Sony Cybershot DSCP73 4.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

by Sony

Product Details

Product Manual [3.59mb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• 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: B0001G6UCA
• Item model number: DSC-P73
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,378 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: February 8, 2006

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

With its small size and quick reaction time, the Sony DSCP73 digital camera will be your constant photographic companion. The affordable DSCP73 offers point-and-shoot simplicity with a variety of features normally found in higher-end models. This 4-megapixel camera features a 3x optical zoom, 4-shot burst mode, conversion lens compatibility, A/V connection to view images on your TV, and a high-resolution movie mode that's limited only by your Memory Stick's capacity. For a step up in price, the Sony DSCP93 adds a 5-megapixel CCD, higher resolution LCD screen, and 9-shot burst mode.

Optics and Resolution
The 1/2.7-inch Super HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD allows more light to pass to each pixel, increasing sensitivity and reducing noise, and provides a 4.1-megapixel effective resolution (2304 x 1728). The Real Imaging Processor offers greater clarity and picture quality as well as improved response time and battery life and decreased shutter lag. The DSCP73 has a 3x optical zoom lens that's combined with a smooth 2x digital zoom for a 6x total.

Movie Mode
Capture video with audio at 30 frames per second (fps) at VGA size 640 x 480; the included 16 MB memory card will store 42 seconds of vide at this setting. Movie length is only limited by the amount of storage you have on hand. The Video Mail mode captures a smaller movie (160 x 112 pixels) that's more suitable to sending to friends and family via e-mail.

More Features
The DSCP73 offers the following additional features to the DSCP41:

• Live Histogram Display: Available in capture and playback, the Live Histogram displays the concentration of pixels at each luminosity value making it easy to evaluate the correct exposure.
• Manual Exposure Mode: Manual Exposure Mode provides extended control with 46-step adjustable Shutter speed (30 Ð 1/1000 sec.), and 2-step Aperture control.
• Conversion Lens Compatibility: Increase your shooting options by adding either telephoto lenses to increase your optical zoom or wide-angle lenses to increase the width of your field of view. You can even add filters for special effects.
• Audio/Video Output: For reviewing images and MPEG movies, the DSCP73 offers an A/V output for convenient connection to a TV or VCR, this makes sharing images with family and friends easy.

Other features include:

• Resolution modes: 2304 x 1728 (4.1MP), 2048 x 1536 (3MP), 1280 x 960 (1MP), 640 x 480 (VGA)
• 1.5-inch, 64K LCD monitor makes framing shots and reviewing pictures easy.
• Selectable Focus Mode: Monitoring AF (Auto Focus) helps you anticipate the action by focusing even before you press the shutter release.
• 5 Area Multi-Point Auto Focus: By evaluating 5 separate focus areas of the frame, SonyÕs Multi-Point AF system can intelligently focus on the subject and avoid mistakenly focusing on the background.
• AF (Auto Focus) Illuminator: Briefly illuminating the subject, in low--or no--light conditions, the AF Illuminator helps establish a positive focus lock.
• Multi-Pattern Measuring: Independently light-metering 49 points of the frame, Multi-Pattern Measuring establishes the optimum exposure, even when highlight and shadow isnÕt centered in the frame.
• Multi-Burst Mode: Captures 16 320 x 240 frames as part of a single 1280 x 960 image which plays back sequentially in the camera (selectable 1/7.5, 1/15, 1/30 second).
• Scene Selection Mode: With 6 Scene Modes, parameters can be matched to the shooting conditions. Choose from one of the following: Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Landscape, Soft Snap, Candle, or Beach.
• Slow Shutter Noise Reduction: During long exposures, Slow Shutter NR captures the scene, and then the CCD noise pattern with a dark frame exposure. By subtracting the two, even long exposures can be clear.
• Pre-Flash Metering: With a momentary pre-flash, the camera illuminates the subject and sets exposure through the lens for accurate flash metering. Adjustable flash level and red-eye reduction ensure great flash shots.
• 4 Shot Burst Mode: Capture up to 4 shots (fine) or 6 shots (standard) at 1.3 frames/sec. even at 4 MP resolution. Perfect for high speed subjects or fast moving action such as sports.

Direct Printing
The Cybershot DSCP73 offers PictBridge functionality, which enables you to transfer pictures from your digital camera to a compatible printer--such as the Sony PictureStation DPP-EX50--without a PC or image-editing software. Images can be viewed and selected for printing right on the camera's LCD, with menus for print quantity, date, and index print.

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on Memory Sticks, and the Cybershot DSCP73 is compatible with Memory Stick Pro media--for storage up to 1 gigabyte. The included 16 MB Memory Stick will store 8 Fine and 14 Standard 4.1-megapixel images. The DSCP73 transfers images to PCs and Macs via a speedy USB 2.0 connection (which is backward compatible with USB 1.1 ports).

