAIN

[@drum009]

I have this camera. Its an excellent camera. My battery, the original, no longer holds a charge after one pic so i need to get a replacement now.

[@ChristianAndrew1.4]

Even at only 4 mp, with the CCD sensor it still takes incredible photos. I had one when it first came out up until a year or so ago and just picked up another on Ebay. Its more than worth shooting with, even at Macro.

[@thissidetowardscreen4553]

Interesting camera review. Been collecting and using older digital cameras for a time, 4 mp and higher is quite usable. The CCD sensors back then can be really good. I can not agree with you more about the Sony use of custom memory cards and sometimes batteries. Before I buy any camera, I look to see if batteries and cards are available. I really like how you covered the software. It is a forgotten part of the camera and it's history, I have a 2001 Kodak digicam the software still works on at least Windows 10, Just a fun way to experience the camera as it was in that time. Great shots! Thanks for sharing!

[@forgottencameras]

Thank you! Yeah, I sell cameras at retail and do get a lot of customers who can't afford something new, and they are kind of shocked when I casually tell them that 8MP is still more than enough. I am really surprised at how well 4MP did in print. I can say that the good thing is that the old Memory Sticks are still pretty cheap. Their capacity is just so limiting. Those batteries though; if I didn't already have old A-mount cameras, it would have been a no-go. I am really thinking about digging more into that old Vaio's software. As you said, that stuff is forgotten history, from when everyone was trying to still figure out how people would interact with their photos. That computer seems to have taken the "throw the pizza at the wall" approach, as there is SO MUCH software that duplicates so many different functions, but each piece has its own UI and special features. Which Kodak is it? I have a few in the cabinet, going from super old (maybe late 90's?) to when they were pretty much giving up (2013 or so).

[@CobaltCalm]

This guy is incredible, sensational, congratulations on the content my friend, Peace 🙏

[@forgottencameras]

Lol thanks; I didn't think it turned out all that great. Next time, I'm scripting more and rambling less. And thanks for giving good tunes to write scripts to *thumbsup*

[@CobaltCalm]

@@forgottencameras I'm grateful and flattered to be helping you in some way, success my brother, Peace 🙏

[@LindonSlaght]

Big ask, but can you leave a link to the source files in the description? I am very interested in pixel peeping the images from this old camera...

[@forgottencameras]

I can do that; I'll put a Onedrive link in the Discord when I come back over to that. They are some big, chunky pixels.

[@LindonSlaght]

@@forgottencameras I don't have discord. I don't want to go out of your way for me but I deleted discord for a reason. If you could put it in the description or comments that works best. Thank you.

[@donnietobasco4526]

Dang I just picked up this camera today and was looking forward to seeing more of your content. It looks like you haven’t posted in a while. I’m very curious about this camera I have a few questions, namely are you saying that it is impossible to use third-party batteries with it? Also, what kind of printer do you use?

[@ericj.w.ruijssenaars3421]

Hi Donnie, I bought the same Sony S85 a couple of months ago. The original Sony battery was a bit tired... Decided to take the gamble and buy a couple of third party batteries. (Chili Power) While I get the warning that I do not use Sony batteries sometimes - and the camera shuts down automatically - I find that when I half press the shutter right after turning on the camera, it gives it something to do and I don't get the warning. Works just fine that way. Hope this helps you! Greetings from the Netherlands 🇳🇱 🤠 📸.

[@donnietobasco4526]

@@ericj.w.ruijssenaars3421 Holy shit! Vielen Dank! I've been holding back on buying a battery since I left that comment. It has been a shame because the camera is so good looking. Ordering some now. Thanks again!

[@ericj.w.ruijssenaars3421]

@@donnietobasco4526 Hi Donnie, would be nice to hear if it worked for you too. 👍

[@donnietobasco4526]

@@ericj.w.ruijssenaars3421 I ordered an aftermarket battery from Kapstar and it came in two days ago. Interestingly enough I received no DRM screen or anything of the sort. There was no need to hold the shutter button at all. I think the Sony Lithium Ion splash screen still shows up. But the camera functions as if it had a Sony battery.

[@madrazproductions5776]

Is the dsc s50 any good in comparison? I like that it has a flip screen and i love this whole cameras deal

[@StrangelyIronic]

TBH, 7-10mp is perfectly useable even today. Two of my Panasonic cameras that I love are the LC1 and L1. The LC1 is a fixed lens monster with a 5mp sensor that still feels better build wise than most current cameras (aside from the Leica Q line, which draw their roots back to the Leica rebadge of the LC1 in a way). The L1 has a 7.5 mp LiveMOS sensor and is one of the Four Thirds DSLRs that still feels solid and fun to use. I'm less worried about resolution with either of these cameras (the LC1 has a gem of a lens and a lot of the Four Thirds lenses are top quality) and more on getting proper lighting.

[@forgottencameras]

I've been wanting to check out some of Panny's earlier offerings; the LC1 is bordering on Beige Whale status and the L1 is priced...honestly, as it probably should be priced. I need to be kept away from accumulating ANOTHER lens system lol. God I want to try them, though.

[@ja.8077]

Just got one of these, really digging it so far!

[@studiorafel]

Hey Nate, glad you're back. At one point your channel got hacked. I hope everything is well now. The moment I saw that your channel is uploading clickbait fortnite videos I wrote your mail-provider and made a case with youtube so they freeze the account. I don't know if it helped or if you even realised it. Anyways - Glad that we can enjoy your videos again. Greetings.

[@s1dew1nd3r4]

Actually enjoyed this! Im 39 so i was a young whipper snapper during the age of these digicams! What printer is that you used at the end out of interest?

[@ericj.w.ruijssenaars3421]

I use a couple of replacement 'chili power' brand batteries. While I get the ' this is not a Sony battery ' warning ones in a while, I find that when I engage the half-press shutter right after turning the camera on, it will work just fine. Bought a - still sealed! - Agfa digital photo frame today with a Memory Stick port included. 🎉

[@JoaquimGonsalves]

Oh I remember the memory sticks..the original PSP had a smaller one that could go into a Memory Stick adapter.

[@androoy.p]

Yey, new video!

[@raztong]

What is the modified lens you put on it and why , please let us know

[@neilmcfarlane9799]

This is a lens adapter to allow wide angle and other lenses to be attached without the camera lens hitting them. Sony made them in Silver & Black as the Camera was sold in Silver or Black.

[@DigitalInfinity]

VAD-S70 is the adapter! I just looked it up myself haha.

[@JoaquimGonsalves]

Aww Windows XP on a square monitor..so many memories 😍

[@arthurgphotography]

I have one of these right now, really sharp Zeiss optics

[@jakelegge2470]

Does the AV out port only work for reviewing or can an external monitor be used while shooting?

[@zentra1849]

How could you read the camera's memory because I've been looking for adapters for that type of memory and I can't find any

[@WolfQuantum]

I found a USB card reader on Amazon that does CF, SD, MicroSD, and Memory Stick. It says SmartQ on top of it.

[@EndangeredAmphibianCommi-wr9pd]

Sorry to ask but what was that attachment on the lense?

[@forgottencameras]

A Sony Adapter Ring VAD-S70. It is made for an older camera, but that older camera has the same lens, so the part works. It lets you attach a filter or accessory lenses. It also protects the lens.

[@JoaquimGonsalves]

The print blew me away!

[@evanpatterson8487]

Dude cut those talons on your fingers......yikes