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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P2 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P51

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyCyber-shot DSC-P2SonyCyber-shot DSC-P51
Overview
Released20022002
Image and sensor
Camera typeCompactCompact
Sensor format1/2.7-type1/2.7-type
Sensor typeSuper HAD CCDSuper HAD CCD
Effective resolution2 MP1.98 MP
Largest image1600 × 12001600 × 1200
RAW recordingNoNo
Standard ISO range100–400100–400
Sensor detail1/2.7-type Super HAD CCD; UK and maker launch market 2.0 effective megapixels. Exact manual specifies approximately 1.98 million effective and 2.11 million total photosites; 6.64 mm is the optical designation, not physical sensor width1/2.7-type primary-colour interlaced Super HAD CCD; approximately 2.10 million total and 1.98 million effective photosites in the exact P51 manual entry; UK specifications round effective resolution to 2.0 MP
Image formatsExif 2.2 JPEG Fine or Standard; animated GIF for Clip Motion; no RAW or TIFFJPEG stills with Fine/Standard compression; GIF Clip Motion and MPEG-1 movies. No RAW or TIFF recording
ISO detail–Auto or manually selected ISO 100, 200 or 400; no continuous ISO dial
Image processor12-bit DXP analogue-to-digital conversion; Clear Colour NR, Clear Luminance NR and NR Slow Shutter12-bit DXP A/D conversion in exact UK specifications; Clear Colour NR, Clear Luminance NR and NR Slow Shutter. September 2002 Europe brochure lists 14-bit for P51, conflicting with exact UK table; 12-bit retained
Lens and shooting
Built-in lens39–117 mm equivalent41–82 mm equivalent
Maximum aperturef/2.8–5.6f/3.8
Optical zoom3×2×
Lens detailSony 3× zoom, actual 6–18 mm, 39–117 mm equivalent, F2.8–5.6. Macro wide-angle focus from 10 cm; normal and telephoto macro focus from 50 cm. UK says no conversion-lens compatibilityPhysical focal length 6.3–12.6 mm, equivalent to 41–82 mm, F3.8. Full-range autofocus from 8 cm at wide angle or 50 cm at telephoto, without a separate Macro mode. 3× digital enlargement is separate from the 2× optical zoom
AutofocusThree-area multi-point or centre AF with illuminator and monitoring autofocus. Preset distances 0.5, 1, 3, 7 m or infinity, not continuously adjustable manual focusAutomatic Multi AF or centre AF with AF-assist illuminator; preset distances 0.5, 1, 3, 7 m and infinity, not continuous manual focusing
ShutterAutomatic shutter; Imaging Resource describes 1/30-second normal-mode limit and up to 2 seconds in Twilight modeAutomatic mode 1/30–1/1000 second in exact UK table; slow-shutter scene behaviour is separate. No manual shutter selection
Burst detailMulti Burst records 16 reduced-resolution frames as one 1280×960 composite. Selectable intervals 1/7.5, 1/15 or 1/30 second NTSC; 1/6.3, 1/12.5 or 1/25 second PAL. This is not a full-resolution continuous burst rateMulti Burst records sixteen 320×240 subframes at intervals 1/30, 1/15 or 1/7.5 second into one composite still, not sixteen full-resolution separate frames. No full-resolution continuous rate established; the UK 1.9-second figure is startup time
FlashBuilt-in flash; ISO Auto approximately 0.5–3.8 m wide or 0.5–2.4 m telephoto per exact manual. Auto, forced, off and red-eye reduction; no accessory shoeBuilt-in flash with Auto, forced, off and red-eye reduction; ISO Auto recommended distance 0.4–2.8 m at both zoom ends. No accessory or hot shoe
Exposure controlsAutomatic exposure and Twilight, Twilight Portrait and Landscape scenes; no manual exposure or aperture/shutter priority. ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps; automatic white balance plus daylight, cloudy, fluorescent and incandescent presets; no custom white balanceAutomatic exposure with ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps, multi-pattern/spot metering and Twilight, Twilight Portrait or Landscape scenes; no aperture/shutter priority or manual exposure
Video
Highest video resolution320 × 240 at 16.6 fps320 × 240 at 16.6 fps
Video detailMPEG-1 with monaural sound; HQX 320×240 at approximately 16.6 fps per UK specification, plus 160×112 mail mode. Clip Motion is animated GIF and Multi Burst a composite stillSilent MPEG-1 HQX 320×240 at 16.6 fps in exact UK specifications; Presentation 320×240 and Video Mail 160×112 modes are separate
