Sony's 2004 top slim P-series compact — 7.2MP CCD, 3x Carl Zeiss zoom, Memory Stick PRO
The Cyber-shot DSC-P150 was announced in July 2004 at the top of Sony's slim P-series pocket compacts, succeeding the popular DSC-P100. Its claim to fame was being Sony's first truly compact 7-megapixel camera, cramming what was then class-leading resolution into a slim aluminium body.
It paired a 7.2-effective-megapixel Super HAD CCD with a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 3x optical zoom that folds flat into the body via a pop-out mechanism. Storage was Memory Stick and Memory Stick PRO, connectivity Hi-Speed USB 2.0 with PictBridge printing, and the InfoLithium NP-FR1 battery delivered a strong-for-2004 rating of around 320 shots. Operation was point-and-shoot with scene modes rather than full manual control.
It suits pocket-carry street and travel snapshots and collectors chasing mid-2000s CCD colour from a premium compact. Image quality was praised in period reviews, with noise only becoming intrusive in shadows above ISO 200 — typical of small high-resolution CCDs of the day.
When buying used, confirm the NP-FR1 battery still holds charge and a charger or cradle is included, as this pack is less common than later Sony types. Memory Stick PRO cards are obsolete, so a bundled card is a plus. Watch the telescoping lens for slow or crooked extension, and check the small LCD for scratches and dead pixels.