Sony DSC-P2 Review

The P2 is equipped with a F2.8 Sony 3x optical zoom with 39 to 117mm coverage (as compared to a 35mm camera.) Auto focus options include Multipoint AF (center, center+right and center+left) or Center AF only.

When the camera is not in use the lens retracts inside of the body and is protected by a builtin lens cap.

The user can manually select a focus distance of 0.5m, 1m, 3m, 7m or infinity. All of Sony's Cyber-shot cameras are equipped with a focus illuminator that assists the auto focus system in dim lighting or total darkness.

The Zoom switch in Record mode controls the range of the 3x optical lens and the 2x digital zoom (if enabled and the LCD is on). In PlayBack mode, the Zoom control allows up to 5x magnification of the recorded image on the LCD when the "T"elephoto side is depressed. Also the "W"ide button allows the user to switch to Index mode in Playback.

The eyelevel optical real-image zoom viewfinder has a field of view of approx. 80% of the captured image. There is no diopter adjustment. The LEDs indicate card activity/Self-Timer, Autofocus/Auto Exposure Lock and Flash status.

The built-in flash has modes for Auto flash, Fill-flash or Flash Cancel and Red-eye Reduction can be enabled via the Setup menu. Accessible via the Scene Mode is a Twilight Portrait mode that allows for a slow shutter plus flash. The working range for the flash is 1.6 to 12.5 ft (W), 2 to 7.9 ft (T).

The Mode Dial has positions for SETUP, Movie, Playback, Record and SCeNe. The SCeNe mode has settings for Twilight, Twilight Portrait and Landscape.

The DISPlay / LCD buttons turns the color LCD on/off and also controls the display of overlay information. The MENU button calls up or dismisses the onscreen menus.

The 4-way selector lets you navigate through the menus or select images during playback. Pressing it in the center accepts selections. In record it lets you select the flash mode, macro focus mode, self-timer and Quick Review mode.

The I/O ports are found behind a door on the back and include (left to right) the DC input from the AC adapter/charger, a USB port for transferring images to the computer and an Audio - Video Out port to display images on a TV. The video timing can be set for NTSC or PAL standard.

Located on the side along with the battery is the Memory Stick card slot. The DSC-P2 comes with an 8MB Memory Stick and can use any capacity (4MB - 128MB) Memory Stick card. The Memory Stick is easily removed by pressing it inward which makes it "pop" out slightly.

Memory Stick Storage Capacity Chart

Power is supplied by a Sony NP-FC10 3.6V 675mAH InfoLITHIUM rechargeable battery pack. The battery is charged in-camera with the supplied AC-LS1A AC adapter/charger and a fully depleted battery is recharged in 150 minutes.

Sony quotes a battery life of approx. 70 minutes (140 images) with the LCD on and approx. 110 minutes (220 images) with the LCD turned off. Viewing time is approx. 160 minutes. The Power Save function darkens the LCD slightly and puts the camera into single-AF mode to conserve as much power as possible.