Cyber-shot DSC-S40

Released 2005

A 4.065-megapixel AA-powered compact with a 32–96 mm-equivalent Carl Zeiss lens, optical finder, 1.5-inch screen and 32 MB internal memory.

Type: Compact
Sensor: 1/2.7-type
Megapixels: 4.065
Lens: 32–96 mm equivalent
Video: 640 × 480 at 30 fps
Body weight: 132 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: 4.065 MP
Largest image: 2304 × 1728
RAW recording: No
Standard ISO range: 80–400
Sensor detail: 4,231,000 total and 4,065,000 effective photosites in the exact maker guide. Optical 1/2.7-type is not a physical sensor measurement
Image formats: JPEG Exif 2.2, maximum 2304×1728 or 2304×1536 3:2; no RAW
Image processor: Sony Real Imaging Processor

Lens and shooting

Built-in lens: 32–96 mm equivalent
Maximum aperture: f/2.8–5.1
Optical zoom: 3×
Lens detail: Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar physical 5.1–15.3 mm F2.8–5.1, equivalent to 32–96 mm. Automatic ND filter switching. Exact UK archive gives close focus 12 cm wide / 50 cm telephoto; no conversion-lens compatibility
Autofocus: Multi-area or centre autofocus, Single or Monitor AF, AF illuminator. No manual focus or distance presets
Shutter: Exact UK archive gives Auto 1/8–1/2000 second; slow-shutter noise reduction
Burst detail: Maximum four 4M Fine frames; exact maker archive quotes approximately 0.7-second interval, not sustained burst. Multi Burst records 16 subframes within one 1M image
Flash: Built-in Auto, forced, slow-synchronised or off; red-eye reduction. Guide gives approximately 0.2–3.8 m wide / 0.5–2.1 m telephoto at Auto ISO
Exposure controls: Auto, Program auto and seven scenes. No manual exposure or aperture/shutter priority; ±2 EV compensation in 1/3 EV steps

Video

Highest video resolution: 640 × 480 at 30 fps
Video detail: MPEG-1 mono audio, VGA Fine 640×480 at 30 fps requires Memory Stick PRO; internal memory cannot record Fine mode

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder: Optical
Screen size: 1.5″
Screen dots: 76,800
Touchscreen: No
Tilting screen: No
Display detail: Fixed 1.5-inch TFT, 76,800 dots (320×240); display dots are not captured image pixels
Viewfinder detail: Separate optical finder visible in exact maker photographs and guide. Archived UK specification incorrectly marks optical finder NO

Connections and design

Bluetooth: No
Battery life (maker's claim): 110 photographs
Body weight: 132 g
Release detail: Sony February announcement planned mid-March US / April Europe. Japanese maker release confirms 15 April 2005 Japanese launch; contemporary June 2005 retail coverage establishes 2005 sale. Earliest actual worldwide sale month unresolved, so year precision retained. No assumed predecessor link
Recording media: 32 MB internal memory; original Memory Stick or Memory Stick PRO, optional. No card supplied
Ports: Mini-B Hi-Speed USB 2.0; no A/V connector listed in exact guide
Battery life detail: Approximately 110 shots / 55 minutes with supplied alkaline AA pair, LCD on; 140 shots LCD off. Optional NH-AA-DA rechargeable pair gives 480 shots LCD on or 580 LCD off. Guide CIPA test at 25°C, Fine, Single AF, one shot every 30 seconds, alternate zoom extremes, flash every other shot and off every ten. Archived UK table instead claims 380 shots / 190 minutes with supplied batteries; unresolved conflict, guide conditions used Japanese maker release quotes 550 shots using different optional NH-AA-2DB batteries, not supplied alkalines.
Charging: No charger supplied; optional rechargeable AA pair requires compatible external charger. Optional AC-LS5K adaptor excluded
Dimensions: 99×51.7×34.2 mm width×height×depth excluding maximum protrusions
Weight detail: 132 g body in exact UK archive; exact guide approximately 180 g including two batteries and wrist strap. US marketing sheet and German announcement give 135 g body / 184 g loaded; regional conflict retained
In the box: Two AA alkaline batteries, USB cable, wrist strap, software CD and guides; rechargeable batteries and charger optional

Pros and cons

Pros

32 mm-equivalent wide-angle lens
Uses widely available AA batteries
32 MB internal memory

Cons

No RAW recording or manual exposure
Fixed 1.5-inch screen
VGA 30 fps video requires Memory Stick PRO

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Sensor	Megapixels	Lens	Video	Body weight	Released
SonyCyber-shot DSC-S60	Compact	1/2.7-type	4.065	39–117 mm equivalent	640 × 480 at 30 fps	198 g	2005
SonyCyber-shot DSC-S80	Compact	1/2.7-type	4.065	39–117 mm equivalent	640 × 480 at 30 fps	198 g	2005
SonyCyber-shot DSC-S90	Compact	1/2.7-type	4.065	39–117 mm equivalent	640 × 480 at 30 fps	202 g	2005

Newer model: Cyber-shot DSC-S600.

Sources

Photo: Sony via photoscala

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S40 rear screen and optical finder: Sony via photoscala
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S40 silver body, front-right view: Pixinfo
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S40 official Japanese launch view: Sony

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