Customer Reviews

Sony DSCP7 Cyber-shot 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I had a hard time deciding whether to get this Sony DSC-P7 or the Canon PowerShot S230 Digital Elph. I was looking for a small 3.2 MP camera. I know some friends who each own one of these two cameras. They were nice enough to each let me borrow their cameras so I was able to fully play with them for a few days before I decided which one to buy. Although the S230 does capture images a little bit sharper, the P7 captures color better. The P7 has 3X optical zoom compared to the S230's 2X. The P7 comes with an AC adapter, the S230 does not (the P7's battery is charged directly on the camera while you must remove the S230's battery to charge it on a seperate charger). I found that the S230 often produced red-eye and the P7 seldom did (and seldom does). Luckily, you can correct red-eye on your computer. Still, I would rather have a camera that produces photos that require the least editing as possible. I would rather spend my time taking pictures! I wanted a camera that would fit in my jean pockets and although the S230 is a little smaller, the P7 is nontheless a tiny camera.
The quality of the MPEG movie clips with sound is great. This feature, however would never replace my camcorder--but it is a nice feature to have when I do not want to lug around my Digital8 camcorder. I also like the fact that the length of video capture time is only limited to the size of your Memory Stick. If I am not mistaken, only with Sony cameras (and only with some Sony cameras) can you fill the memory up with only video footage. Also, with the P7's Memory Stick, I am able to view and save photos directly onto my Clie organizer.
The size of the included 16 mb Memory Stick is insufficient. I purchased a 128 mb stick and am able to fit over 80 photos set at the camera's highest resolution mode. The photo quality is great. The photo quality is not as good as some (and only a select few) of the much larger 3.2 mp cameras out there but for such a small-sized camera, the P7 is one mean machine. I also thought of getting the DSC-P9 instead (with identicle shell/dimensions and features). After reviewing several samples of the P9 that a friend of mine owned, I found that it was not worth spending an extra $100 dollars for the extra 0.7 mega-pixels. The P9 is listed as a 4 mp camera but is actually a 3.9 mp. The image quality is not much different. Overall, I highly recommend the Sony DSC-P7 to anyone looking for a small camera that is able to produce photos with stunning quality. The metal shell also looks very sleek and attractive. I am glad I chose the DSC-P7 as I am enjoying it some much. I do recommend purchasing a larger capacity Memory Stick (at least a 64 mb) and maybe an extra battery.

The Sony DSC-P7 is a compact 3 Megapixel point-and-shoot camera for the casual photographer, with enough extra features and style to make it worth its higher-than-average price tag. With 3 megapixels you'll be able to get very good prints up to even 8x10 inches.

The P7 is part of a series of similarly-designed cameras, the P2 and P9, the P2 with 2 Megapixels and the P9 with 4 Megapixels. In essence the P7 is really an update to Sony's previous compact model, the P5, which has the same maximum megapixels but has fewer features. The P7 is comparable to the P71, a less compact budget model with the same maximum megapixels but with a plastic body and a feature missing.

The P7 is really designed for the casual photographer. It's small enough to keep in your pocket and well protected with an all-metal body. It also offers the usual functions you'd expect, including zoom, timer mode, and auto focus. Operation is simple because most of the settings, from focusing to white balance, can be set to automatic. It even offers special modes for night shots and the hard-to-capture night portrait shots (night shots with both scenery and people are otherwise hard to get right without this mode). Most of the time you'll get a good shot with everything on automatic, but it offers manual preset controls for white balance, exposure, and focus range when the situation calls for it.

Advanced features include an AF illuminator, optical zoom, and movie recording with sound. The AF illuminator fires a red light on a subject to get the proper level of exposure when shooting in dark areas, which does produce a better picture. The 3x optical zoom makes it easier to capture pictures from far away without losing quality, which usually happens with cameras that only have digital zoom. Movie recording lets you save 320x240 pixel movies, which isn't quite TV quality but close enough. Importantly, it can record sound, which the P71 doesn't lacks.

With all of these easy-to-use features crammed in a compact body, the P7 is easy to recommend even as a first camera. Though the price tag is high, you get what you pay for in quality, features, and size. For the budget-conscious, I would recommend the P71 because it has almost the same features and doesn't need expensive proprietary batteries, but for those who want to get the most reasonably priced 'premium' small camera, I highly recommend the P7.

