Sony DSCP9 Cyber-shot 4MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

by Sony

Product Details

Product Manual [4.38mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 1.4 x 4.5 x 2 inches ; 7.5 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 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: B000067R8G
• Item model number: DSC-P9
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,275 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 15, 2002

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

The Sony DSC-P9 builds on the success of earlier models from Sony, such as the DSC-P1 and DSC-P5. The DSC-P9 adds a high-performance 4-megapixel CCD and combines it with an excellent quality 3x optical zoom lens. The chief selling point of the DSC-P9 has to be its diminutive size--this really is among the smallest, feature-rich digital cameras on the market--at just 4.4 by 2 by 1.4 inches.

The metal body not only looks great but also gives the reassurance that the camera is robust and can be carried anywhere. Controls are straightforward and include a mode dial, a zoom toggle, and menu navigation buttons. Access to the Memory Stick and battery are from a single compartment door on the side of the camera. Input-output jacks are the fairly standard power, USB, and AV out.

The 3x optical zoom lens tucks neatly into the body of the camera when not in use and includes an automatic lens protector. In use, the zoom moves from wide to full telephoto in less than three seconds, although it is a little noisier than expected, especially as compared to the notably quiet transport on the Kodak DX4900.

The Sony menu navigation, which is fairly consistent across the range, is extremely easy to use. In capture mode, there are options to set exposure compensation, manual focus, white balance, spot metering, ISO, image size from 2,272 x 1,704 down to 640 x 480, compression levels, flash levels, and picture effects. There is also a scene selection mode that offers presets for twilight, night portrait, and landscape. While useful, this is extremely limited when compared to some other digital cameras, such as the easy-to-use Nikon Coolpix 2500 or the endlessly configurable Casio QV-4000.

The image quality is what you would expect of a 4-megapixel camera--plenty of detail and scope for cropping to get just the right composition. When using the automatic settings, the images were not as sharp as expected, although this can be compensated for using the in-camera sharpening. Both exposure and white balance were generally accurate, but it would have been nice to see the ability to take a manual white-balance reading like on the Nikon 2500. To its credit, the DSC-P9 has a powerful autofocus illuminator that greatly aids focusing in poor light conditions.

One feature we feel should be included in a camera of this quality is an orientation sensor that automatically rotates images when stored to match the photographs as taken. Despite this we would still recommend the DSC-P9 as being one of the sexiest high-resolution cameras available. --Nick Baxter

Product Description

Pick up this digital camera and keep your friends and relatives updated on your family's current events. The 3x optical/6x precision digital zoom lens catches close up shots that are stored on an included 8MB Memory Stick«. Download shots onto your computer via the USB connector with cable and driver. The 3.21 mp effective CCD image sensor (3.34 mp gross) captures clean sharp details in every photo opportunity. The intelligent flash and high-speed scan Autofocus are other great features.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

119 of 120 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A powerful, compact, state-of-the-art camera, July 8, 2002

By 

Snap, Crackle and Pop (United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Sony DSCP9 Cyber-shot 4MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

Sony's DSC-P9, released in June 2002, is the state of the art in terms of resolution and features in a very compact camera, with point-and-shoot ease of use. At just 4-1/2 x 2 x 1-1/2 inches in size and 7-1/2 ounces with battery, this is a camera you can take anywhere - so you will have it with you and take more pictures. It's smaller and lighter than many less powerful cameras, and smaller than earlier generations of Sonys. The camera and features give you that feeling that they have really been carefully thought through and designed for ease of use, though it does take some effort to learn to use.

Features include:
- The 4 megapixel (million pixels, or MP) resolution (2272 x 1704) is at the high end of consumer cameras, and should allow very good enlargements up to about 8x10.
- The 3x optical zoom will help you compose good photos and make the most of your pixels. The zoom lens is the equivalent of 39-117mm on a film camera, so will go from slight wide angle to moderate telephoto. It's a very versatile range, though not wide angle enough to shoot wide shots in small rooms.
- The lens aperture (opening size) is rated (max) at F2.8-F5.6 (depending on zoom; low numbers are better). This is fairly "fast" for this type of camera, making it better in low light than some. The autofocus illuminator and the Twilight modes also help for low light situations, which challenge all digital cameras. However, you will find it much easier to get crisp shots when the lighting is good (or the flash is used).

