About the Sony DSC-M2
Just one look at Sony's DSC-M2 tells you it's no ordinary digital camera. It boasts a unique "switchblade" LCD that flips up and swivels for convenient shooting from any angle, plus a cool brushed aluminum body that easily slips into a purse or pocket. Best of all, this compact cam makes it simple to take sharp digital photos and great-looking movies.
Advanced video recording
The 'M2 delivers cleaner, smoother videos than most digital cameras, thanks to its advanced movie mode. You'll enjoy detailed footage with spacious stereo sound. A fun "hybrid" mode lets you capture the moment as a snapshot in the middle of brief video clip. Separate "photo" and "movie" record buttons let you easily switch back and forth between still images and full-motion video.
Share your pictures and movies
Sony's handy Pocket Album feature lets you use the DSC-M2 as a portable photo scrapbook. When you snap a picture, the camera stores a high-resolution version on an optional Memory Stick® Duo card and also saves a smaller version in its special built-in memory for easy sharing. View the images in your album individually or create slide shows complete with pre-loaded music soundtracks and cool transition effects without using your computer. Plus that big 2-1/2" screen makes it easy to show your pictures and videos to friends and family.
Docking station for simplified hookup
The supplied docking station is a nice touch, too. Keep it connected to your TV or PC, then simply slide the camera into place to display movies and photos on your television, or transfer them to your computer. The included software package lets you edit your movies and even burn DVDs with a compatible PC.
Product highlights:
- 5-megapixel recording
- Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens (35mm equivalent focal length: 38-114mm)
- 3X optical zoom (2X digital/6X total zoom)
- 2-1/2" Free Angle color LCD
- records photos and movies to optional Memory Stick® Duo cards
- top JPEG resolution: 2592 x 1944
- records MPEG-4 movies with stereo audio (top resolution of 640 x 480 at 30 frames per second)
- Pocket Album function stores up to 1100 VGA (640 x 480) photo images to built-in memory
- Slide Show mode with background music
- Hybrid Recording mode for still photos with audio/video recorded for 5 seconds before and 3 seconds after the shot
- 9 scene modes (including Beach, Candle, Fireworks, and High Speed Shutter)
- variable ISO (film speed equivalent) settings
- macro mode (up to 3-1/4" from subject) and Magnifying Glass mode (up to 7/16" from subject) for in-focus, close-up shooting
- built-in flash
- built-in stereo mic and speaker
- high-speed USB interface
- compatible with Memory Stick Duo and Memory Stick PRO Duo
- audio/video output
- 2-1/4"W x 4-7/8"H x 1-5/16"D
- weight (with battery and media): 7.4 oz.
- warranty: 1 year
Supplied Accessories:
- rechargeable InfoLithium® battery (NP-FT1)
- AC adapter/battery charger
- USB and audio/video cables
- Cyber-shot® Station camera dock
- wrist strap
- software CD-ROMs
- Crutchfield digital camera tip sheet
- MFR # DSCM2
What's in the box:
- Digital still camera
- UC-MB Cyber-shot Station
- NP-FT1 Lithium Ion battery (3.6 Volts/2.4Wh) in plastic case
- AC-LS5 AC adapter with attached 67" cord (DC Output: 4.2V/1.7A)
- 78" AC power cord
- 59" USB cable with in-line noise filter (has a USB Type A connector on one end and Mini-USB Version 2.0 connector on the other end)
- 55" A/V connecting cable (has left and right RCA audio connectors and an RCA composite video connector on one end and a minijack connector on the other end)
- Wrist strap
- Picture Package CD-ROM
- NeroVision Express 3 CD-ROM
- User's Guide
- "Read This First" sheet
- Warranty sheet
- Online registration sheet
- "Quick Start Guide for connection to your computer" sheet
- Important Safeguards
- "For Windows 98/98SE/2000 Professional/Me Users" sheet
- Picture Package information card
- NeroVision Express 3 Quick Start Guide
- Accessories catalog
