I spent several months with my DSCP93 before giving up on it. My three year-old Olympus C-3000 easily outperformed the Sony indoors.

Outdoors, the Sony took beautiful pictures, but I couldn't capture an indoor photo in focus without a tripod, and I don't live one of those lives where the greatest moments can all be caught with such advanced planning.

Many have told me you can't get quality indoor digital photos without a tripod, but my battered Olympus proves that adage untrue.

Great Camera! Compact, Sturdy, FUN. Accessories are easy to find.

Use is pretty intuitive, right out of the box. Uploading pictures to the PC is quick and EASY. Resolution is outstanding!

There are so many "fun" features: including (but NOT limited to) black and white, snapshot video, ability to hook it to the TV to see it on a big screen...

The quick snapshot is VERY handy when capturing "fast-action" shots (like our toddlers)!

Highly Recommend! (I LOVE IT!!!)

This is my first digital camera purchase, so i was a bit worried about getting a dud with so many to choose from. i was looking for one that would allow me to indulge in a hobby of picture taking but not bust my budget. all the other reviews have really gone over the pros and cons of the camera, and i really agree with it all. the macro mode works good, the multi burst mode at first wasen't a real big selling point but i got playing with it and i really like it, i didn't understand reading about it that it take multiple pictures with one press of the button, giving it a slow motion effect, the individule pictures are smaller in size (640 X 400 it looks like) but cool none the less. the movie mode is sweet, yes it would really be great to have a stabilizing system but it give good movies with good sound quality. the zoom works great, but as with all cameras in this price range it would be nice to have more than a 3x zoom, digital zoom hasn't been all that amazing. someone said the photo quality wasnt that great, maybe he's some expert (yeah right) but the quality is better than my freinds 3 and 4 MP cameras. the batteries have lasted pretty well but definetly keep a pair on hand. i ordered a 256mb Pro memorey card the next day from sandisk because the 32 just dosent cut it and i want to record the hi-res movies. the only real con i have about the camera is a lack of any photo editing software. guess I'll have to look for some software. i also bought a $5 camera bag too. over all for a single guy who wanted a good camera to take hiking and camping and to get some family shots too, I'm really happy with it. i give it five because it really dosent have any major defect for the price, features and ease of use (oh yeah i love the easy interface and button set up)

That multi-point focus always seems to focus on someone's shirt buttons...switched to the setting that has the picture of two people on it...even for one person...and that corrected it.

This is my second Cybershot. I purchased this one in May 2004 as a replacement for my first one, a DSCP7 whose PC Card blew at 13 months (so out of warranty) and it was cheaper to by a new one! I like Sony products, but if something similar happens with this camera where I have to have major work done on it, I'll go to another brand.

This was my first digital camera, so my perspective is probably a bit prejudiced by my inexperience. Things I like, and dislike, about this camera are:

1. Easy to use. You point and push the button. It does the rest.

2. Virtually unlimited storage capacity. After you buy a decent size memory chip (i.e. 256MB), then you can get up to 98 pictures at full size or 350+ at a moderate size. The memory chip that comes with this camera (32MB) will only story the following number of pictuers: 5MP = 12, 3MP = 20, 1MP = 50, VGA = 196.

3. Prices vary wildly for memory. I bought three memory chips and paid between $57 and $37 for the same product at different locations. Be sure to shop prices on the net before you buy.

4. Slow shutter. If you are used to 35mm, then get used to blurry pictures while you learn. It takes a second for the camera to focus and light levels can have a big effect on clarity. Also, using some type of support (i.e. tripod) can also greatly increase clarity.

5. Eats batteries quickly. If you use the camera a lot, it will go through the AA batteries quick. Luckily, they are rechargeable and are not unique to the camera. Carry extras.

6. Good low light pictures. Assuming you use a support, and the subject is stationary, you can take great low light pictures.

7. Don't have to wait for film developing. You can snap away to your hearts content and then delete all the bad ones later.

