dsc p10 digital camera

Sony Electronics Inc. is well known for its consumer camcorders, notebook computers, and other multimedia products, blazing a long trail of innovations, including the first electronic still camera -- the Sony Mavica -- released in 1981. Over the last couple of years, they've developed a dominant position in the digital still camera market, with one of the broadest product lines in the industry.
In the "subcompact" camera market, they've developed a unique line of cameras with a thin, elongated profile. This shape lets them slide easily into small pockets, yet gives U.S.-sized fingers plenty to grab onto. With rugged metal cases, an appealing design, and strong feature sets, Sony's subcompacts have enjoyed wide popularity.
The latest addition to the series (as of this writing in June, 2003) is the P10, with a 5.0-megapixel CCD, 3x optical zoom lens, and an expanded range of seven preset Scene modes to choose from. The P10 offers a limited amount of exposure adjustments, but more than enough to adapt it to most common shooting situations, and the 3x zoom lens (with Macro mode) is great for recording a wide range of subjects, from close-up portraits to scenic vistas. Overall, a very functional camera with excellent image quality, in a tiny package.
Camera Overview
The DSC-P10's shape and compact size rank it among the smaller Sony Cyber-shots on the market, perfect for travel and leisurely outings. The camera definitely passes the "shirt pocket" test, and would even fit into a rather small handbag. The P10's compact shape isn't all the camera has to offer though. A 5.0-megapixel CCD and an all-glass, 3x zoom lens deliver sharp, clear pictures, suitable for printing as large as 8x10 inches. There's also an email size option that creates smaller-resolution files for sending over the Internet. Plus, the handful of preset Scene modes handle a wide range of common exposure situations, from beach scenes to night shots.
The P10's 3x optical zoom lens has a focal range from 7.9-23.7mm, the equivalent of a 38-114mm lens on a 35mm camera. Focus ranges from19.7 inches (50 centimeters) to infinity in normal focus mode, with a macro setting that lets you get as close as 3.9 inches (10 centimeters). Although the camera does not have a manual focus option, it does offer a range of fixed focus settings, from 0.5 meters to infinity. The three-area Multi-Point AF system bases focus on one of three areas in the center of the frame. Through the camera's Record menu, however, you can opt for Center AF mode, which bases focus on the very center of the frame. Also available, through the Setup menu, are three AF operating modes: Single, Monitoring, and Continuous. In Single AF mode, focus is set whenever the Shutter button is halfway depressed. Monitoring mode adjusts focus before the Shutter button is halfway depressed, which locks focus. Continuous AF mode also adjusts focus without a half-press of the Shutter button, but continues to adjust the focus even after the Shutter button is halfway held down, so that you can "track" a moving subject. The camera's AF illuminator helps the camera focus in dark conditions, and works well with the Twilight scene modes. In addition to the 3x optical zoom, the P10 also features up to 4x Smart Zoom, Sony's current implementation of "digital zoom." Unlike most other digital zoom functions, Sony's Smart Zoom does not resample the image, so no image deterioration occurs as a result: Pixels are simply excised from the central portion of the sensor's image, and packaged as a separate file. When the optical zoom reaches 3x, Smart Zoom takes over, if enabled in the Setup menu. The maximum total magnification available for 3.1M images is 3.8x, 1.M is 6.1x and VGA is 12x. (Note though, that as a result, "Smart Zoomed" images will always be restricted to sizes smaller than the camera's full resolution.)
The P10 has a real-image optical viewfinder and a 1.5-inch color LCD monitor for framing shots. An information display on the LCD monitor reports a handful of camera settings (including aperture and shutter speed) and features an optional live histogram display as well. The histogram graphs the tonal distribution of the image, giving you a quick idea of any over or underexposure.
