Sony · Cyber-shot

Cyber-shot DSC-P73

Released 2004

A 4.1-megapixel AA-powered compact with a 39–117 mm-equivalent zoom, manual exposure and VGA movies at 30 fps on Memory Stick PRO.

Type: Compact
Sensor: 1/2.7-type
Megapixels: 4.1
Lens: 39–117 mm equivalent
Video: 640 × 480 at 30 fps
Body weight: 175 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 UK rounds effective resolution to 4.1 MP; exact P73 manual table gives 4,065,000 effective and 4,231,000 total photosites. Optical format is not a physical sensor dimension
Image formats: JPEG still images (Exif 2.2), MPEG-1 mono movies; no RAW format listed. Exact manual and Japan maker table give 2304×1728 maximum, versus incorrect 2272×1704 label in UK recording-size table
ISO detail: Auto or ISO 100, 200 and 400
Image processor: Real Imaging Processor in exact Sony Japan product feature page and announcement; 14-bit DXP, Clear Luminance NR and Clear Colour NR in UK table

Lens and shooting

Built-in lens: 39–117 mm equivalent
Maximum aperture: f/2.8–5.2
Optical zoom: 3×
Lens detail: Physical 6–18 mm, equivalent to 39–117 mm, F2.8–5.2. Normal focus from 50 cm wide and tele in manual. UK macro 10 cm wide / 50 cm tele; Japan launch says 10 / 60 cm, retained as a source conflict. Optional VAD-PEB adaptor supports conversion lenses and 30 mm filters. Precision Digital Zoom up to 6× total and Smart Zoom up to 10× at VGA, distinct from optical zoom
Autofocus: Multi-point or centre autofocus, Single or Monitor AF and AF-assist illuminator. Presets 0.5, 1, 3, 7 m and infinity; not continuous manual focusing
Shutter: Auto 1/8–1/2000 second; manual 30–1/1000 second in exact UK specification. NR Slow Shutter
Burst detail: UK gives approximately 0.9-second burst interval and four shots; Sony US announcement specifies four shots at 1.3 fps. Limited sequence, not unrestricted continuous burst. Multi Burst stores sixteen subframes in a single composite, not sixteen full-resolution photographs
Flash: Built-in Auto, forced, slow-sync and off modes with red-eye reduction. ISO Auto range 0.2–3.5 m wide / 0.5–2.5 m tele in UK and exact manual. No hot or accessory shoe
Exposure controls: Auto, Program and Manual exposure; ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps, histogram, multi-pattern or spot metering and adjustable contrast/saturation/sharpness. No aperture-priority mode. Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Soft Snap, Landscape, Beach and Candle scenes

Video

Highest video resolution: 640 × 480 at 30 fps
Video detail: MPEG VX Fine 640×480 at 30 fps requires Memory Stick PRO; standard VGA approximately 16.6 fps and 160×112 Video Mail approximately 8.3 fps in maker Japan launch table. Mono sound, no zoom adjustment while recording in manual

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 manual gives 67,200 (280×240). Dots are not recorded-image pixels
Viewfinder detail: Real-image optical finder separate from rear LCD

Connections and design

Bluetooth: No
Battery life (maker's claim): 410 photographs
Body weight: 175 g
Release detail: Sony US planned May 2004 availability; Sony Japan April 14 announcement planned May 14. Contemporary June 24 full hardware test describes an available retail product, confirming 2004 actual sale without establishing first actual month. Year precision retained; no explicit maker predecessor link established
Recording media: Memory Stick and Memory Stick PRO; Duo forms require appropriate adaptor. Supplied 16 MB MSA-16AN
Ports: Mini-B USB 2.0 Hi-Speed, PTP/PictBridge, mono A/V output and DC input for optional AC-LS5 adaptor; no accessory terminal
Battery life detail: Two supplied NH-AA-DA Ni-MH AA cells, alkaline AA also supported. Headline retains exact UK 410-shot CIPA claim, but UK 210 minutes and Sony Japan/manual 420 shots / 210 minutes disagree; unresolved shot-count conflict explicit. Manual test LCD on, Fine/Single AF at 25°C, one image every 30 seconds, alternating zoom ends, flash every second shot, power restart every ten. Manual 9,800 images / 490 minutes is playback, not shooting
Charging: Supplied external BC-CS2-series Ni-MH charger. Manual approximately six hours for fully depleted supplied cells at 25°C; not in-camera charging
Dimensions: 117.2×53.7×35.8 mm width×height×depth; protruding parts excluded in manual
Weight detail: 175 g body only; approximately 236 g with batteries, Memory Stick and wrist strap in manual. Loaded mass is not body mass
In the box: Two rechargeable AA cells, battery case, BC-CS2-series charger, mains lead, A/V and USB cables, 16 MB Memory Stick, wrist strap and software CD

Pros and cons

Pros

Manual exposure with histogram display
Rechargeable AA cells and external charger supplied
VGA movie recording at 30 fps with Memory Stick PRO

Cons

Fixed 1.5-inch screen
No RAW recording
Focus presets rather than continuous manual focusing

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-P43	Compact	1/2.7-type	4.1	33 mm equivalent	640 × 480 at 30 fps	134 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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