Cyber-shot DSC-P3

Released 2001

A 2.8-megapixel pocket camera with a fixed 36 mm equivalent lens, optical viewfinder and TIFF recording.

Model history · 2 models, 2000–2001

2000Cyber-shot DSC-P1 Compare
2001Cyber-shot DSC-P3

Type: Compact
Sensor: 1/1.8-type
Megapixels: 2.8
Lens: 36 mm equivalent
Video: 320 × 240
Body weight: 165 g

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Specifications

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Image and sensor

Camera type: Compact
Sensor format: 1/1.8-type
Sensor type: Super HAD CCD
Effective resolution: 2.8 MP
Largest image: 1920 × 1440
RAW recording: No
Standard ISO range: 100–400
Sensor detail: 1/1.8-type Super HAD CCD; maker announcement gives approximately 2.82 million effective and 3.34 million total photosites. Exact manual and US datasheet specify 2.822 million effective; cropped effective image area differs from zoom-lens P5. The 8.93 mm optical designation is not physical sensor width
Image formats: JPEG, uncompressed TIFF, GIF for Text and Clip Motion; no RAW. TIFF is not sensor RAW
Image processor: 14-bit DXP analogue-to-digital conversion

Lens and shooting

Built-in lens: 36 mm equivalent
Maximum aperture: f/2.8
Optical zoom: 1×
Lens detail: Fixed focal length Sony lens, actual 6.9 mm, 36 mm equivalent, F2.8; no optical zoom. 3× precision digital zoom crops/enlarges pixels. Normal autofocus from 25 cm; macro from 10 cm
Autofocus: Autofocus with AF illuminator; five-step focus presets rather than continuously adjustable manual focus
Burst detail: Two-frame full-resolution burst at up to 2 fps per maker US announcement and datasheet; brief two-shot sequence, not sustained continuous shooting
Flash: Built-in flash; approximately 0.3–3.0 m at ISO Auto. Auto, forced, off and red-eye reduction; no accessory terminal in exact US datasheet
Exposure controls: Automatic exposure and Twilight scene mode; ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps. White balance Auto, Hold, Indoor or Outdoor; no manual exposure or aperture/shutter priority

Video

Highest video resolution: 320 × 240
Video detail: MPEG-1 with sound: 320×240 HQ and Presentation modes, or 160×112 Video Mail. Maximum frame rate omitted because US datasheet describes 16 fps HQ playback rather than an independently resolved recording rate. 128 MB card holds approximately 5 minutes 40 seconds HQ, 22 minutes 40 seconds Presentation or 90 minutes mail; bundled card is 8 MB
Audio: Built-in electret condenser microphone and dynamic speaker; monaural MPEG-1 audio with movies or still-image annotations

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 viewfinder plus separate top status display

Connections and design

Body weight: 165 g
Release detail: Sony announced planned Japanese availability on 4 October 2001 and US October availability. Contemporary exact-model review listing dated December 2001 establishes the retail generation; earliest actual worldwide first-sale month remains unresolved, so year precision retained. Sony explicitly calls both P3 and P5 successors to P1
Recording media: Memory Stick; 8 MB card supplied. US datasheet range extends to 128 MB; later PRO compatibility not established
Ports: USB mini-B, monaural A/V minijack and DC IN; USB transfer speed not inferred from generic cable listings
Battery life detail: NP-FC10 InfoLITHIUM C, 3.6 V, 675 mAh / 2.4 Wh. Exact manual continuous still test: 1200 shots / 60 minutes LCD on or 1800 / 90 minutes LCD off, 25°C, 640×480 Standard quality, power save off and approximately four-second intervals. Not average-use or CIPA headline. Continuous 160×112 movies approximately 60 minutes LCD on or 90 minutes LCD off
Charging: In-camera charging using AC-LS1A adapter; approximately 150 minutes full charge or 90 minutes normal charge at 25°C, fully discharged battery. Adapter also supplies external power
Dimensions: 112.5×53.8×38.1 mm width×height×depth excluding protrusions
Weight detail: Approximately 165 g body (exact maker announcement); 194 g including NP-FC10, Memory Stick and wrist strap (exact manual)
Colours: Silver and blue confirmed by exact Japanese maker launch
In the box: NP-FC10 battery, AC-LS1A adapter and mains lead, USB and A/V cables, 8 MB Memory Stick, wrist strap, software CD and operating instructions; software bundle varies regionally

Pros and cons

Pros

TIFF recording alongside JPEG
Optical viewfinder and compact body

Cons

Fixed focal length with digital zoom only
No RAW or manual exposure

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Sensor	Megapixels	Lens	Video	Body weight	Released
SonyCyber-shot DSC-P5	Compact	1/1.8-type	3.2	39–117 mm equivalent	320 × 240	185 g	2001
SonyCyber-shot DSC-S75	Compact	1/1.8-type	3.24	34–102 mm equivalent	320 × 240	352 g	2001
SonyCyber-shot DSC-S85	Compact	1/1.8-type	3.98	34–102 mm equivalent	320 × 240	352 g	2001

Previous model: Cyber-shot DSC-P1.

Sources

Photo: Sony USA exact DSC-P3 datasheet, page 1; complete original embedded manufacturer photograph preserved by Puerto Rico Supplier archive

Sony DSC-P5 in silver (left) and DSC-P3 in blue (right), shown together in the maker launch photograph: Sony Japan shared DSC-P5 and DSC-P3 launch photograph; complete supplied composition retained

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