Cyber-shot DSC-T30

Released April 2006

A 7.2 MP pocket camera with a stabilised internal 3× zoom, 3-inch screen, 58 MB internal memory and optical zoom during VGA video.

Type: Compact
Sensor: –
Megapixels: 7.2
Lens: 38–114 mm equivalent
Video: 640 × 480 at 30 fps
Body weight: 132 g

What reviewers say

TechRadar and Reviewed praised the metal body, large screen, effective stabilisation and pleasing colour. Both found the controls small and zoom slow. TechRadar considered it an excellent compact, while Reviewed found the launch price poor value and burst shooting disappointing. Reviewed also found low-light noise increased markedly; TechRadar noted reduced contrast at high sensitivities.

From techradar.com and reviewed.com

Specifications

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Image and sensor

Camera type: Compact
Sensor type: Super HAD CCD
Effective resolution: 7.2 MP
Largest image: 3072 × 2304
RAW recording: No
Standard ISO range: 80–1000
Sensor detail: 1/2.5-type primary-colour interlaced Super HAD CCD; 7.4 million total and 7.2 million effective photosites in original Japanese maker sheet
Image formats: JPEG; native 3072 × 2304, 3072 × 2048 in 3:2 mode or 1920 × 1080 in 16:9 mode; no RAW recording
Image processor: Real Imaging Processor with Clear RAW NR before JPEG compression; this processing does not provide RAW file recording

Lens and shooting

Built-in lens: 38–114 mm equivalent
Maximum aperture: f/3.5–4.3
Optical zoom: 3×
Stabilisation: Optical lens stabilisation
Lens detail: Internal folded Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar; actual 6.33–19.0 mm
Autofocus: Multi-point or centre AF with illuminator and preset distances; normal from 0.5 m, macro from 0.08 m wide or 0.25 m telephoto; Magnifying Glass mode from 0.01–0.2 m
Shutter: Automatic 1/4–1/1000 second; Program 1–1/1000 second in original maker table
Burst detail: Up to five native 7.2 MP Fine JPEG frames at approximately 0.92-second intervals on UK support; up to 100 smaller VGA Standard frames is a separate mode
Stabilisation detail: Super SteadyShot optical lens shift; shooting-only or continuous modes for stills, continuous only for movies
Flash: Built-in automatic, forced, off or slow-sync flash with red-eye reduction; maker automatic-ISO reach 0.1–3.4 m wide or 0.25–2.7 m telephoto; original launch gives 6 m at ISO 1000 wide; no hot shoe
Exposure controls: Automatic or program exposure; ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps; original Japanese maker lists nine scenes including High Sensitivity; no manual aperture or shutter control; ordinary automatic exposure limits ISO to 320, while High Sensitivity mode reaches ISO 1000

Video

Highest video resolution: 640 × 480 at 30 fps
Video detail: MPEG-1 with mono sound; VGA Fine 30 fps requires Memory Stick PRO Duo (Reviewed); original maker table gives approximately 17 fps Standard VGA or approximately 8 fps video-mail at 160 × 112; maker confirms optical 3× zoom operates during recording

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder: None
Screen size: 3″
Screen dots: 230,000
Display detail: 3-inch TFT Hybrid Clear Photo LCD Plus with 230,000 dots; AR anti-reflection coating and wide viewing angle; still-image slideshows support downloadable music and transition effects

Connections and design

Bluetooth: No
Battery life (maker's claim): 420 photographs
Body weight: 132 g
Release detail: Original Japanese launch sheet gives 21 April 2006 first sale
Recording media: 58 MB internal memory; Memory Stick Duo or Memory Stick PRO Duo slot
Ports: Multi-connector with supplied USB 2.0 Hi-Speed, mono composite AV and DC input cable; PictBridge direct printing
Battery life detail: NP-FR1 InfoLithium R battery; maker CIPA claim 420 photographs or 210 minutes, with remaining time displayed in minutes
Charging: Supplied BC-CS3 external battery charger
Dimensions: 95 × 56.5 × 23.3 mm (width × height × depth, excluding projections); 18.9 mm at the thinnest section
Weight detail: Approximately 132 g camera only; 169 g shooting weight in original maker sheet
Materials: Metal body; silver anodised finish or black electrodeposited clear coating over silver anodising
Colours: Silver or black; colour editions share this entry
In the box: NP-FR1 battery, BC-CS3 charger and power cord, multi-connector USB/AV/DC input cable, wrist strap and software

Pros and cons

Pros

Optical lens-shift stabilisation
Optical zoom during movie recording
Large screen and 420-shot maker battery claim

Cons

No manual aperture or shutter control
VGA Fine video requires Memory Stick PRO Duo
No optical viewfinder or hot shoe

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Sensor	Megapixels	Lens	Video	Body weight	Released
SonyCyber-shot DSC-T10	Compact	–	7.2	38–114 mm equivalent	640 × 480 at 30 fps	140 g	Aug 2006
SonyCyber-shot DSC-W30	Compact	–	6	38–114 mm equivalent	640 × 480 at 30 fps	123 g	Feb 2006
SonyCyber-shot DSC-W50	Compact	–	6	38–114 mm equivalent	640 × 480 at 30 fps	127 g	Mar 2006

Sources

Photo: sony.jp

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T30 silver and black finishes shown together in front oblique views: Sony
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T30 in black, front oblique view with the lens cover open: Sony
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T30 in silver, rear controls and display: Sony
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T30 silver front and black rear views shown together, with flower artwork on the display: Sony
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T30 held in two hands, showing the rear display and controls: Sony

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