Sony DSCP8 Cyber-shot 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

by Sony

Product Details

Product Manual [3.48mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 1.4 x 4.2 x 2 inches ; 3 pounds
• 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: B00008LUN6
• Item model number: DSC-P8/S
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,935 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: February 24, 2003

Product Description

Manufacturer Product Description

The DSC-P8 Cyber-shot Digital Still Camera combines exceptional image quality with compact design, delivering 3.2 megapixel effective resolution with a 3X optical lens and intelligent features, like 3 area multi-point AF for sharply-focused shots even in low light conditions and Sony's AF Illuminator that briefly illuminates the subject for an accurate focus lock.

The DSC-P8's sleek metal body is small enough for most any pocket or purse, and easy to use with well placed controls. Add to that a lightning-fast USB 2.0 interface, and this is a camera that will keep up with you and with technology for a long time to come.

1/2.7" 3.2 Megapixel Effective Super HAD CCD
Super HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD's provide excellent image quality by allowing more light to pass to each pixel, increasing sensitivity and reducing noise. QXGA (2048 x 1536) image size with its high resolution CCD, the DSC-P8 captures in 4 different image sizes, with Fine or Standard JPEG compression.

3X Optical Zoom Lens
To help frame your shots for better digital pictures. Optical Zoom helps you bring distant subjects closer & pull back for wide shots.

0 - 3.2X Smart Zoom (at VGA Size)
Smart Zoom intelligently uses the full CCD to let you zoom into the portion of interest by cropping the image size--thus avoiding the image degradation of Digital Zooms.

3 Area Multi-Point Auto Focus
Evaluating 3 separate focus areas of the frame, Multi-Point AF can intelligently focus on the subject and avoid mistakenly focusing on the background. To maintain accurate focus lock with fast moving subjects, Continuous AF keeps focusing until the moment of exposure.

Multi-Pattern Measuring
Independently light-metering 49 points of the frame, Multi-Pattern Measuring establishes the optimum exposure value, even in scenes where pronounced highlight and shadow are not centered in the frame.

Scene Selection Mode
With 7 Scene Modes, camera parameters can be matched to the shooting conditions. Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Landscape, Snow, Beach, Fast Shutter and Fireworks presets make great shots easy!

1.5" LCD Monitor
Monitors the scene for accurate framing. 123K pixel and anti-glare coating help provide excellent viewing and image playback clarity, even outdoors.

True Zoom Optical Viewfinder
Provides accurate framing at eye level, great for added stability and following fast moving subjects.

Multi-Burst Mode
Captures 16 320x240 frames as part of a single 1280x960 image which plays back sequentially in the camera. Selectable 1/7.5, 1/15, 1/30 second frame intervals provide convenient motion analysis.

MPEG Movie VX Mode
Captures VGA (640 x 480) high frame rate (16 frames per second) audio/video clips with length limited only by the capacity of the media. Video Mail mode captures smaller file sizes suitable for email.

Rechargeable InfoLithium Batteries
Provides reliable, long-lasting power for continuous shooting, without "memory effect". AC-LS5 adaptor/charger provides stable power for USB transfer.

Product Description

OPTICAL VIEWFINDER 9.5OZ MS MEDIA

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

88 of 90 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful little digital camera--Very small and lightweight!, July 8, 2003

By 

Pruitt Hall (Greensboro, NC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony DSCP8 Cyber-shot 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

