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Sony Reader PRS-505

The Sony Reader PRS-505 is the upgrade to Sony's first eBook reader the PRS-500 featuring improved hardware specifications and improved software capabilities. The 6" screen uses a new version of the E-Ink technology with a better contrast ratio, faster response time, and support for eight shades of gray instead of four. Furthermore the PRS-505 contains two slots, one for Memory Stick Duo cards, and one for SD Cards.

Where to Buy

Sony Reader PRS-505
MSRP $299.00
Release date October, 2007
Brand Sony
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want it
have it
tag it
Pros & Cons21
Reviews18
Details
Buy It1
Competitors6
Comments8
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Pros & Cons

ProSCORE
17 reviews
69
negative
mixed
positive
12 positive
4 mixed
1 negative

[i] How is the ProSCORE calculated?

show me!

Pros:
Do you agree?
•
Simple and sleek design
+12agreedisagree

•
USB mass storage mode works with all operating systems
+12agreedisagree

•
Excellent text reproduction
+10agreedisagree

•
PDF support
+9agreedisagree

•
Huge storage capabilities (up to 12GB total)
+8agreedisagree

•
Plays mp3s
+8agreedisagree

•
Can now group collections on SD
+7agreedisagree

•
Improved button placement
+6agreedisagree

•
Cheaper than other available eBook readers
+6agreedisagree

•
very easy to read, in the right light
+6agreedisagree

•
No back light (no glare, sharply increased battery life)
+4agreedisagree

•
Now supports ePub (open eBook format)
+4agreedisagree

•
Helpful user community
+3agreedisagree

•
Thin and light, beautiful aluminium body
+1agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?
•
PDF rendering is very poor for larger pages - text is rendered very small
+8agreedisagree

•
Software still inneficient for large collection
+8agreedisagree

•
Can't control music while reading
+4agreedisagree

•
Formatting of RTF files can be slow
+4agreedisagree

•
Page transition is annoying
+1agreedisagree

•
eBook software limited to Windows
0agreedisagree

•
No back light
0agreedisagree


18 people added to this review by submitting or voting on pros and cons. Add your say!
See individual votes »

Details

Features

  • 6" EInk screen
  • Portrait and landscape modes
  • Formats: HTML, Txt, PRC, PalmDoc, PDF, Secured Mobipocket
  • 32MB of integrated storage expandable by 12GB through memory cards
  • Unprotected MP3 and AAC support

Memory

Transferring content to the reader is accomplished by one of two ways: 1) through Sony's eBook Library software (Windows only), and 2) dragging and dropping directly from your computer. The eBook library software acts as a portal where you can purchase new protected eBooks, and also transfer Word, and other documents to the 505's native format. When connected to your computer through USB, the 505 acts as a USB mass storage device and shows up as an extra drive. If you have memory cards in the slots, then both can show up as separate mass storage drives when connected to your computer.

Organization

Alongside the traditional methods of browsing your books - including by author, by date downloaded - the software in the 505 has additional support for Collections. Collections are custom defined groups of books for easier organization, though only one level of grouping is available with subgroups not possible.

Both unprotected MP3 and unprotected AAC playback are supported. Music controls are built directly in the player's software letting you perform that standard actions such as play, pause and skip tracks. No dedicated music controls are found on the 505's hardware, which means that when you have music playing while reading a book there's no way to control the music.

Regarding the poor display of pdfs, various workarounds have been proposed. One is an 'any2lrf' converter, found as part of a library called libprs500

.

Submit a link

This report was started November 21, 2007 at 10:25 am by Omar
with the last edit occurring October 14, 2009 at 6:08 am by Asier L?pez Vega
This page has been viewed 5621 times, with 202 edits by 26 contributors.
See the full report history »

Buy It

Sony Reader PRS-505

• Sony PRS-505 Portable Digital e-Reader System (Silver)

