Sony DSCP9 Cyber-shot 4MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom
by Sony

Our Price: $22.00
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: Digital Camera
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Digital Photo Product Details

• 4-megapixel sensor captures 2,272 x 1,704 images for prints at sizes up to 11 x 14 inches
• 3x optical plus 2x digital (6x total) autofocus zoom lens
• Included 16 MB Memory Stick holds approximately 15 images at default resolution
• Connects with Macs and PCs via USB port
• Uses rechargeable lithium-ion battery (included)

• Adobe Photoshop CS5 Upgrade [Old Version]
• Serif PhotoPlus X3
• Adobe Photoshop CS4 Upgrade [OLD VERSION]
• Aperture 3

Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Sony DSCP9 Cyber-shot 4MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

Customer Review: A powerful, compact, state-of-the-art camera
Summary: 5 Stars

Features include:
- The 4 megapixel (million pixels, or MP) resolution (2272 x 1704) is at the high end of consumer cameras, and should allow very good enlargements up to about 8x10.
- The 3x optical zoom will help you compose good photos and make the most of your pixels. The zoom lens is the equivalent of 39-117mm on a film camera, so will go from slight wide angle to moderate telephoto. It's a very versatile range, though not wide angle enough to shoot wide shots in small rooms.
- The lens aperture (opening size) is rated (max) at F2.8-F5.6 (depending on zoom; low numbers are better). This is fairly "fast" for this type of camera, making it better in low light than some. The autofocus illuminator and the Twilight modes also help for low light situations, which challenge all digital cameras. However, you will find it much easier to get crisp shots when the lighting is good (or the flash is used).

- The DSC-P9 takes great pictures without requiring much thought. But if you want, the camera gives you several white balance options; light sensitivity (ISO) settings of 100, 200 and 400; pattern or spot light metering; multiple focus modes (3-point, center, manual at pre-set distances); shutter speeds down to 1/2000; and a macro focus setting for great close-ups from as little as 4 inches away.
- Other features include video out, to show pictures on your TV; and a metal case and metal tripod mount.
- The computer drivers should allow you to use a wide range of PCs and Macs with this camera. (Windows 98/98SE/ME/2000 Pro, XP Home/Pro, MacOS 8.5.1/8.6/9.0/9.1/9.2)

For most users, this is all the digital camera you will ever need, in a compact package, with easy to use features. It's not for everyone, though:
- If you want maximum control over your photos. Direct manual controls are limited, though if you use the features wisely you have some control. Also, there is no option to save photos in uncompressed format; and no lens thread. Consider the Canon S40 if these matter to you; the S40's image quality is also slightly better. The Sony DSC-85 will give you even better photos.
- If you mostly shoot snapshots, and never print enlargements, you probably don't need 4MP. You can save some money by getting a 3MP camera like the Sony DSC-P7 or a 2MP camera like the Canon S330 or the Sony DSC-P2. But having the extra pixels does give you more options, and allows you to trim the picture and still have good clarity.

This camera shares many of the issues all digital cameras have:
- You will have to buy more memory. A 128MB stick will get you about 75 photos at maximum quality, and 2-3x more at snapshot quality. Sony "Memory Sticks" are more expensive than other formats.
- Start-up and shot-to-shot times are slower than film cameras.
- The flash on a camera this size cannot match an external unit, but it is rated up to 13 feet, better than many compact cameras.
- The viewfinder (for when it's too bright to use the LCD, or you're saving power) takes some getting used to, as far as what is in and out of the actual photo.
- The MPEG movie feature is low-resolution (320x240), so of limited use, though this Sony can record audio and shoot any length (limited only by memory stick capacity).
- Battery life is very good for this type of camera - you can get 100-200 shots - but the battery must be charged in the camera (unless you buy the Sony charger, extra), so for very long days you may want a second battery.

Description of Sony DSCP9 Cyber-shot 4MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

The metal body not only looks great but also gives the reassurance that the camera is robust and can be carried anywhere. Controls are straightforward and include a mode dial, a zoom toggle, and menu navigation buttons. Access to the Memory Stick and battery are from a single compartment door on the side of the camera. Input-output jacks are the fairly standard power, USB, and AV out.

The 3x optical zoom lens tucks neatly into the body of the camera when not in use and includes an automatic lens protector. In use, the zoom moves from wide to full telephoto in less than three seconds, although it is a little noisier than expected, especially as compared to the notably quiet transport on the Kodak DX4900.

The Sony menu navigation, which is fairly consistent across the range, is extremely easy to use. In capture mode, there are options to set exposure compensation, manual focus, white balance, spot metering, ISO, image size from 2,272 x 1,704 down to 640 x 480, compression levels, flash levels, and picture effects. There is also a scene selection mode that offers presets for twilight, night portrait, and landscape. While useful, this is extremely limited when compared to some other digital cameras, such as the easy-to-use Nikon Coolpix 2500 or the endlessly configurable Casio QV-4000.

The image quality is what you would expect of a 4-megapixel camera--plenty of detail and scope for cropping to get just the right composition. When using the automatic settings, the images were not as sharp as expected, although this can be compensated for using the in-camera sharpening. Both exposure and white balance were generally accurate, but it would have been nice to see the ability to take a manual white-balance reading like on the Nikon 2500. To its credit, the DSC-P9 has a powerful autofocus illuminator that greatly aids focusing in poor light conditions.

One feature we feel should be included in a camera of this quality is an orientation sensor that automatically rotates images when stored to match the photographs as taken. Despite this we would still recommend the DSC-P9 as being one of the sexiest high-resolution cameras available. --Nick Baxter

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