Metallic red, steel blue, or traditional silver, Sony's DSC-P8
is a sleek little camera with a 3.2 megapixel resolution, and a 3X zoom
lens.
On
top, the design of the P8 is much like other P-series cameras. The Mode
Dial has the shutter release in the middle. The shutter release is a 2-stage
system with autofocus at the mid-point. To its left are the power switch
and the microphone.
The Mode Dial for the P8 provides 6 positions, and has an addition when
compared with previous models. Now, a Program Mode is offered, and so
is an extremely simple to use Auto mode.
Auto Mode:
is completely automatic. In this mode, the P8 handles all the camera
settings, including things such as sensitivity (ISO equivalent)
and focus point selection.
Program Mode:
is the most full-featured, and provides access to all the settings
that are available on the P8.
Scene
Mode: provides a group of 7 subject-oriented programs, any one
of which is selected through the Menu:
Fireworks
Mode
High-Speed
Shutter Mode
Beach
Mode
Snow
Mode
Landscape
Mode
Twilight
Portrait Mode
Twilight
Mode
Movie/Clip
Motion Mode/Multi Burst: to record one of 3 separate types
of moving images (see the Characteristics section for
a description of each).
Playback:
to review captured images and movies.
Setup:
to set basic parameters for the camera such as date and time, or
format the Memory Stick.
Just like the DSC-P72
reviewed last month, the DSC-P8 has a new layout for the controls found
on the back of the camera.
The Multi-direction controller is now composed of 5 separate buttons,
4 that act both as directional controls in addition to providing fast
access to specific functions, and a round button at the centre that serves
to confirm some of the choices made in the Setup menu.
In addition, a new button is used to provide a fast and direct access
to the P8's resolution setting.
The zoom control on the other hand is, as always, able to show thumbnails
(an index view) of the captured images, or magnify a given photo up to
5X.
The
4 directional buttons also provide 4 specific functions:
The
up arrow selects the Flash Modes:
Auto, Forced Flash, Forced On, and Slow Synch. As usual with Sony
cameras, Redeye reduction must be enabled in the Setup Menu to function.
The
right arrow turns on the Macro Mode.
The macro mode allows the lens to focus at a minimum distance of
10 cm (3.9 in.) in wide angle, and 50 cm (19.75 in.) at the maximum
telephoto setting.
The
down arrow engages the Self-timer
which has a 10 second delay.
The
left arrow starts the Quick Review mode. In this
mode the P8 plays back the last captured image without having to
change the Mode Dial setting to the Play position.
The other controls on the back of the P8 consist of 3 buttons:
Displays
the menu according to the shooting mode, or the Playback menu. The
Set-up position of the Mode Selector, however, displays its own
menu instantly.
LCD
Status: cycles between display modes. The first shows most camera
settings. The second shows minimum information (battery state and
focus point); the third turns off the screen. When the LCD screen
has been turned Off, any time the Flash, Macro, or Self-timer
buttons are pressed the screen turns on briefly to access the settings.
Last
is the Resolution/Delete button. The button is
new on Sony's 2003 models, and as explained above presents the resolution
choices for the camera.
In Playback, the same button can be used to call
up a small dialog box that can be used to delete the image currently
on the screen.
The DSC-P8
is equipped with a sharp 1.5 inch LCD screen with 123,200 pixels. The
screen has an anti-glare coating, and is quite bright, even in sunlight.
Moreover, an optical viewfinder is provided, but without a diopter correction.
Still, its image is sharp, and visible when wearing glasses, and it can
be used to lessen the drain on the battery.
Smaller
than the P72, the P8 provides the same basic capabilities, but adds a
few others (see the Characteristics section), placing it slightly
above the P72.
The DSC-P8, much like previous P-series cameras from Sony, is an easy
camera to use. It's controls are well-placed, and the P8 becomes familiar
territory in no time.
