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Sony CyberShot DSC-P30 Sony develops an affordable, full-featured 1.3-megapixel compact digicam with great picture quality! Select a topic Reference: Datasheet CyberShot DSC-P30 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 CyberShot DSC-P30 Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Design :(Previous) | (Next): Optics>> Page 4:Viewfinder Review First Posted: 4/9/2001

Viewfinder
The P30 offers both a real image optical viewfinder and a 1.5-inch LCD monitor for composing images. The real image optical viewfinder zooms along with the 3x lens, but does not show digital telephoto (which requires the LCD monitor to be active). There is no diopter adjustment, however, the optical viewfinder eyepiece has a reasonably high eyepoint, and should accommodate most eyeglass wearers. (We were able to still see the view at a fair distance from the eyepiece, though the actual viewfinder window is relatively small.) Built into the eyepiece are three LED lamps which report the camera's current status. The bottom LED light glows orange when the flash is charged, and flashes when it is charging. The center, green LED glows solid when focus is set, and flashes when the autofocus system is having trouble focusing (meaning you should switch to Macro mode or move back from the target). The top LED lights red when the camera is accessing the Memory Stick, and blinks during the self-timer countdown.

The 1.5-inch, color LCD monitor features 123,000 pixels. The Display button just above the LCD panel controls the image and information displays, showing both with the first press. A second press eliminates the information display, and the third press shuts the LCD monitor off. The comprehensive information display reports available battery power (in minutes when used with the InfoLITHIUM pack), remaining Memory Stick space, ISO setting, resolution setting, and shutter speed and aperture readings when the shutter button is halfway depressed. An LCD brightness adjustment in the Setup menu changes the contrast of the LCD display, effectively lightening or darkening the display. For shooting in bright sunlight, the LCD backlight can be turned on, which brightens the display dramatically.

In Playback mode, the LCD monitor offers a playback zoom function, which digitally enlarges the captured image up to 5x for closer inspection of fine details. There's also an index display mode, which shows up to nine thumbnail images on the screen at one time.