Sony DSC-P2 Review

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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.