Sony DSCP72 Cyber-shot 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

by Sony

Product Details

Product Manual [2.94mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 1.3 x 4.7 x 2.2 inches ; 3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3 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: B00008L3HY
• Item model number: DSC-P72
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (106 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,826 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-P72 digital camera packs in more pixels and more features than its predecessor. With its 3.2-megapixel resolution, the Cyber-shot DSC-P72 produces stunning images in a diverse range of conditions. The Cyber-shot DSC-P72 bumps up the optical zoom to 3x from the DSC-P52's 2x rating, 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.

AF (Auto Focus) Illuminator: Briefly lighting the scene in low- or no-light conditions, AF Illuminator insures a positive focus lock, allowing you to accurately establish and maintain focus in difficult situations.

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-P72 offers a 3x optical zoom and 3.2x digital zoom for a 9.6x total.

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on Memory Sticks, and a 16 MB Memory Stick is included. The Cyber-shot DSC-P72 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-P72 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

• 1.5-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 Multipattern 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-P72 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.

Product Description

Sony DSCP72 Cyber-shot 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

124 of 128 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just because I bought it, April 14, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Sony DSCP72 Cyber-shot 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

Usually the best reviews come from those indivduals that just bought something and haven't found the bad news, or are unwilling to accept that they made a bad decision. I had read the reviews on almost every 3-5MP digital cam on Amazon.com, and had several in the final running for my actual purchase. This camera won the contest because of its high quality user interface, low light performance, and most of all its video mode capabilities. Its the only camera I've seen that does a reasonably high quality video mode, with no time limits other than what your storage capability is. Also the resolution of the video mode, and the fact that its in a very compatible format sealed the deal for me. This camera is very intelligent when using the "auto" settings, and could definitely help anyone take better pictures. For those like me, most of the features are manually controlable as well, in addition to saving manual settings to your own program. One thing that didn't get mentioned in previous information about this camera is that it saves the settings information as part of each picture, so that you can go back later and compare which settings are working best for you and your picture taking styles. I already recorded several movies and was astounded at the audio/video quality that I was presented with, I was able to connect it directly to the T.V. and the frame-rates and resolution were just fine for home-movie quality recording. If you get tired of only having a camera, or only having a camcorder, and never both. You have to take a look at this thing. Also, this camera comes with 4 effects like Sepia, Black and White, Solarize, and Negative. I was very pleased to find out that these effects can be used in BOTH the camera mode and video mode. I was also amazed to see that in video mode that the zoom is available for use, and that the camera utilizes an auto-focus, much like your average camcorder. For what I do, I did not need 5 megapixel. I mostly print images smaller than 8x10, and much of my work ends up on my websites. So I wanted to trade extra megapixels for features. This was absolutely the right choice for me. Also, the camera came with 2 nickel metal hydride AA batteries as well as a charger, USB cable, and television intervace RCA cables. That is a lot of toys for the over-all price. This camera has also gotten great marks for battery performance, and I wasn't able to kill them after playing all afternoon and evening on about half of a full charge. I ended up having to put it on never-ending slide show mode to drain the batteries all the way down. It took over 4 hours even then.

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars My First Digital Camera, September 28, 2003

By 

cherrielectric "Praise Addict" (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony DSCP72 Cyber-shot 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I have always put off getting a digital camera because I did not have much faith in the current "at home" printing technology. But I changed my mind when I discovered I can have digital pictures printed profesionally. I bought the Sony DSC-P72 in August this year and have not regretted my decision. This is my first digital camera. I like that it takes clear and crisp pictures. It's flash and AF illuminator are powerful. Allows some manual control over the settings to give help me get better pictures. Menus are very user-friendly. It took me only less than 2 hours to figure them out. I also like the rechargeable batteries that came with it. But if you're planning to go on trips better have an extra pair or two ready. It also takes normal AA batteries. Only two things I didn't like, the measly 16MB memory stick and the "slow" battery charger. Get a 256MB memory stick and you're on your way to taking tons of pictures and a (fast) travel charger. For those who are complaining that the camera cannot take multiple shots in quick succession, read the camera's instruction manual again. You can either shoot in clip motion, multi-burst mode, or burst mode. However, the picture quality will suffer if you use one of these modes. Better shoot with a film camera since we all know that as of now, film cameras are still faster than digital. Overall, I like this camera and I'm glad that I got this one as my first.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Plenty of features... best in daylight, May 10, 2003

By 

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

This review is from: Sony DSCP72 Cyber-shot 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

Pro's
1. Has all the desirable features like video out, only 2 AA batteries, decent movies w/sound etc.
2. Nice build quality, the battery compartment door is the best I have seen so far.
3. Bundled rechargeable batteries and 4hr world charger are excellent.
4. Smart Zoom is useful feature and works much better than digital zoom on other cameras.
5. Fast shooting time (with option to take a burst of 2 pics), if you turn flash off.
6. The lens retracts itself when you are in view mode for a while, very sensible feature to protect the lens.
7. Very good battery life inspite of bright LCD.

Con's
1. Not really pocketable, thick/bulky/long. Included errata says the correct thickness is 37mm. Sony P8 or Nikon 2100/3100 or Canon S200 are smaller in size.
2. Only a superfine 1.5MB size available in auto mode for 3MP images.
3. Proprietary MS/MS Pro is 2 to 5 times cost of CF cards. And still can't be used even in many Sony devices which need MS MagicGate or MS Duo version.
4. White balance and colors for indoor/flash pics are bad.
5. Very less control over what camera will shoot. No action mode for fast shutter. Most flash or low light pics are blurry because camera chooses 1/40 sec or slower shutter speed.
6. Lens is noisy and a bit slow to startup/zoom/shutdown.
7. Colors are very saturated and many pictures are not crisp.

If lens was brighter and took low light/flash pictures better it would have been a superb camera. Every digital camera has its limitations, choose the one you like the best and enjoy!