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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P32 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P73

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyCyber-shot DSC-P32SonyCyber-shot DSC-P73
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 P73 manual table gives 4,065,000 effective and 4,231,000 total photosites. Optical format is not a physical sensor dimension
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 still images (Exif 2.2), MPEG-1 mono movies; no RAW format listed. Exact manual and Japan maker table give 2304×1728 maximum, versus incorrect 2272×1704 label in UK recording-size table
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 processingReal Imaging Processor in exact Sony Japan product feature page and announcement; 14-bit DXP, Clear Luminance NR and Clear Colour NR in UK table
Lens and shooting
Built-in lens33 mm equivalent39–117 mm equivalent
Maximum aperturef/2.8f/2.8–5.2
Optical zoom1×3×
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 6–18 mm, equivalent to 39–117 mm, F2.8–5.2. Normal focus from 50 cm wide and tele in manual. UK macro 10 cm wide / 50 cm tele; Japan launch says 10 / 60 cm, retained as a source conflict. Optional VAD-PEB adaptor supports conversion lenses and 30 mm filters. Precision Digital Zoom up to 6× total and Smart Zoom up to 10× at VGA, distinct from 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 focusingMulti-point or centre autofocus, Single or Monitor AF and AF-assist illuminator. 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 1/8–1/2000 second; manual 30–1/1000 second in exact UK specification. NR Slow Shutter
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 fpsUK gives approximately 0.9-second burst interval and four shots; Sony US announcement specifies four shots at 1.3 fps. Limited sequence, not unrestricted continuous burst. Multi Burst stores sixteen subframes in a single 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 modes with red-eye reduction. ISO Auto range 0.2–3.5 m wide / 0.5–2.5 m tele in UK and 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, Program and Manual exposure; ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps, histogram, multi-pattern or spot metering and adjustable contrast/saturation/sharpness. No aperture-priority mode. Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Soft Snap, Landscape, Beach and Candle scenes
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; standard VGA approximately 16.6 fps and 160×112 Video Mail approximately 8.3 fps in maker Japan launch table. Mono sound, no zoom adjustment while recording in manual
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 manual gives 67,200 (280×240). Dots are not recorded-image pixels
Viewfinder detailOptical finder; its framing does not represent Smart Zoom croppingReal-image optical finder separate from rear LCD
Connections and design
Bluetooth–No
Battery life (maker's claim)–410 photographs
Body weight155 g175 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 US planned May 2004 availability; Sony Japan April 14 announcement planned May 14. Contemporary June 24 full hardware test describes an available retail product, confirming 2004 actual sale without establishing first actual month. Year precision retained; no explicit maker 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; Duo forms require appropriate adaptor. Supplied 16 MB MSA-16AN
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, mono A/V output and DC input for optional AC-LS5 adaptor; no accessory terminal
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, alkaline AA also supported. Headline retains exact UK 410-shot CIPA claim, but UK 210 minutes and Sony Japan/manual 420 shots / 210 minutes disagree; unresolved shot-count conflict explicit. Manual test LCD on, Fine/Single AF at 25°C, one image every 30 seconds, alternating zoom ends, flash every second shot, power restart every ten. Manual 9,800 images / 490 minutes is 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 powerSupplied external BC-CS2-series Ni-MH charger. Manual approximately six hours for fully depleted supplied cells at 25°C; not in-camera charging
Dimensions101.3×57.7×35.2 mm width×height×depth, excluding protruding portions in exact manual; Japan launch labels maximum exterior dimensions117.2×53.7×35.8 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 manual175 g body only; approximately 236 g with batteries, Memory Stick and wrist strap in manual. Loaded mass is not body mass
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 rechargeable AA cells, battery case, BC-CS2-series charger, mains lead, A/V and USB cables, 16 MB Memory Stick, wrist strap and software CD

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