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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P3 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyCyber-shot DSC-P3SonyCyber-shot DSC-WX500
Overview
Released20012015
Image and sensor
Camera typeCompactCompact
Sensor format1/1.8-type1/2.3-type
Sensor typeSuper HAD CCDExmor R CMOS
Effective resolution2.8 MP18.2 MP
Largest image1920 × 14404896 × 3672
RAW recordingNoNo
Standard ISO range100–40080–3200
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 width1/2.3-type back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS; approximately 18.2 million effective and 21.1 million total photosites. Optical format is not physical dimensions
Image formatsJPEG, uncompressed TIFF, GIF for Text and Clip Motion; no RAW. TIFF is not sensor RAWJPEG with Fine or Standard compression; maximum 4896 × 3672 in 4:3, 4896 × 3264 in 3:2, 4896 × 2752 in 16:9 or 3664 × 3664 in 1:1. Sweep Panorama standard, wide or 360-degree up to 11520 × 1080
ISO detail–Single-exposure settings ISO 80–3200, Auto ISO 80–3200. Multi Frame NR extends to ISO 6400/12800 through processed overlaid burst exposures
Image processor14-bit DXP analogue-to-digital conversionBIONZ X
Lens and shooting
Built-in lens36 mm equivalent24–720 mm equivalent
Maximum aperturef/2.8f/3.5–6.4
Optical zoom1×30×
Stabilisation–Optical lens stabilisation
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 cmZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* thirty-times optical zoom, eleven elements in ten groups including five aspherical elements; five-blade iris, actual 4.1–123 mm. Equivalent 24–720 mm in 4:3, 25–750 mm in 3:2, 26.5–795 mm in 16:9 or 27.5–825 mm in 1:1. Movie 16:9 Standard 26.5–795 mm, Active 28–1180 mm, Intelligent Active 31–1210 mm; 4:3 Standard 32.5–975 mm, Active 34.5–1450 mm, Intelligent Active 38–1480 mm
AutofocusAutofocus with AF illuminator; five-step focus presets rather than continuously adjustable manual focusContrast-detection AF-S; AF-C only in Advanced Sports and movie modes. Nine-point Wide, centre, Flexible Spot S/M/L and Expand Flexible Spot, with Lock-on AF; approximately 5 cm minimum focus wide or 250 cm telephoto
Shutter–Intelligent Auto 4–1/2000 second; Program Auto 1–1/2000 second; aperture priority 8–1/2000 second; shutter priority and manual 30–1/2000 second
Burst detailTwo-frame full-resolution burst at up to 2 fps per maker US announcement and datasheet; brief two-shot sequence, not sustained continuous shootingMaximum approximately 10 fps at full resolution for ten frames; this is a brief buffered burst rather than sustained continuous shooting. Some modes prevent burst shooting, and flash reduces its speed
Stabilisation detail–Optical SteadyShot for photographs. Intelligent Active movie mode combines optical and electronic compensation, including rotation correction; Sony’s five-axis launch claim applies to movies and includes electronic correction
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 manually raised pop-up flash, Auto, forced, slow-sync, rear-sync or off; ISO Auto range approximately 0.3–5.4 m wide or 2.5–3 m telephoto
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 priorityIntelligent Auto, Superior Auto, Program Auto, aperture priority, shutter priority, manual, Memory Recall 1/2/3, scenes, panorama and automatic/scene movie modes. ±3 EV in 1/3 EV steps; wide-angle F3.5–F8 in aperture priority or manual. Thirteen still-image Picture Effects
Video
Highest video resolution320 × 2401920 × 1080 at 60 fps
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 MBMaximum 1920 × 1080 progressive at 60p NTSC or 50p PAL. XAVC S up to 50 Mbps; AVCHD up to 28 Mbps and MP4 up to 28 Mbps. Japan also lists 1080p30/p24 XAVC S, interlaced AVCHD and 720p30 MP4; regional frame rates differ and PAL/NTSC can be switched. XAVC S requires a Class 10 or faster SDXC card. Approximately 29-minute clip limit; MP4 28M reaches its 4 GB limit in approximately 20 minutes. Optical zoom works during recording; 4K output is still photographs only
AudioBuilt-in electret condenser microphone and dynamic speaker; monaural MPEG-1 audio with movies or still-image annotationsBuilt-in stereo microphone and mono speaker; XAVC S LPCM two-channel, AVCHD Dolby Digital two-channel or MP4 AAC-LC two-channel audio
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalNone
Screen size1.5″3″
Screen dots123,200921,600
TouchscreenNoNo
Tilting screenNoYes
Display detailFixed 1.5-type TFT, 123200 colour-subpixel dots (560×220)3.0-type Xtra Fine TFT LCD with 921600 dots, manual five-step brightness; tilts upward approximately 180 degrees for self-portraits. No touchscreen or viewfinder
Viewfinder detailEye-level optical viewfinder plus separate top status display–
Connections and design
Wi-Fi–Yes
Battery life (maker's claim)–400 photographs
Body weight165 g209 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 P1Released in 2015. Sony’s 7 May Hong Kong announcement scheduled mid-June launch after a pre-order period; the prospective date does not establish the actual first on-sale day or month
Recording mediaMemory Stick; 8 MB card supplied. US datasheet range extends to 128 MB; later PRO compatibility not establishedSD, SDHC and SDXC with UHS-I support, microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC with adapters, Memory Stick Duo/PRO Duo/PRO-HG Duo and Memory Stick Micro with an adapter
PortsUSB mini-B, monaural A/V minijack and DC IN; USB transfer speed not inferred from generic cable listingsMulti/micro-USB terminal with USB 2.0 Hi-Speed; micro-HDMI output
Wireless connections–Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11b/g/n at 2.4 GHz and NFC Forum Type 3 Tag for one-touch pairing; smartphone transfer/remote control, TV viewing and computer transfer with compatible software. PlayMemories Camera Apps support and Eye-Fi; no GPS
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-BX1; approximately 400 photographs or 200 minutes under CIPA conditions, approximately 75 minutes actual movie use or 110 minutes continuous movie use, distinct from per-clip limits
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 USB charging and external USB power with supplied AC adapter and battery fitted
Dimensions112.5×53.8×38.1 mm width×height×depth excluding protrusions101.6 × 58.1 × 35.5 mm (width × height × depth), CIPA compliant
Weight detailApproximately 165 g body (exact maker announcement); 194 g including NP-FC10, Memory Stick and wrist strap (exact manual)Approximately 209 g body-only; approximately 236 g including NP-BX1 and Memory Stick Duo
ColoursSilver and blue confirmed by exact Japanese maker launchBlack, white or red; regional choices differ
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-BX1, AC-UB10C/UB10D, micro-USB cable, wrist strap and instructions; regional contents differ

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