Sony DSCU30 Cybershot 2 MP Digital Camera (Silver)

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Product Details

Product Manual [2.14mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 0.2 x 3.4 x 1.6 inches ; 4.3 ounces
• 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: B00009X7VE
• Item model number: DSC-U30/S
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #9,871 in Camera & Photo (See Bestsellers in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 18, 2003

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Sony Cybershot DSC-U30 digital camera is small and light enough to slip in your pocket for snapping photos wherever you roam. It features a 2-megapixel resolution, fast start-up to capture shots almost instantaneously, and a movie mode. It comes in two other colors: blue and dark gray.

Optics and Resolution
The Cybershot U30 features a 2-megapixel Super HAD (hole accumulation diod) CCD that captures excellent image quality by allowing more light to pass through to each pixel, increasing sensitivity and reducing image noise. It has two resolution modes: high (1632 x 1224) for prints up to 8 x 10 inches, and low (640 x 480) for e-mailing to friends and family. A fixed-focus camera, the Cybershot U30 has no optical or digital zoom.

Movie Mode
In addition to taking still photos, the Cybershot U30 can also record up to 15 seconds of 160 x 112 MPEG video (without audio). The QuickTime Motion JPEG format offers a limited resolution, which is great for capturing a short movie that can be e-mailed to friends and family, but is no replacement for a true camcorder.

More Features
The Cybershot U30 has a fast start-up time of 0.9 seconds, enabling you to capture those important shots that other cameras might miss. The camera includes 5 scene modes (soft snap, illumination snap, twilight, active outdoor, and vivid nature) and pre-flash metering, which illuminates the subject and calculates exposure through the lens directly from the CCD for accurate calculation for a flash-lit shot.

Other features include:

• 1.0-inch LCD for reviewing shots
• VGA burst mode captures five 640 x 480 frames
• Built-in flash with auto, forced on, forced off, and red-eye reduction modes
• Shutter speed: 1/8 - 1/2000 seconds
• Picture effects: solarize, black and white, sepia, and negative art
• Automatic ISO and white balance settings

Storage and Transfer
Images can be stored on the included 8 MB Memory Stick, which can store approximately 15 images at 1632 x 1224 pixels. The Cyber-shot DSC-P92 is also compatible with optional Memory Stick PRO media, which can extend data capacity up to 1 GB.

Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via ultrafast USB 2.0, which means it can be connected to any USB-compatible Windows Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software. When used with USB 1.1 connection, transfer will slow to USB 1.1 rate.

Power and Size
The camera is powered by 2 AAA batteries (rechargeable NiMH batteries included). It measures 3.3 by 1.6 by 1.1 inches and weighs 4.3 ounces (including batteries).

What's In The Box
This package includes the Cybershot DSC-U30 digital camera, 8 MB Memory Stick, neck strap, 2 AAA rechargeable NiMH batteries, battery charger (BC-CS2), and USB cable. The included CD-ROM features Pixela Image Mixer for Sony v1.5 and USB drivers for Windows and Mac.

Product Description

The DSC-U30 is one of the most compact digital still cameras available in its class and the successor to the popular DSC-U20, a model which introduced the concept of the digital still camera as a pocket accessory. The DSC-U30 is ultra-compact and ultra-stylish. A reflective disc on the sliding lens cover is cleverly designed to act as a mirror, helping you to easily frame self-portraits. New features make it easy to take great shots in challenging conditions. For example in Playback Mode, Enlarged Playback allows you to check the focus of a shot immediately after it has been taken by enlarging the center of the image to either 2.5 or 5 times its actual size, a feature which is particularly useful in low light conditions.New scene settings, Twilight and Active Outdoor, add to the existing Soft Snap, Illumination Snap and Vivid Nature. Sony has applied ingenious technology to create a new Hybrid LCD screen that performs as well in bright, outdoor conditions as in indoor or lower light environments. The one-inch, 64, 000 pixel screen has a smart way of using both transmitted and reflected light to maintain clarity, thus eliminating the need to switch between viewing modes. The camera provides impressive storage capabilities and image transfer is easy, making them an ideal accessory for the connected lifestyle. It is Memory Stick PRO compatible, giving up to 1GB storage and cable-free transfer to other Memory Stick PRO compatible devices. It is also USB-equipped and is supplied with software that provides direct image transfer to a PC; this can be done even when the camera batteries are empty as the USB cable provides power for the transfer. Image transfer software, which is supplied and easily installed in a PC, automatically downloads the images and sorts them by date to user specified folders.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this Tiny camera, October 13, 2004

By	J. Catalano (New York) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've owned several digital cameras.

I disagree with anything negative anyone has had to say. Mine came with a rechargable battery - it gets AMAZING battery life. The absolute best feature is the super quick shutter speed. They rate it at 0.9 seconds. And unlike most cameras that have a button you press to power on, on the dscu30 you just slide the cover open and its on instantly. Also, people love it - you whip it out and people are amazed at how tiny and cool looking it is. Its smaller than alot of the "flat" design cameras. My favorite feature is the fact that it has the lens slide cover (mine is not wobbly). It is so convienent to be able to carry the camera in your pocket without worry about it powering on , or even worse - scratching the lens.

Downsides:
-2.0 MP - I do webdesign, personal photos for fun, email, etc. It is good for me - If I ever wanted to blow up pics or anything like that - I would want higher resolution. But that is nothing specific to this camera. Standard size pics print just beautifully.

-Comes with a meesly 8mb memory stick, you definitly need a minimum of 64mb - (about $40 and up - shop around). Again, not specific to this model, every digi cam maker throws you a tiny card. Just plan for the expense.

I'm a big fan of Sony digital cameras. They make high quality, solid products. Need convience, portability, and quality - buy this

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Smallest Camera in the World, Period!, December 26, 2003

By	Dyann Corrao (Brecksville, OH United States) - See all my reviews

I own several other digital cameras with 5-7 megapixels, but I have to say this is one sweet little camera that gives excellent pictures (color and clarity). It is so small that I keep it in a cell phone pouch clipped to my belt and found that I use it more than all the other cameras combined. It does not have a zoom or audio with the MPEG video, but the sacrifice of these two features for the size, is well worth it. It is a GREAT second camera to carry on vacation so you never miss those once in a lifetime shots.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great point-and-shoot replacement, October 18, 2004

By	M. Hoffman (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This camera is perfect for replacing the 35mm point-and-shoot camera you use on a daily basis. The ease of use is unparalleled, just slide open and take your pictures. Prints look well on 4X6 paper. The Flash is sort of weak, anything beyond point-and-shoot portraits gets somewhat dark but no different than the 35mm camera I used to have. I was originally concerned with the poor battery life associated with alkaline batteries that I first used after I bought the camera. The camera died after about 20-30 minutes of use. After purchasing rechargeable batteries, I was able to use the camera for a whole week in Europe without even getting below the 1/4 mark, so I would recommend rechargeables with the alkaline as a supplement in case you need them. No complaints or regrets with this camera, a 128mb card holds well over 200 pictures.