Product Description

More compact than its predecessor, the P9, the Sony DSC-P12 five-megapixel digital camera is an ideal camera for the style conscious not willing to compromise on image quality. The camera is also one of the first to be compatible with Sony's new Memory Stick Pro, which delivers up to 1 GB of storage.

The DSC-P12 contains a host of features that allows the user to personalise their shots. The five-megapixel resolution allows users to zoom and crop images to get just the image they want. Until now zooming in meant sacrificing image quality, but Sony's Smart Zoom technology intelligently adjusts the zoom ratio according to the image resolution. The camera delivers high-quality images even in large formats.

Shots in difficult conditions are now worry-free with a bigger assortment of Scene Selection modes that automatically adjust the camera settings for a range of environments. In addition to "Twilight", "Twilight Portrait" and "Landscape", "Snow" lessens the greyness of images containing a large amount of white by adjusting colour temperature and enhancing luminance. The "High Speed Shutter" quickens the shutter speed in order to minimise camera shake when shooting fast moving objects and, in darker environments, "Fireworks" adjusts the shutter speed, flash, focus and ISO level to take great shots of these extremely difficult objects in a darker situation (such as fireworks).

The camera is more intelligent in making adjustments to light conditions thanks to a number of improvements. A new exposure warning means users always have the right exposure. In addition, Slow Synchronised Flash operates at a slow shutter speed for shooting foreground objects in twilight backgrounds. In daylight conditions, Auto Daylight Synchronised Flash automatically measures the exposure level for foreground objects, which have light behind them. Flash White Balance helps to make colour tones as realistic as possible in shots that contain a lot of reflective surfaces, such as under water. In these conditions, the camera might detect all light sources around the subject, creating a colour distortion. This is avoided by Flash White Balance, as the camera adjusts the white balance in the shot to restore colours to their true condition.

Another cool feature is the ability to capture video and audio enabling you to create your very own mini-movies. Depending on the size of Memory Stick, you can capture up to 44 minutes of VGA quality footage when using a 1 GB Memory Stick PRO. Any captured footage can then be viewed back on your TV. Battery life is often a problem with many digital cameras; however the DSC-P12 is supplied with an NP-FC11 Info Lithium battery providing more capacity and stamina than their predecessors.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #89347 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Sony
• Model: dsc-p12
• Released on: 2003-09-17
• Dimensions: 2.03" h x 4.25" w x 1.38" l, .44 pounds
• Display size: 1.5

PC Pro, July-03
Recommended.

Manufacturer's Description
You won’t believe how much camera you get for your money with Sony’s new Cyber-shot DSC-P12. This remarkable digital still camera combines unrivalled image quality with compact Sony design, delivering 5.0 megapixel resolution (effective) with a 3X optical/4x digital zoom lens and intelligent features, like 3-Area Multi-Point AF (Auto-Focus) and Continuous AF for sharply-focused shots even in low-light or active conditions. 16-Frame Multi-Burst function captures 16 320x240 frames with 3 selectable intervals for convenient motion analysis. You can also take MPEG movies and record voice memos for your photos. The DSC-P12 also features a lightning-fast USB 2.0 interface for high-speed transfer. Memory Stick Pro compatible with included 16MB Memory Stick Media.

Box contains

• DSC-P12 digital camera
• Leather case
• 2x NP-FC11 InfoLithium Rechargeable Batteries
• AC-LS5 AC Adaptor/In-camera Charger
• A/V and USB Cables
• Wrist Strap
• MSA-16A 16-MB Memory Stick Media
• Software CD-ROM
• Manual
• Registration documents

Customer Reviews

Sony DSC-P12
I highly recommend this camera over the Sony DSC-P10. The extra battery and leather case make this camera package exeptional value. First things first, get yourself as a minimum a 256MB memory stick pro card. It takes 96 shots and that is pretty much the life of the battery. It also gives you greater flexibility to record movies without worrying about running out of memory.

I got this camera from Amazon.co.uk last November and had my first experience with it at the NEC Motorcycle Exhibition shortly after receiving it. I am an amateur point and clicker so I left it in Automatic mode for the day. Over a full day I filled the memory stick with photos and movies and I did not need to change the battery. Photo quality was excellent, the 5 megapixels give you that extra flexibility also which you notice on your PC screen as you zoom in and out of the photo.

I guess as always I forget the basic rule of an automatic camera - LIGHT and lots of it! Good light gets you good photos. The DSC-P12 is perfectly adaptable to use in low light conditions without resorting to the flash. However - this feature and other special low light features of the camera (like fireworks and twilight mode) require a tripod or exceptionally steady hands! Which seems a bit senseless when you've just purchased this model because of it's very compact nature as compared to say the larger DSP models. The movie mode would equally suffer in low light conditions. Flash recharge time makes you feel like you are waiting an age but I don't think it is any more excessive than any other camera.

I'm learning it's manual features more now - being able to instantly see the image helps me understand the how's and why's of exposure, ISO and steady breathing! I reckon it's an ideal camera if you've previously used automatic 35mm film cameras. The automatic mode will not let you down. However it is a pricey move to make. 4 stars as the quality is exceptional. Minus 1 star as the extra features are not really compatible with a compact 'anywhere & everywhere' camera.

Does Exactly What Its Suppost To Do
The P12 is a better buy than the P10 since it comes with the bag and the battery. However, the P10 has since been super seeded by the P120, at £299.99 (Amazon Price) now for £60 you'll probably better off upgrading - since the P120 has the Carl Zeus Lens.

Pros of P12
- Size
- Weight
- High Quality Pictures
- Good Price
- VERY EASY TO USE (Believe me, my mum can use it with out a problem)
- Point and click camera, and fine tune if you want to
- Spare battery

Cons

- Poor optical zoom (3x) but you don't get any better till you go to a massive camera such as the Sony 828
- Small LCD screen, displays "pixelation" although this doesn't actually occur on the picture
- Sensitive to small movements, especially in low light
- You'll need another memory stick - at least 128 megs i'd suggest

If you want a point and click camera, thats easy to use, and small...this is the camera for you. If you can afford another £60 go for the Sony P120 - it doesn't have any additional features its just smaller, and newer and uses a better lens.

Easy to use with excellent results
After much research I decided to treat myself to the DSC-P12 - my firstventure into the world of digital photography.
I thought the camera was a little expensive, but at least it came with acase and an extra battery. Also all of the reviews I had read about thiscamera had suggested it is faultless.
After getting it a month ago, it has been in constant use. I'm only a"point and shoot" photographer but this camera has far exceeded myexpectations.
I've used it up mountains in the Lake District and the scenery shots areexcellent - sharp with fantastic colour reproduction.
I guess the"easy of use" of a camera can really be tested on the side of a mountain,in the cold. I found that the controls were easy to use, the LCD screensometimes (understandably) difficult to see in bright sunlight, but theview-finder excellent.
My sister-in-law had a baby recently and the camera has taken lots ofclose-up shots of her new off-spring. The detail is immaculate which ismainly down to the 5Mp capability. I would recommend 5Mp over 4 - thedifference is really obvious in the finished shot.
The only "extra" photography feature I have really used is the macro lensfunction. The results are really impressive and its easy to appear to be amuch more accomplished photograher than you may really be.
On a slightly negative note, the camera only comes with a 32MB memorystick. This is not enough by a long way. I also bought a 128MB stick (aLexar also via Amazon). The 128 stays in the camera and I carry the 32stick in the handy slot in the leather case that comes free with thecamera.
Overall this camera is easy to use, the results are superb and I wouldrecommend it without reservation. Up the Boro.