Is it just me? Sony DSC-P72 vs. DSC-P92

Hi,

Awhile ago, I bought a DSC-P72 for my daughter. She's been using it for
awhile, and has been getting good results.

So, when it came time for my birthday, I asked for a DSC-P92. I figured
that if the P72 was all right, the P92 should be even better (3MP vs. 5MP).

I've been using the P92 for about 2 months now, and I note that I am getting
quite a few out-of-focus shots. At first I thought it was because of camera
shake, but in a lot of these shots, I can tell that it isn't (e.g., by
looking at background edges, etc.

I did a side-by-side comparison of the P72 vs. the P92 tonight, with both
cameras set at 1.2MP/Fine (which is what my daughter was using), and I had
both cameras set for center AF (rather than the default multi AF) and I
noted that the P92 has a slightly longer lens (min 8mm vs. 6mm for the P72).

Also, it seems to me that the P92 takes longer to focus lock than the P72
takes, for the same subject and lighting (stationary subject, indoor
lighting).

Finally, it also seems that the pics from the P72 just are sharper than the
ones from the P92, again with the same subject and lighting.

I was wondering if this is just me, or has anyone experienced this (or
explain it?), i.e., has anyone used both of these cameras and seen these
same differences?

Thanks,
Jim

 

I returned my dsc-p92 because many shots were either out of focus or
blurry. I used it mainly for indoor photos, many times at night with
normal incandescent light. It seems to me this camera works poorly in
these condition. Ans since there is no real manual mode to compensate
.... I do not know about the P72, except to say that my initial
decisions to buy the P92 was based partly on reviews of the P72. My
mistake I guess. My impression is that the calculations the camera
makes for focus, shutter speed and aperture are incorrect in these
conditions, maybe because this camera has a lower shutter lag than
other cameras. It did seem faster than other cameras I used (Olympus
D390 and Canon A70).

Jean-Claude

 

Hi,

I've found a few msgs mentioning similar focus problems, and I've
emailed Sony to see what they say. When on the Sony site, I did a
search, and noted that there's apparently a problem with the DSC F717:

SYMPTOM:
The camera does not focus correctly when the Hologram AF setting is
turned on.

RESOLUTION:

Initial production of the Sony DSC F717 Cybershot® digital still cameras
have displayed inaccurate focusing under certain limited conditions.
These conditions include ambient light low enough to activate the
Hologram AF, using higher zoom settings or attempting to focus at short
distances.

Sony is aware of this issue, and is providing express pick-up and return
shipment service for these cameras to correct this focus issue.

Contact the Sony Customer Information Services Center for further
assistance at 1-888-449-7669.


Hopefully, they'll answer me about the DSC-P92, and I'll post back if
they do, but if anyone is aware of anything please let me know?

Thanks,
Jim