Sony DSCP7 Cyber-shot 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

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Product Details

Product Manual [4.38mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 1.4 x 4.5 x 2 inches ; 7.4 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000068UYR
• Item model number: DSC-P7
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #8,214 in Camera & Photo (See Bestsellers in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 15, 2002

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description
Sony's DSC-P7 combines compact dimensions with a high-performance 3.2-megapixel sensor and a 3x optical zoom lens. If you're looking for a take-anywhere camera that's easy to use and produces crisp, detailed images, the P7 is worth a closer look.

Optics and Resolution
The DSC-P7's 3.2-megapixel sensor captures ample detail for sharp prints at sizes up to 11 by 14 inches. For a serious amateur photographer, 3 megapixels is a great resolution, providing enough detail to perform some cropping and still have crisp prints.

A 3x optical zoom lens (39-117mm equivalent) helps you to capture exactly the picture you want, and an additional 2x digital zoom (6x total) further magnifies your image. Remember, however, that digital zoom tends to reduce the sharpness and detail of your image, so it's best used sparingly. In low-light situations (a particular weakness for many digital cameras), a focus-assist lamp sends out a small patterned beam to help the camera accurately determine distance.

To compose your images, either use the traditional camera viewfinder or the 1.5-inch LCD display (which is also used to review the shots you've taken). Having both types of viewfinders offers the best of both worlds: If you're used to using a film camera or want to conserve battery life, use the viewfinder; if you want to see exactly the picture you'll be capturing, use the LCD display.

More Features
The DSC-P7 is designed to be a simple point-and-shoot, so it doesn't have a huge assortment of manual settings. However, more advanced photographers will appreciate the manual focus mode, adjustable ISO, and white-balance settings, as well as the exposure compensation and the ability to shoot black-and-white, sepia, solarized, and negative images.

Other features include a three-area multipoint autofocus and a multiburst function that captures 16 320 x 240 frames with three selectable intervals for convenient motion analysis.

Power
The DSC-P7 uses a proprietary rechargeable InfoLithium battery (model NP-FC10), which can provide power for up to 90 minutes of continuous camera usage. To ensure you'll always be ready for action, we recommend purchasing a spare battery.

Movie Mode
In movie mode, the camera captures silent video clips. Most digital cameras' movie modes are limited to 15- or 30-second clips, but the DSC-P7 can keep shooting until you've filled the memory card. It features three MPEG movie modes: video mail (160 x 112), presentation (320 x 240), and HQX (320 x 240) with 16 fps full-screen playback.

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.

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on Memory Sticks, Sony's proprietary memory-card format. The included 16 MB stick holds approximately 16 images at the camera's default settings. Memory Sticks are reusable, but if you tend to take more than 16 images per outing, then you'll want a bigger card. A 128 MB stick is a great size for this camera, storing around 130 images.

To transfer images to your computer, simply attach the included USB cable between your PC and your camera--your computer should automatically recognize the camera and let you move the pictures to your hard drive. If you own a Sony desktop or laptop, your computer may also have a built-in Memory Stick reader, which makes transferring as easy as reading a floppy disk.

Size
At 4.5 by 2 by 1.44 inches and 7.5 ounces fully loaded, the DSC-P7 is a very compact and portable digital camera.

Contents and Recommended Accessories
The package includes the DSC-P7 camera, one rechargeable NP-FC10 InfoLithium battery, AC-LS1 AC adapter/in-camera charger, video and USB cables, wrist strap, 16 MB Memory Stick, and software on CD.

Everything you need to get started is included in the box, but we recommend these accessories to make the most of your camera: a carrying case, a spare NP-FC10 InfoLithium battery, and a higher-capacity Memory Stick. Compatible accessories for this camera are listed near the top of this page.

Product Description
Pick up this digital camera and keep your friends and relatives updated on your family's current events. The 3x optical/6x precision digital zoom lens catches close up shots that are stored on an included 8MB Memory Stick«. Download shots onto your computer via the USB connector with cable and driver. The 3.21 mp effective CCD image sensor (3.34 mp gross) captures clean sharp details in every photo opportunity. The intelligent flash and high-speed scan Autofocus are other great features. Comes with a sound capability

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

130 of 130 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tiny Camera Produces Great Photos, December 8, 2002

