Cyber-shot DSC-P150

Released 2004

A 7.2-megapixel pocket camera with a 38–114 mm equivalent zoom, optical viewfinder and manual exposure.

Type: Compact
Sensor: 1/1.8-type
Megapixels: 7.2
Lens: 38–114 mm equivalent
Video: 640 × 480 at 30 fps
Body weight: 147 g

What reviewers say

DPReview and Imaging Resource praised the detail, colour, responsive operation and battery life. DPReview found occasional close-focus errors and flash underexposure, plus noise in high-ISO shadows. Imaging Resource was particularly positive about sharpness and low-light performance; DPReview found the corners softer at wide apertures.

From dpreview.com and old.imaging-resource.com

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Specifications

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Image and sensor

Camera type: Compact
Sensor format: 1/1.8-type
Sensor type: Super HAD CCD
Effective resolution: 7.2 MP
Largest image: 3072 × 2304
RAW recording: No
Standard ISO range: 100–400
Sensor detail: 1/1.8-type Super HAD CCD; approximately 7.201 million effective and 7.41 million total photosites. The manual’s 9.11 mm optical designation is not the physical sensor width
Image formats: JPEG Fine or Standard, Exif 2.2 / DCF; no RAW
Image processor: Sony Real Imaging Processor

Lens and shooting

Built-in lens: 38–114 mm equivalent
Maximum aperture: f/2.8–5.2
Optical zoom: 3×
Lens detail: Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar, actual 7.9–23.7 mm, 38–114 mm equivalent, F2.8–5.2. Conversion lenses require an adapter; the UK 30 mm filter figure applies to the accessory system
Autofocus: Single or monitor AF, five-area and centre AF with illuminator; preset focus at 0.5, 1, 3 or 7 m and infinity rather than continuously adjustable manual focus. Macro approximately 6 cm wide or 30 cm telephoto
Shutter: UK specification: Auto 1/8–1/2000 second; Manual 30–1/1000 second
Burst detail: Maker lists approximately 1.1 seconds between images, up to five full-resolution images; this is an interval, not 1.1 fps. Multi Burst stores 16 reduced-resolution frames in a single 1280×960 image, not a full-resolution burst
Flash: Built-in flash, ISO Auto approximately 0.2–3.5 m wide or 0.3–2.5 m telephoto; automatic, forced, slow sync, off and red-eye reduction. No accessory shoe
Exposure controls: Auto, Program, Manual and nine scene modes. Automatic white balance plus daylight, cloudy, fluorescent, incandescent and flash presets; no custom white balance. No aperture or shutter priority modes

Video

Highest video resolution: 640 × 480 at 30 fps
Video detail: MPEG-1 movies: 640×480 Fine at approximately 30 fps requires Memory Stick PRO; separate Standard VGA and 160×112 settings. Fine VGA cannot be recorded on the supplied 32 MB Memory Stick
Audio: Monaural movie sound, electret condenser microphone and built-in speaker. The exact manual specifies MPEG-1, despite the DPReview introductory table calling it Motion JPEG

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder: Optical
Screen size: 1.8″
Screen dots: 134,400
Touchscreen: No
Tilting screen: No
Display detail: Fixed 1.8-type TFT; UK gives 134400 colour-subpixel dots. English manual rounds to 134000 while listing 560×240 dots. 100% LCD field of view
Viewfinder detail: Real-image optical viewfinder

Connections and design

Bluetooth: No
Battery life (maker's claim): 320 photographs
Body weight: 147 g
Release detail: Sony announced planned September 2004 US availability and 17 September Japanese availability. Contemporary production review and street pricing establish sale in 2004; earliest actual retail day remains unresolved, so year precision is retained
Recording media: Memory Stick and Memory Stick PRO; 32 MB Memory Stick supplied
Ports: Multi-use connector for USB 2.0 and analogue A/V; separate DC IN. PictBridge printing and optional Cyber-shot Station dock
Battery life detail: NP-FR1 lithium-ion, nominal 3.6 V, 1220 mAh / 4.4 Wh. CIPA approximately 320 stills / 160 minutes with LCD on, 430 stills / 215 minutes with LCD off at 25°C. Continuous 160-pixel movies approximately 130 / 170 minutes with LCD on / off, not a VGA-runtime claim. US announcement’s 310-shot claim differs from the UK and exact manual’s 320-shot figure
Charging: In-camera charging through supplied AC-LS5/LS5B adapter, camera switched off; approximately 200 minutes at 25°C. Adapter also supplies external power
Dimensions: 108×51.5×26.6 mm width×height×depth, excluding maximum protrusions
Weight detail: Approximately 147 g body only (UK specifications); 183 g including NP-FR1, Memory Stick and wrist strap (English manual)
Materials: Metal body; no waterproof rating established
Colours: Silver and black, confirmed by Sony Japan archive and announcement
In the box: NP-FR1 battery and case, AC-LS5/LS5B adapter, mains lead, USB / A/V cable for multi-use connector, wrist strap, 32 MB Memory Stick, software CD and operating instructions; regional contents may differ

Pros and cons

Pros

Optical viewfinder and manual exposure
320-shot CIPA battery claim with LCD enabled

Cons

Lens starts at 38 mm equivalent
No RAW recording or custom white balance

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Sensor	Megapixels	Lens	Video	Body weight	Released
SonyCyber-shot DSC-P100	Compact	1/1.8-type	5.1	38–114 mm equivalent	640 × 480 at 30 fps	147 g	2004
SonyCyber-shot DSC-P93	Compact	1/1.8-type	5.1	38–114 mm equivalent	640 × 480 at 30 fps	175 g	2004
SonyCyber-shot DSC-V3	Compact	1/1.8-type	7.2	34–136 mm equivalent	640 × 480 at 30 fps	360 g	Oct 2004

Sources

Photo: Sony Japan archived exact-model product photograph; silver and black finishes

Silver and black Sony DSC-P150 cameras in the complete supplied reflective studio photograph: Sony Japan; complete supplied studio photograph and background retained

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