Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P30 1.3 Megapixel

This camera takes very good pictures. I have bought several other cameras with higher mega pixels and none of them have taken the great quality of pictures as the Sony Cybershot.

i bought this old 1.3 sony in 2000,i love it,it takes better picture then my new $600 camera,if you buy one used all you have to buy is a 64 card +you are in business,battery life is short on this model sony,but the pictures are outstanding,very easy to use,you can buy this camera on ebay for $45-60 that has every thing (batteries+charger)you will not be sorry

I like it because I had one just like it with all the expensive - at the time - accessories that went with it. My original one refused to flash and the LCD broke within 3 months of purchase so I couldn't change any settings.
With the purchase of a different camera but same model, etc., I am able to use all my accessories and the LCD. It is as good as my original and cost me about 1/9 as much

Forget trying to keep up with technology ... you can't, especially in photography. While the new camaras have expanded memory & numerous options, they are more cumbersome to operate. Manufacturers seem to think the smaller the better. The buttons are smaller, the camara is easier to lose, and easier to damage.

The Sony DSC P-30 has Sony quality but since it was one one of the earlier digital camaras, is an easy transition from traditional camaras to the new digital modern version. The feel, the size, and ease of function make it a great camara for the average vacation, birthday, and family events. Of course with any digital camara, you need to know how to download them onto your computer and luckily, Sony is well recognized by most software so even that is an easy task.

The memory that camaras sell everyone on is the detail of the picture, but it comes down to the memory cards as to how many pictures you will be able to take. It is a bit frustrating to have to load a memory card after it is full. Easier than loading a roll of film, but nonetheless bothersome and the cost can run about $30+ dollars for "normal" size memory cards that would hold 50-ish high quality photos.

I use this camara in my business & for family events. Although it is several years old, there still technical support and upgrades available from Sony. I damaged my previous camara and found a replacement on ebay for a 1/4 of the price new and I was completely familiar with it, so no down time trying to learn it's functions. Which was the main reason I sought this camara out. It's quality, it's dependable, and I know it's functions.

I love this camera...we bought it originally to take photos for eBay. My husband upgraded to a expensive model ($785.00). My daughter now uses the Cybershot 1.3 MP DCS-P30 for a job as a reporter for a local newspaper. I lend it back to go on trips. We both love the fast shutter speed for taking photos of children (with my husbands camera the kids have moved and I loose the moment). Also shots taken from a moving car are possible.

Can't say enough about this great little camera. Love the lens cap instead of the automatic closure that can sometimes break.

Got my first one four years ago (Staples demo) for $75. That one held up for about 2 years of heavy use (about 10,000 pictures) before dying. First unit continued to function after falling 15 feet onto a hardwood floor! It uses up batteries quickly if you leave the monitor on and use the flash. You must use rechargeable batteries. Very few (new) designs are still using AA's, which may appeal to some users. all factors considered I prefer the AA's to the boxy (smaller) specialty batteries since they are cheaper and you can carry around 2 or 3 sets. Very rugged camera except for two design flaws which have happened on both cameras I have owned: 1) the battery compartment door WILL fail eventually and become loose due to broken plastic tab but it will not render the camera useless. 2) Memory card door will fail eventually and can be removed. Removal does not impact camera function. This camera probably came out in 2000 or 2001 and is larger and heavier than newer designs and has a small screen. It weighs TEN ounces (with batteries) vs 4.7 ounces for my Olympus Stylus Verve. You can attach wide angle and telephoto lens since this unit has standard threads for these optional lens.