8. Easily transfers images to your PC. It's just a couple of clicks with the mouse.

Bottom line - It's an easy to use camera that can take beautiful pictures with amazing clarity. This assumes you have good lighting, a stationary subject, good support and take multiple frames. If you try to use this like a point and shoot 35mm, then you will get nothing but blurry, out of focus pictures.

Glad I bought it, but it's taken me several thousand pictures to figure out how to get shots that will equal my 35mm SLR.

Regardless if you are a novice or professional this camera is great all around to use. Easy to take with you anywhere and not as bulky as I thought it would be. Buy nothing less than a 5MP camera you'll be disappointed if you don't.

Accessories:
No need for a case becasue the lens closes if you leave it on for 30-60 seconds. More memory and more rechargeable batteries are a must. I always carry IKEA regular AA batteries when I'm going for an extended night out...trust me it helps!

Enjoy!

I just need to rave about this camera. I loved it from day one it is easy to use and has so many options. It is also a great price. The thing that has completely shocked me and amazed me is that my camera was accidently taken outside and left outside by a younger sibling of mine and it still works. He thought it would be funny to bury it in the snow this past winter. I had on clue where it was it sat outside buried in snow for at least a week and then when I finally found it the snow had all melted so it went through a lot. Never in my dreams did I think that this camera would still work. I took out the batteries replaced them with fresh batteries and took out the memory card and replaced it with the same memory card. Hit the on switch and it turned on! I've been using it ever since with absolutely no problems. So if you want a camera that will take a beating with lots of options and that is easy to use this is the one for you!

After owning 2 Canon cameras over the last 6 years, I new for my new one I did not want a proprietary battery format again. This Sony is great, and it uses AA batteries! I rotate between the pair of recharbles it came with and 4 more rechargables I bought. Highly recommend. The pictures and videos are very good. Also, the video clips aren't limited to any amount of time, only by your memory.

I had to replace my Olympus D-550. It was difficult to make a decision as I had loved the Olympus, but I dropped it on the floor and it was broken. The decision to buy a Sony stemmed from owning rechargable AA batteries and my dad owning a sony memory stick already for an older Sony Mavica.

I have had nothing but great pictures with this camera, unless I moved. Batteries last a long time but the included charger and batteries would have been a better deal if it charged more than two AA batteries at a time.

The manual is very easy to follow; there are alot of features in this camera so I refer to it every once in a while to refresh my memory. I mostly use it outdoors with children in my day care in very bright conditions or in florescent lighting and all the pictures are great.

I download using the USB cable and Windows XP camera wizard. I only installed the basic software to run the camera, because all the other software is useless. It doesn't edit the pictures, so I actually edit them on Camedia. I know some people don't like that software either, but on the whole it is easy to use and works well.

You won't be sorry if you buy this camera. It is small enough to go anywhere, and will do the job. Unless you want the semi-pro models to change lenses, this is one of the best cameras I've ever owned.

If you are just an amateur photographer that is either finally switching from analog to digital or just want a decent camera to take on family vacations or school projects, this is a great camera. It is small, lightweight, and does just about anything you could possibly need it to do. It won't take pictures of hummingbirds feeding across a forest bed, but it will take a decent photo of the grand canyon. The quality of the 3x optical zoom is really good, but the picture is sacrificed slightly as you try to artifically enhance it with the digital zoom. The battery life is good enough to take on extended trips from your hotel or on a hike without having to carry around a charger or spare batteries. If you plan on taking lots of high quality large photos, you will need to get a larger memory stick (64 MB will work, 128 MB even better), but the memory stick it comes with will be enough to photograph your child's birthday party as long as you download the photos onto your computer afterwards. At 5.1 MegaPixels, this camera will pick up hairs on a persons head and it will even be able to define a flea in the hair. 5 MP is enough to make clear 8x10 prints. There are 6+ MegaPixel cameras out there, but at the consumer level there is really no point in spending the money on one (7.2 MP won't come in handy unless you are making 15x20 prints or are a student taking pictures through a microscope or a telescope--it is more of a prosumer level) All around, while Sony's camera lenses may not compare with Canon or Olympus, Sony makes up for it with their superior knowledge of how to make a great consumer digital device and turn it into a decent digital camera. It is a great value for the price.

