- 2.0 megapixel sensor creates 1,600 x 1,200 images for prints at sizes up to 8 x 10 inches
- 3x optical plus 2x digital (6x total) zoom lens with autofocus
- Includes 16 MB Memory Stick
- Connects with Macs and PCs via USB port
- Uses rechargeable InfoLithium battery (NP-FC10)
Product Description
Pick up this digital camera and keep your friends and relatives updated on your family’s current events. The 3x optical/6x precision digital zoom lens catches close up shots that are stored on an included 8MB Memory Stick«. Download shots onto your computer via the USB connector with cable and driver. The 3.21 mp effective CCD image sensor (3.34 mp gross) captures clean sharp details in every photo opportunity. The intelligent flash and high-speed scan Autofocus are other great features.Amazon.com Product Description
Sony makes it easy for you to carry a great digital still camera with you everywhere you go. The Sony DSC-P2 offers an affordable, compact 2-megapixel digital camera that’s small enough to fit in your pocket or purse and is packed with lots of extras.
Optics and Resolution
The DSC-P2′s features a 2-megapixel sensor for sharp prints at sizes up to 8 by 10 inches. If you plan on printing your photos at 11 by 14 inches or larger, you’ll probably want a camera with higher resolution than the DSC-P2 offers–we recommend Sony’s compact, 3.2-megapixel DSC-P7.
A 3x optical zoom lens (39-117mm equivalent) helps you to capture exactly the picture you want, and an additional 2x digital zoom (6x total) further magnifies your image. Remember, however, that digital zoom tends to reduce the sharpness and detail of your image, so it’s best used sparingly. In low-light situations (a particular weakness for many digital cameras), a focus-assist lamp sends out a small patterned beam to help the camera accurately determine distance.
To compose your images, either use the traditional camera viewfinder or the 1.5-inch LCD display (which is also used to review the shots you’ve taken). Having both types of viewfinders offers the best of both worlds: If you’re used to using a film camera or want to conserve battery life, use the viewfinder; if you want to see exactly the picture you’ll be capturing, use the LCD display.
More Features
The DSC-P2 is designed to be a simple point-and-shoot, so it doesn’t have a huge assortment of manual settings. However, more advanced photographers will appreciate the five-step manual focus mode, adjustable ISO, and white-balance settings, and well as the exposure compensation and the ability to shoot black-and-white, sepia, solarized, and negative images.
Other features include a three-area multipoint autofocus and a multiburst function that captures 16 320 x 240 frames with three selectable intervals for convenient motion analysis.
Power
The DSC-P2 uses a proprietary rechargeable InfoLithium battery (model NP-FC10), which can provide power for up to 90 minutes of continuous camera usage. To ensure you’ll always be ready for action, we recommend purchasing a spare battery.
Movie Mode
In movie mode, the camera captures silent video clips. Most digital cameras’ movie modes are limited to 15- or 30-second clips, but the DSC-P2 can keep shooting until you’ve filled the memory card. It features three MPEG movie modes–video mail (160 x 112), presentation (320 x 240), and HQX (320 x 240)–with 16 fps full-screen playback.
The limited resolution of your movies guarantees that this feature won’t replace your camcorder, but it’s perfect for when you just want to capture a quick movie and e-mail it to a friend or relative.
Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on Memory Sticks, Sony’s proprietary memory-card format. The included 16 MB stick holds approximately 30 images at the camera’s default settings. Memory Sticks are reusable, but if you tend to take more than 16 images per outing, then you’ll want a bigger card. A 128 MB stick is a great size for this camera, storing around 130 images.
To transfer images to your computer, simply attach the included USB cable between your PC and your camera–your computer should automatically recognize the camera and let you move the pictures to your hard drive. If you own a Sony desktop or laptop, your computer may also have a built-in Memory Stick reader, which makes transferring as easy as reading a floppy disk.
Size
At 4.5 by 2 by 1.44 inches and 7.5 ounces fully loaded, the DSC-P2 is a very compact and portable digital camera.
Contents and Recommended Accessories
The package includes the DSC-P2 camera, one rechargeable NP-FC10 InfoLithium battery, AC-LS1 AC adapter/in-camera charger, video and USB cables, wrist strap, 16 MB Memory Stick, and software on CD.
Everything you need to get started is included in the box, but we recommend these accessories to make the most of your camera: a carrying case, a spare NP-FC10 InfoLithium battery, and a higher-capacity Memory Stick. Compatible accessories for this camera are listed near the top of this page.
