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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P32 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P52

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyCyber-shot DSC-P32SonyCyber-shot DSC-P52
Overview
Released20032003
Image and sensor
Camera typeCompactCompact
Sensor format1/2.7-type1/2.7-type
Sensor typeSuper HAD CCDSuper HAD CCD
Effective resolution3.21 MP3.21 MP
Largest image2048 × 15362048 × 1536
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 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 MP
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 stills with Fine/Standard compression; GIF Clip Motion, MPEG-1 movies and mono voice-with-still mode. No RAW or TIFF recording
ISO detailAuto or manually selected ISO 100, 200 or 400; no continuous ISO dialAuto or manually selected ISO 100, 200 or 400; no continuous ISO dial
Image processor14-bit DXP A/D conversion; Clear Colour NR, Clear Luminance NR and NR Slow Shutter processing14-bit DXP A/D conversion; Clear Colour NR, Clear Luminance NR and NR Slow Shutter processing
Lens and shooting
Built-in lens33 mm equivalent41–82 mm equivalent
Maximum aperturef/2.8f/3.8
Optical zoom1×2×
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 zoomPhysical focal length 6.3–12.6 mm, equivalent to 41–82 mm, F3.8. Full-range autofocus from 8 cm at wide angle or 40 cm at telephoto in exact manual, without separate P72-style Macro selection. Smart Zoom crops only at lower image sizes, up to 6.4× total at VGA; not additional optical zoom
AutofocusAutomatic Multi AF or centre AF with AF-assist illuminator; preset distances 0.5, 1, 3, 7 m and infinity, not continuous manual focusingAutomatic Multi AF or centre AF with AF-assist illuminator; preset distances 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 selectionAutomatic shutter range 2–1/1000 second in UK specifications; US datasheet separates normal 1/30–1/1000 from Twilight 2–1/1000. No manual shutter selection
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 fpsTwo-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, not sixteen full-resolution separate images. UK 1.1-second figure is startup time
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, off and slow-sync flash, red-eye reduction and daylight fill. ISO Auto recommended range 0.5–3.3 m in exact UK specification and manual; US datasheet conflicting 0.4–2.8 m not substituted. 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 exposureAutomatic 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 exposure
Video
Highest video resolution640 × 480 at 16 fps640 × 480 at 16.6 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-1 VX 640×480 at 16.6 fps in exact UK specifications; US datasheet rounds to 16 fps. Mail 160×112 at 8 fps in US datasheet. Both record mono sound; clip length limited by card capacity. Zoom scaling cannot change 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 shutterBuilt-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″1.6″
Screen dots61,60061,600
TouchscreenNoNo
Tilting screenNoNo
Display detailFixed 1.6-type TFT with 61600 colour-subpixel dots (280×220); launch rounds to 61000 dotsFixed 1.6-type TFT with 61600 colour-subpixel dots (280×220); launch rounds to 61000 dots
Viewfinder detailOptical finder; its framing does not represent Smart Zoom croppingOptical zoom finder; no electronic finder
Connections and design
Body weight155 g218 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 establishedSony Europe announcement dated 3 February 2003 planned March/April European availability; US announcement on 24 February planned April availability. Contemporary 2003 Sony datasheet and catalogue entry establish model year, but exact earliest retail month is unresolved; year precision retained rather than converting a plan into confirmed sale. No explicit direct predecessor link established
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 serial interface; 16 MB supplied. Exact US datasheet tested PRO through 1 GB, without its high-speed transfer or Access Control security function. Duo requires Memory Stick adaptor as shown in manual
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-LS5USB 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-LS5
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 NH-AA-DA Ni-MH AA cells, 2100 mAh rated in exact US datasheet; 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, alternating zoom ends, flash every second shot and restart every 10 shots; not labelled CIPA. 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 test
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 powerSupplied 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 power
Dimensions101.3×57.7×35.2 mm width×height×depth, excluding protruding portions in exact manual; Japan launch labels maximum exterior dimensions123.2×57.7×52 mm width×height×depth, excluding protruding portions in exact 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 manualApproximately 218 g body only in exact UK specifications; approximately 280 g with two batteries, Memory Stick and wrist strap in UK table and shared manual
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 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 optional

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