Cyber-shot DSC-W30

Released February 2006

A 6 MP compact with a 3× Carl Zeiss zoom, optical finder, 2-inch screen, lithium-ion battery and 32 MB internal storage.

Type: Compact
Sensor: –
Megapixels: 6
Lens: 38–114 mm equivalent
Video: 640 × 480 at 30 fps
Body weight: 123 g

What reviewers say

Imaging Resource and Reviewed liked the portable design, straightforward automatic operation and good colour at lower sensitivities. Both criticised noisy high ISO images. Imaging Resource praised responsiveness and screen usability, while Reviewed found startup slower and the screen poor. Reviewed also reported cramped handling and pronounced edge softness, but considered the camera good value for beginners.

From imaging-resource.com and reviewed.com

Specifications

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Image and sensor

Camera type: Compact
Sensor type: Super HAD CCD
Effective resolution: 6 MP
Largest image: 2816 × 2112
RAW recording: No
Standard ISO range: 80–1000
Sensor detail: 1/2.5-type primary-colour interlaced Super HAD CCD; 6.2 million total and 6 million effective photosites in original Japanese maker sheet
Image formats: JPEG Fine or Standard; native 2816 × 2112, 2816 × 1872 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/2.8–5.2
Optical zoom: 3×
Lens detail: Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar; actual 6.3–18.9 mm; optional VAD-WB adaptor supports conversion lenses and 30 mm filters
Autofocus: Multi-point or centre AF with illuminator; normal from 0.5 m, macro from 0.02 m wide or 0.3 m telephoto
Shutter: Automatic 1/8–1/2000 second; Program 1–1/2000 second in original maker table
Burst detail: Original Japanese launch sheet specifies up to three native 6 MP Fine JPEG frames or 98 VGA Standard frames; current UK support instead lists seven shots with approximately 0.8-second intervals without quality qualification; no headline frame rate inferred
Flash: Automatic, forced, off or slow-sync flash with red-eye reduction; current UK maker lists reach 0.2–7.3 m wide or 0.3–4.0 m telephoto without ISO qualification; no hot shoe
Exposure controls: Automatic or program exposure; ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps; seven scenes including High Sensitivity; no manual aperture or shutter control; original Japanese maker limits ordinary auto to ISO 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 and approximately 8 fps video-mail at 160 × 112; optical zoom cannot change during recording (Reviewed)

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder: Optical
Screen size: 2″
Screen dots: 85,000
Display detail: 2-inch TFT LCD with 85,000 dots and optical real-image finder; display can show a histogram or be switched off

Connections and design

Bluetooth: No
Battery life (maker's claim): 400 photographs
Body weight: 123 g
Release detail: Original US maker release dated 13 February 2006 says the W30 is available that month, giving the earliest sourced retail month; Japanese first sale follows on 10 March 2006
Recording media: 32 MB internal memory; Memory Stick Duo or Memory Stick PRO Duo slot
Ports: USB 2.0 Hi-Speed, mono composite AV output and DC input; separate USB and AV cables in original maker accessories list; PictBridge direct printing
Battery life detail: Supplied NP-BG1 lithium-ion battery; original Japanese maker CIPA claim 400 photographs, also supported by original US launch release; current UK support instead lists 160 shots or 80 minutes
Charging: Supplied BC-CSG external battery charger
Dimensions: 89.8 × 59 × 22.9 mm (width × height × depth); original maker gives 20.4 mm at the thinnest section
Weight detail: Original Japanese maker approximately 123 g camera only or 153 g shooting weight; current UK support instead lists 133 g body and 181 g with accessories
Materials: Aluminium front panel in original Japanese maker launch description
Colours: Silver, blue or white in original Japanese maker launch list; colour editions share this entry
In the box: NP-BG1 battery, BC-CSG charger, USB cable, AV cable, wrist strap and software

Pros and cons

Pros

Optical viewfinder alongside the LCD
Conversion-lens and filter adaptor support
32 MB internal recording memory

Cons

No manual aperture or shutter control
VGA Fine video requires Memory Stick PRO Duo
85,000-dot LCD

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-T30	Compact	–	7.2	38–114 mm equivalent	640 × 480 at 30 fps	132 g	Apr 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-W30 in silver beside a Japanese passport, supplied studio photograph: Sony Japan official CYBER SHOT DSC W30 product photograph; complete supplied canvas and background retained
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W30 silver, white and blue finishes shown together: Sony Japan official CYBER SHOT DSC W30 product photograph; complete supplied canvas and background retained
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W30 in white, front oblique view: Sony Japan official CYBER SHOT DSC W30 product photograph; complete supplied canvas and background retained
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W30 in blue, front oblique view: Sony Japan official CYBER SHOT DSC W30 product photograph; complete supplied canvas and background retained

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