Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P30 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P50

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Cyber-shot DSC-P30 compared with Cyber-shot DSC-P50
SonyCyber-shot DSC-P30SonyCyber-shot DSC-P50
Overview
Released20012001
Image and sensor
Camera typeCompactCompact
Sensor format1/2.7-type1/2.7-type
Sensor typeSuper HAD CCDSuper HAD CCD
Effective resolution1.25 MP2.02 MP
Largest image1280 × 9601600 × 1200
RAW recordingNoNo
Standard ISO range100–400100–400
Sensor detail1/2.7-type interlaced primary-colour Super HAD CCD; 1.30 million total and 1.25 million effective photosites in the exact P30 maker column. Optical format designation is not physical sensor width1/2.7-type interlaced primary-colour Super HAD CCD; 2.11 million total and 2.02 million effective photosites in the exact P50 maker column. Optical format designation is not physical sensor width
Image formatsJPEG, uncompressed TIFF, GIF for Text and Clip Motion; TIFF is not sensor RAWJPEG, uncompressed TIFF, GIF for Text and Clip Motion; TIFF is not sensor RAW
Image processor12-bit DXP analogue-to-digital conversion; SRC image processing12-bit DXP analogue-to-digital conversion; SRC image processing
Lens and shooting
Built-in lens41–123 mm equivalent41–123 mm equivalent
Maximum aperturef/3.8–3.9f/3.8–3.9
Optical zoom3×3×
Lens detailSony 3× optical zoom, actual 6.4–19.2 mm, 41–123 mm equivalent, F3.8–3.9. Fixed external lens barrel with removable cap; normal autofocus from 0.50 m, macro from 0.03 m. 2× digital enlargement is separate from optical zoomSony 3× optical zoom, actual 6.4–19.2 mm, 41–123 mm equivalent, F3.8–3.9. Fixed external lens barrel with removable cap; normal autofocus from 0.50 m, macro from 0.03 m. 2× digital enlargement is separate from optical zoom
AutofocusAutofocus with red AF illuminator; preset focus distances available, not continuous manual focusingAutofocus with red AF illuminator; preset focus distances available, not continuous manual focusing
ShutterMaker Japanese launch table gives automatic 8–1/1000 second range; Imaging Resource tested review describes more limited selectable automatic/Twilight behaviour, so these are published hardware limits rather than guaranteed control in every modeMaker Japanese launch table publishes automatic 8–1/1000 second range; no shutter-priority or manual exposure controls
FlashBuilt-in flash, approximately 0.3–2.0 m at ISO Auto; Auto, forced, off and red-eye reductionBuilt-in flash, approximately 0.3–2.0 m at ISO Auto; Auto, forced, off and red-eye reduction
Exposure controlsAutomatic exposure with ±2 EV adjustment; Twilight mode, spot metering and white balance Auto, Indoor, Outdoor or Hold; no aperture/shutter priority or manual exposureAutomatic exposure with ±2 EV adjustment; Twilight mode, spot metering and white balance Auto, Indoor, Outdoor or Hold; no aperture/shutter priority or manual exposure
Video
Highest video resolution320 × 240320 × 240
Video detailSilent MPEG-1 at 320×240 Presentation or 160×112 Video Mail. Maker launch table gives approximately 22 minutes 20 seconds or 90 minutes on 128 MB Memory Stick. Frame rate left out because no maker recording rate establishedSilent MPEG-1 at 320×240 Presentation or 160×112 Video Mail. Maker launch table gives approximately 22 minutes 20 seconds or 90 minutes on 128 MB Memory Stick. Frame rate left out because no maker recording rate established
AudioMovies record without sound; beep/shutter speaker is for operational soundsMovies record without sound; beep/shutter speaker is for operational sounds
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) in exact shared manual; launch lists rounded 123000 dots and 100% LCD framingFixed 1.5-type TFT, 123200 colour-subpixel dots (560×220) in exact shared manual; launch lists rounded 123000 dots and 100% LCD framing
Viewfinder detailEye-level optical finder zooms with optical lens; digital zoom requires LCD framingEye-level optical finder zooms with optical lens; digital zoom requires LCD framing
Connections and design
Body weight214 g214 g
Release detailSony Japan announced planned April 2001 availability. Contemporary ASCII exact P30 test and 2 May 2001 retail price survey confirm the 2001 generation; earliest worldwide first-sale month unresolved, so year precision retained. P1 design resemblance does not establish a direct successorSony Japan announced the P50 on 22 February 2001 with planned Japanese availability on 10 April 2001. Contemporary ASCII exact P50 test and 2 May retail survey confirm sale in 2001; earliest actual worldwide first-sale month unresolved, so year precision retained. P1 design resemblance does not establish a direct successor
Recording mediaMemory Stick; 4 MB supplied, 128 MB included in maker launch table. PRO compatibility not establishedMemory Stick; 4 MB supplied, 128 MB included in maker launch table. PRO compatibility not established
PortsUSB mini-B, switchable NTSC/PAL VIDEO OUT minijack without audio, and DC INUSB mini-B, switchable NTSC/PAL VIDEO OUT minijack without audio, and DC IN
Battery life detailTwo AA alkaline supplied; optional NP-FS11 InfoLITHIUM S. Exact shared manual continuous VGA Standard/no-flash test at 25°C, approximately 3-second intervals: alkaline 30 minutes/600 shots LCD on or60/1200 off; NP-FS11 90/1800 on or120/2400 off. Not CIPA/average-use life. Launch kit claim 2200 shots uses LCD/flash off; conditions and manual figures differTwo AA alkaline supplied; optional NP-FS11 InfoLITHIUM S. Exact shared manual continuous VGA Standard/no-flash test at 25°C, approximately 3-second intervals: alkaline 30 minutes/600 shots LCD on or 60/1200 off; NP-FS11 90/1800 on or 120/2400 off. Not CIPA/average-use life. Launch kit claim 2200 shots uses LCD/flash off; conditions and manual figures differ
ChargingOptional NP-FS11 charges in camera using optional AC-LS1 A in approximately 180 minutes from fully discharged at 25°C; AA cells are not charged in cameraOptional NP-FS11 charges in camera using optional AC-LS1 A in approximately 180 minutes from fully discharged at 25°C; AA cells are not charged in camera
Dimensions126×61.2×53.7 mm maximum width×height×depth126×61.2×53.7 mm maximum width×height×depth
Weight detailApproximately 214 g body in exact P30/P50 maker launch table; 258 g with NP-FS11 and Memory Stick. Shared English manual gives approximately 260 g including two AA batteries, card, wrist strap and lens capApproximately 214 g body in exact P50 maker launch table; 258 g with NP-FS11 and Memory Stick. Shared English manual gives approximately 260 g including two AA batteries, card, wrist strap and lens cap
In the boxTwo AA alkaline batteries, 4 MB Memory Stick, USB and video cables, lens cap and cap strap, wrist strap, software CD and operating instructions; optional rechargeable battery and AC adapter sold separatelyTwo AA alkaline batteries, 4 MB Memory Stick, USB and video cables, lens cap and cap strap, wrist strap, software CD and operating instructions; optional rechargeable battery and AC adapter sold separately

More comparisons