• Reader Digital Book - Silver E-book Reader

UPC: 027242723665

EAN: 027242723665

MPN: PRS505SC

Competitors

Sony Reader PRS-505 is ranked 4th among it's competitors.  See the top picks in e-book Readers »
iRex iLiad

iRex iLiad

MSRP  $699.00    Released  June, 2006
Pros
  • Can run open-source and third-party applications
  • Can write on the screen
  • Able to browse the web
Cons
  • Expensive
  • iRex no longer supports it or releases firmware updates
  • Poor battery life
ProSCORE
20 reviews
77
Vote! (10 votes)
vote Sony Reader PRS-505 30% vs. vote iRex iLiad 70%
Amazon Kindle

Amazon Kindle

MSRP  $359.00    Released  November, 2007
Pros
  • No monthly bill for wireless access
  • Electronic paper technology is awesome, real ink and you can read outside!
  • Lightweight, only 10 ounces
Cons
  • Blogs, newspapers, etc are limited to Amazon's choice
  • Limited to buying from the Kindle store
  • Doesn't support PDF (Sony Reader does)
ProSCORE
55 reviews
53
Vote! (17 votes)
vote Sony Reader PRS-505 47% vs. vote Amazon Kindle 53%
Bookeen Cybook Gen3

Bookeen Cybook Gen3

MSRP  $350.00    Released  October, 2007
Pros
  • Long battery life
  • Light weight
  • Very thin
Cons
  • No folders support
  • No WiFi
  • Small amount of integrated storage
ProSCORE
10 reviews
83
Vote! (10 votes)
vote Sony Reader PRS-505 50% vs. vote Bookeen Cybook Gen3 50%
Fujitsu FLEPia

Fujitsu FLEPia

MSRP  $1,010.00    Released  April, 2009
Pros
  • touchscreen functionality
  • full colour (260,000 colors vs. 12 shades of gray)
  • WiFi
Cons
  • quite expensive
  • availability is questionable
  • slow 1.8 second screen refresh (common to all e-paper devices)
ProSCORE
5 reviews
58
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Sony Reader PRS-505   vs. vote Fujitsu FLEPia  
Amazon Kindle 2

Amazon Kindle 2

MSRP  $259.00    Released  February, 2009
Pros
  • thinner than the previous generation model
  • easy to read ePaper display
  • exact same price as the last generation model
Cons
  • no PDF support
  • no external storage (Amazon removed the original Kindle's SD card reader)
  • still too expensive for mass adoption
ProSCORE
6 reviews
58
Vote! (1 vote)
vote Sony Reader PRS-505 100% vs. vote Amazon Kindle 2 0%
BeBook

BeBook

MSRP  $349.99    Released  August, 2008
Pros
  • Wide range of formats
  • Handles audio files as well, good for audiobooks
  • e-Ink technology is proven and works
Cons
  • refresh rate a little slow (between page turns) I turn a real page quicker!
  • no control over horiz/vert view (sony does) only swaps occsasionally on third zoom (sony has 3 zooms on each)
  • text reproduction on certain fonts unreadable (sony's is much better)
ProSCORE
3 reviews
62
Vote! (1 vote)
vote Sony Reader PRS-505 100% vs. vote BeBook 0%

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Comments

1.  avatar desjardinsy001 said:

Sony is really really bad at software design, it would win a lot of support if it'd open up its platform for developers.

 

Dec 18, 2007 2:49pm
2.  avatar Omar said:

If their Sony Connect service is anything to go by you're definitely right! Funny enough, but I actually really like their XMB interface that they're using on all their new home theatre equipment and PS3/PSP. Maybe their new software practises will migrate over to the other departments? Not bloody likely... So I agree, they should just open up the damn platform. They learned their lesson with their MP3 players, hopefully it doesn't take as long with the readers.
Dec 18, 2007 4:06pm
3.  avatar sandman said:

Does sony's eBook library have a majority of the books? what do you do about a book they don't have but Amazon or others have?
May 14, 2008 9:21am
4.  avatar neethakn said:

want to buy it, but unfortunately its not avaliable in india, only way i can buy it, i got to order it online, but the shipping charges vary btwn 50$ to 75$ !!!!
May 31, 2008 2:22pm
5.  avatar Discordanian said:

Does this have a cbz reader?
Oct 18, 2008 9:20pm
6.  avatar labrys said:

