Request a product

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P32 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P41

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyCyber-shot DSC-P32SonyCyber-shot DSC-P41
Overview
Released20032004
Image and sensor
Camera typeCompactCompact
Sensor format1/2.7-type1/2.7-type
Sensor typeSuper HAD CCDSuper HAD CCD
Effective resolution3.21 MP4.1 MP
Largest image2048 × 15362304 × 1728
RAW recordingNoNo
Standard ISO range100–400100–400
Sensor detail1/2.7-type primary-colour Super HAD CCD; approximately 3.34 million total and 3.21 million effective photosites in exact shared manual; UK specification rounds effective count to 3.2 MP1/2.7-type Super HAD CCD. Sony UK rounds effective resolution to 4.1 MP; exact shared DSC-P41/P43 manual gives 4,065,000 effective and 4,231,000 total photosites. Optical format is not physical sensor dimensions
Image formatsJPEG Exif 2.2 stills with Fine/Standard compression; GIF Clip Motion, MPEG-1 movies and mono voice-with-still mode. No RAW or TIFF recordingJPEG Exif 2.2 still images and MPEG-1 mono movies; no RAW. Exact shared manual specifies 2304×1728 maximum; UK specification incorrectly labels 4M row 2272×1704
ISO detailAuto or manually selected ISO 100, 200 or 400; no continuous ISO dialAuto or ISO 100, 200 and 400
Image processor14-bit DXP A/D conversion; Clear Colour NR, Clear Luminance NR and NR Slow Shutter processing14-bit DXP with Clear Luminance NR and Clear Colour NR in exact UK table
Lens and shooting
Built-in lens33 mm equivalent33 mm equivalent
Maximum aperturef/2.8f/2.8
Optical zoom1×1×
Lens detailFixed physical focal length 5 mm, equivalent to 33 mm, F2.8; autofocus from 10 cm without separate Macro selection. Smart Zoom crops at lower image sizes, up to 3.2× at VGA, and is unavailable at maximum image size; no optical zoomFixed physical 5 mm F2.8 lens, equivalent to 33 mm; no optical zoom. Autofocus from 10 cm to infinity. Precision Digital Zoom up to 3× and Smart Zoom up to 3.6× at VGA are electronic crops/enlargements. No conversion-lens compatibility or filter diameter in exact UK specification
AutofocusAutomatic Multi AF or centre AF with AF-assist illuminator; preset distances 0.5, 1, 3, 7 m and infinity, not continuous manual focusingFive-area multi-point or centre autofocus, Single or Monitor AF and AF-assist illuminator. Focus presets 0.5, 1, 3, 7 m and infinity; not continuous manual focusing
ShutterUK specification lists automatic 2–1/2000 second, while Sony Japan launch P32 table lists 2–1/1000; conflicting regional claims retained, not silently combined. No manual shutter selectionAuto 1/8–1/1000 second in exact UK specification; NR Slow Shutter. No manual shutter setting
Burst detailTwo-shot Burst captures two full-size stills; precise continuous fps not established. Multi Burst stores sixteen 320×240 subframes in one 1280×960 composite with 1/30, 1/15 or 1/7.5-second intervals. Sony Japan lists 1.4 seconds between maximum-size shots and 0.9-second startup; neither is continuous fpsSony UK gives approximately 0.9-second interval and four-shot limited burst; no unrestricted continuous rate established. Multi Burst stores sixteen subframes in one composite, not sixteen full-resolution photographs
FlashBuilt-in Auto, forced, off and slow-sync flash, red-eye reduction and daylight fill. ISO Auto recommended range 0.5–3.8 m in exact UK specification and manual; no hot or accessory shoeBuilt-in Auto, forced, slow-sync and off with red-eye reduction. ISO Auto range 0.2–3.5 m in exact manual. No hot or accessory shoe
Exposure controlsAutomatic and Program exposure with ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps, multi-pattern/spot metering, Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Landscape, Snow and Beach scenes; no aperture/shutter priority or manual exposureAuto and Program with ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps, multi-pattern or spot metering. Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Soft Snap, Landscape, Beach and Candle scenes. No manual aperture/shutter, aperture-priority or histogram in UK specification
Video
Highest video resolution640 × 480 at 16 fps640 × 480 at 30 fps
Video detailMPEG-1 VX 640×480 at 16 fps with mono sound in Sony US press release; Mail 160×112 mode is separate. Clip length limited by card capacity; fixed lens provides no optical zoom during recordingMPEG VX Fine 640×480 at 30 fps requires Memory Stick PRO. Shared manual documents standard VGA and 160-size movie modes separately, mono audio and no zoom during recording
