Sony DSC-P30 Review

By Movable Type Admin


Steve's Digicams

Sony DSC-P30

Introduction & Physical Views



First Look posted 2/09/01
Full review posted 4/2/01

Click to take a QuickTime VR tour of the Sony P30
Click on the P30 to take a QuickTime VR tour


The DSC-P30 and DSC-P50 CyberShots are the first Sony digital still cameras to offer a choice of three power options. Consumers can choose between the Sony "S" series InfoLithium rechargeable battery pack, two AA batteries, or an AC power accessory. Sony's exceptional improvements in camera power management allow up to one hour of use on just two alkaline AA batteries.

Like the DSC-S75, the DSC-P30 and DSC-P50 are equipped with an AF illuminator, allowing the cameras to better focus in the dark. The 1.3-megapixel camera also includes a high quality 3X optical zoom and an optical viewfinder to complement the high resolution 1.5-inch color LCD display.

The DSC-P30 also features full screen playback and the option to take video (without sound) in MPEG HQ and MPEG EX movie modes. MPEG EX movie mode will continuously record video up to the capacity of the flash media. This means that 90 minutes of video at can be continuously recorded on 128MB Memory Stick media. Additionally, images can be captured in JPEG, TIFF, Text or Clip Motion (animated GIF) formats.

DSC-P30 features include:

  • Sony Memory Stick media;
  • 1/ 2.7" 1.3 MegaPixel Super HAD CCD;
  • 320x240 / 160x112 MPEG HQ and EX Movie Modes;
  • SXGA/XGA/VGA Resolution, with a 3:2 picture size ratio at the SXGA resolution;
  • High Powered 3X Zoom (6X PrecDig), HiSpeed AF w/AF illuminator;
  • 12bit A/D Conversion - allows a wider dynamic range from highlight to shadow;
  • Adjustable Flash with Red Eye Reduction;
  • 1.5" Multi-angle EX Bright color LCD Screen;
  • Uncompressed TIFF/E-Mail/Text Mode;
  • Auto Orientation, Zoom/Trim, Resize;
  • USB and Audio/Video Out;
  • Optional Long Life Battery - rechargeable InfoLithium® S with AccuPowerâ„¢ meter with a life of approximately two hours or 2200 shots in still image standard mode.


Physical Views



Sony DSC-P30

Sony DSC-P30


Sony DSC-P30 Sony DSC-P30

Sony DSC-P30

Sony DSC-P30





Sony DSC-P50 and DSC-P30

The DSC-P30 and its 2.1-megapixel brother the DSC-P50.






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Page Two







DSC-P30 Specifications

Imager 1/2.7" 1.3-megapixel CCD
Image Sizes Still: 1280x1200, 1280x848 (3:2), 1024x768, 640x480
MPEG: 320x240 and 160x112
ClipMotion GIF: 160x120 and 80x72
Recording Formats Still: JPEG, TIFF, GIF
Movie: MPEG EX (160x112 or 320x240 @ 8fps length limited only
by available storage media - 45 mins on 64MB) no audio
A/D Conversion 12-bit DXP
Lens Sony 3X F3.8-3.9 6.4-19.2mm (41-123mm 35mm equiv)
37mm filter threads
Focus Contrast Detect w/AF illuminator light
Autofocus 19.7" to infinity
Macro AF 1.2" minimum
5-step Manual focus
ISO Sensitivity Auto, 100, 200, 400
White Balance Auto, Outdoor, Indoor, Hold
Exposure Metering Center-weighted Averaging or Spot
Shutter Speeds Automatic
Program AE Twilight
Exposure Compensation +/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments
In-Camera Sharpening +/- 2 in 1 step increments
Flash Modes Auto, Forced, Redeye, Off
Flash Level Adjustment Auto, High, Low
Flash Range 1 to 6.5 feet
External Flash n/a
Color LCD 1.5-inch 123,000 pixels TFT w/backlight
Eyelevel Viewfinder Optical, true zoom with diopter adjustment
Playback Zoom 1.1 to 5X in 17 steps
Playback Index 9 frames
Review / Quick Delete Yes / Yes
Trimming / Resizing Yes / Yes
MPEG 6X Cue/Review Yes, EX
Storage Supplied 4MB Memory Stick, can use any capacity Memory Stick
Connections Video, USB, AC power
Battery Supplied 2x AA alkaline
Battery Pack (optional) InfoLITHIUM NP-FS11
and AC-LS1 charger / AC supply
Supplied Software MGI PhotoSuite 8.1, MGI PhotoSuite SE 1.1 Sony SPVD-004 USB driver
Dimensions 5 x 2-1/2 x 2-1/4 inches
Weight (w/out battery) 9.4 oz






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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.

Battery for Sony NP-FS11 NP-FS21 Cyber-shot DSC-F505V DSC-P1 DSC-F505 DSC-P30
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