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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P3 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P5

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyCyber-shot DSC-P3SonyCyber-shot DSC-P5
Overview
Released20012001
Image and sensor
Camera typeCompactCompact
Sensor format1/1.8-type1/1.8-type
Sensor typeSuper HAD CCDSuper HAD CCD
Effective resolution2.8 MP3.2 MP
Largest image1920 × 14402048 × 1536
RAW recordingNoNo
Standard ISO range100–400100–400
Sensor detail1/1.8-type Super HAD CCD; maker announcement gives approximately 2.82 million effective and 3.34 million total photosites. Exact manual and US datasheet specify 2.822 million effective; cropped effective image area differs from zoom-lens P5. The 8.93 mm optical designation is not physical sensor width1/1.8-type Super HAD CCD; UK markets 3.2 effective megapixels, exact Japan announcement gives 3.21 million effective and 3.34 million total photosites. Optical format is not physical sensor dimensions
Image formatsJPEG, uncompressed TIFF, GIF for Text and Clip Motion; no RAW. TIFF is not sensor RAWJPEG Fine/Standard and uncompressed TIFF; animated GIF Clip Motion and GIF text mode. TIFF is not RAW; email and voice-annotation modes also available
Image processor14-bit DXP analogue-to-digital conversion14-bit DXP analogue-to-digital conversion per maker announcement
Lens and shooting
Built-in lens36 mm equivalent39–117 mm equivalent
Maximum aperturef/2.8f/2.8–5.6
Optical zoom1×3×
Lens detailFixed focal length Sony lens, actual 6.9 mm, 36 mm equivalent, F2.8; no optical zoom. 3× precision digital zoom crops/enlarges pixels. Normal autofocus from 25 cm; macro from 10 cmSony 3× zoom, actual 8–24 mm, 39–117 mm equivalent, F2.8–5.6; two-stage retracting lens, not Carl Zeiss. Macro approximately 10 cm wide or 60 cm telephoto
AutofocusAutofocus with AF illuminator; five-step focus presets rather than continuously adjustable manual focusAF illuminator and monitoring autofocus; preset distances 0.5, 1, 3, 7 m or infinity, not continuously adjustable manual focus
Burst detailTwo-frame full-resolution burst at up to 2 fps per maker US announcement and datasheet; brief two-shot sequence, not sustained continuous shootingTwo-frame Burst 2 mode; US maker datasheet claims 2 fps for this brief pair. Not a sustained continuous burst-rate headline
FlashBuilt-in flash; approximately 0.3–3.0 m at ISO Auto. Auto, forced, off and red-eye reduction; no accessory terminal in exact US datasheetBuilt-in flash, auto/forced/off and red-eye reduction; maker recommends 0.5–2.8 m wide and 0.6–1.4 m telephoto. No accessory shoe
Exposure controlsAutomatic exposure and Twilight scene mode; ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps. White balance Auto, Hold, Indoor or Outdoor; no manual exposure or aperture/shutter priorityAutomatic exposure and Twilight scene mode; no manual exposure or aperture/shutter priority. ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps; white balance Auto, Hold, Indoor and Outdoor. Sharpness adjustable in five steps
Video
Highest video resolution320 × 240320 × 240
Video detailMPEG-1 with sound: 320×240 HQ and Presentation modes, or 160×112 Video Mail. Maximum frame rate omitted because US datasheet describes 16 fps HQ playback rather than an independently resolved recording rate. 128 MB card holds approximately 5 minutes 40 seconds HQ, 22 minutes 40 seconds Presentation or 90 minutes mail; bundled card is 8 MBMPEG-1 sound movies at 320×240 HQ or Presentation, plus 160×112 email mode. UK lists Presentation at 8.3 fps; US maker datasheet describes HQ playback at 16 fps. Unqualified maximum recording frame rate omitted. Clip Motion records animated GIF rather than MPEG video
AudioBuilt-in electret condenser microphone and dynamic speaker; monaural MPEG-1 audio with movies or still-image annotationsMovie sound and still-image voice memo; built-in microphone and speaker per maker datasheet
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size1.5″1.5″
Screen dots123,200123,200
TouchscreenNoNo
Tilting screenNoNo
Display detailFixed 1.5-type TFT, 123200 colour-subpixel dots (560×220)Fixed 1.5-type LCD with 123200 colour-subpixel dots; dots are not image pixels
Viewfinder detailEye-level optical viewfinder plus separate top status displayEye-level real-image optical viewfinder
Connections and design
Bluetooth–No
Body weight165 g185 g
Release detailSony announced planned Japanese availability on 4 October 2001 and US October availability. Contemporary exact-model review listing dated December 2001 establishes the retail generation; earliest actual worldwide first-sale month remains unresolved, so year precision retained. Sony explicitly calls both P3 and P5 successors to P1Sony announced planned Japanese availability on 4 October 2001. Contemporary production reviews establish sale in 2001; earliest actual worldwide retail month remains unresolved, so year precision retained. Exact maker announcement explicitly calls P5/P3 successors to DSC-P1
Recording mediaMemory Stick; 8 MB card supplied. US datasheet range extends to 128 MB; later PRO compatibility not establishedMemory Stick; 8 MB supplied. Memory Stick PRO support not established
PortsUSB mini-B, monaural A/V minijack and DC IN; USB transfer speed not inferred from generic cable listingsUSB mini-B (UK explicitly says not Hi-Speed USB 2.0), A/V output and external DC input
Battery life detailNP-FC10 InfoLITHIUM C, 3.6 V, 675 mAh / 2.4 Wh. Exact manual continuous still test: 1200 shots / 60 minutes LCD on or 1800 / 90 minutes LCD off, 25°C, 640×480 Standard quality, power save off and approximately four-second intervals. Not average-use or CIPA headline. Continuous 160×112 movies approximately 60 minutes LCD on or 90 minutes LCD offNP-FC10 InfoLITHIUM C rechargeable battery supplied. Maker continuous claim approximately 1800 VGA stills / 90 minutes with LCD and flash off; not an average-use or CIPA headline. Maker 90-minute mail-movie claim uses 160×112 and separately purchased 128 MB Memory Stick
ChargingIn-camera charging using AC-LS1A adapter; approximately 150 minutes full charge or 90 minutes normal charge at 25°C, fully discharged battery. Adapter also supplies external powerIn-camera charging with supplied AC adapter; exact charge duration not established. US maker datasheet calls the adapter AC-LS1
Dimensions112.5×53.8×38.1 mm width×height×depth excluding protrusionsApproximately 112.5×53.8×36.2 mm width×height×depth
Weight detailApproximately 165 g body (exact maker announcement); 194 g including NP-FC10, Memory Stick and wrist strap (exact manual)Approximately 185 g body only; approximately 214 g with NP-FC10, Memory Stick and wrist strap
Materials–Metal body; no waterproof rating established. Separately sold MPK-P5 underwater housing is an accessory
ColoursSilver and blue confirmed by exact Japanese maker launchSilver P5 confirmed in exact Japan announcement; blue image on shared announcement is fixed-lens P3, not a P5 finish
In the boxNP-FC10 battery, AC-LS1A adapter and mains lead, USB and A/V cables, 8 MB Memory Stick, wrist strap, software CD and operating instructions; software bundle varies regionallyNP-FC10 battery, AC adapter and mains lead, USB and A/V cables, 8 MB Memory Stick, wrist strap and software CD; software bundle differs by region

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