Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P32 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P8
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| SonyCyber-shot DSC-P32 | SonyCyber-shot DSC-P8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | 2003 | 2003 |
| Image and sensor | ||
| Camera type | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor format | 1/2.7-type | 1/2.7-type |
| Sensor type | Super HAD CCD | Super HAD CCD |
| Effective resolution | 3.21 MP | 3.2 MP |
| Largest image | 2048 × 1536 | 2048 × 1536 |
| RAW recording | No | No |
| Standard ISO range | 100–400 | 100–400 |
| Sensor detail | 1/2.7-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 | 1/2.7-type Super HAD CCD; maker markets 3.2 megapixels, exact P8 manual table gives approximately 3.21 million effective and 3.34 million total photosites. The 6.67 mm optical designation is not physical sensor width |
| Image formats | JPEG 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 | Exif 2.2 JPEG Fine or Standard; animated GIF for Clip Motion; no RAW or TIFF |
| ISO detail | Auto or manually selected ISO 100, 200 or 400; no continuous ISO dial | – |
| Image processor | 14-bit DXP A/D conversion; Clear Colour NR, Clear Luminance NR and NR Slow Shutter processing | 14-bit DXP analogue-to-digital conversion; Clear Colour NR, Clear Luminance NR and NR Slow Shutter |
| Lens and shooting | ||
| Built-in lens | 33 mm equivalent | 39–117 mm equivalent |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8–5.2 |
| Optical zoom | 1× | 3× |
| Lens detail | Fixed 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 zoom | Sony 3× zoom, actual 6–18 mm, 39–117 mm equivalent, F2.8–5.2 per exact UK specifications and manual. US datasheet F5.6 conflicts with these sources and is not used. Optional conversion lenses require VAD-PHA adapter |
| Autofocus | Automatic Multi AF or centre AF with AF-assist illuminator; preset distances 0.5, 1, 3, 7 m and infinity, not continuous manual focusing | Three-area multi-point or centre AF with illuminator; Single, Monitor and Continuous autofocus. Preset focus distances 0.5, 1, 3, 7 m or infinity, not continuously adjustable manual focus. Macro approximately 10 cm |
| Shutter | UK 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 selection | UK auto specification 1/8–1/2000 second; Twilight mode extends to 2 seconds per maker US datasheet |
| Burst detail | Two-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 fps | Two-frame full-resolution burst; no P10/P12 exposure bracketing. Multi Burst records 16 reduced-resolution frames in one 1280×960 composite image, not a full-resolution continuous-rate claim |
| Flash | Built-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 shoe | Built-in flash; ISO Auto approximately 0.5–3.5 m wide or 0.5–2.5 m telephoto. Auto, forced, slow sync, off and red-eye reduction; no accessory shoe |
| Exposure controls | Automatic 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 | Auto, Program and seven scene modes; no manual exposure or aperture/shutter priority. ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps; automatic white balance and daylight, cloudy, fluorescent, incandescent and flash presets; no custom white balance |
| Video | ||
| Highest video resolution | 640 × 480 at 16 fps | 640 × 480 at 16.6 fps |
| Video detail | MPEG-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 recording | MPEG-1 movies with monaural sound: 640×480 at approximately 16.6 fps per UK specification; separate 160×112 mail mode. Clip Motion is animated GIF and Multi Burst is a single composite still, not equivalent VGA video |
| Audio | Built-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 | Electret condenser microphone and speaker; monaural MPEG-1 movies and voice annotation with still images |
| Screen and viewfinder | ||
| Viewfinder | Optical | Optical |
| Screen size | 1.6″ | 1.5″ |
| Screen dots | 61,600 | 123,200 |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
| Tilting screen | No | No |
| Display detail | Fixed 1.6-type TFT with 61600 colour-subpixel dots (280×220); launch rounds to 61000 dots | Fixed 1.5-type TFT with 123200 colour-subpixel dots (560×220); approximately 100% LCD field of view |
| Viewfinder detail | Optical finder; its framing does not represent Smart Zoom cropping | Real-image optical viewfinder; Imaging Resource measured approximately 80% frame coverage |
| Connections and design | ||
| Bluetooth | – | No |
| Battery life (maker's claim) | – | 200 photographs |
| Body weight | 155 g (better) | 172 g |
| Release detail | Sony 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 established | Sony announced planned April 2003 availability in its February US announcement. Imaging Resource tested a production camera and listed availability as Now in April 2003; earliest worldwide first-sale month is unresolved, so year precision retained |
| Recording media | Memory 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 unsupported | Memory Stick and Memory Stick PRO serial interface; exact manual and dated US datasheet tested PRO up to 1 GB. 16 MB Memory Stick supplied |
| Ports | USB 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 | USB mini-B (UK explicitly says not Hi-Speed USB 2.0), separate monaural A/V minijack and DC IN under rear cover. PTP transfer |
| Battery life detail | Two 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 test | NP-FC11 lithium-ion, 3.6 V, 780 mAh / 2.8 Wh. Maker average-condition test at 25°C: approximately 200 shots / 100 minutes LCD on, 250 / 125 minutes LCD off, Fine quality, one shot every 30 seconds, alternate zoom endpoints, flash every other shot and power cycle every ten shots. Not labelled CIPA. Continuous 160-pixel mail movies approximately 100 / 145 minutes LCD on / off |
| Charging | Supplied 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 | In-camera charging with AC-LS5 adapter, camera off; approximately 150 minutes at 25°C. Adapter can also power camera externally |
| Dimensions | 101.3×57.7×35.2 mm width×height×depth, excluding protruding portions in exact manual; Japan launch labels maximum exterior dimensions | 108×51.5×35.1 mm width×height×depth excluding maximum protrusions |
| Weight detail | Approximately 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 manual | Approximately 172 g body only (UK specifications and Sony Japan feature); approximately 200 g including NP-FC11, Memory Stick and strap (exact manual). US datasheet gives conflicting 206 g loaded weight and is not used |
| Materials | – | Metal exterior described by maker datasheet; no waterproof rating established |
| Colours | – | Brilliant silver, champagne white, ocean blue and bordeaux red confirmed in exact Sony Japan archive; regional finish availability differs |
| In the box | Two 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 | NP-FC11 battery, AC-LS5 adapter and mains lead, separate USB and A/V cables, 16 MB Memory Stick, wrist strap, software CD and instructions |
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