Editorial Review:Product Description:Sony's affordable DSC-P51 combines a 2-megapixel sensor, 2x zoom lens, and AA battery power in a pocket-sized package. If you're shopping for a family point-and-shoot that's easy to use, versatile, and small enough to take anywhere, the P51 is a great choice.Optics and ResolutionThe DSC-P51's 2-megapixel sensor captures enough detail for sharp prints at sizes up to 8 by 10 inches. For the typical family photographer, 2 megapixels is a great balance between price and performance. If you want a camera with even more resolution, you'll need to step up to a 3- or 4-megapixel model like the DSC-P71 or DSC-P9.The autofocus lens features both a 2x optical zoom and a 3x digital zoom. Remember, however, that digital zoom tends to reduce the sharpness and detail of your image, so it's a good idea to use it sparingly. In low-light situations (a particular weakness for many digital cameras), a focus-assist lamp sends out a small patterned beam to help the camera accurately determine distance, and special circuitry automatically reduces the 'static' that typically plagues nighttime digital shots.To compose your images, either use the traditional camera viewfinder or the 1.6-inch LCD display (which is also used to review the shots you've taken). Having both types of viewfinders offers the best of both worlds: if you're used to using a film camera or want to conserve battery life, use the viewfinder. If you want to see exactly the picture you'll be capturing, use the LCD display.More FeaturesThough the P51 is designed for point-and-shoot simplicity, there are several options for more adventurous photographers, including manual focus with macro, adjustable ISO and white-balance settings, exposure compensation, and the ability to shoot black-and-white, sepia, solarized, and negative images. PowerThe P51 uses two AA batteries--a pair of high-capacity nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeables and cha
Amazon.com Product Description:Sony's affordable DSC-P51 combines a 2-megapixel sensor, 2x zoom lens, and AA battery power in a pocket-sized package. If you're shopping for a family point-and-shoot that's easy to use, versatile, and small enough to take anywhere, the P51 is a great choice.
Optics and Resolution The DSC-P51's 2-megapixel sensor captures enough detail for sharp prints at sizes up to 8 by 10 inches. For the typical family photographer, 2 megapixels is a great balance between price and performance. If you want a camera with even more resolution, you'll need to step up to a 3- or 4-megapixel model like the DSC-P71 or DSC-P9.
The autofocus lens features both a 2x optical zoom and a 3x digital zoom. Remember, however, that digital zoom tends to reduce the sharpness and detail of your image, so it's a good idea to use it sparingly. In low-light situations (a particular weakness for many digital cameras), a focus-assist lamp sends out a small patterned beam to help the camera accurately determine distance, and special circuitry automatically reduces the 'static' that typically plagues nighttime digital shots.
To compose your images, either use the traditional camera viewfinder or the 1.6-inch LCD display (which is also used to review the shots you've taken). Having both types of viewfinders offers the best of both worlds: if you're used to using a film camera or want to conserve battery life, use the viewfinder. If you want to see exactly the picture you'll be capturing, use the LCD display.
More Features Though the P51 is designed for point-and-shoot simplicity, there are several options for more adventurous photographers, including manual focus with macro, adjustable ISO and white-balance settings, exposure compensation, and the ability to shoot black-and-white, sepia, solarized, and negative images.
Power The P51 uses two AA batteries--a pair of high-capacity nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeables and charger are included. The benefit to using standard AA batteries instead of a custom proprietary battery is that AA batteries are widely available, so missing a once-in-a-lifetime shot due to dead batteries won't be an issue. The downside is that a digital camera will kill a set of alkaline batteries extremely quickly, especially if you're using the camera's LCD display. To ensure you'll be ready for action, we recommend getting a second pair of batteries so you can always have one set in the camera and the other set in the charger.
Movie Mode In movie mode, the camera captures silent video clips. Most digital cameras' movie modes are limited to 15- or 30-second clips, but in EX mode, the P51 can keep shooting until you've filled the memory card. The limited resolution of your movies guarantees that this feature won't replace your camcorder, but it's perfect for when you just want to capture a quick movie and e-mail it to a friend or relative.
Storage and Transfer Images are stored on Memory Sticks, Sony's proprietary memory-card format. The included 16 MB stick holds approximately 24 images at the camera's default settings. Memory Sticks are reusable, but if you tend to take more than 24 images per outing, then you'll want a bigger card. A 128 MB stick is a great size for this camera, storing around 200 images. To transfer images to your computer, simply attach the included USB cable between your PC and your camera. Your computer should automatically recognize your camera and let you move the pictures to your hard drive. If you own a Sony desktop or laptop, your computer may already have a built-in Memory Stick reader.