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More details on the Sony DSC-M2
Features & specs
General | ||
---|---|---|
LCD Screen Size | 2.5" | |
Adjustable-angle LCD | --- | |
Wi-Fi | No | |
Touchscreen | --- | |
Waterproof | --- | |
GPS-enabled | --- | |
Lens 35mm Equivalent | 38-114mm | |
Optical Zoom | 3x | |
Digital Zoom | 2x | |
Filter Diameter | N/A | |
Manual Focusing | No | |
Manual Exposure | No | |
Built-in Flash | Yes | |
HDMI Output | --- | |
Memory | ||
Internal Memory | None | |
Memory Stick | Yes | |
CFexpress Cards | No | |
CompactFlash Cards | No | |
SD Cards | No | |
XQD Cards | No | |
Image | ||
Sensor Size | 7.17mm | |
Megapixels | 5.09e+006 | |
Image Stabilization | None | |
Highest Resolution | 2592 x 1944 | |
4K Video | No | |
Video Resolution | --- | |
Dimensions | ||
Width (inches) | 2-1/4 | |
Height (inches) | 4-7/8 | |
Depth (inches) | 1-5/16 | |
Weight With Battery (ounces) | 7.4 | |
Warranty | ||
Parts Warranty | 1 Year | |
Labor Warranty | 1 Year |
Product Research
General Features
Recording Images
Viewing, Editing and Printing Images
Supplied Software
Memory Stick Compatibility: The DSC-M2 is compatible with Memory Stick Duo, the shorter (1-1/4" long) version of the Memory Stick portable recording medium. Standard Memory Stick Duo, along with MagicGate Memory Stick Duo, and Memory Stick PRO Duo recording media are usable in the camera. Although this unit is compatible with MagicGate Memory Stick Duo, it cannot be used to record or play back copyright-protected music.
Note: No Memory Stick Duo memory card is included with the camera.
Cyber-shot Station Cradle: The supplied UC-MB Cyber-shot Station cradle provides a quick and easy connection between the camera and a TV for easy viewing, or a USB-supported computer for MPEG video and still image transfer. It also supplies power to the camera for charging the battery, or when the camera is in use for long periods of time.
Imaging Device: For optimal image quality, the camera uses a 1/2.5"-type, 5.1 Mega-Pixel Super HAD CCD imaging device with approximately 5.255-million gross pixels and 5.09-million effective pixels. Super HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCDs provide excellent image quality by allowing more light to pass to each pixel, increasing sensitivity and reducing noise.
Tilt/Swivel Free Angle 2.5" LCD Screen: An extra-large 2.5" LCD screen flips out for shooting, rotates so you can put yourself into the picture (or movie), and folds back flat against the camera body.
Note: This camera does not have a traditional viewfinder.
Carl Zeiss Lens: The camera has a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens. Carl Zeiss lenses are famous for their sharpness and color accuracy. The Vario-Tessar lens is specially produced for compact cameras and provides rapid auto focus with appealing zoom range.
Optical/Digital Zoom: The lens has a 3x optical zoom and a focal length of 6.33mm to 19.0mm, which is equivalent to 38mm to 114mm in 35mm photography. Sony's Precision Digital zoom provides an additional 2x magnification (Total Zoom 6x) without the jagged edges of other designs, resulting in smoother images.
Image Size/Compression: When recording digital still images, the DSC-M2 allows you to choose from five image sizes and two compression (image quality) settings--Fine and Standard. The larger the image and the higher the image quality you choose, the better the image will be, but it also takes a larger amount of data to preserve the image. The image sizes include:
Image Size | Resolution | Examples |
---|---|---|
5M | 2592 x 1944 | For printing in A4 size or high density images in A5 size. |
3:2* | 2592 x 1728 | |
3M | 2048 x 1536 | |
1M | 1280 x 960 | For printing postcard size images. |
VGA | 640 x 480 | For shooting a lot of images, attaching images to e-mail, or posting images to your home page. |
*This option records images in a horizontal to vertical proportion of 3:2 to match the size of the print paper used.