AudioBuilt-in electret condenser microphone and dynamic speaker; mono movie recording and still-image voice memo for 5 seconds after a tap or up to 40 seconds while holding shutter–
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size1.6″1.5″
Screen dots61,60067,000
TouchscreenNoNo
Tilting screenNoNo
Display detailFixed 1.6-type TFT with 61600 colour-subpixel dots (280×220); launch rounds to 61000 dotsFixed 1.5-inch TFT LCD, 100% coverage. UK rounded 67,000 dots; exact shared manual 67,200 (280×240). Screen dots are not image pixels
Viewfinder detailOptical finder; its framing does not represent Smart Zoom croppingOptical finder separate from LCD
Connections and design
Bluetooth–No
Battery life (maker's claim)–80 photographs
Body weight155 g134 g
Release detailSony Europe announced the family on 3 February 2003 with planned March/April European availability. Sony Japan announcement 25 February states planned Japanese P32 availability 21 March; exact earliest actual retail month remains unresolved, so 2003 year precision retained. No explicit direct predecessor link establishedDPReview records 11 February 2004 announcement; Jim Grey’s exact retrospective describes the retail model and street price in 2004. First actual retail month unresolved, so year precision retained. Exact model differs from P43 in A/V connection and supplied alkaline versus rechargeable bundle; no inferred predecessor
Recording mediaMemory Stick and Memory Stick PRO serial interface;16 MB supplied. Exact shared manual supports PRO through 1 GB; maker launch explicitly excludes high-speed transfer. Duo requires Memory Stick adaptor, MagicGate data unsupportedMemory Stick and Memory Stick PRO; Duo forms require appropriate adaptor. Supplied 16 MB Memory Stick
PortsUSB mini-B with normal mass-storage or PTP settings; exact UK table explicitly excludes USB 2.0 Hi-Speed despite US USB 2.0 compatibility wording. Mono A/V OUT minijack with selectable NTSC/PAL; DC IN for optional AC-LS5Mini-B USB 2.0 Hi-Speed, PTP/PictBridge and DC input for optional AC-LS5 adaptor. No A/V output: shared manual explicitly assigns that jack to P43 only
Battery life detailTwo supplied NH-AA-DA Ni-MH AA cells; R6 alkaline AA also permitted with lower runtime. Manual average-use test at 25°C: approximately 320 images/160 minutes LCD on or 540/270 off at maximum image size Fine, one shot every 30 seconds, flash every second shot and restart every 10 shots; not labelled CIPA. No optical-zoom alternation for P32. Sony alkaline comparison 80/40 on or 140/70 off. Continuous 160×112 movies approximately 160 minutes LCD on or 210 off, distinct from still-shooting testTwo supplied AA alkaline cells, approximately 80 shots / 40 minutes CIPA with LCD on. Shared manual also gives approximately 400 shots / 200 minutes using separately purchased NH-AA-DA Ni-MH cells. Tests at 25°C, Fine/Single AF, one shot every 30 seconds, flash every second shot and restart every ten shots. Manual figures of 7200 images / 360 minutes with alkaline cells and 9400 images / 470 minutes with Ni-MH cells are playback, not shooting
ChargingSupplied external BC-CS2A/CS2B charger: approximately six hours for depleted supplied Ni-MH cells at 25°C; remove cells from camera for charging. Optional BC-CSQ2 quick charger approximately 2.5 hours for two cells or five hours for four, not standard charger performance; optional AC-LS5 supplies camera powerNo charger or rechargeable cells supplied with P41. Compatible Ni-MH AA cells require a separate external charger; camera does not charge batteries through USB
Dimensions101.3×57.7×35.2 mm width×height×depth, excluding protruding portions in exact manual; Japan launch labels maximum exterior dimensions101.2×53.7×35.6 mm width×height×depth, protruding parts excluded in manual
Weight detailApproximately 155 g body only in exact UK specification and Sony Japan launch; approximately 217 g with two batteries, Memory Stick and wrist strap in UK table and shared manual134 g body only and 190 g with accessories in exact UK P41 table. Shared manual gives approximately 195 g with batteries, Memory Stick and strap without distinguishing loaded regional battery bundles; UK exact P41 value retained
In the boxTwo NH-AA-DA rechargeable AA Ni-MH cells, battery case, BC-CS2A/CS2B charger and mains lead, 16 MB Memory Stick, USB and mono A/V cables, wrist strap, software CD and operating instructions; AC-LS5 optionalTwo AA alkaline cells, USB cable, 16 MB Memory Stick, wrist strap and software CD in exact UK P41 specification. Shared manual distinguishes P43-only Ni-MH cells, battery case, charger, mains lead and A/V cable; none assigned to P41

More comparisons