Sony DSC-U30

The Sony Cybershot DSC-U30 digital camera is small and light enough to slip in your pocket for snapping photos wherever you roam. It features a 2-megapixel resolution, fast start-up to capture shots almost instantaneously, and a movie mode. It comes in two other colors: blue and dark gray.

Optics and Resolution
The Cybershot U30 features a 2-megapixel Super HAD (hole accumulation diod) CCD that captures excellent image quality by allowing more light to pass through to each pixel, increasing sensitivity and reducing image noise. It has two resolution modes: high (1632 x 1224) for prints up to 8 x 10 inches, and low (640 x 480) for e-mailing to friends and family. A fixed-focus camera, the Cybershot U30 has no optical or digital zoom.

Movie Mode
In addition to taking still photos, the Cybershot U30 can also record up to 15 seconds of 160 x 112 MPEG video (without audio). The QuickTime Motion JPEG format offers a limited resolution, which is great for capturing a short movie that can be e-mailed to friends and family, but is no replacement for a true camcorder.

More Features
The Cybershot U30 has a fast start-up time of 0.9 seconds, enabling you to capture those important shots that other cameras might miss. The camera includes 5 scene modes (soft snap, illumination snap, twilight, active outdoor, and vivid nature) and pre-flash metering, which illuminates the subject and calculates exposure through the lens directly from the CCD for accurate calculation for a flash-lit shot.

Other features include:

• 1.0-inch LCD for reviewing shots
• VGA burst mode captures five 640 x 480 frames
• Built-in flash with auto, forced on, forced off, and red-eye reduction modes
• Shutter speed: 1/8 - 1/2000 seconds
• Picture effects: solarize, black and white, sepia, and negative art
• Automatic ISO and white balance settings

Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via ultrafast USB 2.0, which means it can be connected to any USB-compatible Windows Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software. When used with USB 1.1 connection, transfer will slow to USB 1.1 rate.

Power and Size
The camera is powered by 2 AAA batteries (rechargeable NiMH batteries included). It measures 3.3 by 1.6 by 1.1 inches and weighs 4.3 ounces (including batteries).

What's In The Box
This package includes the Cybershot DSC-U30 digital camera, 8 MB Memory Stick, neck strap, 2 AAA rechargeable NiMH batteries, battery charger (BC-CS2), and USB cable. The included CD-ROM features Pixela Image Mixer for Sony v1.5 and USB drivers for Windows and Mac.

From the Manufacturer
Capturing summer memories on the beach or at a nightclub just got more fun with the new Cyber-shot U-series digital cameras from Sony. The Cyber-shot U30 model has a compact, fashionable design that turns it into an attention-grabbing, wearable accessory that is light enough to hook to a belt loop, drape around the neck or carry in a pocket.

Small enough to wear and hip enough to flaunt, the Cyber-shot U30 comes in three different colors (blue, silver and charcoal grey) to match any outfit or mood. And because of its size, users will find that they will always have a camera on-hand to capture spontaneous and candid moments. For those instances when the user wants to be a part of the picture, the Cyber-shot U30 model features a circular mirror on the sliding lens cover to ensure that the picture is properly framed. The Cyber-shot U30 camera is designed with a simple-to-use interface, but behind-the-scenes, advanced photographic features work to ensure the user to concentrate on capturing the moment without being distracted by camera settings.

• Pre-Flash Metering: For capturing a subject with a scenic background under low-light conditions, the camera illuminates the subject and calculates exposure through the lens directly from the CCD for accurate flash metering. Adjustable flash level and red-eye reduction insure great flash shots.
• MPEG Movie Mode (Video only): For those moments when a simple still picture doesn't capture the entire mood, both new digital cameras capture up to 15 seconds of MPEG video (160 x 112 pixel resolution) that are perfect for emailing to family and friends.
• Bright LCD Monitor: For framing a picture accurately, the reflective LCD absorbs and reflects the ambient light through the LCD to improve brightness outdoors.
• Supplied Rechargeable NiMH Batteries: Both units come supplied with Sony's Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) AAA Stamina batteries with external charger.