I have previously used a Nikon Coolpix and Canon Digital ELPH. The Sony is far and away the best camera out of the three. Extremely crisp images, also has a letterbox feature (so you can take pictures in widescreen format if you want, which looks pretty cool). I would've liked if the digital video was captured at a higher res, but I can't complain since this is the only camera out of the 3 I've used that allows unlimited video capture (the only limitation is the size of the media) and audio. Also has some cool image effects- you can add sepia tones or take negative exposures. The menu is easy to use. The camera is sturdy without being too heavy, my only issues are battery life (about 1.5 hrs on a full charge, which is pretty standard but I'd expect more for the price) and the size of the provided memory stick- 16mb is ok if you're only using the lowest resolution, but to take advantage of the camera's full capabilites, including the digital video w/ sound, go out and get a 128mb stick as well.

Size was an important factor in buying this 3 megapixel camera, 3X optical zoom, and a decent video mode. Although it may not take as nice pictures as the DSC S75, 85 or even the 717 model, the size of the camera is what really makes it attractive.
I have taken this on a trip as it remained comfortably in my pocket. I also purchased a 128 MB stick(79.95), the semi hard case(50.00), extra battery(60.00), and also the external slave flash(100.00). Battery life was adequate as two batteries lasted about 3 days(I took 80 pictures total).
My pictures came out really sharp with no problems. Night shots turned out better than I thought they would, well I did have the slave flash:) But I would recommend this camera to anyone who is looking for a small compact camera, having much more features than sony's DSC U10 and U20 models. A very big step up from those two.

This review is for those who want just the straight facts about negative aspects of the camera.i really like it, but for
1.the shutter has about a 2 second delay from the time you actually click the button to take the picture and when it actually takes the image.this results in not getting the picture you wanted.
2.its nice that its so small,but the metal is so smooth, that its easy to lose your grip.would be nice if it had some grip rubber somewhere on there.
3.would be nice if it came with a case.

other than those things, its a pretty cool camera with crystal clear pictures!

For something that fits into a shirt pocket, this little camera is full of features. I bought it to take with me on the plane to asia. I have a Nikon with all the "stuff", but this little Sony DSC-P7 is just great. I plan on doing lots of walking and I don't want to be lugged down by a camera bag.

Small size is great. They should have included a larger memory stick. Buy a 128 MB stick for around 90 dollars and take 80 hi-res photos. Perfect for traveling. Sony needs to come up with a card reader that works with XP.

just got it and am having lots of fun.

the movies definitly have sound, and it's very cool that they are not limited to a 30- or 60-second clip ... you can go as long as you have memory left. And after you stop recording, you can cut off parts of movie files that weren't good, right from the camera (i.e. before transferring to your PC.)

still photos look great on the computer, but haven't tried to print them yet...

the camera is very small and has enough features for me, and the interface and controls are much simpler than other digicams i've seen.

i'd highly recommend it, just get a bigger memory stick and a spare battery.

I got this camera for my wife as a Christmas present. I did alot of research and tried several brands and models before I decided to give her the Cybershot DSC P7. One of the strong selling points for this camera was the ease of use. The menu interface for the camera was easy and it made sense. It's ergonomics are excellent, it is lightweight, and compact. This camera is very forgiving and allows us to take almost flawless pictures regardless of the lighting situation we put it in. The delay between when you press the button and when the picture is taken is minor, but it might be an issue when you're trying to capture an action shot (I normally pre focus by focusing on the subject and holding down the shutter button halfway and it works). If you want a camera that captures action, you'd probably do better by sticking with the SLR cameras.

The LCD screen is crisp, but you'll need to use the view finder on a bright sunny day. The digital video is fair to below normal meaning you'd get better quality with a camcorder because the cybershot has a lower frames per second ratio, but it is nice to have the "movie" option in a camera. With a 128MB stick you can record up to 5 to 6 minutes of footage at the highest resoulution.

Other features are the multiburst mode (for your golf swing, etc.), night mode (use a tripod), white balance (snow or beach pictures), 10 second timer, multi and center focus, and a red eye reduction.

We have noticed that our picture taking has increased 300 percent since we've started using the cybershot. I would definitely recommend that you purchase the 128MB memory sticks. We can put about 80 to 90 pics on a 128MB stick depending on the resolution we choose. Also buy an extra battery.

This camera was designed for the average person, primarily the point and shoot crowd so it may lack some of the manual and advanced settings professionals prefer. Overall, it is a fun camera that is easy to use and I think that makes up for any advanced features it lacks.

***Update*** 10-21-2003
Still No problems with the camera. Now that we've used it for
almost a year, we kind of wish that there were some lens accessories to increase the optical zoom. It still takes wonderful family pictures which is what we bought it for.

Great camera. Lighter than the Canon powershot (likely due to it's magnesium case; the powershot is stainless steel). Takes wonderful pictures and loads very quickly and easily using XP. Downside is that memory sticks only go to 128 right now while compact flash goes higher. However, for myself and others who are casual photographers, 128 is more than enough. Good sony quality and easy operation. Highly recommended.