Customer Reviews

Sony DSCU30/L Cyber-shot 2MP Digital Camera (Blue)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I purchased this camera so I would always have a camera with me. This is smaller than my cell phone (a Kyocera 2255), and fits beautifully in a pocket or around the neck with the provided strap. The camera also uses standard AAA batteries (2 rechargable batteries and a charger come with the camera), which is great in a pinch. The use of standard batteries is why I chose this over the Casio Exlim S2 model, which is similar in actual size and features (though the sony feels smaller because it isn't as tall).

I've used numerous other digicams (some I've owned, some I've borrowed from friends for short trips): Canon A10, Fuji 2800Z, Minolta S404, Kyocera S2, Canon S110, Canon S230, Canon S200, Sony DSC-U53, Canon S30, Sony DSC-U20, Nikon 885, Nikon 4500, Nikon 775... and this Sony U30 ranks somewhere in the middle as far as image quality. It (like most Sony digicams) leans towards oversaturating images, particularly outdoor shots, and the jpeg compression is more extreme than it should be (image sizes are around 500k for 2.0mp images in best quality) which robs the camera of detail, but it is fine for 4x6 prints, which is all you are likely to be using a camera like this for. I do have hope that Sony will offer a higher-quality jpeg option someday with a firmware upgrade (are you reading this, Sony?).

The camera focuses fairly quickly by digicam standards (about 1/2 - 2/3 seconds), and the shot to shot time seems excellent. Movie mode is poor at 160x120 resolution, but its better than nothing. You're not getting a camera like this for movies, so it's something I look at as more of an unexpected perk than a drawback.

The biggest drawbacks, of course, are the lack of zoom and a somewhat weak flash (though the flash isn't useless, it's not as robust as a full digicam)... these are acceptable tradeoffs, considering the image quality is quite good and the ease-of-use is exemplary.

The differences between this and the previous generation Cybershot (the U20) are minor, but are nice to have. The U30 seems to have slightly faster electronics (focusing, shot-to-shot, saving, etc...), the U30 supports Memory Stick Pro (memory sticks above 128mb), and the U30 has a small mirror on the front that makes it easy to frame up self-portraits. Like I said, none of these are features worth upgrading for if you already have a U20, but if you don't have either camera, they are nice perks, since the two cameras are both selling at the same price right now.

I plan to get a second, prosumer grade digicam (probably a Fuji S5000 or S7000) when the next generation arrives on the market this fall, but this camera will probably still get the lion's share of my time because it will ALWAYS be with me. No camera--no matter how expensive or how many bells and whistles it has--does you any good if it's on the shelf at home when you are out in the world and come across a good photo op. With this sony, I never have to worry about missing a shot I want.

I purchased this camera so I would always have a camera with me. This is smaller than my cell phone (a Kyocera 2255), and fits beautifully in a pocket or around the neck with the provided strap. The camera also uses standard AAA batteries (2 rechargable batteries and a charger come with the camera), which is great in a pinch. The use of standard batteries is why I chose this over the Casio Exlim S2 model, which is similar in actual size and features (though the sony feels smaller because it isn't as tall).

I've used numerous other digicams (some I've owned, some I've borrowed from friends for short trips): Canon A10, Fuji 2800Z, Minolta S404, Kyocera S2, Canon S110, Canon S230, Canon S200, Sony DSC-U53, Canon S30, Sony DSC-U20, Nikon 885, Nikon 4500, Nikon 775... and this Sony U30 ranks somewhere in the middle as far as image quality. It (like most Sony digicams) leans towards oversaturating images, particularly outdoor shots, and the jpeg compression is more extreme than it should be (image sizes are around 500k for 2.0mp images in best quality) which robs the camera of detail, but it is fine for 4x6 prints, which is all you are likely to be using a camera like this for. I do have hope that Sony will offer a higher-quality jpeg option someday with a firmware upgrade (are you reading this, Sony?).

The camera focuses fairly quickly by digicam standards (about 1/2 - 2/3 seconds), and the shot to shot time seems excellent. Movie mode is poor at 160x120 resolution, but its better than nothing. You're not getting a camera like this for movies, so it's something I look at as more of an unexpected perk than a drawback.

The biggest drawbacks, of course, are the lack of zoom and a somewhat weak flash (though the flash isn't useless, it's not as robust as a full digicam)... these are acceptable tradeoffs, considering the image quality is quite good and the ease-of-use is exemplary.

The differences between this and the previous generation Cybershot (the U20) are minor, but are nice to have. The U30 seems to have slightly faster electronics (focusing, shot-to-shot, saving, etc...), the U30 supports Memory Stick Pro (memory sticks above 128mb), and the U30 has a small mirror on the front that makes it easy to frame up self-portraits. Like I said, none of these are features worth upgrading for if you already have a U20, but if you don't have either camera, they are nice perks, since the two cameras are both selling at the same price right now.

I plan to get a second, prosumer grade digicam (probably a Fuji S5000 or S7000) when the next generation arrives on the market this fall, but this camera will probably still get the lion's share of my time because it will ALWAYS be with me. No camera--no matter how expensive or how many bells and whistles it has--does you any good if it's on the shelf at home when you are out in the world and come across a good photo op. With this sony, I never have to worry about missing a shot I want.