Size At 5 by 2.4 by 1.75 inches and 10.4 ounces fully loaded, the P51 is a very compact and portable digital camera.
Contents and Recommended Accessories The package includes the DSC-P51 camera, two rechargeable NH-AA-D1 rechargeable batteries, BC-CS1 charger, video and USB cables, wrist strap, 16 MB Memory Stick, and software on CD.
Everything you need to get started is included in the box, but we recommend these accessories to make the most of your camera: a carrying case, a spare set of NiMH rechargeable size AA batteries, and a higher-capacity memory stick. Compatible accessories for this camera are listed near the top of this page.
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
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GREAT DIGITAL CAMERA FROM SONY.
I BOUGHT THIS CAMERA AT BEST BUY IN BROOKLYN NY. I NEVER HAD ONE SINGLE PROBLEM WITH IT YET. I DO NOT KNOW WHY PEOPLE ARE COMPLANING ABOUT A BLACK SCREEN? I NEVER SEEN OR HEARD ABOUT IT TILL I READ THE REVIEWS. I HAVE HAD THIS CAMERA SINCE DECEMBER OF 2002. GREAT PICS. YOU SEE RESULTS WITHIN SECONDS ON THE LCD SCREEN. I HAVE UPLOADED SO MAY PICS. FOR WEDDINGS, PARTIES, CONFIRMATIONS, ETC....ONE REVIEW SAID, HE DID NOT WANT TO BUY SONY PRODUCTS ANYMORE? I HAVE MOST EVERY ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT FROM BOOMBOXES TO A 32 INCH STEREO TV. I WOULD NOT THINK TWICE ABOUT BUYING A SONY PRODUCT. I AM ALSO THINKING ABOUT BUYING A NEWER VERSION OF A SONY CYBERSHOT, MAYBE A SMALLER VERSION. THANK YOU. I HOPE THIS HELPS
Rating: 
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Black Screen Recalled (finally)
Sony has finally recalled this and other models for the black LCD screen problem. Other models being recalled include those listed here:
http://www.imaging-resource.com/NEWS/1128703521.html
To issue the recall work order, call Sony 1-866-703-7669. I had just gone through the process, and it was rather painless. Hope this helps!
Rating: -
Black Screen
Same thing that happened to these other reveiewers... the infamous black screen... I've had it for about 2 years now, and randomly now and then, i'll take a picture and get a black screen for no reason... i've never dropped it, and treated it with a lot of care... it took great pictures, but i'm scared to see how much SONY is going to charge to fix it... is it even worth it, is the question? and yes it is a shame that sony wouldn't recall these and fix them for free...
Rating: 
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Yay! I Have A Black Sscreen Too!
Ok, I thought it was just my luck that I had gotten a bad camera. I will say, that for 2 years, this camera took incredible pictures and I used it on almost a daily basis. However, about 4 months ago I have also been defeated by the infamous "black screen". After doing searches online just to make sure it wasn't one of my settings messed up, I found this review on here. I'm adding my $0.02 in. I will try pounding the crap out of my camera since that seems to work for a short period of time and at this point, it's not working anyway so I can't possibly break it more. One of my friends and my brother have had HP Digital Cameras for a while now and have no problems. The picture quality is good too. I have a feeling that will be my next purchase unless I stop with the electronics stuff and go to good ol' Kodak!
Rating: -
It's the perfect 2MP Camera!!
I don't understand why there's some people complaining about the quality of this camera.... This is a 2MP camera!! People cannot expect the picture quality of a 3, 4 or 5MP camera. I have been using this camera for 3 years already and it's working just fine... The only problem that I had with it, was that the flash stop working one day, and when I called Sony they help me over the phone, and the camera was fixed in the spot... And the Customer Service at Sony was great too....
It's pretty easy to use, even for people that have never used a digital camera before.
I read that somebody said that he's not gonna buy Sony anymore, well too bad for him.... I love Sony so much that I have almost everything Sony, and the best part is that I can put my camera memory stick in the Sony TV and in my Sony laptop and I can view the pictures, without using any cables.... That is just amazing!!!
If you want to have a camera for everyday pictures and for printing small pictures this is your camera. I have even printed 8 x 10 pictures and they look pretty good.
The only reason that I'm giving a 3 stars it's just because I prefer a camera with more mega pixels.... But, if we're talking about 2mp cameras: this is a 5 Stars!!!!
