Sony · Cyber-shot

Cyber-shot DSC-P41

Released 2004

A 4.1-megapixel compact with a fixed 33 mm-equivalent F2.8 lens, AA power and VGA movies at 30 fps on Memory Stick PRO.

Type: Compact
Sensor: 1/2.7-type
Megapixels: 4.1
Lens: 33 mm equivalent
Video: 640 × 480 at 30 fps
Body weight: 134 g

What reviewers say

Reviewed liked the compact handling, quick response and detail in good light but criticised colour accuracy, noise at ISO 200 and 400, close focusing and the small finder. Jim Grey’s retrospective also found it quick and easy to use, with good daylight detail, but noted a dim screen outdoors and weak results in poor light. He found the optical finder useful, unlike Reviewed. His test used a twenty-year-old camera; condition and post-processing affect its results.

From reviewed.com and blog.jimgrey.net

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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: 4.1 MP
Largest image: 2304 × 1728
RAW recording: No
Standard ISO range: 100–400
Sensor detail: 1/2.7-type Super HAD CCD. Sony UK rounds effective resolution to 4.1 MP; exact shared DSC-P41/P43 manual gives 4,065,000 effective and 4,231,000 total photosites. Optical format is not physical sensor dimensions
Image formats: JPEG Exif 2.2 still images and MPEG-1 mono movies; no RAW. Exact shared manual specifies 2304×1728 maximum; UK specification incorrectly labels 4M row 2272×1704
ISO detail: Auto or ISO 100, 200 and 400
Image processor: 14-bit DXP with Clear Luminance NR and Clear Colour NR in exact UK table

Lens and shooting

Built-in lens: 33 mm equivalent
Maximum aperture: f/2.8
Optical zoom: 1×
Lens detail: Fixed physical 5 mm F2.8 lens, equivalent to 33 mm; no optical zoom. Autofocus from 10 cm to infinity. Precision Digital Zoom up to 3× and Smart Zoom up to 3.6× at VGA are electronic crops/enlargements. No conversion-lens compatibility or filter diameter in exact UK specification
Autofocus: Five-area multi-point or centre autofocus, Single or Monitor AF and AF-assist illuminator. Focus presets 0.5, 1, 3, 7 m and infinity; not continuous manual focusing
Shutter: Auto 1/8–1/1000 second in exact UK specification; NR Slow Shutter. No manual shutter setting
Burst detail: Sony UK gives approximately 0.9-second interval and four-shot limited burst; no unrestricted continuous rate established. Multi Burst stores sixteen subframes in one composite, not sixteen full-resolution photographs
Flash: Built-in Auto, forced, slow-sync and off with red-eye reduction. ISO Auto range 0.2–3.5 m in exact manual. No hot or accessory shoe
Exposure controls: Auto and Program with ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps, multi-pattern or spot metering. Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Soft Snap, Landscape, Beach and Candle scenes. No manual aperture/shutter, aperture-priority or histogram in UK specification

Video

Highest video resolution: 640 × 480 at 30 fps
Video detail: MPEG VX Fine 640×480 at 30 fps requires Memory Stick PRO. Shared manual documents standard VGA and 160-size movie modes separately, mono audio and no zoom during recording

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder: Optical
Screen size: 1.5″
Screen dots: 67,000
Touchscreen: No
Tilting screen: No
Display detail: Fixed 1.5-inch TFT LCD, 100% coverage. UK rounded 67,000 dots; exact shared manual 67,200 (280×240). Screen dots are not image pixels
Viewfinder detail: Optical finder separate from LCD

Connections and design

Bluetooth: No
Battery life (maker's claim): 80 photographs
Body weight: 134 g
Release detail: DPReview records 11 February 2004 announcement; Jim Grey’s exact retrospective describes the retail model and street price in 2004. First actual retail month unresolved, so year precision retained. Exact model differs from P43 in A/V connection and supplied alkaline versus rechargeable bundle; no inferred predecessor
Recording media: Memory Stick and Memory Stick PRO; Duo forms require appropriate adaptor. Supplied 16 MB Memory Stick
Ports: Mini-B USB 2.0 Hi-Speed, PTP/PictBridge and DC input for optional AC-LS5 adaptor. No A/V output: shared manual explicitly assigns that jack to P43 only
Battery life detail: Two supplied AA alkaline cells, approximately 80 shots / 40 minutes CIPA with LCD on. Shared manual also gives approximately 400 shots / 200 minutes using separately purchased NH-AA-DA Ni-MH cells. Tests at 25°C, Fine/Single AF, one shot every 30 seconds, flash every second shot and restart every ten shots. Manual figures of 7200 images / 360 minutes with alkaline cells and 9400 images / 470 minutes with Ni-MH cells are playback, not shooting
Charging: No charger or rechargeable cells supplied with P41. Compatible Ni-MH AA cells require a separate external charger; camera does not charge batteries through USB
Dimensions: 101.2×53.7×35.6 mm width×height×depth, protruding parts excluded in manual
Weight detail: 134 g body only and 190 g with accessories in exact UK P41 table. Shared manual gives approximately 195 g with batteries, Memory Stick and strap without distinguishing loaded regional battery bundles; UK exact P41 value retained
In the box: Two AA alkaline cells, USB cable, 16 MB Memory Stick, wrist strap and software CD in exact UK P41 specification. Shared manual distinguishes P43-only Ni-MH cells, battery case, charger, mains lead and A/V cable; none assigned to P41

Pros and cons

Pros

33 mm-equivalent F2.8 lens
AA alkaline or rechargeable batteries supported
VGA movies at 30 fps with Memory Stick PRO

Cons

No optical zoom or manual exposure
No A/V output
Alkaline bundle omits rechargeable cells and charger

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Sensor	Megapixels	Lens	Video	Body weight	Released
SonyCyber-shot DSC-P43	Compact	1/2.7-type	4.1	33 mm equivalent	640 × 480 at 30 fps	134 g	2004
SonyCyber-shot DSC-P73	Compact	1/2.7-type	4.1	39–117 mm equivalent	640 × 480 at 30 fps	175 g	2004
SonyCyber-shot DSC-P32	Compact	1/2.7-type	3.21	33 mm equivalent	640 × 480 at 16 fps	155 g	2003

Sources

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