With the DSC-P51, Sony provides for all budgets. Starting with the DSC-P31,
moving on to this model and out to the DSC-P71, 3 models are offered.
The middle of the range, the DSC-P51 really only adds a 2X zoom lens to
what is basically a camera that is similar in most respects to the P31,
and adds a 16 MB Memory Stick to the package.
Yet, often the lens is what makes the camera, as its quality is critical
to image sharpness.
Aperture:
f4 shutter speed: 1/400 sec.
Aperture:
f4 shutter speed: 1/400 sec.
In that respect, the Sony DSC-P51 is unlikely to displease. The lens is
sharp, and the camera will produce a mini-lab quality 6 x 4 print on a
dye sublimation printer without any difficulty, be it at home or at a
properly equipped photo printing store, and anyone would be hard pressed
to tell it from a 35mm film print.
Although the zoom is short, it does provide a reasonable range and is
sufficient for snapshots, and some scenery.
The
lens itself has very little barrel distortion at the wide end —
more distortion is noticeable when the subject is very close and there
are horizontal image elements along the long sides of the frame —
and has no overt pin cushion distortion at the telephoto end.
In general, the metering is very reliable and if need be, it is easy to
switch to the spot meter, which ensures that the precise centre of the
frame is correctly exposed.
As with the other 2 models of this series, Sony provides a Multi-AF system
on the P51.
Aperture:
f4, shutter speed: 1/320 sec.
Aperture:
f3.8, shutter speed: 1/125 sec.
The
Multi-AF system — active as the default — measures the subject
to camera distance at 3 points in the frame horizontally. Readings are
not only obtained for the centre point, but also from the right and the
left of that point. The camera then determines the appropriate focus.
A single and centred focus point can also be selected in the Recording
menu, which ensures the camera will focus precisely on a specific point.
Another
useful feature the P51 shares with both the P31 and P71 is a white balance
that has clearly defined presets.
While earlier Sony digital cameras offered only "Outdoor", "Indoor",
and Auto, this model provides more precise options for light sources such
as incandescent, fluorescent, cloudy and sun.
Aperture:
f3.8, shutter speed: 1/30 sec.
The result is that
the DSC-P51 yields more accurate colours under varied light conditions,
including in direct sunlight which produces colours that are more faithful
than the Auto setting.
The DSC-P51 fits into the upper range of the entry-level cameras. It is
easy to use, provides very good printed images at a 6 x 4 format, and
still provides a bit of extra flexibility for the occasionally more demanding
shot.
