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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P8 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-P8SonyCyber-shot DSC-WX500
Overview
Released20032015
Image and sensor
Camera typeCompactCompact
Sensor format1/2.7-type1/2.3-type
Sensor typeSuper HAD CCDExmor R CMOS
Effective resolution3.2 MP18.2 MP
Largest image2048 × 15364896 × 3672
RAW recordingNoNo
Standard ISO range100–40080–3200
Sensor detail1/2.7-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 width1/2.3-type back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS; approximately 18.2 million effective and 21.1 million total photosites. Optical format is not physical dimensions
Image formatsExif 2.2 JPEG Fine or Standard; animated GIF for Clip Motion; no RAW or TIFFJPEG 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 detail–Single-exposure settings ISO 80–3200, Auto ISO 80–3200. Multi Frame NR extends to ISO 6400/12800 through processed overlaid burst exposures
Image processor14-bit DXP analogue-to-digital conversion; Clear Colour NR, Clear Luminance NR and NR Slow ShutterBIONZ 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 detailSony 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 adapterZEISS 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
AutofocusThree-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 cmContrast-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
ShutterUK auto specification 1/8–1/2000 second; Twilight mode extends to 2 seconds per maker US datasheetIntelligent 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 detailTwo-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 claimMaximum 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 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 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 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 balanceIntelligent 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 16.6 fps1920 × 1080 at 60 fps
Video detailMPEG-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 videoMaximum 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
AudioElectret condenser microphone and speaker; monaural MPEG-1 movies and voice annotation with still imagesBuilt-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 dots123,200921,600
TouchscreenNoNo
Tilting screenNoYes
Display detailFixed 1.5-type TFT with 123200 colour-subpixel dots (560×220); approximately 100% LCD field of view3.0-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 viewfinder; Imaging Resource measured approximately 80% frame coverage–
Connections and design
Wi-Fi–Yes
BluetoothNo–
Battery life (maker's claim)200 photographs400 photographs
Body weight172 g209 g
Release detailSony 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 retainedReleased 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 serial interface; exact manual and dated US datasheet tested PRO up to 1 GB. 16 MB Memory Stick suppliedSD, 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
PortsUSB mini-B (UK explicitly says not Hi-Speed USB 2.0), separate monaural A/V minijack and DC IN under rear cover. PTP transferMulti/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 detailNP-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 / offSupplied 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
ChargingIn-camera charging with AC-LS5 adapter, camera off; approximately 150 minutes at 25°C. Adapter can also power camera externallyIn-camera USB charging and external USB power with supplied AC adapter and battery fitted
Dimensions108×51.5×35.1 mm width×height×depth excluding maximum protrusions101.6 × 58.1 × 35.5 mm (width × height × depth), CIPA compliant
Weight detailApproximately 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 usedApproximately 209 g body-only; approximately 236 g including NP-BX1 and Memory Stick Duo
MaterialsMetal exterior described by maker datasheet; no waterproof rating established–
ColoursBrilliant silver, champagne white, ocean blue and bordeaux red confirmed in exact Sony Japan archive; regional finish availability differsBlack, white or red; regional choices differ
In the boxNP-FC11 battery, AC-LS5 adapter and mains lead, separate USB and A/V cables, 16 MB Memory Stick, wrist strap, software CD and instructionsNP-BX1, AC-UB10C/UB10D, micro-USB cable, wrist strap and instructions; regional contents differ

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