Sony Cyber-shot DCS-P30 1.3MP Digital Camera

I already had a Sony DSC S50 for myself and was looking for another less expensive camera for my daughter. I purchased the P30 for her and assumed that it was accessorized like my own camera. After purchase, I realized that the camera kit DID NOT INCLUDE a rechargeable power supply or recharger. The supplied AA batteries will only last about 2 hours under the best conditions. The batteries were shot by the time I familiarized myself with the operating manual. You can purchase an accessory kit from Sony for about $99 that includes a rechargable lithium battery, charger, and a camera case. I would have preferred to purchase the camera with this equipment included.

Most of the customer reviews so far have expounded on two key facts: 1) This camera has very good functionality for the price, and 2) Sony did a poor job with power supply. It comes with alkaline batteries, which the manual says you can't use to transfer files to a computer. It's hard to call the power adapter and a battery upgrade (e.g. nickel metal hydride) anything but a necessity.

Left out of the reviews is a third factor which people haven't seemed to mention yet. The cameras, or perhaps just some of them, don't function properly with FRESH AA alkaline batteries. After mine quickly used up the two that came with it, I put in good fresh ones that tested well, and the camera wouldn't turn on in either record mode or moving picture mode (and would turn off if I moved into those modes from others). In playback mode, the battery indicator verified that the batteries were good. This led to emails to Sony which led to inane computer-generated responses reminding me to change the batteries. Eventually I got through to a representative on the phone who said the problem I was having was common. Got that MANY people had the same problem. Best Buy doesn't accept the returns because Sony, wary of the problem, includes a label in the packaging saying something like "if malfunctioning do not return to the store." They don't offer you your money back as part of your warranty. Now I'm stuck having to ship it to PA and hoping they return it working properly. Meanwhile I've bought Nickel MH batteries and a charger which has seemed to be a quick fix. I've sent pictures to the computer without the AC adapter that Sony indicates is mandatory.

I've edited this review to add that I now believe I've purchased enough equipment to get around the power supply problem. NiMH batteries, a charger, a 32 MB memory stick, and a USB memory stick reader all appear to make the camera fully functional. It takes good pictures. Still, [those dollars are] a lot to throw at a $... camera, and Sony's skeletal warranty and lack of forthrightness are troublesome.

Buy Sony Cyber-shot DCS-P30 1.3MP Digital Camera Now

Ive had a few digital cameras in the past 2 years, but none of the came to the quality and features that I wanted. Being the techno freak I am, I wanted a camera that could do anything I wanted it to. I was almost set on an Olympus when this Sony came in at my work. It was love at first site. For a bit more money I was getting a much better zoom, movie recorder and Sony quality. Needless to say, I got it on my Birthday and I could not be happier. Setting it up is incredibly easy *as most of Sony products are* and using it makes even a novice an expert with a few hours of practice. The layout of the camera is comfortable and lightweight, Easily held in one hand to take pictures. The LCD is bright and crisp and show almost no slowdown when viewing it. A very nice turn nob selects the mode on the camera, No more fiddling with menus on the LCD. The 3xoptical zoom is great when you want to get a little closer. An optional 6xdigital is there to, but the pictures turn out to fuzzy. This camera could do anything you want it to, macro shots, low light, fast action, low light, low background light, movies,clip art, clip motion, red eye reduction and more! The menus system is very straightforward, hard to screw up. Picture quality is awesome. Though sometimes a bit soft, easily rectified with the Photosuite 8.1 the camera comes with. It would be hard pressed to get a better program without spending alot of money. Installation of the USB software takes just minutes, and a full 32 meg Stick takes just 30 seconds to upload. *no more serial!*

One bad side, this thing eats batteries like Joan Collins goes through makeup. I went through 6AA alkaline in 3 hours the first day. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMEND getting rechargebles, Nickel Metal Hydride perferred, this camera loves its batteries.

Also, recommend getting a bigger Sony Stick, the included 4 meg only does 6 pics at highest setting, a 32meg will get you 50. *what I use*

In all, I am very much enjoying this camera and taking great photos. If you interested in seeing what some look like email me at icewind@montana.com and I'll give you a link. For people who want to get into the Digital realm but want a low price for great quality, the SONY DSC-P30 is absolutely hard to beat!

Read Best Reviews of Sony Cyber-shot DCS-P30 1.3MP Digital Camera Here

I took the plunge and bought this camera. I liked the style and the features, I read the reviews and disbelieved the battery problems. Everyting everybody writes here is is true...this thing eats up batteries like you won't believe! 15 20 minutes per pair of batteries max. Wow. It's incredibly frustrating. Then, if you want to upgrade to the Lithium battery, . . . the charger, the DC adaptor, or upgrade the memory (the 4MB is a joke) to 32MB, etc. etc All are sold seperately. You can't just grab some no name accesories either. It must be ($$$$) Sony!

I returned this camera in less than 12 hours after purchasing. I won't be tethered to Sony for the rest of my life. If you want a similar camera, at the same price, that has more memory(16MB), uses RECHARGEABLE long-life Nickel-Metal Hydride batteries and includes the charger, try the FujiFilm FinePix 2600 Zoom.

Buyer beware! The Sony has great features. But what good are they when the batteries keep dying?

Want Sony Cyber-shot DCS-P30 1.3MP Digital Camera Discount?

After much online reasearch I decides on this digital camera for the price and list of features. In a day of online shopping I found this camera for $267 including shipping charges. I'm a longtime 35mm user (an Olympus IS-30 DLX)and wanted something that was compact, had good image quality and could record short video clips. This camera does all this just fine. The bad part is that only a 4 mb memory stick is included and when taking photos at the highest res this camera ofers you'll get abt 5 pics on the memory stick. Also get the rechargable battery the 2 AA's that came with the camera lasted me 4hrs or abt 20 pics. For the prcie and list of features you get, I don't think this camera can be beat. An additional gripe is that the memory sticks are quite pricey but once you pic up one 64 mb stick you shoud be fine. Sev people I know have this camera and there computer is running windows ME and they had problems. My pc is running Windows ME, the upgrade from windows 98 (1st edition) and it works fine.