Model Design / Appearance (8.0)
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P41 has a low slung, horizontal design, with plenty of surface area for the right hand to stabilize during shooting. The body is brushed silver, with silver grip highlights, and a polished silver lens ring. The lens is recessed into the camera body and is covered by a handy retractable lens cover. The left side of the camera is rounded, smooth, and free of features. The back of the camera has an appropriately sized LCD screen, and a port cover running along the bottom of the camera body, in a light gray color similar to that of the light gray used in the buttons and controls throughout the camera. All in all, the P41 sports an attractive compact frame with strong aesthetic appeal.
Size / Portability (8.0)
With its compact size, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P41 is perfect for slipping into a pocket, and since it only uses two double AA batteries, the overall weight of the camera is not excessive. This said, if longer shooting occasions occur, the user may want to bring along extra batteries, as the life of these batteries is fairly short (a downside to only using two batteries at a time). The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P41 weighs in at 5 ounces and fits neatly into the palm of a hand for simple carrying.
Handling Ability (7.0)
The overall handling on the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P41 is fairly strong. My hands fit neatly onto even this small bodied model, without me having to worry about covering the flash, microphone, or the lens face. The manual features available to the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P41 are mostly accessed through the menu via the LCD screen, a slight hassle if fast immediate control changes are needed. The port cover on the back of the camera is neatly situated to allow the user to shoot or access camera features while using either the USB or the DC in port.
Control Button / Dial Positioning / Size (6.0)
Given the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P41’s compact frame, the overall size of the buttons on the outside of the camera body are somewhat small, although their spacing is generous enough to allow for fairly quick access during shooting. The recessed 1.5-inch LCD screen fits the camera body nicely and compensates for the scant viewfinder, which is a bit too small for actual use. All of the control buttons are clearly labeled and relatively self explanatory, although some of the symbols are a little arcane and require the user to reference the manual to discover their purpose.
Menu (8.0)
The menu on the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P41 allows the user to select among a series of in-camera settings that are normally found on an external mode dial on other digital models. To access the menu the user must merely press the Menu button located beneath the four-way controller, beside the LCD screen. The initial window allows the user to select between Auto, Program, Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Landscape, Soft snap, Beach, and Candle modes. When the camera is taken out of Auto mode and placed in Program mode, the user is allowed to access (via the right and left arrows) the following controls: Exposure, Focus, White Balance, ISO, Picture Quality, Mode, Interval, Flash level, and Picture Effect. When in movie mode, the user can access the Exposure, Focus, White Balance, and Picture Effect. And finally, when set in Playback mode, the user can access Folder, Protect, Print order, and Print.
The nice thing about the Cyber-shot menus is that all settings are superimposed over the live action feed. This enables the user to perceive the potential alterations prior to selection and determine if the mode is needed.
Ease of Use (6.5)
This camera is meant to be easy to use, with manual controls almost non-existent. The user is left with preset options and pre-packaged choices, making this a camera perhaps best suited for those users seeking an automatic snapshot imager. The Focus distance becomes aggravating quickly, forcing the Auto Focus setting which will also draw substantial frustration. Otherwise, the presets are all self explanatory, and the menu is easy and quick to navigate to alter what few options exist.
