Packs a lot of wallop
Written: Apr 17 '05
|
Product Rating:
|
|
| Ease of Use: |
 |
|
| Durability: |
 |
|
| Battery Life: |
 |
|
| Photo Quality: |
|
|
| Shutter Lag |
|
|
|
Pros: Stellar battery life, quick power up, speedy operation, compact as can be
Cons: Image stabilization issues, lack of peripherals, flattens some colors.
The Bottom Line: Will deliver crisp pictures and meet most expectations.
|
|
|
| jg3arrow's Full Review: Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-P200 Digital Camera |
The DSC-P200 is a great camera, in and of itself. Convenient. Ready to use quickly. Crisp pictures. Phenomenal battery life.
I bought one as a logical step up from the DSC-P93, which I had tired of after a year. My hope was that I could use some of the same accessories, since the P93 needed a lot of help.
Problem #1: Few if any interchangeable accessories. In fact, there are almost zero accessories for the P200. I was told there isn't even a filter kit (yet).
Problem #2: Like the P93, the P200 lacks verve in most pictures. I won't say the colors flatten out, but they certainly don't jump out at you. They are vivid, all right. But point it at a fiery sunset and watch through the viewfinder as the camera pulls all the glow out of it. Maybe that wouldn't be as much of an issue for me if it weren't for the filter issue (Problem #1 above).
Problem #3: As other users have found, a surprising number of photos are blurry. Maybe you need to hold it dead still, but even then...
Problem #4: ...it seems some pictures are soft. Noticed this especially on the first few photos of people in front of dim backgrounds. Gotta really make sure it is focusing on the right thing.
Problem #5: Anything sparkling seems to blind it. Chrome, window glare, jewelry...expect lens flares.
Problem #6: Even though its battery life is stellar, gone is the convenience of using AA batteries (as with the P93) if you need them in a pinch. Also, you can't take the battery out to charge it. It has to be charged in the camera, which means the camera is down until the battery is charged. Heaven help you if you are out in the middle of nowhere and need another battery. Finding replacements for the oddball one-off battery packs is probably a special order thing.
Problem #7: Movement cannot be captured in idiot-proof mode. Made it is better in the special selection mode, but this camera was supposedly made to grab it out of your pocket, power it up quickly and aim it at something fleeting and capture it. If the thing you are trying to capture is moving, you are dead, unless you have time to cycle through all the menus and set up the shot you want in time.
Would I recommend it? Probably, since it about as big a megapixel bang as you can get for your buck. But it could be better.
I have been using the P200 mostly in idiot-proof mode and find it is not very idiot-proof.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 399
This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Flexible Enough for Enthusiasts
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
jg3arrow
|
|
Reviews written: 8
Trusted by: 0 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.