Auto Focus: The camera has the following auto focus methods using the AF range finder. These methods are easily selectable from the menu:
- 5-area Multi-point AF: The camera calculates the distance in five areas to the left, right, top, bottom, and in the center of the image. This method is helpful when your subject is not centered in the frame.
- Center AF: The camera focuses only on the subject framed in the AF range finder in the center of the image
- Spot AF: This method is for focusing on an extremely small subject or a narrow area.
Focus Presets: When it is difficult to get the proper focus in the auto focus mode, you can use one of 5 preset focus distance settings. You can select from 0.5 meters, 1.0 meter, 3.0 meters, 7.0 meters, or infinity.
Macro Focus: For close-ups of small objects such as flowers and insects, this camera has macro focus capability. With the zoom set all the way to wide, the camera can focus on objects as close as 3-1/4" from the lens. With the zoom set all the way to telephoto, the camera can focus on objects up to 9-7/8" from the lens.
Note: Minimum distance needed to focus on a subject when not in the Macro mode is 19-3/4" (wide).
AF Illuminator: The AutoFocus Illuminator, located on the front of the camera near the lens, emits red light to allow the camera to more easily focus on a subject in dark surroundings. Focus is achieved as long as the AF Illuminator light reaches the subject. The AF Illuminator has a range of up to 5 feet 10-7/8 inches when the zoom is at full Wide position, and up to 6 feet 10-11/16 inches at full telephoto position.
Auto Power-Off: If you do not operate the camera for approximately 3 minutes during recording or playback, it will turn off automatically to conserve battery power.
Battery Information: This model uses the high-stamina Sony NP-FT1 Lithium-Ion battery (3.6 Volts/2.4Wh).
Battery Performance: The capacity of the NP-FT1 battery under normal operating conditions is as follows:
Recording Still Images:
LCD Backlight | Number of Images | Battery Life (minutes) | |
---|---|---|---|
Normal | On | Approximately 210 | Approximately 105 |
Off | Approximately 250 | Approximately 125 | |
Hybrid | On | Approximately 130 | Approximately 65 |
Off | Approximately 160 | Approximately 80 |
Viewing Still Images:
Battery Life (minutes) |
---|
Approximately 100 |
Recording Movies:
Movie Size | Battery Life (minutes) | |
---|---|---|
LCD Backlight On | LCD Backlight Off | |
640 (30 fps) | Approximately 55 | Approximately 65 |
320 (15 fps) | Approximately 65 | Approximately 75 |
Viewing Movies:
Movie Size | Battery Life (minutes) |
---|---|
640 (30 fps) | Approximately 90 |
320 (15 fps) | Approximately 100 |
Still Image Shooting Modes: You can choose one of the following shooting modes:
- Auto: The camera automatically adjusts the focus, exposure and white balance.
- Program: The necessary adjustments are made automatically like still image auto shooting, but you can also change the focus and other adjustments as desired.
- Scene Selection: You can select from the following
modes to shoot according to the scene conditions. (Functions available from
the menu):
- Magnifying Glass: The subject appears on the LCD screen magnified by up to 3.5x to let you see details that would otherwise be difficult to confirm with the naked eye. The focal distance is approximately 13/32" to 7-7/8". The optical zoom is locked, and the image is enlarged using the digital zoom.
- Twilight: For shooting a distant night view. Tripod recommended.
- Twilight Portrait: For shooting subjects in the foreground at night. Tripod recommended.
- Landscape: For shooting far away images.
- Snow: For shooting snowy scenes or other places where the whole screen appears white.
- Beach: For shooting seaside or lakeside scenes. The blue of the water is clearly recorded.
- High-Speed Shutter: For shooting moving subjects outdoors or in other bright places.
- Fireworks Mode: For shooting fireworks. The focus distance is set to infinity.
- Candle: For recording parties, candle services, and other candlelit scenes without spoiling the candlelight atmosphere. Tripod recommended.
Picture Effects: When desired, you can select one of the following picture effects:
- B&W: The picture is monochrome (black and white).
- Sepia: The picture is sepia-toned like an old photograph.
Continuous Shooting: You can shoot a sequence of photographs using one of the following modes:
- Speed Burst Mode: The camera records a maximum of four images when you press and hold down the Photo button.