Sony really got everything right on this little camera. My wife and I already own the higher end DSC-717 5 megapixel Sony. That camera is unbelievable in its own right, but I do home inspections and wanted something I could slip into a shirt pocket. This little Sony does that well, but it does so much more. I still can't believe all of the features they packed into something this small. It's 3.2 megapixels which is more than fine for 95% of the shots you'll take; that will print up to almost 8x10 with no noticeable loss of detail. Flash works very well, offering red-eye reduction if you want to use it. Zoom is very good, offering both digital and optical zoom modes. I personally don't mind the digital zoom, although some people prefer the optical only. In the >3x zoom mode, the digital only kicks in for the last tiny bit of the zoom, so I don't see it as a pro nor con. Battery life is amazing, as it has been for the past two years with all Sony digital cameras. The new Lithium batteries just last forever; well over 100 shots, easily. As we already have one Sony digital camera, I didn't have to install a thing; everything from the software to the transfer cable to the PC worked from the older Sony. Thankfully, Memory Stick prices are coming down; a good 128mb stick will likely be all you'll need. I'm using 64mb sticks and with the resolution set at 2mb, that's over 30 pictures per stick. And since it's digital, you can instantly delete what you don't like, so, literally, all of your shots, in the end, are keepers. Has an incredible movie mode; even better than the over $1,000 DSC-717; it eats up a ton of memory sticks to do it, but I'm thinking about tossing the videocam; it's really that good. Menu options allow filters for sepia (so nice to see interiors in sepia; makes them look turn-of-the-century), solarize, black and white, negative, etc. Plus it offers seven 'scene' modes, such as the beach (which corrects the balance to show the ocean in its correct shade of blue), fireworks, distance shots, etc. Also has a very good macro capability if you like shooting flowers in close detail. All in all, I spent some two hours with the camera when I first got it homeand was truly taken back by how many features it offers. And don't forget the biggest feature: IT IS SO SMALL!!!! Not so small like the new cell phones that are TOO tiny; just the right small so that you can put it in your shirt pocket. It doesn't weigh a thing either (it's in the ounces category). Just a real tour-de-force of what can be packed into a small package, still remain user-friendly, and put a true grin on your face when you use it. There are a ton of under 5 megapixel cameras out today; Sony, Canon, Olympia, Kodak, HP, Panasonic, Leica, Epson, etc. all make cameras that compete with this Sony. Yet I don't see any of them offering all of the features this camera has. I don't give out many 5 stars on products, but this one earns it in every way. If you're just starting out in digital photography, you'll appreciate getting this many features in such a small package and one that doesn't need a PhD in Engineering to operate. If you're a seasoned pro in the digital world, you'll love having this little guy in your pocket, just so you don't have to lug around the bigger equipment. Highly recommended in every way.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So much better than Canon, October 2, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Sony DSCP8 Cyber-shot 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I was debating between a Canon S400 and this Sony P8 so Idecided to play with both cameras at my neighborhood bestbuy. The Sony P8 produces better image quality and color than the Canon. The guys at BestBuy let me print out images taken by the cameras so I can compare the results instantly as the print out quality is very important to me. To top it off, the sony has a much user friendly interface and I was able to master the camera navigation w/o asking questions nor looking at manual. I couldn't figure out the Canon at all.
I took some amazing photos from my recent trip and blew some up to 8x10. The quality is incredible and may I also add that I am no professional but the pictures turned out looking like pros!

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love it! Love it! Love it!, May 2, 2003

By 

jlinsb - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony DSCP8 Cyber-shot 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

Sony has really done it this time!

For a full review see Jeff Keller's Digital Camera Resource Page (he does a great job).

Hits:
This camera has the perfect balance of features for those who are "on the go." The durable all-metal body is sleek and small, fitting into most pockets easily. The battery life is excellent (second only to the DSC-P72/92). The 3x zoom is suitable for 95% of travel shooting situations. With the addition of a 128mb Memory Stick (which are very cheap after rebates, see Lexar/Sandisk), this camera - at full 3.2 megapixel resolution - can fit tons of shots.
The video mode is what sold me! Imagine taking 640x480 resolution video, with sound, for as long as the Memory Stick can hold... (Heck, I returned the DV camcorder I just bought, and waited for a month for this camera to be released.)
Good selection of accessories (although pricey). Best accessory? Two words: Underwater Housing.
The controls are VERY easy to use! I haven't look at the manual yet... but I will soon... there are probably many new tips/tricks to learn.

Quality of photos:
The wonderful thing about this camera is that on full-auto mode, the shots are outstanding. Are you in a tricky shooting situation? Take control with "Scene Modes," making those snowboarding pictures come out awesome!
The camera does lack fully-manual control over exposure, whitebalance, and f-stop, but my wife does not have the patience to learn photographic theory, nor does she have the patience to wait for me to tinker with the shot. Most of the photos I've taken have been in full-auto mode, and I'm very pleased at the results.

Misses:
No remote control... I love this about my Canon film camera. You don't realize how handy this is until you don't have it. Also, the add-on lenses require a plastic snap-on adapter. But that's the price you pay for unbelievable portability.
Slow focusing in low light (especially outdoors). Sometime you have to hold the shutter release button down for five seconds before it will fire. Set to (P) program mode and manually set the focus distance to speed up the process.

Conclusion:
Excellent camera for the price. Resolution is more than adequate for my shooting situations, and it fills up the Memory Sticks slower. Video mode is the best out there. Portability, durability, reliability.