Sony · Cyber-shot

Cyber-shot DSC-P20

Released 2001

A 1.1-megapixel entry-level pocket camera with a fixed-focus 42 mm equivalent lens, optical viewfinder and AA power.

Type: Compact
Sensor: 1/2.7-type
Megapixels: 1.11
Lens: 42 mm equivalent
Video: 320 × 240
Body weight: 187 g

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Specifications

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Image and sensor

Camera type: Compact
Sensor format: 1/2.7-type
Sensor type: CCD
Effective resolution: 1.11 MP
Largest image: 1216 × 912
RAW recording: No
Standard ISO range: 100–400
Sensor detail: 1/2.7-type interlaced primary-colour CCD, 1.30 million total and 1.11 million effective photosites; optical format designation is not physical sensor width
Image formats: JPEG, uncompressed TIFF, GIF for Text and Clip Motion; TIFF is not sensor RAW
Image processor: 12-bit DXP analogue-to-digital conversion

Lens and shooting

Built-in lens: 42 mm equivalent
Maximum aperture: f/4.5
Optical zoom: 1×
Lens detail: Fixed 6.00 mm lens, 42 mm equivalent, F4.5; 3× precision digital zoom is not optical zoom. Normal focus range 0.6 m–infinity; mechanical macro setting approximately 15–19 cm in exact English manual, compared with 15–20 cm rounded in Japanese announcement
Autofocus: Fixed-focus/panfocus lens with a separate mechanical macro switch; no autofocus or motorised focusing (exact manual and ASCII hands-on review)
Flash: Built-in flash, approximately 0.7–2.0 m at ISO Auto; Auto, forced, off and red-eye reduction
Exposure controls: Automatic exposure with ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps; Twilight mode. White balance Auto, Indoor, Outdoor or Hold; spot metering selectable

Video

Highest video resolution: 320 × 240
Video detail: Silent MPEG-1 at 320×240 Presentation or 160×112 Video Mail; 128 MB Memory Stick holds approximately 22 minutes 40 seconds or 90 minutes respectively. Frame rate unpublished in exact maker documents read; not inferred from copied database tables
Audio: No movie sound recording; operational warning sounds do not establish a movie microphone

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, 123200 colour-subpixel dots (560×220)
Viewfinder detail: Eye-level optical finder; use the LCD for macro framing to avoid viewfinder parallax

Connections and design

Body weight: 187 g
Release detail: Sony Japan announced planned 1 August 2001 availability; the full exact-model ASCII hands-on test published 2 August 2001 confirms the 2001 generation. Earliest actual worldwide retail month remains unresolved, so year precision used
Recording media: Memory Stick; 4 MB supplied, maker launch table includes 128 MB. PRO compatibility not established
Ports: USB mini-B and DC IN; no video output
Battery life detail: Two AA alkaline batteries supplied; AA NiMH/NiCd or optional NP-FS11 InfoLITHIUM S also supported. Manual continuous still test at 25°C, VGA Standard, no flash, approximately 3-second intervals: alkaline 30 minutes/600 shots LCD on or 60/1200 off; NP-FS11 90/1800 on or 120/2400 off. Not CIPA or average-use battery life. Japanese announcement rounds optional-pack claim to 2200 shots
Charging: Optional NP-FS11 charges in-camera with optional AC-LS1 adapter in approximately 180 minutes from fully discharged at 25°C; do not charge AA batteries in camera
Dimensions: 123×62×46 mm maximum width×height×depth
Weight detail: Approximately 187 g body (Sony Japan announcement); 229 g with NP-FS11 and Memory Stick, or approximately 230 g with two AA batteries, Memory Stick and strap in exact English manual
Materials: Plastic body with translucent blue front trim (ASCII exact hands-on review)
In the box: Two AA alkaline batteries, USB cable, wrist strap, 4 MB Memory Stick, software CD and operating instructions; Japanese software package differs regionally

Pros and cons

Pros

Optical viewfinder and AA battery support
TIFF recording alongside JPEG

Cons

No optical zoom or autofocus
Silent low-resolution movies

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Sensor	Megapixels	Lens	Video	Body weight	Released
SonyCyber-shot DSC-P30	Compact	1/2.7-type	1.25	41–123 mm equivalent	320 × 240	214 g	2001
SonyCyber-shot DSC-P50	Compact	1/2.7-type	2.02	41–123 mm equivalent	320 × 240	214 g	2001
SonyCyber-shot DSC-P2	Compact	1/2.7-type	2	39–117 mm equivalent	320 × 240 at 16.6 fps	177 g	2002

Sources

Photo: Sony Japan exact DSC-P20 maker launch photograph

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