Power and Size
The camera is powered by two rechargeable NiMH AA-sized batteries (2100 mAh). The included adapter/charger provides power while you transfer images from the camera to your PC. It measures 4.63 x 2.13 x 1.38 inches (W x H x D) and weighs 7 ounces without Memory Stick or batteries.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Sony DSCP73 digital camera, 16 MB Memory Stick, two AA-size NiMH rechargeable batteries (NH-AA-DA), battery charger (BC-CS2), A/V and USB cables, wrist strap, and CD-ROM with photo editing software.

Sony Photo Vault
The optional Sony Photo Vault mini CD burner eliminates worry about running out of space on your Memory Stick when travelling. It burns images to mini CD-R's without a PC interface--just connect your camera using a USB cable. The Photo Vault also has a Memory Stick slot (compatible with Memory Stick Pro and Duo) and features a built-in photo album capability to display photos on a television screen using a television's standard AV input.

Product Description

4-megapixel effective recording * 1-1/2" color LCD * optical viewfinder * 3X optical zoom (2X digital/6X total zoom; up to 6.4X digital zoom with lower-res photos only) * JPEG options: 2304 x 1728; 2048 x 1536; 1280 x 960; 640 x 480 *

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

76 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Value, October 3, 2004

By 

Maggie's Mom "School Teacher" (Redding, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony Cybershot DSCP73 4.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I purchased the Sony DSC P73 a week ago for $235 at a local retailer. I have an older 2 megapixel Sony digital camera, also, that I have been pleased with. I wanted this camera because it has a higher resolution than my old camera, and it also has a viewfinder, which was lacking on my 3-year-old camera. After using this camera for a week, I am very happy with my decision to purchase it. It has many features that make it an outstanding camera for a very low price.

I am very pleased with the performance so far. My pictures have been very crisp and clear. I like being able to snap pictures rapidly, which is a big improvement over my old Sony. I especially like the zoom feature, which is much improved over my old Sony, whose digital zoom was worthless. Pictures taken with the digital zoom on this camera are very clear. I did a close-up of my cat using the digital zoom, and every individual hair can be seen in the photo. I also tried the macro feature, which allows for close ups as close as 10 inches. I photographed a page of the user's manual, and every word in the photo is clear.

I was worried about using rechargable AA batteries, but I have taken many pictures and videos this week, and I have not had to recharge yet. I plan to buy the rapid recharger and two more batteries, so I will always have charged batteries on hand.

I loved the video mode on my old camera, so I wanted that feature on the new one. I haven't tried the fine mode, because I don't have a pro memory stick, yet. I'm using the 128 mb stick that I used with my other camera. I like being able to record for a longer time than my old camera. And I also like having the larger image size of 640 x 480 for playback, but I do miss the option of a 320 x 240 image size. I think that this would allow for longer recording with good playback resolution. I don't think Sony allows for this option on any of its digital cameras anymore. I also have used the email mode for recording video. This is great for sending movies to family, or for posting video on web pages, as the file size is small. This camera also has a video editing feature that allows you to delete sections of unwanted video before downloading. I have found this a very useful feature.

Multiple folders can be created in the camera to keep photos of different events separate for ease of organizing for playback or downloading.

I installed the Picture Package software that came with the DSC P73, but I probably won't use it. With it, you can create slide shows, and you can view thumbnails of all your pictures. I can already do this using Windows XP, but I think Windows 98 users would like this software.

Overall, I think that this is an excellent camera at a very reasonable price.

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Overall, a great camera, December 25, 2004

By 

Person "qazwsx34651" (across the street) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony Cybershot DSCP73 4.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

As about two or more reviewers got this for the holidays, and so did I. I have to say, this camera is great. I'll just break down pros + cons because it's an electronic device

PROS:

- With the 4.1 megapixels, picture and video quality is clear and crisp.
- Easy menus.
- Overall easy to use if a beginner.
- Many different ways and styles to take pictures.
- Very durable, as Sony products are mostly all trustful.
- Love the zoom in and zoom out features.
- Easy to delete videos and pics.
- Easy to connect to a computer or a television.

CONS:
- The memory stick that came with this is only 16MB which is only 8 pictures and 42 secs for video. Luckily, I also got a 256MB memory stick seperatly and I can take about 120 pics and 11 min for video.
- The batteries were not charged up when I recived the product.
- Sound on the videos are sometimes weak.

Overall, this camera is great, but make sure to buy a seperate memory stick or you will only have 42 seconds of fun with the video and only 8 pics.

37 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars pretty cool for what you pay, June 3, 2004

By 

ZenSurfer (Pacifica, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony Cybershot DSCP73 4.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I just bought the p73 and I am pretty content with it. altough bulkier than the exilims of casio, I like the fast cycle times between shots, which often caused me to loose nice pictures before with my old digital camera. The video is quite good considering it's just mpeg, and good for those moments when you wished you had brought your camcorder. I am using the mem stick pro 256 meg so there is alot of room for short videos as well as pictures. The preflash works pretty well in low light, an added benefit is that it catches the attention of my baby so all our shots have her looking straight at the camera. I havent tried the more advanced features yet, altough I am saving up for a wide angle lens to attach onto this toy. It is a bit heavy for a small cam, but then I realized that it was the battery which was accounting for much of the weight.