- Multi Burst Mode: Pressing the shutter once records 16 frames in a row. You can set the interval between frames at 1/7.5 second, 1/15 second, or 1/30th second. All 16 frames will be recorded as one 1M image (1280 x 960). When you play back images recorded in Multi Burst mode with this camera, the 16 frames will be played back in order, either continuously with a fixed interval or manually frame-by-frame in either direction. When the images are played back on a computer or a camera without Multi Burst, the 16 frames will all be displayed at the same time as part of one image.
- Exposure Bracketing: Records a series of three images with the exposure values automatically shifted.
Flash Modes: The flash automatically strobes when surroundings are dark. The recommended distance for using the flash is 3-15/16 inches to 8 feet 6-3/8 inches (wide) and 1 foot 7-11/16 inches to 6 feet 10-11/16 inches (telephoto) when ISO is set to Auto. You can set the flash to one of the following modes:
- Auto: The camera decides to use the flash based on lighting conditions.
- Forced Flash: The flash strobes with every shot regardless of lighting conditions.
- Slow Synchro: The flash is used regardless of the amount of ambient light, but the shutter speed is slower under dark conditions, allowing you to clearly shoot a background that is out of the flash-lit area.
- No Flash: The flash does not fire regardless of lighting conditions.
Note: The camera also has a "red-eye reduction" setting, which causes the flash to pre-strobe before shooting to reduce the red-eye phenomenon. It can be turned on/off in the Set Up menu.
ISO Speed: The ISO speed can be set to Auto, 64, 100, 200, or 400. When shooting under dark conditions or shooting a fast-moving subject, you should use a high number setting. When recording high-quality images, use a low number setting.
Metering Modes: You can select from the following metering modes:
- Multi-Pattern: The image is divided into multiple regions and metering is performed in each region. The camera judges the subject position and background brightness, and determines a well-balanced exposure.
- Spot Metering: The camera measures only a part of the subject. Useful when the subject is a backlit or when there is strong contrast between the subject and the background.
EV Compensation: You can adjust the exposure of an image + or - 2EV in increments of 1/3EV.
Histogram: A histogram is a graph showing the brightness of an image. A live histogram display is available in both recording and playback modes, making it easy to evaluate the correct exposure.
White Balance: When the white balance is set to auto, the white balance is set automatically in response to the condition of the subject, and the overall color balance is adjusted. When shooting under special lighting conditions, you can select the settings manually. In addition to Auto, the white balance can be set to Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Incandescent and Flash.
MPEG Movie VX: Besides recording still images, you can also record moving images with sound. Moving images are recorded in MPEG1 format. The following image sizes are available: 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), and 320 x 240 (15 fps). You can also record movies in macro mode for excellent closeups. If you want to be in the movie, you can use the camera's self-timer feature.
Note: The unit's flash will not operate in movie mode.
Hybrid Shooting Mode: In Hybrid Shooting mode, you can record a movie before and after shooting a still image. A 5-second movie shot before the still image and a 3-second movie shot after the still image are recorded. The movie size is set to 320 x 240 (15 fps).
5SEC Recording: This mode allows you to record a 5-second movie by simply pressing and releasing the Movie button.
Album: When the Album function is activated, an additional still image is saved to the Album in the VGA size (640 x 480) in the Standard picture quality setting. You can shoot a maximum of 1,100 still images. When you are shooting a movie, the first 5 seconds of the movie is saved as a minimized movie to the Album. The size of the minimized movie depends on the size of the regular movie:
- 640 (30 fps): saved as 640 (2 fps)
- 320 (30 fps): saved as 320 (2 fps)
- 320
(15 fps): saved as 320 (1 fps)
Note: Images cannot be stored in the Album unless a Memory Stick Duo is inserted into the camera.
