Sony DSC-U40 2.0 Megapixel Digital Camera

by Sony

Product Details

• 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: B00019TAYM
• Item model number: DSC-U40
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #36,020 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 29, 2004

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Simple, slim, and stylish, the Sony DSC-U40 Cyber-shot U is the perfect digital camera for capturing the moment no matter where you are. It features a compact design that makes it perfect for a night on the town or a stroll in the park, and even comes in multiple colors so you can match your mood. Despite its good looks, it packs all the features you expect from a Sony, including a large 2.0 Megapixel Super HAD CCD, 1.0" hybrid LCD monitor, and a super-fast 1 second start-up time. Capture life in a blink of the eye with the DSC-U40.

About Sony technology:

12-Bit DXP A/D Conversion
Sony's 12-bit Digital EXtended Processor captures the range between highlight and shadow with up to 4,096 values, for extended dynamic contrast and detail.

1.0" Hybrid LCD Monitor
Monitors the scene for accurate framing. The Hybrid system consists of a transmissive LCD combined with a reflective LCD. By turning off the LCD backlight, it will capture more ambient light virtually eliminating "washout." Images will be visible in the LCD even in the most challenging outdoor lighting conditions.

MPEG Movie EX Mode (No Audio)
Unlike earlier MPEG1 Movies, MPEG Movie EX will allow you to record 320 x 240 resolution MPEG movies uninterrupted up to the capacity of the Memory Stick Duo Media. These movies are perfect for emailing to friends and family.

Other Features

This camera can connect directly to select printers. Learn more about PictBridge.

• 1/2.7" 2.0 Megapixel Effective Super HAD CCD: Super HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCDs provide excellent image quality by allowing more light to pass to each pixel, increasing sensitivity and reducing noise.
• Fast Start-Up (0.9 sec.) with Convenient Sliding Lens Cover: Lets you capture your precious memories at the speed of life, rather than miss "The" shot, waiting for your camera to start up.
• 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 insure great flash shots.
• Memory Stick Duo and Memory Stick PRO Duo Media Compatibility: Digital, Powerful, Transportable. At 1/3 the size of standard Memory Stick Media, Memory Stick Duo and Memory Stick PRO Duo Media offer the same benefits and capabilities, but in a smaller size, perfect for the ultra-compact camera.
• Red-Eye Reduction: The Red-Eye Reduction system uses a series of pre-flashes that causes the subject's pupils to contract, reducing the possibility of reflection from the back of the eye that causes the red-eye problem.
• Scene Selection Mode: With 5 Scene Modes (Soft Snap, Illumination Snap, Twilight, Active Outdoor and Vivid Nature), the camera parameters are changed to match the shooting conditions.
• Auto Bright Monitoring: To help framing in low or no-light situations, the CCD gain is briefly increased to provide an extra bright display on the LCD viewfinder just before exposure.
• Selectable Picture Size: Select 1632 x 1224 (UXGA) picture resolution great for photo quality 5" x 7" prints, or 640 x 480 (VGA) picture resolution for on-screen viewing and email applications.
• Burst Mode: Capture ten (10) 640 x 480 frames or two (2) 1632 x 1224 frames, which allows for the ability to capture fast moving objects in separate files for viewing at a later date.
• USB Bus Powered for File Transfer: Using the supplied USB cable, power is supplied to the camera allowing for easy transfer of still images and MPEG1 movies directly from the camera to the PC. No need for an additional power source.
• PictBridge Compatibility: Connect the DSC-U40 directly to a compatible printer via the supplied USB cable to allow for easier printing capability without the need for a computer.
• Picture Effects: Select from 4 Picture Effects (Negative Art, Sepia, Black & White, Solarize) to add creativity to ordinary pictures.
• Picture Indexing: Finding a special picture stored on the Memory Stick media is easy with the Picture Index mode. View four (4) images at a time for convenient and quick access to your images.
• Rechargeable NiMH Batteries: Reliable power is provided by Sony's Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) AAA Stamina batteries with external charger.
• Active Lifestyle Lanyard: Over-sized, active-wear, adjustable lanyard included to allow the DSC-U40 to be portable, wearable, fashionable and accessible for you wherever you are and whenever you want to capture the moment.

What's in the Box
AAA" Rechargeable NiMH Batteries (2), BC-CS2 Battery Charger, USB Cable, MSG-M8A 8MB Memory Stick Duo Media, Neck Strap, Software CD-ROM

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The ultimate spy-cam!, May 8, 2004

By 

maxmasa31 "maxmasa31" (Honolulu, HI United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Sony DSC-U40/B Cyber-shot 2MP Digital Camera (Black) (Electronics)

The latest in the U series Cybershot is great! I've owned the original U10 and the Exilim and this is the most pocketable camera ever--it is roughly the size of my index and middle fingers put together and my hands aren't very big. It is sturdily constructed and never feels cheap, so I never have any worries about it being damaged while in my pocket. With its tiny size, you won't need to get a cameraphone that takes low-res VGA photos!

