Sony DSCP51 Cyber-shot 2MP Digital Camera w/ 2x Optical Zoom

Rating:
Summary: Problems within 2 yrs if purchase
Review: This was a great camera, for a while. Of course as soon as the warranty expired, it had problems. The first thing that happened (and also happened exactly to a cousin of mine with exact camera) was that you could no longer run USB cord directly from camera to computer. Tried on 3 computers, and it just would not work. I had to go buy a memory stick reader to transfer pictures. Second, the LCD showed nothing but black and menu items. (such as if flash were on, the date and time, pic quality, etc.) Also could not take pictures using it the old fashion way, as the pic would be pure black when put on computer. Called Sony, tried for 2 hours to get working. Sony finally told me to send it to them and they would fix it.......for a flat rate of $176.00 plus shipping to and back from Texas!!!!!
If I beat it on my hand, the LCD picture comes back so you can take a picture.
Keep in mind that this camera was ALWAYS well cared for, until it stopped working and in desperation I hit it and the LCD came back on!
I would recommend a different brand. Pay a little more for something that will last more than 2 years!

Rating:
Summary: Add four more to the black *screen* list.
Review: I first purchased this camera in november of 2002. I researched all of the 2MP cameras in the price range and determined that the P51 had the best value/features. The camera was a great performer, and I recommended it to three of my friends, who all bought one. Starting about a year later, my camera started to flicker when in camera mode. Soon after it would go completely black, and would not capture any pictures. It didn't take long for me to figure out that a little tough love(smacking) would bring it back to life. It has been this way ever since. Now I find out that all three of my friends who purchased the same camera are having the same problem to varying degrees. Two of them flicker and still respond to a good whack, while the third is completely dead.

The problems seems to be related to the lens, or the connection between it and the lcd. I have been in contact with sonys technical support, and they say that they have never heard of the problem(yeah, right) and recommended that I send it in for service. If search the internet for "sony p51 black screen", you will see that this camera obviously has a defect and should be recalled. Given that I have also had several other sony products fail within two years of purchase, I for one will boycott sony and their products for the rest on my consumer lifetime, and will actively encourage others to do the same.

I am certain that this is the only form of communication that sony is capable of understanding.

Rating:
Summary: Another black LCD screen problem
Review: I have owned this camera for 2 years (paid $280) and was well pleased with it until about 10 days ago. Then the LCD screen went black and pictures were black.
After reading several reviews today from camera owners with the same black screen problem, I gave my camera a couple of whacks to the left side. Presto!
The camera started working, the LCD screen came on and I was able to take pictures and review them. Thanks to the reviewers who mentioned hitting the camera.
Until today, I dreaded the thought of having to purchase another camera after only 2 years use. I have too much invested in memory sticks, Nimh batteries, & a reader. I just hope it continues to work. Sony should recognize the fact that this camera (DSC-P51) definitely has a problem.
Overall when it worked, I was pleased with its easy to use features, giving it 5 stars. Now I will have to give it 2 stars not knowing what the camera will do.


Rating:
Summary: I see I'm not alone...
Review: I got this camera a little less than two years ago, and generally, it's served me pretty well. However, about a year ago, I too began experiencing the seemingly notorious "black screen" problem. When it first happened, I was completely confused as to why it was going on--I certainly hadn't been careless with this camera, hadn't dropped it or anything. In a panic (like a lot of other reviewers here, I'm finding), I gave the camera a couple of taps. Lo & behold, the LCD screen came back on...but you know, it's never been the same since. The black screen thing still happens all the time. The picture quality has gotten grainier, it seems, and the camera's never been quite as able to focus like it used to. I've been disappointed with the picture quality since that time.

So...while the camera was still working properly, I felt that it was working well. However, judging by all the reviews here, there are some glitches in the camera's design that probably make it obsolete compared to some of the newer models available now. It does make me a bit hesitant to buy another Sony camera, although I do find their cameras to be some of the more user-friendly models on the market at this time.

Rating:
Summary: black screen
Review: I have had the same problem with the black screen as many others had. I loved the product until the black screen problem. Sony is no help what so ever and just recommend service for $130. I would never buy another sony camera.

Rating:
Summary: bad
Review: Pictures are very noisy(grainy) and colors are inaccurate. Many fine textures and details such as woodgrain are almost completely lost. Lowering ISO settings help reduce the noise, but it is still there. Software bundle is pathetic. It's pretty much just a driver. Upsides are that the camera is easy to learn and use, it has an AF-assist lamp, it's not locked in Auto like some other cameras, and good rechargable AA's and a so-so charger is included in the box(some sony cams leave this out). Addressing the person who complained that the camera flashes several times before the shot is taken, THAT IS WHAT REDEYE REDUCTION DOES! Those flashes shrink your pupils which is one of the common ways that redeye is reduced. If you don't like it, then turn it off, it doesn't get simpler than that. Never had a problem with the screen going blank. This was one of the first digital cameras that I used and I took about 400 pictures with it - I wish all those shots I took with it were taken with a traditional 35mm camera instead, as the results would have been much better.