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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P73 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyCyber-shot DSC-P73SonyCyber-shot DSC-WX500
Overview
Released20042015
Image and sensor
Camera typeCompactCompact
Sensor format1/2.7-type1/2.3-type
Sensor typeSuper HAD CCDExmor R CMOS
Effective resolution4.1 MP18.2 MP
Largest image2304 × 17284896 × 3672
RAW recordingNoNo
Standard ISO range100–40080–3200
Sensor detail1/2.7-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 dimension1/2.3-type back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS; approximately 18.2 million effective and 21.1 million total photosites. Optical format is not physical dimensions
Image formatsJPEG 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 tableJPEG with Fine or Standard compression; maximum 4896 × 3672 in 4:3, 4896 × 3264 in 3:2, 4896 × 2752 in 16:9 or 3664 × 3664 in 1:1. Sweep Panorama standard, wide or 360-degree up to 11520 × 1080
ISO detailAuto or ISO 100, 200 and 400Single-exposure settings ISO 80–3200, Auto ISO 80–3200. Multi Frame NR extends to ISO 6400/12800 through processed overlaid burst exposures
Image processorReal Imaging Processor in exact Sony Japan product feature page and announcement; 14-bit DXP, Clear Luminance NR and Clear Colour NR in UK tableBIONZ X
Lens and shooting
Built-in lens39–117 mm equivalent24–720 mm equivalent
Maximum aperturef/2.8–5.2f/3.5–6.4
Optical zoom3×30×
Stabilisation–Optical lens stabilisation
Lens detailPhysical 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 zoomZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* thirty-times optical zoom, eleven elements in ten groups including five aspherical elements; five-blade iris, actual 4.1–123 mm. Equivalent 24–720 mm in 4:3, 25–750 mm in 3:2, 26.5–795 mm in 16:9 or 27.5–825 mm in 1:1. Movie 16:9 Standard 26.5–795 mm, Active 28–1180 mm, Intelligent Active 31–1210 mm; 4:3 Standard 32.5–975 mm, Active 34.5–1450 mm, Intelligent Active 38–1480 mm
AutofocusMulti-point or centre autofocus, Single or Monitor AF and AF-assist illuminator. Presets 0.5, 1, 3, 7 m and infinity; not continuous manual focusingContrast-detection AF-S; AF-C only in Advanced Sports and movie modes. Nine-point Wide, centre, Flexible Spot S/M/L and Expand Flexible Spot, with Lock-on AF; approximately 5 cm minimum focus wide or 250 cm telephoto
ShutterAuto 1/8–1/2000 second; manual 30–1/1000 second in exact UK specification. NR Slow ShutterIntelligent Auto 4–1/2000 second; Program Auto 1–1/2000 second; aperture priority 8–1/2000 second; shutter priority and manual 30–1/2000 second
Burst detailUK 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 photographsMaximum approximately 10 fps at full resolution for ten frames; this is a brief buffered burst rather than sustained continuous shooting. Some modes prevent burst shooting, and flash reduces its speed
Stabilisation detail–Optical SteadyShot for photographs. Intelligent Active movie mode combines optical and electronic compensation, including rotation correction; Sony’s five-axis launch claim applies to movies and includes electronic correction
FlashBuilt-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 shoeBuilt-in manually raised pop-up flash, Auto, forced, slow-sync, rear-sync or off; ISO Auto range approximately 0.3–5.4 m wide or 2.5–3 m telephoto
Exposure controlsAuto, 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 scenesIntelligent Auto, Superior Auto, Program Auto, aperture priority, shutter priority, manual, Memory Recall 1/2/3, scenes, panorama and automatic/scene movie modes. ±3 EV in 1/3 EV steps; wide-angle F3.5–F8 in aperture priority or manual. Thirteen still-image Picture Effects
Video
Highest video resolution640 × 480 at 30 fps1920 × 1080 at 60 fps
Video detailMPEG 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 manualMaximum 1920 × 1080 progressive at 60p NTSC or 50p PAL. XAVC S up to 50 Mbps; AVCHD up to 28 Mbps and MP4 up to 28 Mbps. Japan also lists 1080p30/p24 XAVC S, interlaced AVCHD and 720p30 MP4; regional frame rates differ and PAL/NTSC can be switched. XAVC S requires a Class 10 or faster SDXC card. Approximately 29-minute clip limit; MP4 28M reaches its 4 GB limit in approximately 20 minutes. Optical zoom works during recording; 4K output is still photographs only
Audio–Built-in stereo microphone and mono speaker; XAVC S LPCM two-channel, AVCHD Dolby Digital two-channel or MP4 AAC-LC two-channel audio
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalNone
Screen size1.5″3″
Screen dots67,000921,600
TouchscreenNoNo
Tilting screenNoYes
Display detailFixed 1.5-inch TFT LCD, 100% coverage. UK rounded 67,000 dots; exact manual gives 67,200 (280×240). Dots are not recorded-image pixels3.0-type Xtra Fine TFT LCD with 921600 dots, manual five-step brightness; tilts upward approximately 180 degrees for self-portraits. No touchscreen or viewfinder
Viewfinder detailReal-image optical finder separate from rear LCD–
Connections and design
Wi-Fi–Yes
BluetoothNo–
Battery life (maker's claim)410 photographs400 photographs
Body weight175 g209 g
Release detailSony 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 establishedReleased in 2015. Sony’s 7 May Hong Kong announcement scheduled mid-June launch after a pre-order period; the prospective date does not establish the actual first on-sale day or month
Recording mediaMemory Stick and Memory Stick PRO; Duo forms require appropriate adaptor. Supplied 16 MB MSA-16ANSD, SDHC and SDXC with UHS-I support, microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC with adapters, Memory Stick Duo/PRO Duo/PRO-HG Duo and Memory Stick Micro with an adapter
PortsMini-B USB 2.0 Hi-Speed, PTP/PictBridge, mono A/V output and DC input for optional AC-LS5 adaptor; no accessory terminalMulti/micro-USB terminal with USB 2.0 Hi-Speed; micro-HDMI output
Wireless connections–Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11b/g/n at 2.4 GHz and NFC Forum Type 3 Tag for one-touch pairing; smartphone transfer/remote control, TV viewing and computer transfer with compatible software. PlayMemories Camera Apps support and Eye-Fi; no GPS
Battery life detailTwo 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 shootingSupplied NP-BX1; approximately 400 photographs or 200 minutes under CIPA conditions, approximately 75 minutes actual movie use or 110 minutes continuous movie use, distinct from per-clip limits
ChargingSupplied external BC-CS2-series Ni-MH charger. Manual approximately six hours for fully depleted supplied cells at 25°C; not in-camera chargingIn-camera USB charging and external USB power with supplied AC adapter and battery fitted
Dimensions117.2×53.7×35.8 mm width×height×depth; protruding parts excluded in manual101.6 × 58.1 × 35.5 mm (width × height × depth), CIPA compliant
Weight detail175 g body only; approximately 236 g with batteries, Memory Stick and wrist strap in manual. Loaded mass is not body massApproximately 209 g body-only; approximately 236 g including NP-BX1 and Memory Stick Duo
Colours–Black, white or red; regional choices differ
In the boxTwo rechargeable AA cells, battery case, BC-CS2-series charger, mains lead, A/V and USB cables, 16 MB Memory Stick, wrist strap and software CDNP-BX1, AC-UB10C/UB10D, micro-USB cable, wrist strap and instructions; regional contents differ

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