Approximate Recording Capacity: The number of images that can be saved on a Memory Stick Duo:
Still Image Recording Mode:
Image Size | Image Quality | 32MB | 64MB | 128MB | 256MB | 512MB | 1GB | 2GB |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5M 2592 x 1944 | Fine | 12 | 25 | 51 | 92 | 188 | 384 | 789 |
Standard | 23 | 48 | 96 | 174 | 354 | 722 | 1482 | |
3:2* 2592 x 1728 | Fine | 12 | 25 | 51 | 92 | 188 | 384 | 789 |
Standard | 23 | 48 | 96 | 174 | 354 | 722 | 1482 | |
3M 2048 x 1536 | Fine | 20 | 41 | 82 | 148 | 302 | 617 | 1265 |
Standard | 36 | 74 | 149 | 264 | 537 | 1097 | 2250 | |
1M 1280 x 960 | Fine | 50 | 101 | 202 | 356 | 725 | 1481 | 3038 |
Standard | 93 | 187 | 376 | 649 | 1319 | 2694 | 5524 | |
VGA 640 x 480 | Fine | 196 | 393 | 789 | 1427 | 2903 | 5927 | 12153 |
Standard | 490 | 984 | 1974 | 3569 | 7259 | 14819 | 30383 |
Hybrid Shooting Mode:
Image Size | Image Quality | 32MB | 64MB | 128MB | 256MB | 512MB | 1GB | 2GB |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5M 2592 x 1944 | Fine | 9 | 18 | 37 | 67 | 138 | 282 | 578 |
Standard | 14 | 28 | 57 | 103 | 210 | 429 | 880 | |
3:2* 2592 x 1728 | Fine | 9 | 18 | 37 | 67 | 138 | 282 | 578 |
Standard | 14 | 28 | 57 | 103 | 210 | 429 | 880 | |
3M 2048 x 1536 | Fine | 12 | 25 | 51 | 93 | 191 | 389 | 799 |
Standard | 17 | 36 | 72 | 129 | 263 | 538 | 1104 | |
1M 1280 x 960 | Fine | 20 | 41 | 83 | 148 | 302 | 617 | 1265 |
Standard | 25 | 51 | 102 | 183 | 372 | 759 | 1558 | |
VGA 640 x 480 | Fine | 29 | 59 | 119 | 216 | 439 | 898 | 1841 |
Standard | 32 | 65 | 131 | 237 | 483 | 987 | 2025 |
Movie Recording Mode:
Movie Size | 32MB | 64MB | 128MB | 256MB | 512MB | 1GB | 2GB |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
640 (30 fps) | 0:01:29 | 0:02:59 | 0:05:59 | 0:10:49 | 0:22:01 | 0:44:57 | 1:32:10 |
320 (30 fps) | 0:04:45 | 0:09:34 | 0:19:12 | 0:34:43 | 1:10:37 | 2:24:10 | 4:55:36 |
320 (15 fps) | 0:16:37 | 0:33:24 | 1:07:00 | 2:01:08 | 4:06:24 | 8:23:01 | 17:11:20 |
Viewing, Editing and Printing Images
Viewing Images: Still and moving images can be played back on the camera's color LCD screen, or the images may be transferred to a computer, where they can be displayed or manipulated with the use of compatible software. In addition, the images can be played back on a television (NTSC or PAL), if the television has an RCA composite video input.
Index Mode: In addition to viewing images one-by-one in full screen, you can view multiple images at once in the index mode. This feature lets you to display 9 or 16 images at a time, allowing you to easily find the image you want.
Slide Show: The Slide Show function lets you play back images one after the other. You can choose all images from one folder, or show all images in memory. A slide show can be set to music. You can choose from four prerecorded tracks, or you can download CD tracks or MP3 files into the camera to replace the prerecorded tracks. The maximum length of each music file is 180 seconds.
Deleting/Protecting Images: You can delete a selected image, or you can delete all the unprotected images at once. In order to avoid accidentally deleting an image, it can be protected.
Playback Zoom: You can enlarge a recorded still image and record the enlarged item as a new file. To select the area to be enlarged, you can move the enlargement "frame" up/down/left/right, and adjust the zoom with the W/T button. You cannot use Playback Zoom with movies or images shot in the Multi-burst mode.
