Good Camera Not Great
Written: Apr 18 '04
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Pros: Picture quality, size, zoom, programs, speed between shots (memory stick pro is fastest technology)
Cons: Must use Sony batteries! People on this website really need to read their manuals.
The Bottom Line: If you want a camera that takes really great pictures and you are willing to read the manual, then you will be happy.
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| justonething's Full Review: Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-P72 Digital Camera |
I bought my P72 6 months ago so I consider myself pretty qualified to give a review vs. those that have written theirs after only 3 days of ownership. The honeymoon phase is over for me and I am looking for a new camera but this one wasn't too bad.
The size of the camera is great for the amount of features it has: optical zoom, flash, many unique program modes, movies, on-board editing / cropping. The battery life is great compared to many. Sony Memorystick Pro is faster writing than other storage technologies so shooting several pictures back to back is easy (no waiting).
The program modes that come with this camera are awesome but you really have to read read read your manual. These features do complex things you would have to be a rocket scientist to perform on a 35mm camera. The night shots that it can do are fantastic when you use a tripod.
For all of you that are complaining about this camera on Epinions, guess what? Your batteries are dying! That is the main source of most of the complaints up here including: shutter keeps closing, camera won't stay on, blurry pictures at night, poor battery life, long time between shots when using flash, time between pictures is too slow, even the guy who thinks he has water damage-you really have poor batteries! The batteries that come with the camera a really unique even thought they look like normal AA rechargeables. Even thought the kid at circuit city told me I could buy alkaline AA batteries in a pinch: WRONG. You MUST use Sony batteries intended for this camera! Nothing will substitute! Don't be fooled by the ignorant Best Buy or Circuit City pimple crowd. Go to a photography store (in person or online) and get the correct Sony batteries. Don't attempt to use the universal rechargeables that Circuit City and Best Buy sell. They don't work, and when they do it is only temporary.
All of the other complaints about this camera are from people who did not read the manual. The blurry pictures at night complaint - the guy needs to set the exposure to automatic and make sure the macro button is in the OFF position.
My biggest complaint about the camera is that you really need a tripod for most of the special effects. My next complaint is that you have to really read the manual to know what you are doing. Even though you get good results right out of the box you really need to read the manual and then read it a gain a month or 2 later to figure out what you have been doing wrong.
I bought this camera for a trip to Italy and was not disappointed (except for learning about the batteries while over there). My next camera is a Nikon Coolpix 5400. The main reason I want it is because of the 28mm wide angle it has (28mm to 88mm 35mm zoom equivalent). Most digital cameras don't give you a wide enough angle lens to capture indoor pictures with enough detail. Same problem on most video cameras. When will they learn what the consumer wants instead of trying to sell us aftermarket lenses for hundreds of dollars?
Hope this helps you. If you do what I recommend above you will have a great experience with your camera. If you are not planning on reading the manual then stick to your 35mm point and shoot and Velcro sneakers instead of laces.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 289
This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Flexible Enough for Enthusiasts
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Epinions.com ID:
justonething
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Reviews written: 3
Trusted by: 0 members
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