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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P43 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-P43SonyCyber-shot DSC-P73
Overview
Released20042004
Image and sensor
Camera typeCompactCompact
Sensor format1/2.7-type1/2.7-type
Sensor typeSuper HAD CCDSuper HAD CCD
Effective resolution4.1 MP4.1 MP
Largest image2304 × 17282304 × 1728
RAW recordingNoNo
Standard ISO range100–400100–400
Sensor detail1/2.7-type Super HAD CCD. Sony Ireland specification rounds effective resolution to 4.1 MP; exact DSC-P41/P43 manual gives 4,065,000 effective and 4,231,000 total photosites. Optical format is not a physical sensor dimension1/2.7-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) still images and MPEG-1 mono movies; no RAW. Exact manual and Japan launch table specify 2304×1728 maximum; Ireland specification incorrectly labels the 4M row 2272×1704JPEG 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 ISO 100, 200 and 400Auto or ISO 100, 200 and 400
Image processorReal Imaging Processor on exact Japan product feature page; 14-bit DXP, Clear Luminance NR and Clear Colour NR in Ireland specificationReal 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 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, not optical magnification. No conversion-lens compatibility or filter diameter in maker specificationPhysical 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
AutofocusFive-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 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
ShutterAuto 1/8–1/1000 second in maker Ireland specification; NR Slow Shutter. No manual shutter settingAuto 1/8–1/2000 second; manual 30–1/1000 second in exact UK specification. NR Slow Shutter
Burst detailMaker Ireland specification 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 stillsUK 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, slow-sync and off with red-eye reduction. ISO Auto range 0.2–3.5 m in exact 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 controlsAuto 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 maker specificationAuto, 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 30 fps640 × 480 at 30 fps
Video detailMPEG VX Fine 640×480 at 30 fps requires Memory Stick PRO. Japan launch also lists standard VGA approximately 16.6 fps and 160×112 Video Mail approximately 8.3 fps. Mono audio; manual says no zoom during movie 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
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size1.5″1.5″
Screen dots67,00067,000
TouchscreenNoNo
Tilting screenNoNo
Display detailFixed 1.5-inch TFT LCD, 100% coverage. Maker specification rounded 67,000 dots; exact manual gives 67,200 (280×240). Screen dots are not image pixelsFixed 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 separate from LCDReal-image optical finder separate from rear LCD
Connections and design
BluetoothNoNo
Battery life (maker's claim)400 photographs410 photographs
Body weight134 g175 g
Release detailSony Japan April 14 announcement planned May 28 2004 sale, also listed by Kakaku; retrospective exact model coverage corroborates actual 2004 release. Worldwide first actual retail month not established, year precision retained. P43 is not a cosmetic P41 alias: exact manual distinguishes A/V output and supplied battery/charger hardware. No maker 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; Duo forms require appropriate adaptor. Supplied 16 MB Memory StickMemory Stick and Memory Stick PRO; Duo forms require appropriate adaptor. Supplied 16 MB MSA-16AN
PortsMini-B USB 2.0 Hi-Speed, PTP/PictBridge, mono A/V output and DC input for optional AC-LS5 adaptor. Shared manual explicitly assigns A/V output to P43 only, not P41; no accessory terminalMini-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; alkaline AA also supported. Approximately 400 shots / 200 minutes CIPA with LCD on and fully charged supplied Ni-MH cells at 25°C, Fine/Single AF, one shot every 30 seconds, flash every second image and power restart every ten. Manual 9,400 images / 470 minutes is playback, not shootingTwo 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-series Ni-MH charger, approximately six hours for fully depleted supplied cells at 25°C; not USB or in-camera charging. Optional quick-charge kit times are separateSupplied external BC-CS2-series Ni-MH charger. Manual approximately six hours for fully depleted supplied cells at 25°C; not in-camera charging
Dimensions101.2×53.7×35.6 mm width×height×depth, protruding parts excluded in manual117.2×53.7×35.8 mm width×height×depth; protruding parts excluded in manual
Weight detail134 g camera only in maker specification and Japan feature page; approximately 195 g loaded with batteries, Memory Stick and wrist strap in 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 rechargeable AA cells, battery case, external BC-CS2-series charger, mains lead, USB and A/V cables, 16 MB Memory Stick, wrist strap and software CD. Shared manual distinguishes P43 rechargeable bundle/A/V from P41 alkaline bundleTwo 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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