Rating: 
Summary: A powerful, compact, state-of-the-art camera
Review: Sony's DSC-P9, released in June 2002, is the state of the art in terms of resolution and features in a very compact camera, with point-and-shoot ease of use. At just 4-1/2 x 2 x 1-1/2 inches in size and 7-1/2 ounces with battery, this is a camera you can take anywhere - so you will have it with you and take more pictures. It's smaller and lighter than many less powerful cameras, and smaller than earlier generations of Sonys. The camera and features give you that feeling that they have really been carefully thought through and designed for ease of use, though it does take some effort to learn to use. Features include:
- The 4 megapixel (million pixels, or MP) resolution (2272 x 1704) is at the high end of consumer cameras, and should allow very good enlargements up to about 8x10.
- The 3x optical zoom will help you compose good photos and make the most of your pixels. The zoom lens is the equivalent of 39-117mm on a film camera, so will go from slight wide angle to moderate telephoto. It's a very versatile range, though not wide angle enough to shoot wide shots in small rooms.
- The lens aperture (opening size) is rated (max) at F2.8-F5.6 (depending on zoom; low numbers are better). This is fairly "fast" for this type of camera, making it better in low light than some. The autofocus illuminator and the Twilight modes also help for low light situations, which challenge all digital cameras. However, you will find it much easier to get crisp shots when the lighting is good (or the flash is used). - The DSC-P9 takes great pictures without requiring much thought. But if you want, the camera gives you several white balance options; light sensitivity (ISO) settings of 100, 200 and 400; pattern or spot light metering; multiple focus modes (3-point, center, manual at pre-set distances); shutter speeds down to 1/2000; and a macro focus setting for great close-ups from as little as 4 inches away.
- Other features include video out, to show pictures on your TV; and a metal case and metal tripod mount.
- The computer drivers should allow you to use a wide range of PCs and Macs with this camera. (Windows 98/98SE/ME/2000 Pro, XP Home/Pro, MacOS 8.5.1/8.6/9.0/9.1/9.2) For most users, this is all the digital camera you will ever need, in a compact package, with easy to use features. It's not for everyone, though:
- If you want maximum control over your photos. Direct manual controls are limited, though if you use the features wisely you have some control. Also, there is no option to save photos in uncompressed format; and no lens thread. Consider the Canon S40 if these matter to you; the S40's image quality is also slightly better. The Sony DSC-85 will give you even better photos.
- If you mostly shoot snapshots, and never print enlargements, you probably don't need 4MP. You can save some money by getting a 3MP camera like the Sony DSC-P7 or a 2MP camera like the Canon S330 or the Sony DSC-P2. But having the extra pixels does give you more options, and allows you to trim the picture and still have good clarity. This camera shares many of the issues all digital cameras have:
- You will have to buy more memory. A 128MB stick will get you about 75 photos at maximum quality, and 2-3x more at snapshot quality. Sony "Memory Sticks" are more expensive than other formats.
- Start-up and shot-to-shot times are slower than film cameras.
- The flash on a camera this size cannot match an external unit, but it is rated up to 13 feet, better than many compact cameras.
- The viewfinder (for when it's too bright to use the LCD, or you're saving power) takes some getting used to, as far as what is in and out of the actual photo.
- The MPEG movie feature is low-resolution (320x240), so of limited use, though this Sony can record audio and shoot any length (limited only by memory stick capacity).
- Battery life is very good for this type of camera - you can get 100-200 shots - but the battery must be charged in the camera (unless you buy the Sony charger, extra), so for very long days you may want a second battery.
Rating:
Summary: Big value in a small package
Review: The Sony DSC-P9 is my second digital camera. I only have it for a few weeks now, but I have to admit, this loaded little gadget is a great companion. Not only is it small enough, but with it's solid Aluminum body I really have it in my pocket most of the time. No need to repeat all the technical specs here. Overall the camera has an excellent price/value ratio. Be sure to buy enough 128M sticks ... you will play with MPEG-HQX, be warned. The video editing software included only creates MPEG-1, so don't forget to download VirtualDub (free software, GPL). Have fun and great shots!
Jan
Rating: 
Summary: Not Good For Action Shots
Review: There are a lot of nice things about this camera that are mentioned in the other reviews. I just want to alert you of some of the drawbacks that lead me to give it three stars. 1. The autofocus is slow and there is significant delay from when you push the button to when the photo is taken. 2. Pictures of things in motion come out blurry. For example, I took the camera to the park with my children and photos of them on the slide, swing etc. all came out blurry. 3. The battery dosen't last very long if you use the LCD display and the flash. If you buy the camera, you should get the extra battery. 4. If you are using the flash, it takes about 30 seconds for the flash to recharge between pictures. These might seem like small things, but I've been using the camera to take pictures of my children and it seems like I miss the nice shots because the camera hasn't focused or I'm waiting for the flash to recharge or my kids look away between the time that I push the button and the picture is actually taken.
Rating:
Summary: The Greatest Intermediate Camera
Review: This a great camera for anyone who ahs had some previous experience with digital imagery. it also can be a good beginner camera and build your knowledge by learnign the many features.
Rating:
Summary: Great Camera
Review: This Camera is better than advertised, you can take great photos on ALL resolutions plus as much video as your cad holds, buying a 128MB card is a must, but the size, weigth and 4.0MP definition ake it one of the best cameras around.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent pictures but not in low-light
Review: This camera is top notch in many ways.
I gave it only 4 stars because of one thing: low-light shots.
Someone wrote that if you set the flash power manually to highest, it produces good low-light pictures. Unfortunately it's not true. I wish it would be. This camera is worse in low-light shots than the competition. Believe me.
It's your decision: if you can handle this, buy it, because otherwise it takes excellent pictures in normal lightning conditions. If low-light, night and indoor shots (with poor back-light) is important for you, look at the Canon S45 or S400 instead.
Rating: 
Summary: Somtimes good, most of the time bad
Review: This is a pretty camera to look at. It is small and compact. The problem that I find with the camera is that it does not like darkness, and the flash most of the time over-powers the subject. I found that you had to really read the book and understand the features of the camera before you could take some what of a nice picture. Only 3 out of 10 pictures that I take would I consider good quality. Other than that, my 1.3 megapixel sony 3.5 floppy camera takes just as good pictures. I don't recommend this camera.
Rating:
Summary: A Camera you can count on.
Review: This is a very good camera. It can let you take a perfect picture, movie, or sound. The LCD is so clear, you can see almost exactly what the object look like. You can review your picture and delete the one you don't like. Everything is just perfect. I suggest everyone don't buy a film Camera anymore, it is useless now.
Rating:
Summary: THE MOST STYLISH, COMPACT, TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED DIGI-CAM
Review: This is my first DIGITAL CAMERA, and it is truly AMAZING! The picture clarity is unbelievably crisp, and the 4.0 megapixel SUPER HAD CCD provides stunning detail and clarity...You CANNOT find a better looking camera that is so small, it weighs only 7.5 ounces WITH the battery, strap, and memory stick installed! You can also record high-quality movies at 16 frames per second only limited by your memory! The SONY DSC-P9 is small enough to carry around in your pocket, and the necessary accessories to purchase are the 128 MB memory stick, an extra battery, a protective case, and if you are an avid photographer... the SONY underwater marine pack.
Rating:
Summary: An everyday camera
Review: This is my first digital camera. Since we got it couple weeks ago, we use it almost everyday. It is so compact and you can carry it everywhere. The photo quality is good. I really like the movie clip feature and its quality is better than we thought. The default flash mode is "no flash" and it's a little bit annoying. There is no notible problem other than that. It's a great camera and I really recommand it.
| 
