Sony DCSU20/LJ Cyber-shot 2MP Digital Camera (Blue)

by Sony

Product Details

Product Manual [2.32mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 1.6 x 3.4 x 1.2 inches ; 10 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 10 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: B000087LGD
• Item model number: DSC-U20/LJ
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #57,941 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: January 9, 2003

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Sony has now made capturing spontaneous moments even easier with the diminutive Cyber-shot DSC-U20. Measuring a mere 3.38 by 1.19 by 1.63 inches and weighing just 4 ounces, the ultracompact, blue-bodied DSC-U20 enables you to carry it comfortably in your pocket, your purse, or around your neck. Capturing spontaneity is a snap, thanks to its state-of-the-art technology and ease of use. And with its 2.0-megapixel resolution, you can enlarge photo prints up to 8 by 10 inches.

Optics and Resolution
The DSC-U20 features a 2-megapixel progressive-scan Super HAD CCD sensor--bumped up from the 1.3 megapixels of its sibling DSC-U10--which captures images up to 1,600 x 1,200 pixels. The DSC-U20 offers a fixed-focus 5mm/f2.8 lens (or a 33mm equivalent in a 35mm camera) that has no optical or digital zoom capability. It features a three-area multipoint autofocus and four-step manual focus with auto macro.

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on Memory Sticks, and an 8 MB card is included, which will store approximately 15 images. Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB storage class connectivity, which means it can be connected to any USB-based Windows Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.

Movie Mode
In addition to taking still photos, the DSC-U20 can also record MPEG movie clips (without audio) of up to 15 seconds. The limited resolution of your movies guarantees that this feature won't replace your camcorder, but it's perfect for when you just want to capture a quick movie and e-mail it to a friend or relative.

More Features

• Fast start-up time and convenient slide-open lens cover
• 1-inch, 64 KB pixel transflective LCD viewfinder with battery indicator
• Built-in flash with through-the-lens (TTL) pre-flash metering and red-eye reduction
• VGA burst mode captures up to five 640 x 480 frames at 2 frames per second
• Selectable soft snap, illumination snap, and nature scene modes
• Selectable sepia, solarize, black and white, and negative art modes

Power, Size, and Contents
The camera is powered by two rechargeable NiMH AAA batteries (included). It measures 3.38 by 1.19 by 1.63 inches and weighs 4 ounces. This package includes the Cyber-shot DSC-U20 digital camera, 8 MB Memory Stick, rechargeable NiMH batteries (model NH-AAA-DI), battery charger (model BC-CS1 NiMH), USB and AV cables, neck strap, and CD-ROM with Pixela ImageMixer for Sony v1.0 imaging software and USB drivers for Windows and Mac.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Many great features, one big drawback., February 24, 2003

By 

Rheumor (New Orelans) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Sony DCSU20/LJ Cyber-shot 2MP Digital Camera (Blue) (Electronics)

I just got the U10. It's a little gem that will serve as my new glove box cam. I've used it indoors and outdoors, with and without flash, and I'm very pleased with the pictures I've gotten thus far. I took an experimental movie clip (no sound) and it also looks fine. The 2 megapixel resolution (you can also select lower res for computer/Internet use) is crisp up to and including prints of 8" x 10". The camera uses 2 rechargeable AAAs (the charger is included) and the battery life is very good. The included 8 megabyte Memory Stick is too small, but I put a 128 meg (Lexar) card in there. One should get almost 200 pics at its full 2 megapixel setting. Settings and menus are simple and the instruction manual is not needed. The size and weight are of course the big pluses here. I gave it only 4 stars though because I felt the price was a bit high for the specs (obviously, the price is the premium for the size) *and* because without an eyepiece viewfinder, one is forced to frame through the tiny LCD on the camera's rear. That is a nearly impossible task in sunlight, making for a significant drawback. Nonetheless, I'm having fun with it and I'm sure you will too!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Teriific pictures in a fun camera, June 4, 2003

By 

Linda A. Slott "Ladyslott" (Oceanside, NY) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony DCSU20/LJ Cyber-shot 2MP Digital Camera (Blue) (Electronics)

I bought this for my 14 year old daughter for her birthday. She had been asking for a camera for a while, and when I saw this in the store I could not resist it. She takes this camera everywhere. It fits in her very small hand bag and takes great pictures. The lack of a zoom is the only drawback. We recently took a vacation in Florida, and although I had packed my larger Sony Mavica, this is the camera we took everywhere, and we got some really wonderful pictures with it. I recommend this camera, if you want a handy, small camera, that produces quality pictures.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The little U20 that could, June 3, 2003

By 

Lincoln J. Mennuti (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony DCSU20/LJ Cyber-shot 2MP Digital Camera (Blue) (Electronics)

I bought this camera to fill in as the super portable, moment capture tool that my Digital SLR with it's big body and lenses can't fill in as. I've had this camera for a few days now and it does it's intended job well.

PROS:
- TINY! It looks more like one of my Wife's little make-up items than a digicam
- 1.99 MEGAPIX: Actual image size is 1632x1224, with a 128mb Memory Stick (which is getting cheaper and cheaper) it can hold 246 images.
- Uses Standard AAA NiMH batteries: Rechargable AAA batteries are easy to find and fairly inexpensive, no need to deal with proprietory batteries and expensive spares.
- Neckstrap included: This thing is actually small enough to be worn around the neck.
- Fast power on: From sliding the cover to composing the shot and snapping the first pic is only about 4 seconds.
- Simplistic camera options: Being mostly automatic, there's not much to have to adjust or set to get the camera going...Which is also a CON (see the CONS below)
- Cuteness Factor: Well, maybe not a big buying factor, but plenty of people comment on how cute it is.
- Built-in Flash: Not really much to offer as a flash, but it's better than NOT having one. And it even has a red-eye reduction option too.
- Included Image Transfer Software: Nice little utility that automatically copies images from the camera to the PC as soon as it detects the camera is connected. Pretty convenient.

CONS:
- It's a point and shoot: Being a P&S it's to be expected that you don't get many manual controls, which can be frustrating at times when you get not so great shots because of lighting conditions or action that could've been compensated for with more manual controls...Again, to be expected from a P&S.
- Indoor shots aren't great: Even with the flash I've gotten quite a few blurry or grainy shots. This is a pretty generic limitation of a LOT of cameras, not just this one.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Great little camera for take anywhere, spare of the moment, point and shoot circumstances.