• Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P9

    Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P9

    Shravan Manral, Jan 07, 2003 0000 hrs IST

    Another cool digicam from Sony, the DSC-P9 ups the ante to 4Megapixels

    Very good image quality, sleek, portable, lots of extras, good battery life

    Weak flash, too expensive!

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Expert Review

What we have here is form that follows function - the demand for portability and compact size has led to manufacturers coming out with digicams with a thin, elongated profile, which lets you easily slide the camera into pockets of modest proportions. And this, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P9, fits right into that segment - a rugged and highly durable aluminum body coupled with elegant design - this camera is sure to catch your attention the moment you set your eyes on it...



Performance-oriented, but very expensive!
The DSC-P9 has a whopping 4.0Megapixel CCD resolution sensor! Equipped with a 3x optical zoom, the camera is sure to deliver high-quality images. Like other cameras in the Sony range, this one also uses their proprietary Memory Stick technology for storing images and video. The unit comes with a 16MB Memory Stick, an NP-FC10 InfoLithium rechargeable battery, AC adapter and battery charger, wrist strap, USB cable, A/V cable, CD-ROM featuring Pixela ImageMixer software and drivers and a printed user manual. You also get a Sony India warranty and service card to deal with your post-purchase worries, if any.

The camera has 3x optical and 2x digital zoom, a 1.5inch TFT color LCD screen and a multipoint auto-focus system. In low light conditions, the flash strobes twice with every shot which makes it easy to get the right exposure every time. The best image size you can get from this camera is 2272x1704 and there are five different image sizes for you to choose from. They are 2272x1704, 2272x1520, 1600x1200, 1280x960 and 640x480. All images can be stored in Fine and Standard quality JPEG compression. In Multi Burst mode, the camera captures sixteen 320 x 240 frames as part of a single 1280x960 image which can be played back sequentially in the camera. So if you want to analyse your golf swing, this feature is for you!
MPEG Movie HQX Mode captures video and audio at 16 frames per second. With the MPEG Movie Video Mail and Presentation modes, you can capture small sizes suitable for email. Another cool feature is the camera's ability to save animated GIFs using Clip Motion Mode. It captures 10 images and converts them to an animated GIF capable of 2-frames-per-second playback. The DSC-P9 offers various settings of flash levels, sharpness, ISO sensitivity, white balance, focus, exposure levels and photo effects etc. This camera looks, and has all the same feature as the which was earlier reviewed by us. Everything, including the placement of the battery and the removable memory compartment, and placement of the USB and Video ports are exactly the same. The only difference is the pixel count or the CCD sensor, which is 4.0Megapixel for this one compared with 3.2 for the DSC-P7.

In terms of image quality, the camera again produces images similar to the one produced by cameras we have tested in the . With its 3x optical zoom, the camera very useful for outdoor photography done in broad daylight. Low-light environments seem to produce slightly grainy images, which can be attributed to the weak flash. The camera will take about 8 photos in 'Fine' quality (2272x1704) and about 96 at 640x480, before running out of space. In HQX-MPEG mode, the camera manages to store 40 seconds of video with audio.
Battery life is pretty good, and the batteries can be recharged fairly quickly. The one thing we did not like about the camera is its 4-way touchpad control placed at the back. Using this, selecting an option on the LCD is a problem at times and this could have been made more ergonomic. Also, the camera does not come with any carrying case.

Though the Cyber-shot DSC-P9 is a highly portable camera targeted at the semi-professional photo enthusiast, it is a bit too expensive at Rs.54990. If you are looking for a good digital camera that gives you great image quality, and is still priced reasonably, we would recommend the which costs less than half of this one.

Test Unit Sourced From: Sony world

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Discussion Board
Diwakar
,Chennai, on Dec 07, 2007 09:22 AM
I am looking for a new Sony Cybershot digicam with 6MP and optical resolution more than 4x with price around 14k
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anup
,dharwad, on Oct 18, 2007 10:31 AM
i want sony cyber shot,3.2 mega pixel or 5 mega pixel digiyal camera to purchase
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robert
,Guntur, on Apr 09, 2007 08:29 PM
robert
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Ashok Kumar
,Bangalore, on Jan 24, 2007 01:31 PM
Kindly intimet the price of DSC-C72
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Rupesh
,Mumbai INDIA, on Apr 02, 2006 02:13 PM
Can u plz sene me the detailed costing og the digital camara with authorised delers list in mumbai INIDA
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prakalp
,Amravati, on Sep 27, 2003 03:27 PM
would like to purchase it, anyone selling a new one email me
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karan
,nyc, on May 12, 2003 03:25 PM
Well this is the policy with all the companies ! they charge double to what the prices are in other countries !
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Prakash R.
,Bangalore, on May 12, 2003 11:40 AM
Rs. 54,900 is a ridiculously expensive price !! Sony India is ripping of the Indian customer... I have purchased the DSC P-9 from Sony, in China last week for the equivalent of Rs. 28,000/- which is a difference of a whopping 26,000/-. Can Sony India explain this price difference ?
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spectrum inform
,kanpur, on Jan 11, 2003 04:36 PM
pls send me the price
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Test Labs
,Techtree, on Apr 08, 2003 04:54 PM
We have the prices applicable in Mumbai, the prices would differ from Mumbai to Kanpur, but still you can contact the vendor and ask him for Kanpur prices Sony world, Contact Person: Mr.Nimesh Xaveri Phone nos. 22876241 / 43 E mail: rworld@hathway.com
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anil
,riyadh, on May 02, 2003 05:23 PM
I will be bringing p7 model max resolution 3.2 mega pixel when i will come to lko from Riyadh with me if interested mail me at adwivedi.c@stc.com.sa
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Murali Manohar
,Madhurai, Tamilnadu, on Apr 09, 2003 10:42 AM
Tis is good but need to eval furhter, can u provide me with some bench mark deatails. I need this for Industrial & scientific photography
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M P PARMAR
,Mumbai, on Mar 17, 2003 07:19 AM
Send me the price
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CCC
,Kakinada, on Nov 29, 2002 12:00 AM
It is excellent, but I need some models, So please show all the models. Thanks
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