DSC-P2
Sony DSC-P2 Review
By
Movable Type Admin


Review posted 5/29/2002
 Click on the P2 for a QTVR tour
The Sony DSC-P2 Cyber-shot digital still camera packs a high-resolution two megapixel imager, 3x optical zoom lens and state of the art imaging electronics into an ultra-compact and highly durable aluminum body. Still images and movies are stored on small, reusable Memory Stick media cards and can be easily downloaded to virtually any USB-equipped PC or transferred to other digital devices like PDAs and printers.
The DSC-P2 makes it easy to get the right exposure even when the lighting is irregular thanks to the multi-pattern metering that divides the scene into a matrix of 49 independently metered cells. The camera calculates exactly the right exposure for each cell so that a brightly lit portion of the picture doesn't cause the rest to be underexposed. In low or no light conditions, the DSC-P2 employs built-in pre-flash exposure metering to calculate the right exposure with light from the flash itself. The flash strobes twice with every shot - once to illuminate the subject and work out proper exposure, and again to capture the moment without washed-out faces or unexpected shadows.
Proper exposure is only half of the equation, the picture must also be well focused. The DSC-P2's multi-point auto focus allows it to intuitively choose between three separate areas within the frame and automatically select the best one. In less than perfect lighting conditions the camera's AF Illuminator emits a beam of infrared light to insure an accurate focus lock, even in total darkness.
The DSC-P2 records more than just high-resolution still images, with the multi-frame burst mode this Cyber-shot camera can capture fluid movement by taking 16 rapid-fire sequential pictures at any of three selected intervals. Saved as a single 1280x960 image, it can be used to analyze a golf swing, catch a jet-ski in midair or capture any action that's too fast for the human eye. The camera also features Sony's new MPEG Movie HQX video mode that records non-stop, full-screen, high-resolution MPEG videos with audio up to the capacity of the Memory Stick media.
DSC-P2 features include:
- 1/2.78" Super HAD 1.98 Megapixel effective CCD imager
- Sony 3x optical zoom (39-117mm equivalent) + 2x digital zoom
- Still Image: 1600x1200, 1600 (3:2), 1280x960, 640x480, 320x240
- MPEG Movie w/audio: 320x240 HQX, 320x240, 160x112
- Scene Selection (3 modes: Twilight / Twilight Portrait / Landscape)
- Auto Focus with 3 Area Multi-point or Center AF
- Low light focus assist illuminator
- Noise Reduction is automatic at 1/2 second or longer shutter speeds
- 14bit A/D Conversion - allows a wider dynamic range from highlight to shadow
- Adjustable Flash with Red Eye Reduction
- 1.5" TFT color (123,000 pixels) LCD with Auto Brightness
- USB data transfer to PC or Mac computers
- NP-FC10 InfoLITHIUM rechargeable battery and charger included
- Sony Memory Stick media, 8MB card is included
- Audio and Video (NTSC or PAL selectable) output
- Ultra-compact and highly durable metal body
The Sony DSC-P2 will sell for about $400 and will be available in July 2002.
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Physical Views






The 4-megapixel Sony DSC-P9 and the DSC-P2

The Sony DSC-P51, the DSC-P9 and the DSC-P2.
Cyber-shot DSC-P2 Specifications
CCD Imager |
1/2.7" (6.64mm) Sony Super HAD 2.10 Megapixels (gross) 1.98 Megapixels (effective) |
Lens |
Sony 3x Zoom, 6 to 18mm (39 to 117mm equivalent) Maximum aperture: F2.8 - 5.6 Filter Thread: none |
Digital Zoom |
2x stepless |
Aperture Control |
Automatic: f/2.8 ~ 8.0
|
Shutter Control |
Automatic: 2 seconds to 1/1000 second (Speeds below 1/30 only in Scene/Night modes) |
Exposure Compensation |
"+" or "-" 2 Stops(EV) in 1/3 EV increments |
Exposure Control |
Program AE (Automatic)
Scene Selection (3 modes: Twilight / Twilight Portrait / Landscape) |
ISO |
Auto (100-400) or fixed 100, 200, 400 |
Recording Mode(s) |
Still image: JPEG, Email (adds 320x240)
Movie Mode: MPEG HGX: 320x240 - full screen playback- 16fps - length determined by media capacity - with Audio
Clip Motion Mode: Animated GIF (160x120 or 80x72)
Multi Burst: 16 - 320x240 frames recorded as parts of a single 1280x960 JPEG at 1/7.5, 1/15, 1/30 sec. selectable intervals |
Image Resolutions |
Still: 1600 x 1200 1600 (3:2) 1280 x 960 640 x 480 320 x 240 (email mode only)
Movie: 320 x 240 HQX 320 x 240 160 x 112 |
DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) |
Print Reserve, All print reservation, Date/time; Trimming |
Noise Reduction |
Auto at 1/2 second or longer shutter speeds |
Image Effects |
Sepia Black and White Negative Art Solarize |
Viewfinder |
Optical real-image viewfinder |
LCD |
1.5" TFT LCD 560x220 (123,000 pixels) for viewing or reviewing |
Focusing System |
3 Area Multi-point AF: Automatic w/ indication as to "Wide" or "Center-Weighted"
Manual Focus: 5 Step Preset |
Focusing Ranges |
Standard AF: 19.7" (50cm) to Infinity
A/F Macro: 3.9"(10cm) to Infinity
Preset Manual Focus: 10cm(3.9"), .5m, 3m, 7m, or Infinity
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Auto Focus Assist Illumination |
Selectable: ON / OFF
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Exposure Metering |
Multi-Pattern or Spot |
White Balance System |
Automatic Daylight Cloudy Fluorescent Incandescent
|
Flash |
Built-in Flash |
Flash Modes |
Auto Flash Red-eye Reduction Fill-in (forced on) Flash Off |
Flash Working Range |
When ISO is set to Auto: 1.6 to 12.5 Feet (0.5 to 3.8m) Wideangle 1.6 to 7.9 feet (0.5 to 2.4m) Telephoto |
Removable Media Card |
Memory Stick (4, 8, 16, 32, 64, and 128 MB) 8 MB card included |
Selftimer/Remote |
12-second delay |
Outer Connectors |
USB (Auto-Connect), Video, DC input |
Auto-connect USB |
Compatible with Windows 98 rev2/ME/2000 Pro/XP - MacOS 8.6-9.01/OSX |
Image Playback |
Index display 9 frame, up to 5X enlargement, Slide-show |
Operating Environment |
Operation: 32° F - 104°F (0°C - 40°C) Storage: -4° F to 140°F (-20°C to 60°C) |
Power Supply |
Sony NP-FC10 3.6V 675mAh InfoLITHIUM
AC-LS1A AC adapter/charger included |
Date/Time Calendar |
Simultaneous recording into image date |
Size |
4-1/4" (W) x 1-7/16" (H) x 2-1/4" (D) (105mm x 36mm x 56mm) |
Weight |
6 oz. / 180 g (with battery & Memory Stick) | |
NOTE: These Specifications are as represented by the manufacturer.
Visitors of Steves can visit the stores below for real-time pricing and availability. You can also find hot, soon to expire online offers on a variety of cameras and accessories at our very own Camera Deals page.