Sony CyberShot DSC-P50

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Manufacturer Overview
Sony has long held a dominant position in the digicam marketplace, with a wide range of models enjoying enormous popularity with consumers. Last spring (February 2000), Sony stunned the digicam world by announcing no fewer than six new models. This year (2001), the company repeated this hat trick at Spring PMA in Orlando, once again announcing six new units -- affecting both the Mavica and Cyber-shot lines.

Sony's digital cameras have always enjoyed huge popularity in the consumer market, despite generally higher prices than many competing models. (In the Mavica line, the floppy disk drive undoubtedly added to the manufacturing cost, but also contributed enormously to the cameras' appeal.) With these latest announcements, however, Sony served notice that it intends to compete head-to-head on price, without sacrificing one iota in features or performance. The three new Cyber-shot models -- the P30, P50, and S75 -- are evidence of this resolve. While they are not the cheapest cameras in their respective megapixel ranges, they provide rich features and excellent performance, making them an excellent value for the quality conscious consumer.


High Points

• 2.1-megapixel CCD delivers up to 1,600 x 1,200-pixel resolution images.
• 12-bit DXP Analog/Digital Conversion for excellent tonal range and highlight detail.
• 1.5-inch, color LCD monitor.
• Real image optical viewfinder.
• 3x, 6.4-19.2mm optical zoom lens with a maximum aperture of f/3.8, equivalent to a 41-123mm lens on a 35mm camera.
• 2x digital telephoto.
• High-speed scan autofocus, with five preset focus options and Macro mode.
• Automatic and Twilight exposure modes.
• Exposure Compensation from + 2 to - 2 exposure equivalents (EV) in one-third-step increments.
• Automatic, Indoor, Outdoor, and "Hold" white balance options.
• Normal and Spot metering modes.
• Adjustable ISO with Auto, 100, 200, and 400 equivalent settings.
• Built-in flash with three operating modes, plus a separate Red-Eye Reduction function and adjustable intensity.
• MPEG EX (Extended) Movie and Clip Motion capture modes (no sound).
• Standard and High-Quality JPEG, TEXT, E-MAIL, GIF, and uncompressed TIFF file formats.
• Images saved to Sony Memory Sticks, with 4MB card included.
• Four Picture Effect modes, including Solarize, Black-and-White, Sepia, and Negative Art.
• Adjustable Sharpness settings from -2 to +2.
• Date and Date & Time functions.
• USB computer connection (cable included) and software CD containing MGI PhotoSuite Versions 8.1 and 1.1, MGI VideoWave III, and USB drivers for Mac and Windows systems.
• Powered by two AA batteries, or an optional NP-FS11 InfoLITHIUM battery pack with AC adapter/battery charger.
• NTSC video cable (with PAL option).
• DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) compatibility.

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Select a topic Reference: Datasheet CyberShot DSC-P50 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-P50 Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index

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