Sony · Cyber-shot

Cyber-shot DSC-P30

Released 2001

A 1.25-megapixel compact camera with a 3× optical zoom, optical viewfinder and AA or optional InfoLITHIUM power.

Type: Compact
Sensor: 1/2.7-type
Megapixels: 1.25
Lens: 41–123 mm equivalent
Video: 320 × 240
Body weight: 214 g

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Specifications

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Image and sensor

Camera type: Compact
Sensor format: 1/2.7-type
Sensor type: Super HAD CCD
Effective resolution: 1.25 MP
Largest image: 1280 × 960
RAW recording: No
Standard ISO range: 100–400
Sensor detail: 1/2.7-type interlaced primary-colour Super HAD CCD; 1.30 million total and 1.25 million effective photosites in the exact P30 maker column. Optical format designation is not physical sensor width
Image formats: JPEG, uncompressed TIFF, GIF for Text and Clip Motion; TIFF is not sensor RAW
Image processor: 12-bit DXP analogue-to-digital conversion; SRC image processing

Lens and shooting

Built-in lens: 41–123 mm equivalent
Maximum aperture: f/3.8–3.9
Optical zoom: 3×
Lens detail: Sony 3× optical zoom, actual 6.4–19.2 mm, 41–123 mm equivalent, F3.8–3.9. Fixed external lens barrel with removable cap; normal autofocus from 0.50 m, macro from 0.03 m. 2× digital enlargement is separate from optical zoom
Autofocus: Autofocus with red AF illuminator; preset focus distances available, not continuous manual focusing
Shutter: Maker Japanese launch table gives automatic 8–1/1000 second range; Imaging Resource tested review describes more limited selectable automatic/Twilight behaviour, so these are published hardware limits rather than guaranteed control in every mode
Flash: Built-in flash, approximately 0.3–2.0 m at ISO Auto; Auto, forced, off and red-eye reduction
Exposure controls: Automatic exposure with ±2 EV adjustment; Twilight mode, spot metering and white balance Auto, Indoor, Outdoor or Hold; no aperture/shutter priority or manual exposure

Video

Highest video resolution: 320 × 240
Video detail: Silent MPEG-1 at 320×240 Presentation or 160×112 Video Mail. Maker launch table gives approximately 22 minutes 20 seconds or 90 minutes on 128 MB Memory Stick. Frame rate left out because no maker recording rate established
Audio: Movies record without sound; beep/shutter speaker is for operational sounds

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder: Optical
Screen size: 1.5″
Screen dots: 123,200
Touchscreen: No
Tilting screen: No
Display detail: Fixed 1.5-type TFT, 123200 colour-subpixel dots(560×220) in exact shared manual; launch lists rounded 123000 dots and 100% LCD framing
Viewfinder detail: Eye-level optical finder zooms with optical lens; digital zoom requires LCD framing

Connections and design

Body weight: 214 g
Release detail: Sony Japan announced planned April 2001 availability. Contemporary ASCII exact P30 test and 2 May 2001 retail price survey confirm the 2001 generation; earliest worldwide first-sale month unresolved, so year precision retained. P1 design resemblance does not establish a direct successor
Recording media: Memory Stick; 4 MB supplied, 128 MB included in maker launch table. PRO compatibility not established
Ports: USB mini-B, switchable NTSC/PAL VIDEO OUT minijack without audio, and DC IN
Battery life detail: Two AA alkaline supplied; optional NP-FS11 InfoLITHIUM S. Exact shared manual continuous VGA Standard/no-flash test at 25°C, approximately 3-second intervals: alkaline 30 minutes/600 shots LCD on or60/1200 off; NP-FS11 90/1800 on or120/2400 off. Not CIPA/average-use life. Launch kit claim 2200 shots uses LCD/flash off; conditions and manual figures differ
Charging: Optional NP-FS11 charges in camera using optional AC-LS1 A in approximately 180 minutes from fully discharged at 25°C; AA cells are not charged in camera
Dimensions: 126×61.2×53.7 mm maximum width×height×depth
Weight detail: Approximately 214 g body in exact P30/P50 maker launch table; 258 g with NP-FS11 and Memory Stick. Shared English manual gives approximately 260 g including two AA batteries, card, wrist strap and lens cap
In the box: Two AA alkaline batteries, 4 MB Memory Stick, USB and video cables, lens cap and cap strap, wrist strap, software CD and operating instructions; optional rechargeable battery and AC adapter sold separately

Pros and cons

Pros

3× optical zoom and 3 cm macro focusing
Optical viewfinder and AA battery support
TIFF recording alongside JPEG

Cons

Silent low-resolution movies
No RAW or manual exposure

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Sensor	Megapixels	Lens	Video	Body weight	Released
SonyCyber-shot DSC-P20	Compact	1/2.7-type	1.11	42 mm equivalent	320 × 240	187 g	2001
SonyCyber-shot DSC-P50	Compact	1/2.7-type	2.02	41–123 mm equivalent	320 × 240	214 g	2001
SonyCyber-shot DSC-P2	Compact	1/2.7-type	2	39–117 mm equivalent	320 × 240 at 16.6 fps	177 g	2002

Sources

Photo: Sony Japan exact DSC-P30 maker launch photograph; complete supplied native canvas and background retained without enlargement

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