The "reader" software (like ipods software.. but appaulingingly simplistic and annoying to use) does not appear to be able to do much other than let you copy things over. How do you set up catagories? Also half of these protected PDF's you buy dont even bother setting the title or author fields in the pdf which is very frustrating! I t took a while to realise you needed abobe editions and sony reader installed just to get copyportected files over (and you have to have editions closed just to get it to authorize the first time.. i had it open allready and wondered why it was not working!) VERY FIDDLY. Still in its infancy from the looks of it. Also so few people sell ebooks. Only 1 of terry pratchets is available for exampel.. and a lot of books are only allowed in certain contries!
Nov 26, 2008 10:27am
7.  avatar labrys said:

oh also.. the buttons on the side are always getting pressed even when the cover is over it if you pick it up from that side or close the cover to hevily! But i hear there is plenty of hacks out there for disabling this. Why it is not just an option is beyond me.
Nov 26, 2008 10:28am
8.  avatar SohumB said:

If the Sony Connect software is annoying you, or you're on a non-Windows machine, try http://calibre.kovidgoyal.net/

Also http://www.mobileread.com/forums/ is a really helpful and extensive community for all ebook readers.
Jan 12, 2009 4:31pm
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Reviews

Sort by: Most helpful  •  Newest  •  Most positive

SohumB

avatar
January 12, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
75
negative
mixed
positive
12 pros
4 cons
trustedtrusted
have ithave it
love itlove it
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • Simple and sleek design
  • USB mass storage mode works with all operating systems
  • Excellent text reproduction
  • PDF support
  • Huge storage capabilities (up to 12GB total)
  • Can now group collections on SD
  • Improved button placement
  • Cheaper than other available eBook readers
  • very easy to read, in the right light
  • No back light (no glare, sharply increased battery life)
  • Now supports ePub (open eBook format)
  • Helpful user community

Cons

  • Software still inneficient for large collection
  • Can't control music while reading
  • Formatting of RTF files can be slow
  • Page transition is annoying

Comments

"If the Sony Connect software is annoying you, or you're on a non-Windows machine, try http://calibre.kovidgoyal.net/

Also http://www.mobileread.com/forums/ is a really helpful and extensive community for all ebook readers."

Competitors

SohumB prefers iRex iLiad over Sony Reader PRS-505
SohumB prefers Sony Reader PRS-505 over Amazon Kindle, Bookeen Cybook Gen3
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Omar

avatar
December 18, 2007
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
44
negative
mixed
positive
4 pros
5 cons
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • Simple and sleek design
  • USB mass storage mode works with all operating systems
  • Huge storage capabilities (up to 12GB total)
  • Improved button placement

Cons

  • PDF rendering is very poor for larger pages - text is rendered very small
  • Software still inneficient for large collection
  • Can't control music while reading
  • Formatting of RTF files can be slow
  • eBook software limited to Windows

Comments

"If their Sony Connect service is anything to go by you're definitely right! Funny enough, but I actually really like their XMB interface that they're using on all their new home theatre equipment and PS3/PSP. Maybe their new software practises will migrate over to the other departments? Not bloody likely... So I agree, they should just open up the damn platform. They learned their lesson with their MP3 players, hopefully it doesn't take as long with the readers."

Competitors

Omar prefers Amazon Kindle over Sony Reader PRS-505
Omar prefers Sony Reader PRS-505 over Bookeen Cybook Gen3, iRex iLiad
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

fireguy354

avatar
May 12, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
62
negative
mixed
positive
5 pros
3 cons
have ithave it
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • Simple and sleek design
  • USB mass storage mode works with all operating systems
  • Excellent text reproduction
  • PDF support
  • very easy to read, in the right light

Cons

  • Software still inneficient for large collection
  • Formatting of RTF files can be slow
  • No back light

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

labrys

avatar
November 26, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
57
negative
mixed
positive
4 pros
3 cons
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • Simple and sleek design
  • PDF support
  • Huge storage capabilities (up to 12GB total)
  • Plays mp3s

Cons

  • Software still inneficient for large collection
  • Page transition is annoying
  • No back light

