Cyber-shot DSC-P9

Released 2002

A 4-megapixel aluminium pocket camera with a 39–117 mm equivalent zoom, optical viewfinder and MPEG-1 movie recording.

Type: Compact
Sensor: 1/1.8-type
Megapixels: 4
Lens: 39–117 mm equivalent
Video: 320 × 240 at 16.6 fps
Body weight: 176.5 g

What reviewers say

DPReview and Imaging Resource liked the compact build, straightforward controls and colour reproduction. DPReview found softer detail than larger 4-megapixel rivals and some blooming around bright edges. Imaging Resource found restricted low-light control, a tight optical viewfinder and short LCD-on battery endurance. Both noted the limited exposure controls.

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

Product links

Specifications

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Image and sensor

Camera type: Compact
Sensor format: 1/1.8-type
Sensor type: Super HAD CCD
Effective resolution: 4 MP
Largest image: 2272 × 1704
RAW recording: No
Standard ISO range: 100–400
Sensor detail: 1/1.8-type Super HAD CCD. UK markets 4.0 effective megapixels; exact manual specifies approximately 3.95 million effective and 4.13 million total photosites. The 8.98 mm optical designation is not physical sensor width
Image formats: Exif 2.2 JPEG Fine or Standard; animated GIF for Clip Motion; no RAW or TIFF

Lens and shooting

Built-in lens: 39–117 mm equivalent
Maximum aperture: f/2.8–5.6
Optical zoom: 3×
Lens detail: Sony 3× zoom, actual 8–24 mm, 39–117 mm equivalent, F2.8–5.6; UK macro specification 10 cm. Not a Carl Zeiss lens
Autofocus: Multi-point and centre AF with illuminator; preset distances 0.5, 1, 3, 7 m or infinity, not continuously adjustable manual focus
Burst detail: Multi Burst records 16 reduced-resolution frames as one 1280×960 composite. Selectable intervals 1/7.5, 1/15 or 1/30 second NTSC; 1/6.3, 1/12.5 or 1/25 second PAL. This is not a full-resolution continuous burst rate
Flash: Built-in flash; ISO Auto approximately 0.5–3.8 m wide or 0.6–2.4 m telephoto. Auto, forced, off and red-eye reduction; no accessory shoe
Exposure controls: Automatic exposure and Twilight, Twilight Portrait and Landscape scenes; no manual exposure or aperture/shutter priority. ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps; automatic white balance plus daylight, cloudy, fluorescent and incandescent presets; no custom white balance

Video

Highest video resolution: 320 × 240 at 16.6 fps
Video detail: MPEG-1 with monaural sound; HQX 320×240 at approximately 16.6 fps per UK specification, plus 160×112 mail mode. Clip Motion is animated GIF and Multi Burst a composite still
Audio: Electret condenser microphone and dynamic speaker; monaural MPEG-1 movies and voice annotation with still images

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 with 123200 colour-subpixel dots (560×220); UK specifies approximately 100% LCD field coverage
Viewfinder detail: Real-image optical viewfinder; Imaging Resource measured approximately 77% frame coverage wide and 81% telephoto

Connections and design

Bluetooth: No
Battery life (maker's claim): 120 photographs
Body weight: 176.5 g
Release detail: Sony announced planned Japanese availability on 25 April 2002. Contemporary production reviews confirm sale in 2002; actual earliest worldwide retail month remains unresolved, so year precision retained
Recording media: Memory Stick; 16 MB card supplied. Exact manual also permits MagicGate Memory Stick without its copyright-protection functions; Memory Stick PRO support not established
Ports: USB mini-B (UK explicitly says not Hi-Speed USB 2.0), monaural A/V minijack and DC IN
Battery life detail: NP-FC10 lithium-ion, 3.6 V, 675 mAh / 2.4 Wh. Maker average-condition test at 25°C: approximately 120 shots / 60 minutes LCD on, one Fine shot every 30 seconds, alternate zoom endpoints, flash every other shot and power cycle every ten shots; not labelled CIPA. Continuous 160×112 mail movies approximately 80 minutes LCD on or 110 minutes LCD off
Charging: In-camera charging with AC-LS1A adapter, camera off; approximately 150 minutes at 25°C. Adapter also powers camera externally
Dimensions: 114×51.5×35.8 mm width×height×depth excluding protrusions
Weight detail: Approximately 176.5 g body only (UK specifications); UK gives 205.5 g loaded, rounded to 206 g including NP-FC10, Memory Stick and strap in manual
Materials: Aluminium body described in Sony UK brochure; no waterproof rating established
In the box: NP-FC10 battery, AC-LS1A adapter and mains lead, USB and A/V cables, 16 MB Memory Stick, wrist strap, software CD and instructions

Pros and cons

Pros

Optical viewfinder and compact aluminium body
Focus presets and AF illuminator

Cons

No RAW or manual exposure
Movie resolution limited to 320×240

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Sensor	Megapixels	Lens	Video	Body weight	Released
SonyCyber-shot DSC-P7	Compact	1/1.8-type	3.2	39–117 mm equivalent	320 × 240 at 16.6 fps	176.5 g	2002
SonyCyber-shot DSC-P71	Compact	1/1.8-type	3.21	39–117 mm equivalent	320 × 240	226 g	2002
SonyCyber-shot DSC-P10	Compact	1/1.8-type	5	38–114 mm equivalent	640 × 480 at 16.6 fps	172 g	2003

Sources

Photo: Sony Japan exact-model launch press photograph

Front view with the Sony 3× zoom lens extended: Sony UK 2002 Cyber-shot brochure, page 13; manufacturer photograph preserved by Submin archive; exact DSC-P9 view
Rear LCD, optical viewfinder and controls: Sony UK 2002 Cyber-shot brochure, page 13; manufacturer photograph preserved by Submin archive; exact DSC-P9 view
Side view of the extended zoom lens: Sony UK 2002 Cyber-shot brochure, page 13; manufacturer photograph preserved by Submin archive; exact DSC-P9 view
Top controls and extended lens: Sony UK 2002 Cyber-shot brochure, page 13; manufacturer photograph preserved by Submin archive; exact DSC-P9 view

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