Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
0-1 years

Price Paid:  $275.00 from auction

Summary:
Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-S30 digital camera is a versatile small easy-to-use right out of the box producing bright clear colorful sharp images. USB plugs into camera to xfer photos to computer. No separate memory stick plug-in supplied. Electric charger plugs only into camera and not stand-alone like a Sony Mavica. Alternate stand alone batterychargers listed for $150. Picture Memory supplied: One 4MB Flash stick which is to small to be useful. Really (MINIMUM) need a couple 64 MB memory sticks. Not the camera for moving or action shots - produces blurry results. Sony Mavica was much better in design and operation.

Strengths:
For static well lit not moving subjects, this is a very useful choice camera. Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-S30 produces bright views of the subject. ON-Screen Camera Menus provided many useful choices.

Weaknesses:
No button option to turn off Camera Display when transferring photos to computer. You have to connect camera to USB unless you purchase PCMCIA or USB-FLASH options. So its limited for duration photo sessions without having to spend extra. This makes me wish Sony Mavicas came in much higher resolutions. You almost need a tripod or monopod to produce vibration free photos in a variety of situations. The delay after you press shutter is way too long, so you have very little timing control of your actual photograph. Menu has no way of shortening this timing. You must turn off camera before connecting it to electric power supply. Software MGI while it can produce impressive results did not perform as described. No method of insuring its required drivers were easily in place. Error messages left much to be desired, one printer software was able to view camera photos but not save them. The other software came without basic TWAIN driver to insure successful install. Separate viewfinder would have helped in dealing with picture timing issues-none available.

Similar Products Used:
Sony Mavica, other digital, SLR, and other photographic cameras.

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
2-5 years

Price Paid:  $900.00 from best buy

Summary:
Most of my experiences with this camera are positive. I have taken over 37,000 (75% high resolution)shots with no malfuctions, or corrupted files. With this camera you do not need to worry about changing batteries too often. This camera does not like trigger happy users. It takes one to two seconds to focus on the subject. Just take your time. For taking pictures in sports events, play with the speed settings or use the external flash (great for basketball games)

Strengths:
Good colors outdoors. By using the filter adapter, holding the camera becomes very easy, and keeps the lense mechanism clean. Menu is simple to use. Battery life is excellent. baterry charger works great in Asia and Europe (no need to take a transformer)

Weaknesses:
Lack of external flash mount on the camera. New models incorporates this feature. Location of mic on top of the camera. Shower cap from hotel room makes a great rain protector. Red light in front of the camera stays ON during exposure shots. Black tape to avoid reflection on glass is always needed

Similar Products Used:
Casio, Kodak, Sony mavicas, minolta

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
0-1 years

Visitors rate this review
3.86 of 5,
7 votes

Price Paid:  $1000.00 from Private Sale

Summary:
I would like to start off by thanking all the reviewers of this camera. I ready every review in order to make my decision to purchase this camera. I found this camera extremely easy to use. The moment I took it out of the box, I was able to operate it without needing the manual. The pictures produced by this camera are excellent. I purchased a 64 MB memory stick and now take all of my photos at maximum resolution. The software provided with the product is not the best, but there are others on the web for free. I must also agree with other reviewers that Sony should start to include some larger memory sticks in the digital cameras. The flash is not very powerful for shots in very low light, but this cane be overcome with the external flash.

Strengths:
Picture quality, durability, zoom, lense, battery life.

Weaknesses:
Supplied memory stick(8 MB), flash slightly weak.

Similar Products Used:
Sony DSC-P1, Canon Powershot

Customer Service:
Goog- was able to extend warranty to three years.

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
1 Year

Visitors rate this review
3.25 of 5,
4 votes

Summary:
I just want to say for all those negative reviews, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING!! This camera, especially now since new models have come out is fantastic for the price. A digital camera has never been made yet for fast action shots. Why complain about that. The downloads are very quick if you know how to use the software. Go out and buy a larger memory stick. If you have negative reviews, make sure they are real complaints and not just venting anger on not being able to use the camera. There is no reason for a 1 on this product.

Strengths:
Great pictures, Easy menus, Quick uploading to PC.

Weaknesses:
A little slow on the shutter speed, which has been corrected with the S75 and S85

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Used product for
6 Months

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5,
7 votes

Summary:
Auto focus response was so slow when I take fast moving shot and Auto focus is not accurate. This is not it if you want to take qualty pictures.

Strengths:
None

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
None