Comments

"The "reader" software (like ipods software.. but appaulingingly simplistic and annoying to use) does not appear to be able to do much other than let you copy things over. How do you set up catagories? Also half of these protected PDF's you buy dont even bother setting the title or author fields in the pdf which is very frustrating! I t took a while to realise you needed abobe editions and sony reader installed just to get copyportected files over (and you have to have editions closed just to get it to authorize the first time.. i had it open allready and wondered why it was not working!) VERY FIDDLY. Still in its infancy from the looks of it. Also so few people sell ebooks. Only 1 of terry pratchets is available for exampel.. and a lot of books are only allowed in certain contries!"
"oh also.. the buttons on the side are always getting pressed even when the cover is over it if you pick it up from that side or close the cover to hevily! But i hear there is plenty of hacks out there for disabling this. Why it is not just an option is beyond me."

Competitors

labrys prefers Sony Reader PRS-505 over BeBook
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Discordanian

avatar
January 5, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
64
negative
mixed
positive
9 pros
5 cons
want itwant it

Pros

  • Simple and sleek design
  • USB mass storage mode works with all operating systems
  • Excellent text reproduction
  • PDF support
  • Huge storage capabilities (up to 12GB total)
  • Plays mp3s
  • Can now group collections on SD
  • Improved button placement
  • Cheaper than other available eBook readers

Cons

  • PDF rendering is very poor for larger pages - text is rendered very small
  • Software still inneficient for large collection
  • Can't control music while reading
  • Formatting of RTF files can be slow
  • eBook software limited to Windows

Comments

"Does this have a cbz reader?"
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

fractalhorizon

avatar
October 11, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
91
negative
mixed
positive
10 pros
1 con

Pros

  • Simple and sleek design
  • USB mass storage mode works with all operating systems
  • Excellent text reproduction
  • PDF support
  • Can now group collections on SD
  • Cheaper than other available eBook readers
  • very easy to read, in the right light
  • No back light (no glare, sharply increased battery life)
  • Now supports ePub (open eBook format)
  • Helpful user community

Cons

  • PDF rendering is very poor for larger pages - text is rendered very small

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

RandyNash

avatar
January 14, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
90
negative
mixed
positive
9 pros
1 con

Pros

  • Simple and sleek design
  • USB mass storage mode works with all operating systems
  • Excellent text reproduction
  • PDF support
  • Huge storage capabilities (up to 12GB total)
  • Plays mp3s
  • Can now group collections on SD
  • Improved button placement
  • Cheaper than other available eBook readers

Cons

  • Software still inneficient for large collection

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

squalorking

avatar
December 13, 2007
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
80
negative
mixed
positive
8 pros
2 cons
want itwant it

Pros

  • Simple and sleek design
  • USB mass storage mode works with all operating systems
  • Excellent text reproduction
  • PDF support
  • Huge storage capabilities (up to 12GB total)
  • Plays mp3s
  • Improved button placement
  • Cheaper than other available eBook readers

Cons

  • PDF rendering is very poor for larger pages - text is rendered very small
  • Formatting of RTF files can be slow

Competitors

squalorking prefers iRex iLiad over Sony Reader PRS-505
squalorking prefers Sony Reader PRS-505 over Amazon Kindle, Bookeen Cybook Gen3
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Asier L?pez Vega

avatar
October 14, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
44
negative
mixed
positive
4 pros
5 cons
have ithave it

Pros

  • Excellent text reproduction
  • very easy to read, in the right light
  • Now supports ePub (open eBook format)
  • Thin and light, beautiful aluminium body

Cons

  • PDF rendering is very poor for larger pages - text is rendered very small
  • Software still inneficient for large collection
  • Can't control music while reading
  • Formatting of RTF files can be slow
  • eBook software limited to Windows

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Fila

avatar
September 24, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
75
negative
mixed
positive
6 pros
2 cons

Pros

  • USB mass storage mode works with all operating systems
  • PDF support
  • Plays mp3s
  • Can now group collections on SD
  • very easy to read, in the right light
  • No back light (no glare, sharply increased battery life)

Cons

  • PDF rendering is very poor for larger pages - text is rendered very small
  • Software still inneficient for large collection

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No
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This product is also known as:

PRS, 505, PRS505