Bought it for its portability/size since I take most of the pictures when I ride my motorcycle. I do not take a backpack with me (on local canyon roads), and the camera is small enough to fit in the pocket of my riding suit. Have to be careful and not to open the cover accidentally in the pocket. Ok, here they are:

The positives: 1. size 2. well finished 3. fast start up 4. short intervals between pictures 5. create multiple folders for different occasions 6. controls are easy to use 7. option to turn off/on the "beeps" 8. 2.0 MegaPixels is good enough

The negatives: 1. no zoom (except afterwards) 2. LCD could be bigger (re-arrange the buttons) 3. Infolithium Battery?

Size is the main feature, and very satisfied with its performance and picture quality. Worth my $200.00... =)

Pros:
1. This is a fun camera. Perfect to put in your pocket and take it places.

2. It takes great outdoor/daylight and well lighted pictures.

Cons:
1. The indoor pictures are no where as clear or nice as my old Sony 2.0 MP Cybershot camera. I miss it, I gave it away to my mom and want it back now.

2. The flash indoors doesn't distribute evenly like my old sony. It's not a great indoor or night camera. When I take pictures, it looks like the objects closer to you are way over flashed while the background is lacking a lot of light.

I will be selling it to get a better sony or Olympus with more options again and somwhere between the size of this one and the bigger one I had before. So for the price its nice, but if you are like me and want a somewhat compact camera, yet still quality pictures because you will be saving the pictures for years to come, don't get this camera. Be sure to read the rewviews here when buying a camera because it costs money to ship a camera back and usually there is a restocking fee. Hope this helps. - Kevin

This is a great pocket camera that you can take anywhere and get good pictures.

It's a 2 mega pixal so you can get decent prints up to 8x10, but nothing larger than that.

It has no zoom feature, digital or optical. But typically I don't use that anyway, so I don't find it a problem. I use the "manual" zoom method, in other words I move closer or farther away from the subject!

It turns on very quickly and you can take pictures within one second of hitting the power button.

It offers a built in flash with the option to turn the flash off, on, auto, or auto with red-eye reduction. The base 8Mb card is pretty worthless so spend the money to buy a 128MB or bigger card.

The only real downside to this camera is the battery life. It uses to rechargeable AAA batteries and I've found that I can only take about 60 pictures before I have to recharge. So you may want to buy an extra set of batteries right away so you'll have a fresh set charged and ready when you need them.

great product for the price. a few things i wish i could change include adding a zoom function, moving the lens from the corner of the camera (i have a bad habit of covering it w/my fingers), and providing an audio feature for the movie clips. however, you give and take when you choose which camera you want, and i think this one in particular is worth the money.

This is the smallest camera I have ever seen. Now, it has no zoom. If you need a small little camera to take nice pics, this it the one for you. I am a physician and this camera is perfect to take with me to the hospital. I can keep it in my pocket and not be burdened by the size. It takes nice pictures for lectures and presentations. Now if you are wanting to print large prints, etc, buy a real camera with at least 4 mega pixels. I love this camera. It's about 1/3 the size of the canon elf. I love this thing!!!! Highly recommend it and at this price, you can't go wrong. Plus it takes AAA batteries.

DSC-U30 camera fits into your pocket or purse, ready to snap when photo opportunities present themselves.
PROS: Convenient size, faithful color, sharp image, decent macro (we use it handheld to capture a pageful of text anywhere -- secret agent style), accepts high-capacity MemoryStick Pro cards, intuitive and easy to use controls, circular mirror to align self&friend portraits, 5x zoom playback for quick focus check.
CONS: Eats AAA batteries quite quickly, so get a second pair of NiMH rechargables and keep a pack of regular AAAs in your other pocket as just-in-case backups.

PS: You can indeed turn off the U30's flash, and you can also turn off the LCD screen in bright light to conserve batteries. Camera available in silver, blue, or charcoal. ///

Compact, light, easy to use. Great for trips and it's small enough to fit in my shirt pocket

I'm formerly a still photographer and own a Canon G2 for better quality still work. I've used film cameras costing thousands on pro shoots.
Use your heads! This camera is TINY. The lens is very small. You can get surprisingly nice photos from it, far better than a cell-phone camera to be sure. Expectng a optical viewfinder or zoom is dumb on something this small. It helps to know a bit about taking pictures and practice to get better. Indoors, the unit is limited by it's size and flash. You must frame within range and learn the limits. Outdoors, it does very well, often looking like better units. As a SECOND camera it's pretty hard to find fault with the unit. I can get VERY nice shots with it and so can anyone who takes some effort to learn the basics. Bottom line: Goes anywhere anytime and takes reasonably good shots. If they build a SLIGHTLY bigger one with a larger lens and 3 MP everyone will be happy. memory sticks are cheap....you'll need one extra (64 mb is fine) and an extra set of batteries to supplement the two that ship with the unit.
Buy one!
Capt RB