- The DSC-P9 takes great pictures without requiring much thought. But if you want, the camera gives you several white balance options; light sensitivity (ISO) settings of 100, 200 and 400; pattern or spot light metering; multiple focus modes (3-point, center, manual at pre-set distances); shutter speeds down to 1/2000; and a macro focus setting for great close-ups from as little as 4 inches away.
- Other features include video out, to show pictures on your TV; and a metal case and metal tripod mount.
- The computer drivers should allow you to use a wide range of PCs and Macs with this camera. (Windows 98/98SE/ME/2000 Pro, XP Home/Pro, MacOS 8.5.1/8.6/9.0/9.1/9.2)

For most users, this is all the digital camera you will ever need, in a compact package, with easy to use features. It's not for everyone, though:
- If you want maximum control over your photos. Direct manual controls are limited, though if you use the features wisely you have some control. Also, there is no option to save photos in uncompressed format; and no lens thread. Consider the Canon S40 if these matter to you; the S40's image quality is also slightly better. The Sony DSC-85 will give you even better photos.
- If you mostly shoot snapshots, and never print enlargements, you probably don't need 4MP. You can save some money by getting a 3MP camera like the Sony DSC-P7 or a 2MP camera like the Canon S330 or the Sony DSC-P2. But having the extra pixels does give you more options, and allows you to trim the picture and still have good clarity.

This camera shares many of the issues all digital cameras have:
- You will have to buy more memory. A 128MB stick will get you about 75 photos at maximum quality, and 2-3x more at snapshot quality. Sony "Memory Sticks" are more expensive than other formats.
- Start-up and shot-to-shot times are slower than film cameras.
- The flash on a camera this size cannot match an external unit, but it is rated up to 13 feet, better than many compact cameras.
- The viewfinder (for when it's too bright to use the LCD, or you're saving power) takes some getting used to, as far as what is in and out of the actual photo.
- The MPEG movie feature is low-resolution (320x240), so of limited use, though this Sony can record audio and shoot any length (limited only by memory stick capacity).
- Battery life is very good for this type of camera - you can get 100-200 shots - but the battery must be charged in the camera (unless you buy the Sony charger, extra), so for very long days you may want a second battery.

53 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Camera, July 10, 2002

By 

GT (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony DSCP9 Cyber-shot 4MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

After doing a lot of research on digital cameras to replace my aging Fuji MX-1200, I decided this seemed like the best one for the money.

With the 4 megapixels you can even use the digital zoom without worrying about sacrificing too much picture quality -- though the 3X optical zoom will suffice in most cases. The picture and movie quality are both very good (sound quality is also surprisingly good), though movies tend to come out dark if you're shooting indoors without a lot of sunlight (though, for a still camera, I haven't seen much better).

The one thing you'll want to familiarize yourself with is the manual brightness settings. Pictures indoors with sub-par lighting will also come out a bit dark on normal settings, but if you adjust the brightness manually (using Sony's easy-to-navigate menu system) it won't be a problem at all.

The camera also has both USB and A/V out jacks for displaying pictures/movies on your computer or TV -- which are both pretty much plug and play processes.

One last thing -- as is the case with all digital camera -- is that you'll want to buy a bigger memory stick than the one it's packaged with (16 MB).

Overall, an excellent camera.

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Pictures - the BEST ultracompact digicam, November 29, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Sony DSCP9 Cyber-shot 4MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

Very impressive indeed!. I spent a long time going through the reviews, trying them in the shops and found that NONE of the cameras currently on offer is perfect! This, however, is the **best** ultracompact around.

This one provides excellent, sharp images even in low light. It is also very easy to use and is robust.

The white balance on this camera is dead on - unlike many others than cant adjust properly under fluorescent or regular lights, and so the colours on pictures taken are exactly right.

I like the fact that you dont have to take out the battery every time to recharge it - and that the info-lithium system tells you exactly how much shooting time you have left

And that the red-eye problem is negligible, compared to other ultracompacts.

And you even get a bonus email-able picture every time you press the button : no more resizing in photoshop...

A camera to grab and take with you anytime!

This one has a strong flash as well. I printed out my A4 size (8x10) pictures and friends thought they were from a shop!

I like the skin colours, and you can adjust the sharpness for a softer look on portraits. Nice sexy body as well....:)

Treat yourself and get one for Christmas! I did ,

I also got an HP 130 photoprinter! Just select which photos to print on the canera, then stick the memory stick right into the printer, press "print" and hey presto : lab quality 4 x 6" photos right away! No computer needed & no messing about

Good one : Its a SONY