Home > Consumer Reviews > Sony DSCP8 Cyber-shot 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

Sony really got everything right on this little camera. My wife and I already own the higher end DSC-717 5 megapixel Sony. That camera is unbelievable in its own right, but I do home inspections and wanted something I could slip into a shirt pocket. This little Sony does that well, but it does so much more. I still can't believe all of the features they packed into something this small. It's 3.2 megapixels which is more than fine for 95% of the shots you'll take; that will print up to almost 8x10 with no noticeable loss of detail. Flash works very well, offering red-eye reduction if you want to use it. Zoom is very good, offering both digital and optical zoom modes. I personally don't mind the digital zoom, although some people prefer the optical only. In the >3x zoom mode, the digital only kicks in for the last tiny bit of the zoom, so I don't see it as a pro nor con. Battery life is amazing, as it has been for the past two years with all Sony digital cameras. The new Lithium batteries just last forever; well over 100 shots, easily. As we already have one Sony digital camera, I didn't have to install a thing; everything from the software to the transfer cable to the PC worked from the older Sony. Thankfully, Memory Stick prices are coming down; a good 128mb stick will likely be all you'll need. I'm using 64mb sticks and with the resolution set at 2mb, that's over 30 pictures per stick. And since it's digital, you can instantly delete what you don't like, so, literally, all of your shots, in the end, are keepers. Has an incredible movie mode; even better than the over $1,000 DSC-717; it eats up a ton of memory sticks to do it, but I'm thinking about tossing the videocam; it's really that good. Menu options allow filters for sepia (so nice to see interiors in sepia; makes them look turn-of-the-century), solarize, black and white, negative, etc. Plus it offers seven 'scene' modes, such as the beach (which corrects the balance to show the ocean in its correct shade of blue), fireworks, distance shots, etc. Also has a very good macro capability if you like shooting flowers in close detail. All in all, I spent some two hours with the camera when I first got it homeand was truly taken back by how many features it offers. And don't forget the biggest feature: IT IS SO SMALL!!!! Not so small like the new cell phones that are TOO tiny; just the right small so that you can put it in your shirt pocket. It doesn't weigh a thing either (it's in the ounces category). Just a real tour-de-force of what can be packed into a small package, still remain user-friendly, and put a true grin on your face when you use it. There are a ton of under 5 megapixel cameras out today; Sony, Canon, Olympia, Kodak, HP, Panasonic, Leica, Epson, etc. all make cameras that compete with this Sony. Yet I don't see any of them offering all of the features this camera has. I don't give out many 5 stars on products, but this one earns it in every way. If you're just starting out in digital photography, you'll appreciate getting this many features in such a small package and one that doesn't need a PhD in Engineering to operate. If you're a seasoned pro in the digital world, you'll love having this little guy in your pocket, just so you don't have to lug around the bigger equipment. Highly recommended in every way.

Sony has really done it this time!

For a full review see Jeff Keller's Digital Camera Resource Page (he does a great job).

Hits:
This camera has the perfect balance of features for those who are "on the go." The durable all-metal body is sleek and small, fitting into most pockets easily. The battery life is excellent (second only to the DSC-P72/92). The 3x zoom is suitable for 95% of travel shooting situations. With the addition of a 128mb Memory Stick (which are very cheap after rebates, see Lexar/Sandisk), this camera - at full 3.2 megapixel resolution - can fit tons of shots.
The video mode is what sold me! Imagine taking 640x480 resolution video, with sound, for as long as the Memory Stick can hold... (Heck, I returned the DV camcorder I just bought, and waited for a month for this camera to be released.)
Good selection of accessories (although pricey). Best accessory? Two words: Underwater Housing.
The controls are VERY easy to use! I haven't look at the manual yet... but I will soon... there are probably many new tips/tricks to learn.

Quality of photos:
The wonderful thing about this camera is that on full-auto mode, the shots are outstanding. Are you in a tricky shooting situation? Take control with "Scene Modes," making those snowboarding pictures come out awesome!
The camera does lack fully-manual control over exposure, whitebalance, and f-stop, but my wife does not have the patience to learn photographic theory, nor does she have the patience to wait for me to tinker with the shot. Most of the photos I've taken have been in full-auto mode, and I'm very pleased at the results.

Misses:
No remote control... I love this about my Canon film camera. You don't realize how handy this is until you don't have it. Also, the add-on lenses require a plastic snap-on adapter. But that's the price you pay for unbelievable portability.
Slow focusing in low light (especially outdoors). Sometime you have to hold the shutter release button down for five seconds before it will fire. Set to (P) program mode and manually set the focus distance to speed up the process.

Conclusion:
Excellent camera for the price. Resolution is more than adequate for my shooting situations, and it fills up the Memory Sticks slower. Video mode is the best out there. Portability, durability, reliability.

I was debating between a Canon S400 and this Sony P8 so Idecided to play with both cameras at my neighborhood bestbuy. The Sony P8 produces better image quality and color than the Canon. The guys at BestBuy let me print out images taken by the cameras so I can compare the results instantly as the print out quality is very important to me. To top it off, the sony has a much user friendly interface and I was able to master the camera navigation w/o asking questions nor looking at manual. I couldn't figure out the Canon at all.
I took some amazing photos from my recent trip and blew some up to 8x10. The quality is incredible and may I also add that I am no professional but the pictures turned out looking like pros!

This is my first digital camera, however before I purchased it, I did a lot of research and tried the various ones available in the market. Ok first off, if you are not planning to enlarge the picture greater than 8" by 10" [inches], then you dont need a camera with more than 3 MP[mega-pixel] resolution. The greater the MP, the more you can enlarge a digital picture without causing to blur. Just for comparison, the 'old' film [35 mm] camera took a 1 MP picture, so practically with a 3 MP camera, you can enlarge it about 2-3 times without causing it to blur, so make sure you keep that in mind before going for the 8 MP camera. Next, the zoom....consider only the optical zoom of a camera to get a great picture. The digital zoom, is a computer enhanced image, which is not so great.
Having said all this, this camera is unbelievable! The results are incredible. It allows you to take pictures in an email mode, which stores two copies of the same picture, one for emailing and one for printing[full size]. Also the flash is quite extraordinary. The best is the result with movie mode. The movie is with sound which is also incredible. However you would need at least 128 MB memory stick to get a 4 and a half minute video. Dont get fooled by the 90 min video advertisement, that is only in VGA mode, and quite unacceptable for viewing or showing it to friends. Other than that, the camera works great, results everyone will enjoy and you will cherish. Sony ROCKS!!

The camera has superb picture quality. It has SCN modes, that takes amazing pictures at night, snow, beaches, and in very bright condition. Live Histograms helps in taking good pictures and setting light focus. The camera also shows shutter time for its current setting. Its a good feature for doing good photography.

P8 has MACRO mode that takes superb closeups. For the naive photographers, it has auto option. You can take movie of 640x480 with sound till you fill up your memory. It is a superb option. The movie is very clear in daylight.

No other camera with this specification, in market can take better quality of indoor pictures as Sony Cybershots.

The camera is small and light in wieght. Sony has once again come up with the product that rocks in the market. I think its worth paying for this camera.

Camera comes with lots of options that helps in taking good pictures at different times. I recommend you to take tripod and extra memory stick.