The photos are crisp and very good for a 2 megapixel camera this size. It doesn't produce quality 4x6 photos, but can make very nice 3x5's. Combined with its miniature size, its fast startup time and almost nonexistant shutter lag (depending on auto-focus time) make this the perfect camera for those candid shots you wouldn't normally be able to get otherwise.

The U40 also takes MPEG movies with a beefed-up web-perfect 320x240 resolution (twice that of previous models) and unlike previous models, there is no time limit for the movie clip--it can be as long as you like, depending on free memory. Please note, though, that the movie clips do not record sound.

Pros: Small size, excellent photo quality, good startup and shutter lag time, improved MPEG Movie mode

Cons: Uses the expensive Memory Stick Duo (rather than the standard Memory Stick), no optical zoom

This is a slick camera that is sure to cause a buzz when you take it out in a crowded room and the perfect camera to take around with you everyday for catching those memories you would have normally missed.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice, Small Camera-- Great for Candid Shots., July 20, 2004

By 

Mac Adam (Upstate New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony DSC-U40 2.0 Megapixel Digital Camera (Electronics)

This is my second digital camera. I wanted one that is for candid shots and for moments where my bulky Canon Digital Rebel is just impractical to carry.
The camera is built very solidly with anodized metal construction. The buttons, albeit small(given the small size of the camera), are well constructed. The quality of the pictures is very good, given that it is 2MP max. size. I took vga(smaller sized 640x480 resolution or 100 kb files)shots and they were decent even at 8x10 size. A small amount of blurriness was visible-- but this was a large blow-up for such a small file.
I have yet to print a 2 MP file picture, but the quality of the print should only get better.
The neat thing about this camera, outside of its very small size, is that it almost instantly comes to life and is ready to begin snapping pictures as soon as you see something to take. GREAT FOR THOSE ULTIMATE CANDID MOMENTS!! Because of its shockingly small size, people do not even think you have a camera on you. In its case, it looks like a small cell phone.
I purchased a 64mb duo memory card for this one. I am now sorry, since the 256mb pro grade duo memory cards are about the same price now. If you purchase a memory card, look into the pro grade cards. They write shots to memory faster, making the camera ready for the next one. If you get the 256mb card, you can take up to 445 2MP pictures or up to 2,380 vga pictures! You will seldom need to erase your card.
I bought the case for the Sony DSC-U50 camera(next size up). It allows room for the lanyard and has storage for the card adapter.

This is the perfect complement to a larger digital camera--for that ultimate candid shot!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Ultra-Portable Camera, April 17, 2004

By 

Bobby Kwan "office monkey" (Northern Virginia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sony DSC-U40 2.0 Megapixel Digital Camera (Electronics)

When looking at the picture, I didn't truly get a sense of how small this camera is. Barely 2/3 the size of my credit cards, and only 1" thick, I am able to just toss this beauty into my pocket and be prepared to snap pictures wherever I am.

There are two picture size settings. VGA (640 x 480) and 2M (1632 x 1224). The pictures at both modes are quite excellent for a cam of this class; however, this cam by no means should be your primary camera, since it does not have optical zoom (nor digital zoom, but that shouldn't be used even if it were available). I bought it so that I could always have a cam to carry around, and I have found that at such a compact size, I can with ease. The pictures come out to be just a bit grainy and slightly blurry, but that depends on the lighting and how steady your hand is, considering the size of this tiny wonder.

Although without sound and quite small, the movie mode is nifty to have, just to have it.

Start up time is superb. To turn on the camera, all you have to do it slide open the cover, and the camera is instantaneously on (< 1 second). Shutter lag is also quite negligible since there are no zoom lenses to adjust for. I've found that if the camera is set to Fast Action mode, there is virtually no shutter lag at all, and the pictures still come out nearly as good as when in normal shooting mode. To turn the camera off, just slide the cover back over the lens.

Although there is no optical viewfinder (which I never use anyways) the LCD is quite sharp and viewable, even only if 1". Also, as a power saving option, the LCD back lighting can be turned off, and the screen can still be seen, if there is ample sunlight or lighting in the background.

Overall, the body has a solid feel with its all-metal construction and is quite lightweight. It has a small array of features such as shooting modes (portrait, landscape, etc...), focus options, and flash mode, but I find this very nice since I don't have to worry about fiddling with controls when all I want is to point and shoot. I'll save those intricacies to situations where I bring my primary digital camera.

I also appreciate that Sony included a pair of 800mAH rechargeable NiMH batteries and a battery charger with this camera.

PROS:
Incredibly small, compact and lightweight.
Superb start-up time, perfect for those unexpected photo opportunities.
Ease of use, simple operation, truly point and shoot.
For its class, very good picture quality.

CONS (Minor):
The Memory Stick Duos are a bit pricey; I wish this camera used the slightly more affordable SD card, but the Duos, I suppose, are very, very small, and are well suited to the camera. This is just a minor thing, and does not detract from the quality of the camera itself.

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