Sony DSCP52 Cyber-shot 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 2x Optical Zoom

by Sony

Product Details

Product Manual [2.94mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 2.1 x 4.9 x 2.2 inches ; 10.2 ounces
• 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: B00008MZ0B
• Item model number: DSCP52
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,938 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: February 24, 2003

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The fun, easy-to-use Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P52 digital camera packs in more pixels and more features than its predecessor. With its 3.2-megapixel resolution, the Cyber-shot DSC-P52 produces stunning images in a diverse range of conditions. The Cyber-shot DSC-P52 adds a 2x optical zoom (the DSC-P32 only offers digital zoom), helping you bring distant subjects closer. It's also one of the first Sony cameras to be compatible with Memory Stick Pro.

Step-up Value
Here's a Sony feature that adds value to this digital camera and differentiates it from other models in the Sony lineup.

Slow Shutter Noise Reduction: This process captures the scene in two exposures. The second subtracts the noise pattern from the initial shot, resulting in a final beautiful photograph that is virtually noise-free.

Optics and Resolution
The 3.2-megapixel resolution creates images large enough to print 11-by-17-inch enlargements. The 14-bit DXP system plus Super HAD CCD combine to produce excellent image detail and stunningly smooth contrast and color rendition. The Cyber-shot DSC-P52 offers a 2x optical zoom and 3.2x digital zoom for a 6.4x total.

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on Memory Sticks, and a 16 MB Memory Stick is included. The Cyber-shot DSC-P52 is also one of the first Sony cameras to be compatible with optional Memory Stick Pro media, which can extends data capacity up to 1 GB.

Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB connectivity, which means it can be connected to any USB-based Windows 98/Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.

Movie Mode
You can capture far more than still images with the MPEG Movie VX function. Most digital cameras' movie modes are limited to 30- or 60-second clips, but the Cyber-shot DSC-P52 can keep shooting until you've filled the memory card. When used with Memory Stick Pro media you can shoot approximately 22 minutes of video.

More Features

• 1.6-inch LCD monitor and true-zoom optical viewfinder for more accurate framing at eye level
• The three-area multipoint autofocus can intelligently focus on the subject and avoids mistakenly focusing on the background
• A multi-burst mode captures 16 images (320 x 240) as part of a single 1,280 x 960 image and plays them back sequentially in the camera
• The Multi-Pattern Measuring feature establishes a maximum exposure value, independently light metering 49 points of the frame, even where pronounced highlight and shadow are not centered
• Five scene modes: twilight, twilight portrait, landscape, snow, and beach
• Built-in flash with red-eye reduction, auto, forced on, forced off, and slow-syncro modes

Power, Size, and Contents
The camera is powered by the NH-AA-DA rechargeable NiMH battery (included). It measures 4.7 by 2.3 by 1.3 inches and weighs 7.9 ounces. This package includes the Cyber-shot DSC-P52 digital camera, 16 MB Memory Stick, battery and battery charger (BC-CS2), USB and AV cables, wrist strap, and CD-ROM with imaging software and USB drivers for Windows and Mac.

Manufacturer Product Description

Sony's DSC-P52 Cyber-shot digital still camera proves that price is irrelevant where Sony quality is concerned. Providing great value, you're getting a camera with functionality that rivals more sophisticated models. The DSC-P52 offers 3.2 megapixel effective resolution, 2x optical zoom, 0 to 3.2 Smart Zoom (at VGA size), and Sony features that make it easier than ever to take exciting digital photos with point-and-shoot ease.

From 16-frame multi-burst, MPEG movie modes, and smart auto-focus functions to an intelligent flash, multi-pattern measuring and voice memo and e-mail modes. The DSC-P52 also includes a USB 2.0 interface and convenient rechargeable NiMH batteries with included charger.

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-P52 captures 4 different image sizes, Fine or Standard JPEG compression.

2X 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.

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 5 Scene Modes, camera parameters can be matched to the shooting conditions. Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Landscape, Snow and Beach presets make it easy to optimize difficult shooting environments.

1.6" LCD Monitor

Monitors the scene for accurate framing. 61K 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 NiMH Batteries

Long-lasting power is provided by 2100 mAh rated Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) Stamina batteries with BC-CS2 external charger. Or, choose "AA" Alkaline cells or optional AC adaptor.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Fantastic Camera!, January 20, 2004

By 

"intyboy" (Toronto, ON, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony DSCP52 Cyber-shot 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 2x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

This P-52 Cybershot camera is an incredible value, and I couldn't be happier with it. I've compared this camera with 2003 Canon, Fuji, HP photosmart and Kodak models, and the Sony wins hands down. Except in the case of the Canon, the Sony P-52 is far superior. There are almost too many pros to even list.