By	Israel Flores (Houston, Texas) - See all my reviews

I had a hard time deciding whether to get this Sony DSC-P7 or the Canon PowerShot S230 Digital Elph. I was looking for a small 3.2 MP camera. I know some friends who each own one of these two cameras. They were nice enough to each let me borrow their cameras so I was able to fully play with them for a few days before I decided which one to buy. Although the S230 does capture images a little bit sharper, the P7 captures color better. The P7 has 3X optical zoom compared to the S230's 2X. The P7 comes with an AC adapter, the S230 does not (the P7's battery is charged directly on the camera while you must remove the S230's battery to charge it on a seperate charger). I found that the S230 often produced red-eye and the P7 seldom did (and seldom does). Luckily, you can correct red-eye on your computer. Still, I would rather have a camera that produces photos that require the least editing as possible. I would rather spend my time taking pictures! I wanted a camera that would fit in my jean pockets and although the S230 is a little smaller, the P7 is nontheless a tiny camera.
The quality of the MPEG movie clips with sound is great. This feature, however would never replace my camcorder--but it is a nice feature to have when I do not want to lug around my Digital8 camcorder. I also like the fact that the length of video capture time is only limited to the size of your Memory Stick. If I am not mistaken, only with Sony cameras (and only with some Sony cameras) can you fill the memory up with only video footage. Also, with the P7's Memory Stick, I am able to view and save photos directly onto my Clie organizer.
The size of the included 16 mb Memory Stick is insufficient. I purchased a 128 mb stick and am able to fit over 80 photos set at the camera's highest resolution mode. The photo quality is great. The photo quality is not as good as some (and only a select few) of the much larger 3.2 mp cameras out there but for such a small-sized camera, the P7 is one mean machine. I also thought of getting the DSC-P9 instead (with identicle shell/dimensions and features). After reviewing several samples of the P9 that a friend of mine owned, I found that it was not worth spending an extra $100 dollars for the extra 0.7 mega-pixels. The P9 is listed as a 4 mp camera but is actually a 3.9 mp. The image quality is not much different. Overall, I highly recommend the Sony DSC-P7 to anyone looking for a small camera that is able to produce photos with stunning quality. The metal shell also looks very sleek and attractive. I am glad I chose the DSC-P7 as I am enjoying it some much. I do recommend purchasing a larger capacity Memory Stick (at least a 64 mb) and maybe an extra battery.

128 of 131 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Premium Casual Photography, July 20, 2002

By	Girard C. V. Dulay "gadget geek" (Philippines) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The Sony DSC-P7 is a compact 3 Megapixel point-and-shoot camera for the casual photographer, with enough extra features and style to make it worth its higher-than-average price tag. With 3 megapixels you'll be able to get very good prints up to even 8x10 inches.

The P7 is part of a series of similarly-designed cameras, the P2 and P9, the P2 with 2 Megapixels and the P9 with 4 Megapixels. In essence the P7 is really an update to Sony's previous compact model, the P5, which has the same maximum megapixels but has fewer features. The P7 is comparable to the P71, a less compact budget model with the same maximum megapixels but with a plastic body and a feature missing.

The P7 is really designed for the casual photographer. It's small enough to keep in your pocket and well protected with an all-metal body. It also offers the usual functions you'd expect, including zoom, timer mode, and auto focus. Operation is simple because most of the settings, from focusing to white balance, can be set to automatic. It even offers special modes for night shots and the hard-to-capture night portrait shots (night shots with both scenery and people are otherwise hard to get right without this mode). Most of the time you'll get a good shot with everything on automatic, but it offers manual preset controls for white balance, exposure, and focus range when the situation calls for it.

Advanced features include an AF illuminator, optical zoom, and movie recording with sound. The AF illuminator fires a red light on a subject to get the proper level of exposure when shooting in dark areas, which does produce a better picture. The 3x optical zoom makes it easier to capture pictures from far away without losing quality, which usually happens with cameras that only have digital zoom. Movie recording lets you save 320x240 pixel movies, which isn't quite TV quality but close enough. Importantly, it can record sound, which the P71 doesn't lacks.

With all of these easy-to-use features crammed in a compact body, the P7 is easy to recommend even as a first camera. Though the price tag is high, you get what you pay for in quality, features, and size. For the budget-conscious, I would recommend the P71 because it has almost the same features and doesn't need expensive proprietary batteries, but for those who want to get the most reasonably priced 'premium' small camera, I highly recommend the P7.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best digital camera I've ever used, February 12, 2003

By	nick (Alexandria, VA USA) - See all my reviews

I have previously used a Nikon Coolpix and Canon Digital ELPH. The Sony is far and away the best camera out of the three. Extremely crisp images, also has a letterbox feature (so you can take pictures in widescreen format if you want, which looks pretty cool). I would've liked if the digital video was captured at a higher res, but I can't complain since this is the only camera out of the 3 I've used that allows unlimited video capture (the only limitation is the size of the media) and audio. Also has some cool image effects- you can add sepia tones or take negative exposures. The menu is easy to use. The camera is sturdy without being too heavy, my only issues are battery life (about 1.5 hrs on a full charge, which is pretty standard but I'd expect more for the price) and the size of the provided memory stick- 16mb is ok if you're only using the lowest resolution, but to take advantage of the camera's full capabilites, including the digital video w/ sound, go out and get a 128mb stick as well.