Cyber-shot DSC-P32

Released 2003

A 3.2-megapixel compact camera with a fixed 33 mm-equivalent F2.8 lens, optical finder and rechargeable AA batteries.

Type: Compact
Sensor: 1/2.7-type
Megapixels: 3.21
Lens: 33 mm equivalent
Video: 640 × 480 at 16 fps
Body weight: 155 g

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Specifications

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Image and sensor

Camera type: Compact
Sensor format: 1/2.7-type
Sensor type: Super HAD CCD
Effective resolution: 3.21 MP
Largest image: 2048 × 1536
RAW recording: No
Standard ISO range: 100–400
Sensor detail: 1/2.7-type primary-colour Super HAD CCD; approximately 3.34 million total and 3.21 million effective photosites in exact shared manual; UK specification rounds effective count to 3.2 MP
Image formats: JPEG Exif 2.2 stills with Fine/Standard compression; GIF Clip Motion, MPEG-1 movies and mono voice-with-still mode. No RAW or TIFF recording
ISO detail: Auto or manually selected ISO 100, 200 or 400; no continuous ISO dial
Image processor: 14-bit DXP A/D conversion; Clear Colour NR, Clear Luminance NR and NR Slow Shutter processing

Lens and shooting

Built-in lens: 33 mm equivalent
Maximum aperture: f/2.8
Optical zoom: 1×
Lens detail: Fixed physical focal length 5 mm, equivalent to 33 mm, F2.8; autofocus from 10 cm without separate Macro selection. Smart Zoom crops at lower image sizes, up to 3.2× at VGA, and is unavailable at maximum image size; no optical zoom
Autofocus: Automatic Multi AF or centre AF with AF-assist illuminator; preset distances 0.5, 1, 3, 7 m and infinity, not continuous manual focusing
Shutter: UK specification lists automatic 2–1/2000 second, while Sony Japan launch P32 table lists 2–1/1000; conflicting regional claims retained, not silently combined. No manual shutter selection
Burst detail: Two-shot Burst captures two full-size stills; precise continuous fps not established. Multi Burst stores sixteen 320×240 subframes in one 1280×960 composite with 1/30, 1/15 or 1/7.5-second intervals. Sony Japan lists 1.4 seconds between maximum-size shots and 0.9-second startup; neither is continuous fps
Flash: Built-in Auto, forced, off and slow-sync flash, red-eye reduction and daylight fill. ISO Auto recommended range 0.5–3.8 m in exact UK specification and manual; no hot or accessory shoe
Exposure controls: Automatic and Program exposure with ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps, multi-pattern/spot metering, Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Landscape, Snow and Beach scenes; no aperture/shutter priority or manual exposure

Video

Highest video resolution: 640 × 480 at 16 fps
Video detail: MPEG-1 VX 640×480 at 16 fps with mono sound in Sony US press release; Mail 160×112 mode is separate. Clip length limited by card capacity; fixed lens provides no optical zoom during recording
Audio: Built-in electret condenser microphone and dynamic speaker; mono movie recording and still-image voice memo for 5 seconds after a tap or up to 40 seconds while holding shutter

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder: Optical
Screen size: 1.6″
Screen dots: 61,600
Touchscreen: No
Tilting screen: No
Display detail: Fixed 1.6-type TFT with 61600 colour-subpixel dots (280×220); launch rounds to 61000 dots
Viewfinder detail: Optical finder; its framing does not represent Smart Zoom cropping

Connections and design

Body weight: 155 g
Release detail: Sony Europe announced the family on 3 February 2003 with planned March/April European availability. Sony Japan announcement 25 February states planned Japanese P32 availability 21 March; exact earliest actual retail month remains unresolved, so 2003 year precision retained. No explicit direct predecessor link established
Recording media: Memory Stick and Memory Stick PRO serial interface;16 MB supplied. Exact shared manual supports PRO through 1 GB; maker launch explicitly excludes high-speed transfer. Duo requires Memory Stick adaptor, MagicGate data unsupported
Ports: USB mini-B with normal mass-storage or PTP settings; exact UK table explicitly excludes USB 2.0 Hi-Speed despite US USB 2.0 compatibility wording. Mono A/V OUT minijack with selectable NTSC/PAL; DC IN for optional AC-LS5
Battery life detail: Two supplied NH-AA-DA Ni-MH AA cells; R6 alkaline AA also permitted with lower runtime. Manual average-use test at 25°C: approximately 320 images/160 minutes LCD on or 540/270 off at maximum image size Fine, one shot every 30 seconds, flash every second shot and restart every 10 shots; not labelled CIPA. No optical-zoom alternation for P32. Sony alkaline comparison 80/40 on or 140/70 off. Continuous 160×112 movies approximately 160 minutes LCD on or 210 off, distinct from still-shooting test
Charging: Supplied external BC-CS2A/CS2B charger: approximately six hours for depleted supplied Ni-MH cells at 25°C; remove cells from camera for charging. Optional BC-CSQ2 quick charger approximately 2.5 hours for two cells or five hours for four, not standard charger performance; optional AC-LS5 supplies camera power
Dimensions: 101.3×57.7×35.2 mm width×height×depth, excluding protruding portions in exact manual; Japan launch labels maximum exterior dimensions
Weight detail: Approximately 155 g body only in exact UK specification and Sony Japan launch; approximately 217 g with two batteries, Memory Stick and wrist strap in UK table and shared manual
In the box: Two NH-AA-DA rechargeable AA Ni-MH cells, battery case, BC-CS2A/CS2B charger and mains lead, 16 MB Memory Stick, USB and mono A/V cables, wrist strap, software CD and operating instructions; AC-LS5 optional

Pros and cons

Pros

Fixed 33 mm-equivalent F2.8 lens with 10 cm focusing
VGA movies with mono sound
Supplied rechargeable AA batteries; alkaline AA also supported

Cons

No optical zoom
Fixed 1.6-inch screen
No RAW or manual exposure

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Sensor	Megapixels	Lens	Video	Body weight	Released
SonyCyber-shot DSC-P52	Compact	1/2.7-type	3.21	41–82 mm equivalent	640 × 480 at 16.6 fps	218 g	2003
SonyCyber-shot DSC-P72	Compact	1/2.7-type	3.21	39–117 mm equivalent	640 × 480 at 16.6 fps	197 g	2003
SonyCyber-shot DSC-P8	Compact	1/2.7-type	3.2	39–117 mm equivalent	640 × 480 at 16.6 fps	172 g	2003

Sources

Photo: Sony Japan exact DSC-P32 launch press photograph; complete supplied canvas and background retained

Close-up of the Sony DSC-P32 directional and control buttons on the rear panel: Sony Japan official DSC-P32 control-button detail photograph; complete supplied 100 × 57 pixel canvas retained

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