help ... the book says nothing about this:
I set my cybershot to the fine, and the 5m setting (largest) but when i go in to photoshop to "play" with my images it shows me a very large image 35" x 27" but only a resolution of 72; i see jagged edges that i think i should not see with a 5.1 megapixel camera.
when i "resample" the image and lower size to 8" x 10" the resolution goes up but the image stays the same.
how do i take a high rez image (300 dpi)not just a large image?

Please take what I'm going to say with a grain of salt. This review is written for a specific consumer. If you are a layperson when it comes to picture technology and want a user friendly camera to take everyday pictures right out of the box, then you need to read this review. If this is your first digital camera purchase, then you really need to take my review into consideration. Basically, you cannot use this camera without reading the manual. Another review mentions this fact, but I must reiterate. Leave it to Sony to create a great (taking others words on the usage of word "great") but confusing (my words) product. If you attempt to take pictures without thoroughly reading the manual, then you mind as well draw rather than take pictures because the pictures will be useless. I replaced my expensive cybershot with a Kodak EasyShare LS743. The user friendly interface allows me to take great pictures for everyday usage and splurge on a 512 MB memory card for less money. I'm sure if you want professional pictures then you have the money and expertise to tough out the cybershot so have fun. But if you want to take pictures just as easily as the old days, then don't purchase this product.

This review is specifically written to contradict the review for beginners saying you must read the entire manual to use it or get horrible pictures.

I don't know much about photography, but use this camera often at college (I take a few about a hundred a month). Only 6 months later did I finally crack out the manual b/c I wanted to learn about the more advanced features.

For non-beginners, you might have to crack the manual before using (?) because you know about different features, but not a beginner.

I bought my Sony DSC P93 in Feb 2004. Its been 2 years now and never had any complains about anything. I have the same Original Rechargeable batteries going strong. I have compared the picture quality with some of the Sony's latest ones but they are not that great. If I have to buy a camera today again I will buy Sony DSC P93.

I have had this camera for over a year. Everyone comments on the wonderful pictures I get from it. It has alot of options and I do admit I don't know all of them yet.The quality is outstanding though. I have compared my images with family members who have Kodak, HP and Vivitar cameras. They are far better. The screen is also much clearer for viewing shots. It lets you know if the light is bad or your just too close.I love that it takes video too with sound (an option not on the others). I don't use my video camera as much since it is so easy to put these clips onto video tapes/Cd's. Its much more convenient to grab when the little was is doing something too cute not to record.The best place I have found to upload and have prints made (that last) is Winkflash.com. Its a great service. Very fast. The best prints too with the best price.If you want professional looking photos this is your camera. You can even make poster size prints with beautiful details. I also love how it comes with the rechargeable batteries and charger.Its all around one of the best for the money.

PROS: Just place the dial on it's "camera" icon setting and you are ready to go. There is no guesswork here if you just want to take quick pictures. I did not read the manual until I wanted specific results or had special situations. You can download drivers, etc. from Sony's site and hook the camera up to your computer through a usb cable. Very easy. The batteries last a very long time for me. Though it has automatic shut-off, it probably depends on how long you keep the camera on trying to figure things out (read the manual first)...or if you leave it on and forget when you have it hooked up to the computer, but if you stay aware of these things you should have excellent battery life. CONS: Two complaints, and they are the same for any digital camera that I've tried or heard about: I want instant capture when I press that button (like a 35mm), not a three second wait, which is a long time when you're trying to capture children, wildlife, or sports. Also, the color of ordered prints is slightly off 80% of the time. I don't have time to tweak coloring in hundreds of pictures. CONCLUSION: However, the pictures are sharp and I can take as many pictures as I want and ease of use is high. The video is nifty too. OVERALL I am happy with this camera.