Sony DSCP2 Cyber-shot 2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom
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When I first started shopping around for a digital camera I wasn’t really sure what was important to me. Finally I figured out that what I really wanted was:
1)not to replace my normal camera so 2Mpixels would do just fine
2)minimum 3x optical zoom (didn’t care about digital)
3)something small
4)under $400
5)movie mode with sound
Now that I have the Sony P2 here are my likes and dislikes:
Likes –
1)it is one of the smaller cameras out there – great for travel
2)I love the movie mode, which is only limited by the size of your memory stick
3)I like the fact that you can turn off the digital zoom so that you don’t accidentally use it
4)The menu system is intuitive and easy to use
5)The battery is much smaller than I expected – the camera is not heavy at all (yet still has a solid feel)
6)You can plug the camera right into your TV to view the photos and movies
7)You can easily change between NTSC and PAL video formats which will be great when I go back home to the UK for a visit
8)Has automatic scene lighting for when you are in a dark place – works really well
9)Rechargable battery holds quite a good life – easily enough for a full day’s outing
Dislikes –
1)You have to wait much longer between shots than with a conventional point and click camera (2-3sec maybe)
2)I knew the 16Mb Memory Stick wasn’t going to be nearly enough so I just ordered a 128Mb one with the camera (more money)
3)I like having a rechargable battery, but the down side is if it runs out you’ve had it unless you carry a spare (which are small and light, but again – more money to spend)
Bottom Line –
I personally would buy this camera again. It ended up being a little more than I really wanted to spend, once I added on extra memory and spare battery, but I haven’t regretted it. I am also contemplating getting a case for it to protect the viewing screen, but I don’t think this is a requirement as long as you are careful.
I didn’t give this 5 stars because of the shot delay and the fact the you really need to buy extra memory.
Rating: 4 / 5
This camera is magnificent. I puchased this from BestBuy and have been loving it ever since! Mine came with a 16 MB memory stick… A memory stick is the type of media that the camera uses to store the pictures. Other cameras use media like compactflash, etc. Memory sticks are definately the way to go however. Most new sony products are starting to have memory stick readers (even the televisions/cable boxes!), so you can have picture/slide shows! Its a great time to join the sony family.
Now, about the camera… This camera is top notch! Honestly, I love just about every feature this camera offers! I ordered mine with the sony Cybershot starter kit which came with a really nice camera bag, a memory stick holder and an extra infolithium battery!
The camera uses rechargable infolithium battery packs (which are light and tiny!!) and charge inside the camera! Simply plug in the camera, and it charges…and MUCH quicker that the other clunkier sony’s charge the standard batteries. I do wish that they offered an external battery charger though, but perhaps they will in the future…
The LCD display is fantastic in low light, bright light, sunlight, etc. Camera is easy to operate, lasts long on each battery charge (at LEAST an hour being on…) The quality is superb. The side has a spring loaded door which has the battery and memory stick behind it. If the door swings open by mistake (which hasn’t happened to me yet), the battery is held in by a strong clip, and the memory stick is “clicked” into the slot. Top notch design! Even on the bottom, the tripod mount is metal unlike other cheap cameras with plastic mounts (which strip easily!)…
I highly recommend you purchase this camera. You will love it as a great point and shoot camera with enough options to have fun with (movies with sound, and camera effects!) The 2 Megapixel resolution is perfect. 4×6′s are crystal clear, and 8×10′s look quite nice. Sure you could get 3, 4, or even 5 megapixel cameras, but why waste the money and need larger media for all that extra space the pictures take when for normal printouts of 4×6, 2 megapixels works just fine? Hopefully this review helps those of you who were sinking in a sea of camera choices like I was. You won’t regret purchasing this camera. You’ll fall in love the second you turn it on.
Rating: 5 / 5
This is one of the best investments that I’ve ever made. The camara is TINY (it can fit in a purse, an acomplishment for any camara, much less a digital) and has wonderful picture quality. The flash is unbelivable, particularly at night, althhough I do have problems taking pictures indoors with poor light. I would recommend also getting a 128 MB memory stick, since I was able to take over 75 pictures (at 1280 x 980 res) before downloading them to my computer. Overall, if you’re looking for a camara not for artwork but for ordinary picture taking, this is the perfect choice.
Rating: 5 / 5
I got mine from bestbuy for about 300 bucks and I’m really satisfied with it, 2 megapixels are just enough to make a good quality photo without having to buy an aditional hard drive for all them pictures (if this is your first digicam trust me you gonna make hundrets of them). Its easy to use point and shoot camera but it still has quite few features and settings that will make that special shot just perfect. Its small metal body fits to any pocket so you can take it with you anywere. A biger memory stick is a must, trust me it will fill up fast.
Not to long ago I also purchased an LCM-PX carying case which is also great, it’s small, fits the cmera perfectly, you can ware it on your belt like a beeper or a celphone and when the oportunity comes you’ll never miss that great shot. I cary mine every where I go, not only when I go on a trip.
The two things that made me buy this purticular camera are: #1 it’s made by SONY, In my life I owned many electronic gadgets and sory to say most of them had some kind of a defect or broke down after a regular use, not so with SONY products, I had them for longes time and they take on any kind of abuse I throw at them. #2 for a tiny camera like this SONY packs it with all kinds of features other cameras don’t have like Super HAD CCD (an image sensor that makes a 2 megapixel camera seem more like a 4), or a AF Iluminator (helps out focusing in less them perfect liting conditions), and ofcours SONY has the best movie mode out there. So stop thinking about it and just get it, for your self or as a gift to others (trust me they won’t be disapointed)
Rating: 5 / 5
I have always trusted Sony products and this camera is another example why. I looked around for a digital camera for about a month and I could not find one of this quality with this price tag that included so many features. If you want a great point and shoot camera with great features, then get this one.
Rating: 5 / 5