Cyber-shot DSC-S950

Released 2009

A 10.1-megapixel rechargeable compact with a 33–132 mm-equivalent lens, 2.7-inch screen, face detection and electronic shake reduction.

Type: Compact
Sensor: 1/2.3-type
Megapixels: 10.1
Lens: 33–132 mm equivalent
Video: 320 × 240 at 30 fps
Body weight: 135 g

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Specifications

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Image and sensor

Camera type: Compact
Sensor format: 1/2.3-type
Sensor type: Super HAD CCD
Effective resolution: 10.1 MP
Largest image: 3648 × 2736
RAW recording: No
Standard ISO range: 100–3200
Sensor detail: Optical 1/2.3-type Super HAD CCD, approximately 10.1 million effective / 10.3 million total pixels. Optical format is not a physical dimension; shared instruction manual labels S950 separately from 12.1 MP S980
Image formats: JPEG/Exif 2.21; maximum 3648×2736, with 3:2 3648×2432 and 16:9 3648×2056/1920×1080 settings. No RAW. UK archive mixed 12 MP template entries excluded

Lens and shooting

Built-in lens: 33–132 mm equivalent
Maximum aperture: f/2.5–5.6
Optical zoom: 4×
Stabilisation: Electronic only
Lens detail: Sony 4× zoom, physical 5.8–23.2 mm F2.5–5.6, equivalent 33–132 mm. Closest focus approximately 5 cm wide / 50 cm telephoto
Autofocus: Single autofocus; nine-area multi AF or centre AF and distance presets 0.5 m, 1 m, 3 m, 7 m and infinity, not continuously adjustable manual focus. Face detection up to eight faces; no AF illuminator
Shutter: Auto 1/8–1/2000 second; Program auto 1–1/2000 second in exact Hong Kong maker table
Burst detail: Up to 100 frames while shutter is held, approximately 1-second recording interval. Focus, exposure and white balance fixed to first frame; flash off and ISO limited to Auto or 100–400. Self-timer burst limited to five frames. No unrestricted sustained rate inferred
Stabilisation detail: Electronic SteadyShot only, not optical lens or sensor-shift stabilisation. Handbook excludes flash use and Easy Shooting; processing takes additional time
Flash: Auto ISO range approximately 0.5–3.5 m wide / 0.5–1.5 m telephoto. Forced flash, slow sync and off; red-eye reduction available
Exposure controls: Auto, Easy Shooting, Program auto, High Sensitivity and six scene modes: Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Soft Snap, Landscape, Beach and Snow. No manual or aperture/shutter-priority exposure. ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps; multi-pattern, centre-weighted and spot metering. ISO Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 and 3200

Video

Highest video resolution: 320 × 240 at 30 fps
Video detail: AVI Motion JPEG, 320×240 at approximately 30 fps with mono sound. Movie image size fixed to 320×240 in exact instruction manual, overriding UK archive mixed 640×480 template entries

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder: None
Screen size: 2.7″
Screen dots: 230,400
Touchscreen: No
Tilting screen: No
Display detail: Fixed 2.7-inch TFT, 230,400 dots; dots are not captured image pixels. No tilting or touchscreen; histogram display
Viewfinder detail: No separate viewfinder; composition uses rear LCD

Connections and design

Bluetooth: No
Battery life (maker's claim): 330 photographs
Body weight: 135 g
Release detail: Sony Hong Kong January 16 2009 release planned availability from early February; German release also planned February. Actual CDR Electronics October 23 2009 exact-model sale notice and contemporary full ColorFoto test support year 2009. First retail month/day unresolved, so year precision retained. No predecessor inferred from model numbering
Recording media: Approximately 12 MB internal memory; Memory Stick Duo, PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo (no enhanced PRO-HG transfer performance). No card supplied
Ports: Combined USB/A/V OUT terminal: Hi-Speed USB 2.0, mono audio and NTSC/PAL composite video. Exact instruction manual overrides UK archive A/V No template entry. PictBridge compatible; no external microphone input
Battery life detail: Supplied NP-BK1 rechargeable lithium-ion pack: approximately 330 still images / 165 minutes CIPA at 25°C. Viewing claim 4800 images / 240 minutes is a separate playback test, not shooting endurance
Charging: External BC-CSK or BC-CSKA charger supplied; USB is not listed as a charging method. Optional AC-LS5K mains adaptor separate
Dimensions: 93.1×55.7×23.8 mm width×height×depth, excluding protrusions
Weight detail: 135 g body only in maker UK/Hong Kong tables; approximately 157 g including NP-BK1 battery pack and strap, etc. in exact instruction manual
In the box: NP-BK1 battery, BC-CSK/BC-CSKA charger (region-dependent), dedicated USB cable, A/V cable, wrist strap, software/handbook CD and instruction manual; Memory Stick Duo separate

Pros and cons

Pros

4× optical zoom
Face detection
330-shot CIPA battery claim

Cons

No optical stabilisation or viewfinder
No RAW or manual exposure
Video limited to 320×240

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Sensor	Megapixels	Lens	Video	Body weight	Released
SonyCyber-shot DSC-S930	Compact	1/2.3-type	10.1	36–108 mm equivalent	320 × 240 at 30 fps	118 g	2009
SonyCyber-shot DSC-S980	Compact	1/2.3-type	12.1	33–132 mm equivalent	320 × 240 at 30 fps	135 g	2009
SonyCyber-shot DSC-W290	Compact	1/2.3-type	12.1	28–140 mm equivalent	1280 × 720 at 30 fps	145 g	2009

Sources

Photo: Sony / Photoscala

Silver Cyber-shot DSC-S950 rear view, cropped from the Sony front-and-rear press photograph: Sony / Photoscala

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