Exposure is automatically controlled on the P10, great for novices and casual photographers looking for simplicity. An On/Off button on top of the camera powers the camera on, and an adjacent Mode dial selects between Playback, Automatic, Program, Scene, Setup, and Movie modes. The Automatic setting takes away all user control, with the exception of flash, macro, and resolution. Program mode also automatically sets aperture and shutter speed, but gives you control over a number of other exposure variables. Scene mode offers a range of preset exposure modes, including Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Landscape, Beach, Snow, Fireworks, and Fast Shutter. Both Twilight modes optimize the camera for low-light shooting by allowing shutter times as long as two seconds, while Landscape mode sets the camera up for shooting distant subjects. Snow mode enhances saturation and adjusts exposure, to prevent loss of color in bright white snowscapes, while Beach mode ensures that blue tones are recorded accurately in lakeside or seaside photos. Fireworks mode preserves color in shots of fireworks or other night light displays by fixing the lens aperture at f/5.6 and setting the exposure time to the 2-second maximum. Fast Shutter mode captures fast-moving subjects by biasing the exposure system toward higher shutter speeds.
By default, the P10 employs a Multi-Metering mode to determine exposure, which reads the exposure from various sections across the frame. For higher-contrast subjects or more pin-pointed readings, the P10 also offers a Spot metering mode through the Record menu. Exposure Compensation is adjustable from -2 to +2 exposure values (EV), in one-third-step increments. You can also adjust the camera's sensitivity to 100, 200, or 400 ISO equivalents, or use the Auto setting. The P10's adjustable White Balance setting offers Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Incandescent, and Flash modes, handling a variety of common light sources. Under the Picture Effects setting, you can record images in sepia monochrome, or select the Solarize or Negative Art options. The camera also offers Sharpness, Saturation, and Contrast adjustments. The DSC-P10's flash operates in Forced, Suppressed, Auto, Red-Eye Reduction, and Slow-Sync modes, and an intensity adjustment controls flash output.
In Movie exposure mode, the camera captures either 640 x 480-, or 160 x 112-pixel resolution moving images with sound for as long as the memory card has available storage space. The P10 also offers Clip Motion and Multi Burst modes. Clip Motion records a series of up to 10 images that are automatically saved in a single GIF file, and that can be played back as an animation sequence (a feature I enjoyed on previous Cyber-shot digicams). Multi Burst mode captures an extremely rapid 16-frame burst of images, at a selectable rate of 7.5, 15, or 30 frames per second. Multi Burst shots are played back as a slow-motion animation on the camera, but appear as a single large file with 16 sub-images in it when viewed on a computer. (This would be a fun way to catch someone crossing a finish line during a race, or to analyze golf and tennis swings.) A Self-Timer mode provides a 10-second delay between the time the Shutter button is pressed and the time that the camera actually takes the picture, giving the photographer time to run around and get into the picture. Also available on the P10 are Burst 3 and Voice Record modes. Burst 3 records three images in quick succession, with one press of the Shutter button. Voice mode records a short sound clip to accompany an image, useful for attaching voice captions.
Images are stored on Sony's Memory Stick media (a 16MB stick is included, although higher capacity cards are available), and they can be downloaded via a speedy USB 2.0 connection to a PC or Macintosh computer. An AV cable is also provided for viewing images or slide shows on your TV. The P10 is powered by a Sony InfoLITHIUM battery pack (NP-FC10 or NP-FC11 model), and comes complete with an AC adapter and battery charger. I like the InfoLITHIUM batteries because they communicate with the camera to tell you how much running time is left on the battery pack, but I always (strongly) recommend buying a second battery, and keeping it charged and ready to go, especially when the AC adapter isn't close at hand. The P10 is pretty dependent on its LCD display (a large power drain), and you can't pick up extra batteries at the corner drug store.
Basic Features
5.0-megapixel CCD.
3x zoom lens (equivalent to a 38-114mm lens on a 35mm camera).
3.2x [no data] digital Smart Zoom.
Real-image optical viewfinder.
1.5-inch color LCD monitor.
Automatic exposure control.
Built-in flash with five modes and an intensity adjustment.
Sony Memory Stick storage (16MB card included).
USB computer connection.
InfoLITHIUM battery system (AC adapter included).
Software for Mac and PC.
Special Features
Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Landscape, Beach, Snow, Fireworks, and Fast Shutter preset shooting modes.