This camera is not only an excellent value, but takes the punishment and abuse that some cameras could only dream of having, lol.
In all seriousness, this camera does not have an external lens when zooming, it is completely internal. This means no lens jamming on a small grain of sand.
I throw this camera in the center consol of my vehicle and it takes great shots no matter how rough I am with it. No big deal if it fails at $45 [used] on ebay. I have dropped it several times (hard) and it still works great (albeit many scratches).
The only problem I have noticed is when going from a very cold to very warm environment there may be some temporary lens zoom and focus jamming due to condensation within the camera. Just dry it out good on your heater and it will return to its same old self within a few hours. It is cheap enough on ebay that you can keep one dedicated to a cold enviro in your car anyway - just remove the chip to take indoors and transfer the pics.
Battery life can be stretched by turning off the view screen - a small green led on the top tells you it is powered up and you can shoot away without even slowing down on the road.
Another cool feature is the choice between MPEG or 10-shot stills video shot mode which creates a moving GIF file.
A true "excellent" product from Sony -

ABSOLUTELY SIMPLE TO USE. WITH A 128MB STICK YOU CAN TAKE 100 QUALITY, DECENT SIZED PICTURES. WITH AN INFO LITHIUM BATTERY IT RUNS AS LONG AS ANY OTHER MODEL. THIS WAS MY FIRST DIGITAL CAMERA AND IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT EXCELLENT. I HAVE UPGRADE TO A 5MP CAMERA, BUT I BOUGHT ANOTHER SONY, BECAUSE THIS ONE WORKED SO WELL FOR ME. AT CURRENT PRICES, ITS A STEAL FOR $100 WITH A 128 STICK AND INFO-LITHIUM BATTERY. YOU WOULD NEED TO BE A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER TO NEED MORE!!!

The pictures I have taken with this camera have turned out very well. I REALLY like the optical zoom. My biggest problem was its appetite for AA batteries. I solved this by getting the rechargeable battery for it, it lasts WAY longer than the AA batteries. My other problem is that I use my left eye to look through the camera and when I do, my nose plants itself on the screen, which doesn't hurt my nose but kind of smudges up the screen. Newer cameras have way more megapixels, but for my photography (personal and eBay) 1.3 has been more than enough. The DSC-P30 is commonly available on eBay, and at those prices it is an exceptional value.

This camera has all the memory I need for web site and photos for family and friends. I especially like the logical, easy operation and menus. It is easily pocketable. There is, of course, a tradeoff between having only two batteries instead of four, in that the camera is lighter but doesn't run as long on two batteries. I am very fond of this camera, and I have tried a couple of others in the same memory, price range.

This is a very good deal for the money -----takes great pics and has everything you need to take vidieos I love and recommend bidding

I have been searching the right words to express my purchase; Wonderful, come to mind.
Let me explain: Often we have prized moments in our lives!

A childs surprise party, tossing a frizbee at the park with the family dog, or something "Fluffy the cat" amazed us with!

My point being that we all enjoy a great picture however, many (self included) aren't familiar with our cell phone camera and before you know it the moments passed. Sure, we can all drag out the semi-professional cameras with a million different ways to take a great photo!

Portable cameras often give you the best bang for the buck! The're light weight and can fit almost anywhere (backpack, pockets or purses) and they really take outstanding pictures on a moments notice! I don't have change lenses or fool around with complicated settings, when the moments right I just point and "Click" I'm ready to move on to the next thing!

Of course there are many digital cameras on the market (many with large price tags) but for me the choice is simple! Purchase a gently used camera and I'm off and running!

I don't really get upset if I drop or bang the camera around because I haven't invested a pile of money into it anyway!

Pictures last a life time, why not have a camera (Sony leaders in the industry) that is portable and ready for the best moments of the day!

Clifford in VA

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P30 1.3 Megapixel was old with a small memorycard, holding only 4 pictures. Extremely bulky.

I like the ease of use and the zoom is very good. Great little camera,will serve me well for years to come. For the money it is very well worth the investment. Much quicker than waiting for rolls of film to be developed,just take the memory stick and put it in your computer or the machines at Wal-Mart and print away.!!!! Excellent and would highly recommend using rechargable batteries!!!!!!!! You will not be disappointed with this little beauty,i can guarantee you will be very pleased.!!!!! I Am.!!!!!

got the camrea an didnt read any memory stick i went out an got new ones an didnt work i am not to happy with the camrea

This model is very, very, very easy to use. The pictures look great and it can be stored anywhere. No battery chargers or Einstien level complexity. Just a nice camera that takes pictures!