Product Description

4.1 effective megapixel Sony super HAD CCD. Zoom: 3x optical/6x precision digital /smart. Carl Zeiss VarioTessar lens. Real image processor. Fast start up & shooting. 1.5inch LCD screen. 32Mb internal memory. Mpeg Movie VX Fine with sound. Compatible with all memory stick formats. USB connection.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #60906 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Sony
• Model: DSCS40
• Released on: 2005-01-28
• Dimensions: 1.37 pounds

Manufacturer's Description
Looking for a digital camera that is compact and easy to use? Look no further than the new 4.1 effective Megapixel Cyber-shot DSC-S40 digital camera. Featuring Carl Zeiss 3x Optical Zoom lenses, ideal for high-resolution digital images and prints, and superb STAMINA power efficiency.

Ideal for beginners to digital photography, this compact Cyber-shot camera features a high quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens with 3x Optical Zoom. In addition the new camera offers a bright and clear LCD screen.  The Cyber-shot DSC-S40 offers a convenient 1.5-inch LCD screen.

Low battery problems are a thing of the past thanks to the highly developed Sony STAMINA power management system. This works to ensure energy efficiency.  The Cyber-shot DSC-S40 can take an amazing 550 shots, using optional batteries.

The Sony Real Imaging Processor controls the operation of the camera in the range, speeding up the camera operation by eliminating delays in shooting and playback as well as contributing to energy efficiency. This innovative Sony technology further enhances the images captured by the high-resolution Super HAD CCD and the Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 3x Optical Zoom lens, resulting in even sharper pictures and better colour reproduction. Backed up by a 6x Precision Digital Zoom, and a Smart Zoom function allowing 10x shooting in VGA mode.

You can use Sony Memory Stick and Memory Stick PRO for fast and efficient image storage, but there's also the worry-free 32MB of internal memory to fall back on when your Memory Stick is full or when you forget to bring one with you. Worry-free photography is also possible thanks to seven Scene Selection Modes - automatic settings that make sure you'll have the correct exposure and camera settings for shooting under a variety of circumstances, such as landscape photography, twilight portraits as well as shots in difficult conditions such as at the beach or in the snow. Entertainment is not reserved for still images, using Sony's MPEG Movie VX Fine mode, you can shoot high quality VGA video with your Cyber-shot and play your masterpiece back full screen on a TV (using optional Sony Memory Stick PRO).

Box Contents

Customer Reviews

Easy - but fast with quality
I've now owned three basic digital cameras, a Nikon CoolPix 2100, a Pentax Optio 33LF and now we have the DSC-S40 in the family. I have to say that the Sony is the best because it just works.

The main thing is that it is very quick, both in focusing and in saving the picture. Most digital cameras will have quite a lag between pressing the button and the picture being taken (the Nikon was really bad for that, the Pentax is fairly slow, perhaps 0.5 to 1 second with the screen blanking out too) - the Sony just gets on with it, so you can get action shots.

It also saves very quickly so other cameras take a long time to recycle, the Sony is ready again in a couple of seconds.

What is really great though is the quality of the video mode. My daughter makes fantastic slide shows with video clips interspersed. She doesn't live life through the video lens, but can flip it on and record a clip. On holiday, the kids were diving into a mountain stream, and we were able to take pictures but also then video the dive - best of both worlds.

So this camera is one that will sit in your pocket, switch on and it is ready in 2 to 3 seconds, easy to set up, easy to transfer pictures into whatever you fancy. Recommended.

WOW, WOW, WOW!!
This camera is fantastic. I was a little hesitant at buying this at first, because I wasn't sure of the size, and I couldn't find any reviws on it. I took the plunge in the end and I wasn't dissapointed.

The camera is small, sturdy and well built. The controls are simple an intuitive, but hold a wealth of features. I was particularly impressed by the picture quality. Sharp, crisp and colourful, and with a Carl Zeizz lens at such a low price, who could ask for more?

One of the most surprising features I discovered is the camera's smart flash. It flashes with three delay strobes before snapping. This makes shooting a subject and background in the dark child's play. A proffesional feature in an entry level camera. Fantastic.

Just buy a large capacity memory stick. It doesn't come with one. Saying that though, I have bought high capacity memory sticks from Amazon at dirt cheap prices.

I only wish I could afford two of these cameras as I bought this one for my girlfriend who is photo mad! I want one!!

Can't fault it!
Although not the main user of the camera, my girlfriend has instructed me to write this review for her!! I bought the S40 for her to go travelling as a basic compact digital. I swayed for this one due to the superior Zeiss optics and ease of use when I fiddled with a demo model. So.. the verdict from the girlfriend: Brilliant! Easy to use, quality pictures, battery life is brilliant, ableit with rechargables, (especially as she is travelling, thus it is not always possible to re-charge flat / or buy new batteries) She has loved using the camera, the ease of use has enabled her to take around 600 - 700 pics in less than 2 months! And the results are excellent, rich but balanced colours, exposure in spot on in all but the trickiest situations (combinations of large dark or light areas all in the same frame, fools the meter slightly, but it still copes pretty well.) To be honest the majority of bad exposures are in photos that all but the most advanced meters would cope with.. ie Semi pro SLR style. Bottom line: an excellent buy.. great price, great photos, easy to use.. overall truly brilliant. Well worth it for the beginner or someone just looking for a cheap and easy to use camera capable of results worthy of a significantly higher price tag. 5/5 .. She couldn't fault it in any way.. hope this is helpful! : )