Great first digital camera
Written: Mar 19 '04 (Updated Apr 14 '05)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
| Ease of Use: |
 |
|
| Durability: |
|
|
| Battery Life: |
 |
|
| Photo Quality: |
|
|
| Shutter Lag |
|
|
|
Pros: easy to understand functions, good photos, uses AA batteries
Cons: lag time between photos, auto-shut off occurs too quickly, only 16mb memory stick included
The Bottom Line: Great first digital camera -- easy to learn yet with enough features that you won't get bored
|
|
|
| e927's Full Review: Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-P72 Digital Camera |
This is my first digital camera and I'm quite happy with it. [nearly a year after I originally posted this review, I still feel the same way... see update below] I was hesitant to go digital since I like to hold photos in my hand, but now that you can get photo-quality prints made from digital media at most drugstores and camera shops, I don't know why anyone would stick with film. I had also debated whether I really needed optical zoom -- and I'm so glad I got the p72, which has optical zoom. (Almost all cameras have digital zoom, but it only works at low resolutions, so I don't consider it to be a benefit)
A few basics: the p72 camera has 3.2 megapixels, a 3x optical zoom and comes with a 16 mb Memory Stick. You'll want to get a larger memory stick because it only holds 10 hi-res images. (I have a Lexmark memory stick that works fine) The camera runs on 2 AA size rechargeable batteries (included), which I think is a great advantage because in a pinch, you can pop in disposable AA batteries. The camera also comes with a battery charger, cables to connect the camera to your computer and your TV, and basic photo software.
I found it very easy to use -- the controls are easy to understand (although somewhat small) and the on-screen directions are simple to follow. After reading through the directions once, I had mastered much of it.
Pictures come out great. Usually my only problems come when I experiment with the settings and forget to change them back to the original settings. Sometimes that can be annoying... for example, once you turn the flash off, it's always off until you turn it back on, even if you power off the camera -- but I suppose if I had to manually turn the flash off for every photo in a no-flash location, that would get annoying too. Fortunately, since it's a digital camera, you can review your shots and retake them. One nice feature is you can even zoom in on the photo when you're reviewing it on the LCD screen, so you can see, for example, if everyone in the photo is looking at the camera.
Another plus is the movie function. While this is not a true substitute for a video camera, the images come out OK (in daylight -- there is no night lighting), include sound and you can record as long as your memory stick has room.
The camera only comes with a battery charger -- not a power cord -- so I would suggest getting a memory stick reader to use when downloading photos to your computer. Oftentimes, office supply stores offer these "free after rebate." While you can use the cable provided with the camera, you'll be draining power from the camera's batteries.
For the more advanced photographer, you can adjust the settings for things like focus distance, white balance, exposure and flash. There are also presets for outdoor scenes, beach scenes, close-ups, etc.
My biggest complaint is that it takes several seconds before the camera will take the next photo, particularly when using the flash -- longer than the lag with a traditional 35 mm camera. To help compensate for this, there is a "burst" feature but you have to set that up ahead of time and sometimes you just don't know when you'll want to take several photos at once. The other con for me is the camera shuts down too quickly after a period of inactivity -- it's usually less than 90 seconds. This is probably to conserve battery life but I find I have to keep turning the camera back on (which takes a few seconds and can be a little noisy).
I had also looked at the Sony p32 (no optical zoom) and Sony p52 (bigger in size) and feel I made the right choice of the three. (The p92 was too expensive for me) I also have used a Canon Powershot S45 digital camera, and think the Sony is easier to use. As noted above, I like the convenience of AA batteries -- and while Memory Sticks aren't cheap, they're not as expensive as some memory cards.
April 2005 Update:
A year after I first wrote this review, I still love this camera. Sure, I could buy a 4 or 5 megapixel camera now for the same price, but I don't really have the need for that. For starters, I wouldn't be able to put as many photos on a memory stick -- and, I've never printed a photo larger than 8x10 -- which looked fine.
One other comment about this camera: not only are the buttons somewhat tiny, but the symbols on the LCD display screen are rather small (ie, the ones that tell you if the flash is on, etc)... some people may find this to be a big negative.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 250
This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Easy Enough for Anyone to Use
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
e927
|
|
Reviews written: 29
Trusted by: 0 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.