Cyber-shot DSC-P10

Released 2003

A 5-megapixel pocket camera with a 38–114 mm equivalent zoom, optical viewfinder and seven scene modes.

Type: Compact
Sensor: 1/1.8-type
Megapixels: 5
Lens: 38–114 mm equivalent
Video: 640 × 480 at 16.6 fps
Body weight: 172 g

What reviewers say

Imaging Resource and ATPM praised the pocketable build and image quality. Imaging Resource found strong resolution but overly bright greens, high contrast, macro corner softness and a tight optical viewfinder. ATPM liked the controls and playback tools, while criticising the connector-cover hinge and absence of a lossless still format.

From old.imaging-resource.com and atpm.com

Product links

Specifications

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Image and sensor

Camera type: Compact
Sensor format: 1/1.8-type
Sensor type: Super HAD CCD
Effective resolution: 5 MP
Largest image: 2592 × 1944
RAW recording: No
Standard ISO range: 100–400
Sensor detail: 1/1.8-type Super HAD CCD, approximately 5.09 million effective and 5.25 million total photosites in exact manual; UK markets 5.0 megapixels. The 9.04 mm optical designation is not physical sensor width
Image formats: Exif 2.2 JPEG Fine or Standard; animated GIF for Clip Motion; no RAW or TIFF

Lens and shooting

Built-in lens: 38–114 mm equivalent
Maximum aperture: f/2.8–5.2
Optical zoom: 3×
Lens detail: Sony 3× zoom, actual 7.9–23.7 mm, 38–114 mm equivalent, F2.8–5.2. Not the later Carl Zeiss P100 lens. Optional conversion lenses require VAD-PHA adapter
Autofocus: Multi-point or centre AF, Single / Monitor / Continuous AF modes and illuminator. Preset distances 0.5, 1, 3, 7 m or infinity, not continuously adjustable manual focus. UK macro specification approximately 10 cm
Shutter: UK auto specification 1/8–1/2000 second; Twilight mode extends to 2 seconds (Imaging Resource)
Burst detail: Three-frame full-resolution burst and three-frame auto exposure bracketing. Multi Burst records 16 reduced-resolution frames within one 1.2M image, not a full-resolution continuous-rate claim
Flash: Built-in flash; ISO Auto approximately 0.5–3.5 m wide or 0.6–2.5 m telephoto. Auto, forced, slow sync, off and red-eye reduction; no accessory shoe
Exposure controls: Auto, Program and seven scene modes; no manual exposure or aperture/shutter priority. ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps; automatic white balance and daylight, cloudy, fluorescent, incandescent and flash presets; no custom white balance

Video

Highest video resolution: 640 × 480 at 16.6 fps
Video detail: MPEG-1 movies with monaural sound: 640×480 at approximately 16.6 fps per UK specification; separate 160×112 mail mode. Clip Motion is animated GIF and Multi Burst is a single composite still, not equivalent VGA video
Audio: Electret condenser microphone and speaker; monaural MPEG-1 movies and voice annotation with still images

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder: Optical
Screen size: 1.5″
Screen dots: 123,200
Touchscreen: No
Tilting screen: No
Display detail: Fixed 1.5-type TFT with 123200 colour-subpixel dots (560×220); approximately 100% LCD field of view
Viewfinder detail: Real-image optical viewfinder; Imaging Resource measured approximately 81% frame coverage at both zoom endpoints

Connections and design

Bluetooth: No
Battery life (maker's claim): 180 photographs
Body weight: 172 g
Release detail: Sony announced planned Japanese availability on 25 April 2003. Contemporary production review and retail pricing confirm sale in 2003; earliest actual worldwide retail month remains unresolved, so year precision retained
Recording media: Memory Stick and Memory Stick PRO using serial interface; 32 MB Memory Stick supplied
Ports: USB mini-B (UK explicitly says not Hi-Speed USB 2.0), separate monaural A/V minijack and DC IN under rear cover. PTP transfer
Battery life detail: NP-FC11 lithium-ion, 3.6 V, 780 mAh / 2.8 Wh. Maker average-condition test at 25°C: approximately 180 shots / 90 minutes LCD on, 240 / 120 minutes LCD off, one shot every 30 seconds, alternate zoom endpoints and flash every other shot. Not labelled CIPA in exact manual. Continuous 160-pixel mail movies approximately 90 / 135 minutes LCD on / off
Charging: In-camera charging with AC-LS5 adapter, camera off; approximately 150 minutes at 25°C. Adapter can also power camera externally
Dimensions: 108×51.5×35.1 mm width×height×depth excluding maximum protrusions
Weight detail: Approximately 172 g body only (UK specs and Sony Japan feature); approximately 200 g including NP-FC11, Memory Stick and strap (manual)
Materials: Aluminium alloy exterior described by maker announcement; no waterproof rating established
Colours: Chrome silver and meteor blue confirmed by launch announcement; gold also listed in later Japanese archive, with regional availability. P12 cosmetic/accessory bundle not counted as another P10 hardware generation
In the box: NP-FC11 battery, AC-LS5 adapter and mains lead, separate USB and A/V cables, 32 MB Memory Stick, wrist strap, software CD and instructions. Manual assigns extra battery/carrying case to P12 only

Pros and cons

Pros

Optical viewfinder and live histogram
Three-frame exposure bracketing

Cons

No manual exposure or RAW recording
Lens starts at 38 mm equivalent

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Sensor	Megapixels	Lens	Video	Body weight	Released
SonyCyber-shot DSC-P92	Compact	1/1.8-type	5.09	39–117 mm equivalent	640 × 480 at 16 fps	198.5 g	2003
SonyCyber-shot DSC-V1	Compact	1/1.8-type	5.1	34–136 mm equivalent	640 × 480 at 17 fps	270 g	May 2003
SonyCyber-shot DSC-P100	Compact	1/1.8-type	5.1	38–114 mm equivalent	640 × 480 at 30 fps	147 g	2004

Sources

Photo: Sony Japan archived exact-model product photograph; chrome silver finish

Meteor blue Sony DSC-P10 front angle: Sony Japan archived exact-model photograph; meteor blue finish
Silver and meteor blue Sony DSC-P10 cameras in the complete supplied finish-lineup photograph: Sony Japan; complete supplied studio photograph and background retained

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