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Sony DSC-P1 Sony packs a 3 megapixel CCD and a full 3x optical zoom lens into an exceptionally compact digicam! Select a topic Reference: Datasheet DSC-P1 Sample Images --------------------------------- 1. Intro and Highlights 2. Executive Overview 3. Design 4. Viewfinder 5. Optics 6. Exposure & Flash 7. Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests 8. Operation & User Interface 9. Camera Modes & Menus 10. Image Storage & Interface 11. Video, Power, Software 12. Test Results & Conclusion --------------------------------- Print-Friendly Review Version Additional Resources and Other Links Reader Comments on DSC-P1 Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Camera Modes & Menus :(Previous) | (Next): Video, Power, Software>> Page 10:Image Storage & Interface Review First Posted: 9/12/2000

Image Storage and Interface
The DSC-P1 utilizes the Sony Memory Sticks for image storage. An eight megabyte card is included with the camera and additional Memory Sticks are available up to 64 megabytes as of this writing (September, 2000). Individual images can be write protected from accidental erasure (except through card reformatting) via the Protect option under the Playback settings menu. The entire Memory Stick can be write protected by sliding the lock switch on the card into the locked position. This prevents the entire stick from being formatted.

The DSC-P1's LCD monitor reports the current number of images captured and shows a small graphic to let you know approximately how much space is left on the Memory Stick. This is a great feature for keeping track of your exposures, although we personally prefer to know more precisely (in numbers) how many images are left at the current resolution. Through the Playback settings menu, you can designate whether the camera sequentially numbers each image (even if the Memory Stick is changed) or restarts file numbering with each new Memory Sticks.

The DSC-P1 is somewhat unusual in that some of its special image modes dictate image resolution, or may save images of two different resolutions: For instance, the TIFF (uncompressed file format) always saves the TIFF image at maximum resolution, while simultaneously saving a JPEG image of whatever size has been selected via the Record menu.

Below are the average image capacities and compression ratios for still images on an eight megabyte card:

 

Image Capacity vs Resolution/Quality		Uncompressed TIFF	Normal Quality
Highest Resolution	Images	0	5
	Approx. Compression	0:1	6:1
High Resolution	Images	N/A	8
	Approx. Compression	N/A	6:1
Standar Resolution	Images	N/A	12
	Approx. Compression	N/A	6:1
Low Resolution	Images	N/A	118
	Approx. Compression	N/A	13:1

 

The DSC-P1 offers a USB connection to a host computer, providing rapid downloads of image files. We clocked our test unit at a transfer rate of 381 KBytes/second, about average for USB-equipped cameras we've tested.