My boyfriend and I both have this camera, so this review is a reflection of TWO of these cameras. (We bought them at separate places, within a month apart from each other.)

After only a couple months, we began to have the same problem.

The camera frequently freezes: it's unable to take pictures, the LCD screen turns off, and when you try to turn it off, the lens moves in and closes but moves back out and opens again. Only the mode for reviewing your pictures works and only when on that mode, can we turn off our cameras properly.

This problem is not fixed by the resetting suggestions made in the manual. However, putting in new batteries briefly restores it to normal functioning status, but the frequency of having to replace batteries is ridiculous. To give you an idea, my boyfriend would bring 2-3 sets of extra batteries just for one day's outting. Ridiculous.

Sure, others have not had problems, but the chances of my boyfriend AND me having problems with TWO of the exact same cameras would make me look elsewhere for a more reliable camera.

First, I would like to say that this is a good bargain, and you will most likely get tons of use out of this camera. The picture quality is very good, the battery life impressed me, and there are a lot of features that will allow you to take the very best pictures in all lighting conditions. The LCD screen is large enough to see your pictures on, and is accurate in showing the quality of your pictures.

The only thing I don't like about this camera is the size/weight. It is a little heavy, and can be bulky if you need to carry it around for a while. But if you want a small camera, be willing to pay more, or you're probably going to lose out on some of the features (and quality) included here.

This camera is a very good deal, and would be an excellent choice whether you are buying your first digital camera, or replacing an older one.

I won this camera at a workshop I went to. At first, I was in love with it. The size is perfect - it fits into my purse or pocket. It has 5.1 megapixels - which will print beautiful 8x10 pictures. I use this camera to take short videos, and they upload onto the computer and can be sent out in email.

Lately, after having the camera for over a year, I've noticed the quality of the pictures going down. I no longer use this camera indoors - I find that it doesn't pick up the light, and leaves the picture with almost a grayish tone to it. I also have a Fuji FinePix camera, and I recently took the same shot with both cameras and I can really see the difference.

All in all, this camera does good outdoor pictures, but I am glad I did not buy it because the indoor quality of the pictures is poor. I would look elsewhere for a camera if you are into photography and want the best quality picture.

I bought this camera when it first came out in 2004. It was one of the first 5.1mega pixel models.
I have taken easily 100,000 pictures with it.
Now, I won't report on what the camera does, as it does everything wonderful, but I can give you a review of how it will fair with a lot of use:
1. The batteries need some changing after the one year mark, if you don't, the charge won't hold very long. This is common with all rechargeables. However, I still use my originals.
2. Whether it's been dropped one too many times, or in the sand too much, I'm not sure, but I do now have the problem of the camera's shutter not opening automatically when the lens extends. This problem is infrequent.
3. As stated in other review, if you don't have enough battery power, the camera will confusingly close the lens and shutter and then immediately extend the lens and open the shutter and turn off in this open mode. The only way around it is to remove the dying batteries when the camera lens first retracts.

Okay, the only problems I really have with the camera:
1: The 32mb included Sony MemoryStick is way too small. Also, this proprietary format is very expensive compared to other forms of flash storage. Just doesn't cut it in 2006, folks.
2: After two years of use, or maybe it's earlier, you MUST reset the camera. If you don't you'll definitely see performance lag. Not a big problem at all.
3: It would be nice if you could somehow record those amazing 640x480 resolution MPEGs directly to your computer through the USB cable.
4: Finally, it's now 2006. Most cameras come with image stabilization gizmos.

