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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P72 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P8

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyCyber-shot DSC-P72SonyCyber-shot DSC-P8
Overview
Released20032003
Image and sensor
Camera typeCompactCompact
Sensor format1/2.7-type1/2.7-type
Sensor typeSuper HAD CCDSuper HAD CCD
Effective resolution3.21 MP3.2 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 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 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 recordingExif 2.2 JPEG Fine or Standard; animated GIF for Clip Motion; no RAW or TIFF
ISO detailAuto 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 analogue-to-digital conversion; Clear Colour NR, Clear Luminance NR and NR Slow Shutter
Lens and shooting
Built-in lens39–117 mm equivalent39–117 mm equivalent
Maximum aperturef/2.8–5.6f/2.8–5.2
Optical zoom3×3×
Lens detailPhysical focal length 6–18 mm, equivalent to 39–117 mm, F2.8–5.6. Normal autofocus from 50 cm; separate Macro mode from 10 cm wide or 50 cm tele in the exact manual. Lens retracts and its automatic cover closes when powered off. Smart Zoom crops at lower resolutions, up to 9.6× total at VGA; this is not additional optical zoom. Optional conversion lenses via VAD-PEA in the UK tableSony 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
AutofocusAutomatic Multi AF or centre AF with AF-assist illuminator; preset distances 0.5, 1, 3, 7 m and infinity, not continuous manual focusingThree-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
ShutterAutomatic shutter 2–1/2000 second in the exact UK specification and Sony Japan P72 table; no manual shutter selectionUK auto specification 1/8–1/2000 second; Twilight mode extends to 2 seconds per maker US datasheet
Burst detailTwo-shot Burst captures two full-size stills; exact 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. Maker lists 1.5 seconds between maximum-size single shots and 2.3-second startup; neither is continuous fpsTwo-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
FlashBuilt-in Auto, forced, off and slow-sync flash, red-eye reduction and daylight fill. ISO Auto recommended distance 0.5–3.8 m wide or 0.5–2.5 m tele in the exact manual; UK table headline 0.5–3.8 m does not describe both zoom ends. No hot shoe or accessory shoeBuilt-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 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 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 resolution640 × 480 at 16.6 fps640 × 480 at 16.6 fps
Video detailMPEG-1 VX 640×480 at 16.6 fps in exact UK specifications, with mono sound; US maker press rounds to 16 fps. Mail 160×112 mode is separate. Clip length limited by card capacity; zoom cannot change during recordingMPEG-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
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 shutterElectret condenser microphone and speaker; monaural MPEG-1 movies and voice annotation with still images
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size1.5″1.5″
Screen dots123,200123,200
TouchscreenNoNo
Tilting screenNoNo
Display detailFixed 1.5-type TFT with 123,200 colour-subpixel dots (560×220); these are not 123,200 image pixelsFixed 1.5-type TFT with 123200 colour-subpixel dots (560×220); approximately 100% LCD field of view
Viewfinder detailOptical zoom finder; SmartZoom cropping and Macro framing differ from finder image, so maker directs Macro use to LCDReal-image optical viewfinder; Imaging Resource measured approximately 80% frame coverage
Connections and design
Bluetooth–No
Battery life (maker's claim)–200 photographs
Body weight197 g172 g
Release detailSony Europe announced the family on 3 February 2003 with planned March/April European availability. Sony Japan announcement on 25 February states planned P72 availability on 14 March. The exact Imaging Resource test dated 8 May 2003 marks availability as Now, establishing actual sale in 2003 by then; earliest actual retail month unresolved, so year precision retained. No explicit direct predecessor link establishedSony 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 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; exact manual and dated US datasheet tested PRO up to 1 GB. 16 MB Memory Stick supplied
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 (UK explicitly says not Hi-Speed USB 2.0), separate monaural A/V minijack and DC IN under rear cover. PTP transfer
Battery life detailTwo supplied NH-AA-DA Ni-MH AA cells; R6 alkaline AA also permitted with lower runtime. Exact manual average-use test at 25°C: approximately 300 images/150 minutes with LCD on or 500 images/250 minutes with LCD off, at maximum image size and Fine compression, one shot every 30 seconds, alternating zoom ends, flash every second shot and restart every 10 shots; not labelled CIPA. Sony alkaline comparison: 70 images/35 minutes with LCD on or 130 images/65 minutes with LCD off. Continuous 160×112 movies approximately 160 minutes with LCD on or 210 minutes off, distinct from the still-shooting testNP-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
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 powerIn-camera charging with AC-LS5 adapter, camera off; approximately 150 minutes at 25°C. Adapter can also power camera externally
Dimensions119.5×57.7×36.8 mm width×height×depth, excluding protruding portions in the exact manual; Japan launch labels maximum exterior dimensions108×51.5×35.1 mm width×height×depth excluding maximum protrusions
Weight detailApproximately 197 g body only in the exact UK specification and Sony Japan launch; approximately 259 g with two batteries, Memory Stick and wrist strap in the exact manualApproximately 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 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 optionalNP-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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