Sony · Cyber-shot

Cyber-shot DSC-P43

Released 2004

A 4.1-megapixel AA-powered compact with a fixed 33 mm-equivalent F2.8 lens, optical finder 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

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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 Ireland specification rounds effective resolution to 4.1 MP; exact DSC-P41/P43 manual gives 4,065,000 effective and 4,231,000 total photosites. Optical format is not a physical sensor dimension
Image formats: JPEG (Exif 2.2) still images and MPEG-1 mono movies; no RAW. Exact manual and Japan launch table specify 2304×1728 maximum; Ireland specification incorrectly labels the 4M row 2272×1704
ISO detail: Auto or ISO 100, 200 and 400
Image processor: Real Imaging Processor on exact Japan product feature page; 14-bit DXP, Clear Luminance NR and Clear Colour NR in Ireland specification

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, not optical magnification. No conversion-lens compatibility or filter diameter in maker 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 maker Ireland specification; NR Slow Shutter. No manual shutter setting
Burst detail: Maker Ireland specification 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 stills
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 maker specification

Video

Highest video resolution: 640 × 480 at 30 fps
Video detail: MPEG VX Fine 640×480 at 30 fps requires Memory Stick PRO. Japan launch also lists standard VGA approximately 16.6 fps and 160×112 Video Mail approximately 8.3 fps. Mono audio; manual says no zoom during movie 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. Maker specification rounded 67,000 dots; exact manual gives 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): 400 photographs
Body weight: 134 g
Release detail: Sony Japan April 14 announcement planned May 28 2004 sale, also listed by Kakaku; retrospective exact model coverage corroborates actual 2004 release. Worldwide first actual retail month not established, year precision retained. P43 is not a cosmetic P41 alias: exact manual distinguishes A/V output and supplied battery/charger hardware. No maker predecessor link established
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, mono A/V output and DC input for optional AC-LS5 adaptor. Shared manual explicitly assigns A/V output to P43 only, not P41; no accessory terminal
Battery life detail: Two supplied NH-AA-DA Ni-MH AA cells; alkaline AA also supported. Approximately 400 shots / 200 minutes CIPA with LCD on and fully charged supplied Ni-MH cells at 25°C, Fine/Single AF, one shot every 30 seconds, flash every second image and power restart every ten. Manual 9,400 images / 470 minutes is playback, not shooting
Charging: Supplied external BC-CS2A/CS2B-series Ni-MH charger, approximately six hours for fully depleted supplied cells at 25°C; not USB or in-camera charging. Optional quick-charge kit times are separate
Dimensions: 101.2×53.7×35.6 mm width×height×depth, protruding parts excluded in manual
Weight detail: 134 g camera only in maker specification and Japan feature page; approximately 195 g loaded with batteries, Memory Stick and wrist strap in manual
In the box: Two rechargeable AA cells, battery case, external BC-CS2-series charger, mains lead, USB and A/V cables, 16 MB Memory Stick, wrist strap and software CD. Shared manual distinguishes P43 rechargeable bundle/A/V from P41 alkaline bundle

Pros and cons

Pros

33 mm-equivalent F2.8 lens
Rechargeable AA cells and external charger supplied
VGA movies at 30 fps with Memory Stick PRO

Cons

No optical zoom
No manual exposure or RAW recording
Fixed 1.5-inch screen

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Sensor	Megapixels	Lens	Video	Body weight	Released
SonyCyber-shot DSC-P41	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

Photo: Sony Japan

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