If it's 2004, buy the camera. I bought it for $300 even back then. If the price isn't down at least 33% now in 2006, leave it alone. There are much better cameras with better features quality nowadays. Simply put.
The DSCP93 was ahead of it's time in 2004. Great features, unheard of resolution, rugged. It didn't immediately become outdated like most products. I will continue to use this amazing camera!
- Michael

I've had this camera for almost 2 years now. All of a sudden it has the black screen LCD and is useless. It's not on the recall list like many other Cybershots for this problem. Sony will fix it for 181.00 plus. Not worth it. This will be my very last Sony camera.

very good but rechargabale battery dosnt last long .second drawback is you that picture cannot be enlarged very much. i wish it had a camera cover.

Clearly this camera isn't really my best friend, i actually know humans too but it was close to it. I bought this camera in late 2004 because my family was getting ready to take trip to the beautiful country of Nicaragua to visit some family (i'm a halfy, my dad's from Missouri) so i NEEDED to have a camera. at that time, this camera was the hottest thing you could find for that money, and i bought mine at Best Buy-everythingoverpriced. Anyway, if you're looking for a great, durable camera, this is the one for you. Countless times i've seen my camera on a tripod fall due lack of brains on my friends' part but some how i never learned my lesson. Most people don't like the size of this camera but i say other wise. Why would you want a camera so tiny that it feels like you can crush it in your hands. On the down side of this camera, after nearly crushing my friends' newer cameras, i fell in love with the LCD that puts this one to shame. I can literally put my thumb over the screen of this camera. But is screen size really what matters? This camera contended with cameras today pretty well. it has an EXCELLENT shutter programer that i found to be more useful than i thought and plenty of mode settings to shoot in all sorts of conditions. i was very impressed with the macro mode in which i shot many things such flowers, weird bugs and we were fortunate enough to be at the right beach at the right time to see baby sea turtles hatch and make they're way to the ocean. beautiful pictures!
if you're not happy with just picture, the video side to this camera is also impressive. My friends and I took second place at our high school film festival (that actually sounds pretty lame) using this camera. first place, of course, was a second movie we submitted. the quality of the video is pretty good, depending on what setting you have it on, and USEFUL! if there's ever a moment when pictures just arne't enough, it take little energy and time to switch this camera to video mode. this camera has it all. i highly recommend it.
In December 2007-January 2008, my family and I took another trip to Nicaragua. I wasn't able to find enough money to buy a nice dslr(i bought a cheap care instead) so i brought along with me my trusty P93. I can honestly say that i took the best pictures that i have ever taken (with out using my dad's Rebel) with that camera. Sadly, my P93, carrying case, and all 5 memory cards i had bought were all stolen after about a week of being there. It seriously felt like one of my best friends just moved away with warning. coincidentally, before leaving Nicaragua, I saw a guy that had a brand new P93 and he was as happy as could be.

Pros:
*VERY STRONG AND DURABLE
*comfortable to hold
*great shutter programing
*doesn't waste batteries quickly
*extremely easy to use
*unexpectedly good video mode
*good sound quality

Cons:
*some times i wished i had a bigger screen but then you just get over it
*"Only 5.1 megapixels! but i need WAY MORE than that!" Shut Up! sure this camera only has 5.1, but hey! do you really need that much more for a simple point and shoot. it never really got in my way too much.
*some times the auto mode tries to get ahead of it's self and just freaks out, better off using program modes
*i accidentally cover the microphone with my finger some times

i fell in love with this camera

The quality of the photos produced by this camera is outstanding. Absolutely no trace of purple fringing on high-contrast scenes. No jpeg artifacts to hide the details. Most of the 5 megapixel cameras I have used produce photos that look good when they're reduced to 1280x1024 pixels or so, but when you look at them in full resolution you see blurriness in the details, or fringing around objects. There is absolutely none of that with this camera.

Add to that the ease of use and the wealth of exposure controls (full auto, shutter and aperture priority auto, and complete manual, along with a few programmed modes). This may not be a top end camera for the professional photographer, but it is well suited to beginners to serious amateurs.

The only caveat I can think of is the digital zoom. This works by effectively cropping the photo, thereby reducing the final image resolution. It's probably best to let the camera use its full resolution and then do your cropping at your leisure with good photo editing software on your computer.