Digital Camera Question

[Blatant]

I think i'm able to purchase a used Sony DSC-P8 from a friend for $100 bucks. 3.2 mega pix etc. 16mb card. I've done the reading on the review sites and $100 seems good but technology is so inexpensive these days. What do you all think of sony camera's in general. From what i can determine it's a 2003 vintage. I'd rather buy a bit older and quality than brand new with more budget features.

Does this sound like a good deal? Below are the LOOOOONG specs with don't do a lot for me.

1/2.7" Super HAD 3.2 Megapixel effective CCD imager
Sony 3x optical zoom (39-117mm equivalent) + 2x Smart Zoom
Still Image: 2048x1536, 2048(3:2), 1600x1200, 1280x960, 640x480, 320x240
MPEG Movie w/audio: 640x480 VX or 160x112 for email
Scene Selection (Twilight / Twilight Portrait / Landscape / Beach / Snow / Fireworks / Fast Shutter)
3 Area Multi-point or Center AF with Auto Tracking
Low light focus assist illuminator
Noise Reduction is automatic at 1/2 second or longer shutter speeds
14-bit A/D Conversion - allows a wider dynamic range from highlight to shadow
Adjustable ISO speeds of 100, 200, 400
Image adjustments: saturation, contrast and sharpness
1.5" TFT color (123,000 pixels) LCD with Auto Brightness
USB 2.0 interface for data transfer to PC or Mac computers
NP-FC11 InfoLITHIUM rechargeable battery and charger included
Sony Memory Stick or MS Pro media, 16MB card included
Audio and Video (NTSC or PAL selectable) output
Ultra-compact and highly durable metal body
CCD Imager 1/2.7" Sony Super HAD
3.3 Megapixels (gross)
3.2 Megapixels (effective)
Lens Sony 3x Zoom, 6 to 18mm (39 to 117mm equivalent)
Maximum aperture: F2.8 - 5.6
Filter Thread: none
Digital Zoom 3.2x SmartZoom (at VGA size)
Aperture Control Automatic: f/2.8 ~ 5.6

Shutter Control Automatic: 2 seconds to 1/2000 second
Exposure Compensation "+" or "-" 2 Stops(EV) in 1/3 EV increments
Exposure Control Program AE (Automatic)

Scene Selection (Twilight /
Twilight Portrait / Landscape / Beach / Snow / Fireworks / Fast Shutter)
ISO Auto (100-400) or fixed 100, 200, 400
Recording Mode(s) Still image: JPEG, Email (adds 320x240)
Movie Mode: MPEG VX: 640x480, 16fps w/audio - full screen playback - length determined by media capacity. 160x112 8fps w/audio

Clip Motion Mode: Animated GIF (160x120 or 80x72)

Multi Burst: 16 - 320x240 frames recorded as parts of a single 1280x960 JPEG at 1/7.5, 1/15, 1/30 sec. selectable intervals

Image Resolutions Still:
3M 2048 x 1536
2.8M 2048 (3:2 aspect ratio)
2M 1632 x 1224
1.2M 1280 x 960
640 x 480
320 x 240 (email mode only)
Movie:
640 x 480 VX
160 x 112

DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) Print Reserve, All print reservation, Date/time; Trimming
Noise Reduction Auto at 1/2 second or longer shutter speeds
Image Effects Sepia
Black and White
Negative Art
Solarize
Viewfinder Optical real-image viewfinder
LCD 1.5" TFT LCD 560x220 (123,000 pixels) for viewing or reviewing
Focusing System 3 Area Multi-point AF: Automatic w/ indication as to "Wide" or "Center-Weighted"

Manual Focus: 5 Step Preset
Focusing Ranges Standard AF: 19.7" (50cm) to Infinity
A/F Macro: 3.9" (10cm) to Infinity

Preset Manual Focus: 10cm (3.9"), .5m, 3m, 7m, or Infinity


Auto Focus Assist Illumination Selectable: ON / OFF

Exposure Metering Multi-Pattern or Spot
White Balance System Automatic
Daylight
Cloudy
Fluorescent
Incandescent

Flash Built-in Flash
Flash Modes Auto Flash
Red-eye Reduction
Fill-in (forced on)
Flash Off
Flash Working Range When ISO is set to Auto:
1.6 to 12.5 Feet (0.5 to 3.8m) wide angle
2 to 7.9 feet (0.6 to 2.4m) Telephoto
Removable Memory Card Memory Stick or Memory Stick Pro
16 MB card included
Selftimer/Remote 10-second delay
Outer Connectors USB 2.0 (Auto-Connect), Video, DC input
Auto-connect USB Compatible with Windows 98 rev2/ME/2000 Pro/XP - MacOS 8.6-9.01/OSX
Image Playback Index display 9 frame, up to 5X enlargement, Slide-show
Operating Environment Operation: 32° F - 104°F (0°C - 40°C)
Storage: -4° F to 140°F (-20°C to 60°C)
Power Supply Sony NP-FC11 InfoLITHIUM

AC-LS1A AC adapter/charger included
Date/Time Calendar Simultaneous recording into image date
Size 4-1/4" (W) x 2" (H) x 1-7/16" (D)
(105mm x 51.5mm x 35.8mm)
Weight 7.5 oz. / 206 g (with battery & Memory Stick)



werd.

[bklyn]

I know two people who have had that camera die on them - and at the same time trash the pics on the card. Save some more dough and get a newer camera.

[Blatant]

damn, seemed like such a good deal too.

[atomicboy]

I would not touch that deal. Tell the friend to take a hike.

Look on ebay and search for min 5 megapixels.

Another site that has great camera prices is www.buydig.com

prices have come way down for digital cameras.

I bought an sd500 for $365 or so about 5 months ago and it can be had for about $300 - $310 now brand new.

[Tippster]

Save up for this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Canon-Powershot-...QQcmdZViewItem

Great little camera. Shit, that 16mb storage was a joke. You'll spend at least $50 upgrading.

[MeatPuppet]

No, bad deal all around. Old, very old outdated technology. Small card. 3.2mp= .


Tippster is right. You can do a *lot* better on ebay. The Canon Powershot line is really good, and I wouldn't go any less than 5 megapixels. You could get by with 4mp, but there might be times you wish you had more resolution. But 3.2mp??? That would be like pulling your circa 1985 straight skis out of the closet and taking a run on them. When there was nothing better, they were great. But now, it's not really worth the effort.


Edit: As far as your question about Sony cameras in general, they tend to be good for what they are. Sony tends to focus on the small compact camera and the big(for a p&s) "prosumer" camera, somewhat neglecting the midrange. An exception to this is the "V" series(V1&V3). I picked up a V1 for my dad last year for $250 on ebay. It's a great little camera. The V1 is discontinued so you might be able to find one for cheap. The only down side to Sony is their damned proprietary Memory Stick. It can only be used on Sony cameras. Canon cameras use the more common Compact Flash(CF) or Secure Digital(SD) memory cards. If you don't go with a V1 then look to the Canon Powershot line. You really can't go wrong with any of them.

[Blatant]

yeah you all are right...i haven't really shopped for a camera in 2 yrs and being broke limits me considerably. Sounded good but after searching even big chain store sites I see a lot more can be had for not too much more.

tgr again, many thanks. I have an old 3mp that still works. My heebness my not permit me to buy a new one with this one still functioning, never the less, thks for the shit, probably would've bought if not for you all. I'm very good at certain things, technology is not one of them, hence me owning a mac powerbook....it's fuckproof yet it still puts out!

werd.

maybe i can get it for $50. i'll try that....50bucks....that's almost a why not buy it.......right?