Sony Cyber-shot DCS-P30 1.3MP Digital Camera

by Sony

Product Details

Product Manual [1.69mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 3.1 x 5.6 x 4.1 inches ; 8.8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B00005I9PE
• Item model number: DSC-P30
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,860 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 2, 2002

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Lightweight and compact, the attractive silver-and-blue Sony DSC-P30 digital camera is simple to operate and has a 1.3-megapixel CCD sensor and a 3x optical plus 6x digital zoom lens with autofocus. Standout features include a bright, clear 1.5-inch color LCD monitor with extensive information display, 12-bit analog/digital conversion for superior tonal range and detail, movie mode with unlimited length capacity (no audio), Clip Motion for animated still images, and a high-speed-scan autofocus illuminator for better focus in the dark. This affordable camera is packed with advanced features, fits in your pocket, and captures high-quality images at a top resolution of 1,280 x 960 pixels for 5-by-7-inch prints.

There are a host of impressive creative options on this model (such as a twilight exposure mode), in addition to automatic four white-balance options, normal and spot metering modes, adjustable ISO settings of 100, 200, and 400 equivalent, built-in flash with three operating modes, four picture effect modes (such as polarize and sepia), and even a text recording mode that translates images to black and white so you can read large sections of text easier. The Sony DSC-P30 uses Memory Stick for image storage and takes AA batteries (included) or an optional InfoLithium rechargeable battery pack. The camera comes with a 4 MB Memory Stick, two sets of AA batteries, wrist strap, USB cable, software CD-ROM, and video cable.

Product Description

Sony makes a splash again, with high quality design and features packed into this great digital camera. You'll find it's more than a basic 1.3 Megapixel gross resolution camera, since it has a 3x Optical/6x Digital Zoom--perfect for catching up-close shots--and H-speed auto focus illuminator, which allows positive focus in the dark. Store your pictures on the included 4MB Memory Stick« and download them later to share with everyone you know.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Know what you are buying !, July 9, 2001

By 

"ret2674" (Long Island, NY, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony Cyber-shot DCS-P30 1.3MP Digital Camera (Electronics)

I already had a Sony DSC S50 for myself and was looking for another less expensive camera for my daughter. I purchased the P30 for her and assumed that it was accessorized like my own camera. After purchase, I realized that the camera kit DID NOT INCLUDE a rechargeable power supply or recharger. The supplied AA batteries will only last about 2 hours under the best conditions. The batteries were shot by the time I familiarized myself with the operating manual. You can purchase an accessory kit from Sony for about $99 that includes a rechargable lithium battery, charger, and a camera case. I would have preferred to purchase the camera with this equipment included.

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Major Malfunctions, Sony Knows of Defects, August 21, 2001

By 

Doug F. "doug9447" (Laurel, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony Cyber-shot DCS-P30 1.3MP Digital Camera (Electronics)

Most of the customer reviews so far have expounded on two key facts: 1) This camera has very good functionality for the price, and 2) Sony did a poor job with power supply. It comes with alkaline batteries, which the manual says you can't use to transfer files to a computer. It's hard to call the power adapter and a battery upgrade (e.g. nickel metal hydride) anything but a necessity.

Left out of the reviews is a third factor which people haven't seemed to mention yet. The cameras, or perhaps just some of them, don't function properly with FRESH AA alkaline batteries. After mine quickly used up the two that came with it, I put in good fresh ones that tested well, and the camera wouldn't turn on in either record mode or moving picture mode (and would turn off if I moved into those modes from others). In playback mode, the battery indicator verified that the batteries were good. This led to emails to Sony which led to inane computer-generated responses reminding me to change the batteries. Eventually I got through to a representative on the phone who said the problem I was having was common. Got that - MANY people had the same problem. Best Buy doesn't accept the returns because Sony, wary of the problem, includes a label in the packaging saying something like "if malfunctioning do not return to the store." They don't offer you your money back as part of your warranty. Now I'm stuck having to ship it to PA and hoping they return it working properly. Meanwhile I've bought Nickel MH batteries and a charger which has seemed to be a quick fix. I've sent pictures to the computer without the AC adapter that Sony indicates is mandatory.

I've edited this review to add that I now believe I've purchased enough equipment to get around the power supply problem. NiMH batteries, a charger, a 32 MB memory stick, and a USB memory stick reader all appear to make the camera fully functional. It takes good pictures. Still, [those dollars are] a lot to throw at a $... camera, and Sony's skeletal warranty and lack of forthrightness are troublesome.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sony has done it again, at an awesome price!, July 8, 2001

By 

"icewind21" (Missoula, Montana United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony Cyber-shot DCS-P30 1.3MP Digital Camera (Electronics)

Ive had a few digital cameras in the past 2 years, but none of the came to the quality and features that I wanted. Being the techno freak I am, I wanted a camera that could do anything I wanted it to. I was almost set on an Olympus when this Sony came in at my work. It was love at first site. For a bit more money I was getting a much better zoom, movie recorder and Sony quality. Needless to say, I got it on my Birthday and I could not be happier. Setting it up is incredibly easy *as most of Sony products are* and using it makes even a novice an expert with a few hours of practice. The layout of the camera is comfortable and lightweight, Easily held in one hand to take pictures. The LCD is bright and crisp and show almost no slowdown when viewing it. A very nice turn nob selects the mode on the camera, No more fiddling with menus on the LCD. The 3xoptical zoom is great when you want to get a little closer. An optional 6xdigital is there to, but the pictures turn out to fuzzy. This camera could do anything you want it to, macro shots, low light, fast action, low light, low background light, movies,clip art, clip motion, red eye reduction and more! The menus system is very straightforward, hard to screw up. Picture quality is awesome. Though sometimes a bit soft, easily rectified with the Photosuite 8.1 the camera comes with. It would be hard pressed to get a better program without spending alot of money. Installation of the USB software takes just minutes, and a full 32 meg Stick takes just 30 seconds to upload. *no more serial!*

One bad side, this thing eats batteries like Joan Collins goes through makeup. I went through 6AA alkaline in 3 hours the first day. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMEND getting rechargebles, Nickel Metal Hydride perferred, this camera loves its batteries.

Also, recommend getting a bigger Sony Stick, the included 4 meg only does 6 pics at highest setting, a 32meg will get you 50. *what I use*

In all, I am very much enjoying this camera and taking great photos. If you interested in seeing what some look like email me at [e-mail] and I'll give you a link. For people who want to get into the Digital realm but want a low price for great quality, the SONY DSC-P30 is absolutely hard to beat!