AudioElectret condenser microphone and dynamic speaker; monaural MPEG-1 movies and voice annotation with still imagesMovies record without sound; operational beep/shutter speaker is separate from audio recording
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size1.5″1.6″
Screen dots123,20061,600
TouchscreenNoNo
Tilting screenNoNo
Display detailFixed 1.5-type TFT with 123200 colour-subpixel dots (560×220). Imaging Resource measured approximately 90% frame coverage on the LCDFixed 1.6-type TFT with 61600 colour-subpixel dots (280×220); launch rounds to 61000 dots
Viewfinder detailReal-image optical viewfinder; Imaging Resource measured approximately 80% wide and 81% telephoto coverageOptical zoom finder; no electronic finder
Connections and design
BluetoothNo–
Battery life (maker's claim)140 photographs–
Body weight177 g218 g
Release detailSony announced planned Japanese availability on 8 June 2002. Imaging Resource production review dated September 2002 lists availability as Now; earliest actual worldwide retail month remains unresolved, so year precision retained. No explicit maker predecessor relationship establishedSony announced on 20 February 2002 with planned US availability at the end of April 2002; contemporary Imaging Resource full test updated 16 May 2002 and Sony Europe September 2002 brochure establish 2002 product coverage. Earliest actual worldwide first-sale month is unresolved, so year precision retained; planned April timing is not treated as proof of sale. No explicit direct predecessor claim established
Recording mediaMemory Stick; 16 MB card supplied. Exact manual also permits MagicGate Memory Stick without its copyright-protection functions; Memory Stick PRO support not establishedMemory Stick; 16 MB supplied. Manual includes recording tables through 128 MB; later Memory Stick PRO compatibility not established
PortsUSB mini-B (UK explicitly says not Hi-Speed USB 2.0), monaural A/V minijack and DC INUSB mini-B with normal mass-storage or PTP setting, separate NTSC/PAL VIDEO OUT minijack without audio and DC IN for optional AC-LS1
Battery life detailNP-FC10 lithium-ion, 3.6 V, 675 mAh / 2.4 Wh. Maker average-condition test at 25°C: approximately 140 shots / 70 minutes, LCD on, Fine quality, one shot every 30 seconds, alternate zoom endpoints, flash every other shot and power cycle every ten shots; not labelled CIPA. Continuous standard-quality three-second shooting approximately 1400 shots / 70 minutes LCD on or 2200 / 110 minutes LCD off. Continuous 160×112 mail movies approximately 90 minutes LCD on or 120 minutes LCD offTwo supplied NH-AA-DI Ni-MH AA cells. Exact manual average-use test at 25°C: approximately 280 images/140 minutes at 1600×1200 Fine, LCD on, one shot every 30 seconds, alternating zoom ends, flash every second shot and restart every 10 shots; not labelled CIPA. Separate continuous Standard/no-flash/3-second-interval test: approximately 3000 images/150 minutes LCD on or 3600/180 off. P31 emergency alkaline permission does not apply to P51
ChargingIn-camera charging with AC-LS1A adapter, camera off; approximately 150 minutes at 25°C. Adapter also powers camera externallySupplied external BC-CS1 charger: approximately 13 hours for fully depleted supplied Ni-MH cells at 25°C. Cells removed from camera for charging; optional faster kit available. Optional AC-LS1 supplies camera power
Dimensions114×51.5×35.6 mm width×height×depth excluding protrusions126.9×58×47 mm width×height×depth, excluding protruding portions in manual
Weight detailApproximately 177 g body only (exact maker UK and Japanese launch tables); 206 g including NP-FC10, Memory Stick and wrist strap (manual)Approximately 218 g body only in exact Sony UK specifications; approximately 275 g with two batteries, Memory Stick and wrist strap in manual and UK table
MaterialsMetal case described by Imaging Resource; no weatherproof rating established–
ColoursSparkle white, cosmic blue, black, silver, lilac pink and pearl blue confirmed in Japanese launch; regional availability differs–
In the boxNP-FC10 battery, AC-LS1A adapter and mains lead, USB and A/V cables, 16 MB Memory Stick, wrist strap, software CD and instructionsTwo rechargeable AA Ni-MH batteries, BC-CS1 charger and mains lead, 16 MB Memory Stick, USB and video cables, wrist strap, software CD and operating instructions; AC-LS1 optional

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