Movie (with sound) recording mode.
Clip Motion animation and Multi-Burst slow motion modes.
Email and Voice Memo capture modes.
Shutter speeds from 1/2,000 to two seconds [no data] (with automatic Noise Reduction from 1/2 to two seconds [no data]).
Aperture range from f/2.8 to f/5.6.
Creative Picture Effects menu.
Image Sharpness, Saturation, and Contrast adjustments.
Self-timer for delayed shutter release.
Macro (close-up) lens adjustment.
Spot and Multi-Metering modes.
Adjustable AF area and three AF modes.
Auto ISO setting or 100, 200, and 400 ISO equivalents.
White balance (color) adjustment with six options.
DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) printing compatibility.
Design
The Sony DSC-P10 is compact, stylish, and ready to go anywhere, with a body style nearly identical to most of the other compact Cyber-shots, including the P8 and P9. Its streamlined, silvery metal body is only slightly longer than a typical business card, and nearly the same height, top to bottom. Measuring just 4 1/4" x 2" x 1 7/16" (108 x 51.5 x 35.8mm) and weighing only 6.9 ounces (197 grams) with the battery and memory card installed, the P10 fits easily into small pockets or purses. When not in use, the telescoping zoom lens retracts neatly inside the body, and a small metal leaf shutter automatically closes over the lens to protect it. Outfitted with the accompanying wrist strap, it's quick on the draw and easy to hold.
Despite its small size, the P10's elongated shape provides plenty of room to extend two average-size fingers comfortably across the front and top of the camera, without blocking the lens or any camera controls. By making the camera thin but long, Sony kept the P10 very compact, and avoided the lack of finger space that plagues many ultra-small digicams. The 3x, 7.9-23.7mm zoom lens (equivalent to a 38-114mm zoom on a 35mm camera), dominates the right side of the front of panel, with a small orange lamp just above and to the right of it, to help with focusing in low-light conditions. (This lamp also blinks when the self-timer is in use, to let you know when the camera is about to snap the picture.) A slightly larger window for the optical viewfinder comes next, followed by the built-in electronic flash. A large, raised vertical chrome ridge on the right side (as viewed from the rear) serves as a finger grip, making for a much more secure grip on the camera..
The right side of the camera (as viewed from the rear) houses the battery and Memory Stick compartment, protected by an easy to open, hinged plastic door. Above it is a small eyelet for attaching the wrist strap.
The left side has no controls, only a smooth, rounded surface to following the contour of the lens barrel.
The camera's top panel includes a Mode dial with five settings (Setup, Movie, Playback, Automatic, Program, and Scene modes) and a Shutter button in the middle, as well as a small Power button on the left of the Mode dial. Just to the left of the Power button is a small microphone, for recording sound clips and movie audio.
The camera's rear panel holds the remaining camera controls and function buttons, along with a 1.5-inch color LCD monitor for previewing and playing back images, and the optical viewfinder window. The LCD display reports a variety of camera and exposure settings, including the aperture and shutter speed settings (a nice bonus for those interested in how the camera will expose the image). The optical viewfinder is located above the top right corner of the LCD monitor, and has three LED lamps along the right edge of the window, each of which reports the current status of various camera functions. The camera's Zoom control is in the upper right corner, conveniently located next to a series of small bumps for better thumb traction when holding the camera. In the center of the back panel is a Four-Way Arrow pad, with small arrows pointing in four directions (Up, Down, Left, and Right). Each serves multiple functions, navigating onscreen menus scrolling between captured images in playback mode, or activating different camera functions (Flash, Self-Timer, Quick Review, and Macro).
Surrounding the Arrow pad are the LCD Display On / Off, Menu, and Image Resolution / Erase buttons. Just below these are the three connection jacks (DC In, A/V Out, and USB), all covered by a single plastic door, tethered by a flexible retention stub.
Finally, the P10's flat bottom holds the threaded (plastic) tripod screw mount and a speaker for audio playback. While most users of the P10 probably won't care, I was pleased to see that I could change the battery and memory card without removing my tripod mounting plate from the camera's bottom.