Resizing Images: After an image is captured (still images only), you can resize the picture and save it as a new file. Images can be resized to 5M, 3M, 1M or VGA. The original image is retained even after resizing. You cannot resize a picture to a 3:2-sized image.
Print Order Mark: You can place a print order mark on still images recorded with this camera. This mark is convenient when you have images printed at a shop that conforms to the DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) standard.
PictBridge Compatible: You can easily print images recorded on this camera by connecting it to a PictBridge-compliant printer. You can connect the camera via the supplied USB cable.
Exif Print (Exif 2.2): The DSC-M2 conforms to "Exif Print", a worldwide standard. Vital camera settings (such as: exposure mode, white balance, exposure time) and scene data are recorded to the image file when it is captured. Printers compatible with "Exif Print" are able to use this information to produce high quality photographs, exactly the way they were intended at the time of capture. This intelligent communication process also allows the printer to correct for poor lighting or mistakes, resulting in photos that can be even better than the originals.
PRINT Image Matching III: PRINT Image Matching III (P.I.M. III), the newest version of a technology developed by Seiko Epson Corporation, ensures that P.I.M. III-enabled digital cameras and printers work together perfectly to produce the best possible prints. After an image is captured, the camera automatically tags the picture with numerous optimal image settings and includes it as part of the Exif Print header in the JPEG file. A P.I.M. III-enabled photo printer reads and utilizes the information in order to make the most accurate print.
Note: Cameras with P.I.M. III are completely backward-compatible with printers with the original P.I.M. and P.I.M. II technology.
Software: The camera includes the following software:
- Picture Package: This
application is used to transfer images from the camera to the computer
easily.
- Note: Picture Package cannot be used on a Macintosh.
- Music Transfer: This application allows you to download CD tracks or MP3 files into the camera to replace the prerecorded tracks.
- NeroVision Express 3: This
application allows you to capture and edit movies taken by the camera. You
can then record the movies to a DVD.
- Note: NeroVision Express 3 cannot be used on a Macintosh.
Picture Package Minimum System Requirements for Windows:
- Operating System: Operating systems pre-installed (IBM
PC/AT compatible)
- Windows 98
- Windows 98 Second Edition
- Windows Millennium Edition
- Windows 2000 Professional
- Windows XP Home Edition/Professional
- CPU:
Intel MMX Pentium 200 MHz or faster
- Notes: For automatic creation of a Music Video/Slideshow, a Pentium III 500 MHz or faster CPU is required.
- Hard Disk: Disk space required for installation: approximately 500 MB
- Memory: 64 MB or more (128 MB or more is recommended)
- Sound: 16-bit stereo sound card with speakers
- Video Card: DirectDraw driver compliant with 4 MB of VRAM
- USB Connector: provided as standard--camera compatible with Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0 compliant)
- Display: 800 x 600 dots or more, High Color (16-bit color, 65,000 colors)
- Software:
- Macromedia Flash Player 6.0 or later
- Windows Media Player 7.0 or later
- Direct X 9.0b or later
NeroVision Express 3 Minimum System Requirements for Windows:
- Operating System: Windows 98 Second Edition, Windows Millennium Edition, Windows 2000 Professional, or Windows XP Home Edition/Professional
- CPU: Intel Pentium III 800 MHz or faster (Pentium 4 1.6 GHz or faster recommended)
- Hard Disk Space:
- For the Standard Installation: 250 MB or more
- For DVD Authoring: 4 GB or more
- Software: Direct X 9.0b or later
- USB Connector: provided as standard
Recommended Computer Environment for Macintosh:
- Operating System:
- For Copying Images:
- Mac OS 9.1, 9.2
- Mac OS X (v10.0 or later)
- For Music Transfer: Mac OS X (v10.3 or later)
- For Copying Images:
- USB Connector: provided as standard
- CPU: iMac, eMac, iBook, PowerBook, PowerMac G3/G4/G5, Mac mini
- Memory: 64 MB or more (128 MB or more is recommended) for Music Transfer
- Hard Disk: Disk space required for installation of Music Transfer: approximately 250 MB
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