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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P3 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S70

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyCyber-shot DSC-P3SonyCyber-shot DSC-S70
Overview
Released20012000
Image and sensor
Camera typeCompactCompact
Sensor format1/1.8-type1/1.8-type
Sensor typeSuper HAD CCDSuper HAD CCD
Effective resolution2.8 MP3.24 MP
Largest image1920 × 14402048 × 1536
RAW recordingNoNo
Standard ISO range100–400–
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 widthSony Japan gives 3.34 million total and 3.24 million effective photosites, with primary-colour filter and interlaced CCD scan. Optical 1/1.8-type format is not a physical sensor measurement; DPReview’s conflicting 3.14 MP effective table not preferred over maker
Image formatsJPEG, uncompressed TIFF, GIF for Text and Clip Motion; no RAW. TIFF is not sensor RAWJPEG, uncompressed TIFF and black-and-white GIF Text mode, not RAW. Maximum 2048×1536 or 2048×1360 3:2; additional lower sizes. Voice annotation records mono MPEG-1 audio with stills
Image processor14-bit DXP analogue-to-digital conversion12-bit A/D conversion with Sony Super Resolution Converter processing in exact maker launch sheet
Lens and shooting
Built-in lens36 mm equivalent34–102 mm equivalent
Maximum aperturef/2.8f/2–2.5
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 cmCarl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar physical 7–21 mm F2.0–2.5, equivalent to 34–102 mm. Threefold optical zoom with additional electronic enlargement up to 6× combined; not 6× optical. VAD-S70 adaptor ring supports optional conversion lens and filters
AutofocusAutofocus with AF illuminator; five-step focus presets rather than continuously adjustable manual focusAutofocus from 25 cm to infinity. Macro from 4 cm at wide angle or 20 cm at telephoto in exact manual. Approximate focus presets 0.5, 1, 3, 7 m and infinity; not continuously variable manual focus
Shutter–Sony Japan gives Auto 1/30–1/1000 second and shutter priority 8–1/1000 second; mode limitations retained
Burst detailTwo-frame full-resolution burst at up to 2 fps per maker US announcement and datasheet; brief two-shot sequence, not sustained continuous shooting–
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 Auto, red-eye reduction, forced and off, with adjustable output; recommended 0.3–2.5 m. Dedicated external flash connector for optional HVL-F1000; not a conventional hot 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 priorityAuto exposure with ±2 EV compensation. Aperture priority across nine steps F2.0–F8.0 and shutter priority, with Panfocus, Twilight, Twilight Plus, Landscape and Spot Metering modes. No full simultaneous manual aperture/shutter exposure
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 mono audio movies at 320×240 in HQ or standard quality, up to 15 seconds per clip. Lower 160×112 mode allows up to 60 seconds. Exact manual states zoom is unavailable during movie recording. Frame rate not established in exact maker/manual evidence
AudioBuilt-in electret condenser microphone and dynamic speaker; monaural MPEG-1 audio with movies or still-image annotations–
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size1.5″2″
Screen dots123,200123,200
TouchscreenNoNo
Tilting screenNoNo
Display detailFixed 1.5-type TFT, 123200 colour-subpixel dots (560×220)Fixed 2-inch TFT rear screen, 123,200 dots (560×220), plus top information display. Screen dots are not image pixels. S50/S30 rotating screens are not S70 hardware
Viewfinder detailEye-level optical viewfinder plus separate top status displayOptical viewfinder with dioptre adjustment. Manual advises rear screen for close-up composition because finder coverage differs
Connections and design
Body weight165 g310 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 Japan announced on 2 February 2000 and planned 25 March 2000 sale. Contemporary DPReview full production review explicitly reports retailer stock in June 2000; actual first-sale month unconfirmed, so released uses supported year. No assumed predecessor
Recording mediaMemory Stick; 8 MB card supplied. US datasheet range extends to 128 MB; later PRO compatibility not establishedOriginal Memory Stick, with 8 MB supplied. Maker estimates approximately five maximum-size JPEGs on supplied card; card capacity and recording format affect storage
PortsUSB mini-B, monaural A/V minijack and DC IN; USB transfer speed not inferred from generic cable listingsDedicated USB connector, mono A/V output with NTSC/PAL selection, DC input and external flash minijack. USB connection does not establish USB 2.0 Hi-Speed or USB charging
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 offSupplied NP-FM50 InfoLITHIUM lithium-ion pack. Manual gives approximately 1600 shots / 120 minutes with LCD on or 2000 / 150 with LCD off: VGA 640×480 NORMAL, one shot about every four seconds, fully charged at 25°C with Memory Stick replacements as needed. These are continuous low-resolution tests, not CIPA or normal-use figures. Playback 4400 / 220 minutes is separate; 160×112 movie runtime 130 minutes LCD on or 150 off
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 powerCharges NP-FM50 in camera from supplied AC-L10 power adaptor while camera is off. Approximately 150 minutes full charge or 90 minutes normal charge from fully discharged battery; not USB charging
Dimensions112.5×53.8×38.1 mm width×height×depth excluding protrusionsSony Japan launch: 117×70.7×64.4 mm width×height×depth excluding maximum protrusions. English manual rounds to 117×71×64 mm
Weight detailApproximately 165 g body (exact maker announcement); 194 g including NP-FC10, Memory Stick and wrist strap (exact manual)Approximately 310 g body only in maker launch sheet. Japan loaded claim approximately 420 g includes NP-FM50, Memory Stick, shoulder strap and lens cap; English manual gives approximately 423 g with the same listed accessories. Loaded weights not substituted for body
ColoursSilver and blue confirmed by exact Japanese maker launch–
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-FM50 battery, AC-L10 adaptor and mains lead, 8 MB Memory Stick, USB and A/V cables, shoulder strap, lens cap and tether, software CD and instructions in English manual; regional bundle details vary

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