Cyber-shot DSC-P8

Released 2003

A 3.2-megapixel pocket camera with a 39–117 mm equivalent zoom, optical viewfinder and VGA movies with sound.

Type: Compact
Sensor: 1/2.7-type
Megapixels: 3.2
Lens: 39–117 mm equivalent
Video: 640 × 480 at 16.6 fps
Body weight: 172 g

What reviewers say

Imaging Resource and CNET liked the pocketable design, useful controls and generally pleasing pictures. Imaging Resource praised resolution but found warm white balance, clipped highlights, macro corner softness and a tight optical viewfinder. CNET liked responsive autofocus and startup, while criticising purple fringing, image noise and the two-frame burst limit.

From old.imaging-resource.com and cnetfrance.fr

Product links

Specifications

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Image and sensor

Camera type: Compact
Sensor format: 1/2.7-type
Sensor type: Super HAD CCD
Effective resolution: 3.2 MP
Largest image: 2048 × 1536
RAW recording: No
Standard ISO range: 100–400
Sensor detail: 1/2.7-type Super HAD CCD; maker markets 3.2 megapixels, exact P8 manual table gives approximately 3.21 million effective and 3.34 million total photosites. The 6.67 mm optical designation is not physical sensor width
Image formats: Exif 2.2 JPEG Fine or Standard; animated GIF for Clip Motion; no RAW or TIFF
Image processor: 14-bit DXP analogue-to-digital conversion; Clear Colour NR, Clear Luminance NR and NR Slow Shutter

Lens and shooting

Built-in lens: 39–117 mm equivalent
Maximum aperture: f/2.8–5.2
Optical zoom: 3×
Lens detail: Sony 3× zoom, actual 6–18 mm, 39–117 mm equivalent, F2.8–5.2 per exact UK specifications and manual. US datasheet F5.6 conflicts with these sources and is not used. Optional conversion lenses require VAD-PHA adapter
Autofocus: Three-area multi-point or centre AF with illuminator; Single, Monitor and Continuous autofocus. Preset focus distances 0.5, 1, 3, 7 m or infinity, not continuously adjustable manual focus. Macro approximately 10 cm
Shutter: UK auto specification 1/8–1/2000 second; Twilight mode extends to 2 seconds per maker US datasheet
Burst detail: Two-frame full-resolution burst; no P10/P12 exposure bracketing. Multi Burst records 16 reduced-resolution frames in one 1280×960 composite image, not a full-resolution continuous-rate claim
Flash: Built-in flash; ISO Auto approximately 0.5–3.5 m wide or 0.5–2.5 m telephoto. Auto, forced, slow sync, off and red-eye reduction; no accessory shoe
Exposure controls: Auto, Program and seven scene modes; no manual exposure or aperture/shutter priority. ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps; automatic white balance and daylight, cloudy, fluorescent, incandescent and flash presets; no custom white balance

Video

Highest video resolution: 640 × 480 at 16.6 fps
Video detail: MPEG-1 movies with monaural sound: 640×480 at approximately 16.6 fps per UK specification; separate 160×112 mail mode. Clip Motion is animated GIF and Multi Burst is a single composite still, not equivalent VGA video
Audio: Electret condenser microphone and speaker; monaural MPEG-1 movies and voice annotation with still images

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 with 123200 colour-subpixel dots (560×220); approximately 100% LCD field of view
Viewfinder detail: Real-image optical viewfinder; Imaging Resource measured approximately 80% frame coverage

Connections and design

Bluetooth: No
Battery life (maker's claim): 200 photographs
Body weight: 172 g
Release detail: Sony announced planned April 2003 availability in its February US announcement. Imaging Resource tested a production camera and listed availability as Now in April 2003; earliest worldwide first-sale month is unresolved, so year precision retained
Recording media: Memory Stick and Memory Stick PRO serial interface; exact manual and dated US datasheet tested PRO up to 1 GB. 16 MB Memory Stick supplied
Ports: USB mini-B (UK explicitly says not Hi-Speed USB 2.0), separate monaural A/V minijack and DC IN under rear cover. PTP transfer
Battery life detail: NP-FC11 lithium-ion, 3.6 V, 780 mAh / 2.8 Wh. Maker average-condition test at 25°C: approximately 200 shots / 100 minutes LCD on, 250 / 125 minutes LCD off, Fine quality, one shot every 30 seconds, alternate zoom endpoints, flash every other shot and power cycle every ten shots. Not labelled CIPA. Continuous 160-pixel mail movies approximately 100 / 145 minutes LCD on / off
Charging: In-camera charging with AC-LS5 adapter, camera off; approximately 150 minutes at 25°C. Adapter can also power camera externally
Dimensions: 108×51.5×35.1 mm width×height×depth excluding maximum protrusions
Weight detail: Approximately 172 g body only (UK specifications and Sony Japan feature); approximately 200 g including NP-FC11, Memory Stick and strap (exact manual). US datasheet gives conflicting 206 g loaded weight and is not used
Materials: Metal exterior described by maker datasheet; no waterproof rating established
Colours: Brilliant silver, champagne white, ocean blue and bordeaux red confirmed in exact Sony Japan archive; regional finish availability differs
In the box: NP-FC11 battery, AC-LS5 adapter and mains lead, separate USB and A/V cables, 16 MB Memory Stick, wrist strap, software CD and instructions

Pros and cons

Pros

Optical viewfinder and live histogram
Continuous autofocus and seven scene modes

Cons

No manual exposure or RAW recording
Full-resolution burst limited to two frames

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Sensor	Megapixels	Lens	Video	Body weight	Released
SonyCyber-shot DSC-P32	Compact	1/2.7-type	3.21	33 mm equivalent	640 × 480 at 16 fps	155 g	2003
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

Sources

Photo: Sony Japan archived exact-model product photograph; brilliant silver finish

Champagne white Sony DSC-P8 front angle: Sony Japan archived exact-model product photograph; champagne white finish
Ocean blue Sony DSC-P8 front angle: Sony Japan archived exact-model product photograph; ocean blue finish
Bordeaux red Sony DSC-P8 front angle: Sony Japan archived exact-model product photograph; bordeaux red finish
Sony DSC-P8 silver front angle with lens extended; exact maker US datasheet photograph: Sony US DSC-P8 datasheet, page 1; maker photograph preserved by RS; original pixels with reviewed background mask

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