=====PROS=====
-The most advanced "Super H.A.D. CCD" exclusive to Sony.
-CCD is 2x as sensitive as any other company's CCD, & 6 dB less digital noise!
-beautiful, accurate colour
-extremely versatile lens takes perfect pics from 3 inches away
-very fast autofocus (1/2 a second)
-autofocus illuminator light for taking pics in the dark
-extremely fast start-up. Around 1.5 seconds!
-very fast LCD: almost no lapse time from real life to LCD.
-LCD has 6 settings for good viewing indoors or out.
-Aperture stays open up to 2 full seconds in dark. Anything longer can damage the CCD, or let in too many unwanted artifacts
-full array of manual functions (aperture [ev], focus & ISO)
-snow mode keeps the detail of the white snow
-beach mode captures the perfect blue of the water
-up to 1 GIG of memory - supports memory stick Pro!
-5 pic size settings - VGA, 1.2 mp, 2.0 mp 2.8 mp & 3.1 mp
-2.8 mp is "3:2 ratio" for perfect 4 x 6 photos
-cool multi-burst mode. Takes 2 pictures in a row, under 1 second. 16-shot option as well.
-smart flash. Even when taking picture in daylight, will sense if it is needed, and come on appropriately.
-Smart Zoom. Not a digital zoom. Picture quality does not degrade like standard digital zooms.
-very long battery life. 2 Ni-mh "Stamina" AA batteries last 67% longer than 2002 batteries.
-metal threads for tripod. Most other companies use plastic. Bad idea!
-menus are beautiful: incredibly easy to understand and navigate.
-prints at "photo quality" up to 8x10. After that, starts to lose some quality, but 11x14 still looks excellent.
-USB 2.0
-fun modes like Sepia, B&W, Solarize and Negative Art.
-voice function: records audio for 5 seconds after taking a picture. (40 sec. option available too)
-instant "review" button of last pic taken, when the LCD screen is off.

=====Mpeg Movie=====
-film mpegs with sound, limited only by the size of the memory. Example - 128 mb memory stick = 6 minutes of 640x480 or 1.5 hours of "email" quality (160x112)
-filmed at 16 frames per second, although after filming, camera info states that it was filmed at 25 fps.

=====CONS=====
-flash is off too far to the side of the lens. It makes big shadows on the left side of your subject.
-Snow mode seems to overexpose the shot a little.
-Optical viewfinder only shows roughly 80% of actual picture area. Use the LCD.
-only 2x optical zoom. The standard seems to be 3x. Sony needs to catch up here.
-zoom only works before you start filming. Can't change the zoom during filming.
-flash will charge slowly if batteries are running low.

=====CONCLUSION=====
An absolutely perfect and versatile camera. Only a professional photographer would, or could, find fault with it. But a professional would likely be using an SLR style camera worth at least double what this camera is worth.That being said, the price is great and Sony has really found a winner here.

This is a very fast camera in all respects, and that is important. Takes fast (and accurate) pictures, and saves info almost instantly. There are no load times for pictures or movie files, like the Hewlett Packard camera line.
5 stars all the way.

65 of 83 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Last yr's lens, this yr's electronics., May 22, 2003

By 

superman2k3 "superman2k3" (On a sunny beach!) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony DSCP52 Cyber-shot 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 2x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

As you would expect from a Sony camera, it has good picture quality in daylight. The night shots are not so good since it has only a 2 sec twilight mode. And the lens isn't very bright either. (P72/P32 have brighter F2.8 lens)

Battery life is excellent and LCD screen is good. World charger and NiMH batteries are included.

Check out the specs of this model carefully, its different from P72/P32. This one is 2in thick, has old & slow 2x zoom lens and is bulky.

Its a shame Sony tries to sell 3MP/2x instead of popular combination of 2MP/3x. Not to mention the extra cost of propreitary memory sticks compared to CF/SD cards. There are so many better camera's in market than this for a lower cost, I don't see any reason for this to sell.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a GEM!, May 4, 2004

By 

Beach Queen "Dawn" (Miami, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony DSCP52 Cyber-shot 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 2x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

This camera is a great gem for the price and offers great versatility. The camera is very good quality (sturdy) and can take a few bumps and scratches, unlike many other flimsy cameras in this price range. I have owned digital cameras before and many of the typical problems are solved with the P52. I take a lot of pictures at family events, and vacations. Its a great take along camera.

PROS -
- The camera turns on super fast, like in 2-3 seconds it is ready to take a shot. (this is an annoying problem with many digital cameras) And it also saves the pictures to the memory card is very fast, less than 1 second and its ready again to shoot.

- The battery useage is excellent. Even with regular alkaline batteries I've been able to take pictures for several hours, at 2Mpix Normal setting. With the included rechargeable Sony batteries it is superb on battery life.

- Camera menu is very extensive IF you want to use it. If not you can leave it on "Auto" and the pictures turn out great, most of the time.

- Can take pictures in COMPLETE DARKNESS. This I have done many times using the flash on red-eye reduction setting, it works in a regular size room (10 x 14). Great for sneaking up on sleeping family members and taking funny pictures. The flash is very powerful up to about 9-10 feet.

CONS
- The pictures tend to have redish atifacts in them, particularly when taking very close up shots of people.

- Pictures taken out doors can sometimes look too bright, almost washed out. You can make some adjustments to the ISO to fix this problem.

- Movie mode eats up the memory stick quickly, so I had to upgrade to a 256MB Memory Stick Pro ($65 at www.buy.com) and now its great.

- Marco mode ...forget it, not good on this camera. So if you plan on taking close up shots of flowers or something, choose another camera.

Overall this a gem of a camera for any regular picture taking, and can even be used by kids without having to fiddle with a lot of controls. Just press the power button and you are ready to take pictures. It really takes the hassle out of digital photography.