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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S500 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S650

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyCyber-shot DSC-S500SonyCyber-shot DSC-S650
Overview
Released20062007
Image and sensor
Camera typeCompactCompact
Sensor formatOtherOther
Sensor typeSuper HAD CCDSuper HAD CCD
Effective resolution6 MP7.2 MP
Largest image2816 × 21123072 × 2304
RAW recordingNoNo
Standard ISO range80–400100–1000
Sensor detailOptical 1/2.5-type Super HAD CCD; optical format is not a physical dimension. Exact instruction manual gives approximately 6,003,000 effective / 6,183,000 total pixels; Singapore archive different effective count is not usedOptical 1/2.5-type Super HAD CCD; this format is not a physical dimension. Exact instruction manual lists approximately 7,201,000 effective and 7,410,000 total pixels
Image formatsJPEG/Exif 2.21, Fine or Standard quality; maximum 2816×2112, with 3:2 2816×1872, 3M, 2M and VGA settings. No RAW recordingJPEG, maximum 3072×2304; 3:2 3072×2048 and 16:9 1920×1080 available. No RAW recording
Lens and shooting
Built-in lens32–96 mm equivalent35–105 mm equivalent
Maximum aperturef/2.8–4.8f/2.8–4.8
Optical zoom3×3×
StabilisationNoneNone
Lens detailSony 3× zoom, physical 5.4–16.2 mm F2.8–4.8. Macro approximately 5 cm wide / 35 cm telephoto; normal focus approximately 50 cm in maker archive. Singapore Carl Zeiss branding conflicts with actual Sony lens nameplate and UK tableSony 3× zoom, physical 5.8–17.4 mm F2.8–4.8, equivalent to 35–105 mm. Normal AF approximately 50 cm to infinity; macro approximately 5 cm wide / 35 cm telephoto
AutofocusSingle autofocus; no manually adjustable focus or distance presets. UK archive lists no AF illuminator and exact manual labels the front lamp only as self-timer lamp; Singapore affirmative entry conflictsCentre-weighted Single AF; no AF illuminator, manual focus or face detection in exact Ireland/NZ archives
ShutterMaker archive gives Auto 1/8–1/2000 second; Singapore table additionally gives Program auto 1–1/2000 secondNZ maker table gives Auto 1/8–1/2000 second and Program auto 1–1/2000 second; Program exposure remains automatic
Burst detailExact handbook: maximum three frames at all supported sizes/qualities, flash off, approximately 2-second recording interval. Singapore maker table separately qualifies approximately 2 seconds at 6M Fine / 1 second at VGA Standard; UK unqualified 1-second entry not used as a sustained full-resolution rateThree frames per burst, flash off. Exact handbook gives approximately 2-second recording interval; Hong Kong press table and Ireland archive give 1.5 seconds at 7MP. Unresolved interval conflict means no headline sustained rate
FlashExact instruction manual Auto ISO range approximately 0.5–2.5 m wide / 0.5–2.0 m telephoto; red-eye reduction pre-flash availableAuto ISO approximately 0.5–3.5 m wide / 0.5–2.0 m telephoto. Hong Kong maker table separately gives ISO 1000 reach up to 6.3 m wide / 3.6 m telephoto
Exposure controlsAuto, Program auto and six scene modes: Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Soft Snap, Landscape, Beach and Candle. No manual or aperture/shutter-priority exposure. ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps; multi-pattern or spot metering. ISO Auto, 80, 100, 200 and 400Auto, Program auto and seven scene modes; no manual or aperture/shutter-priority exposure. ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps; multi-pattern or spot metering. Handbook lists ISO Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1000; NZ archive additional ISO 80 conflicts and is not used
Video
Highest video resolution320 × 240 at 30 fps320 × 240 at 30 fps
Video detailAVI Motion JPEG, 320×240 at 30 fps with recorded sound. No movie-sound playback through the camera buzzer; sound plays on TV or computer. UK archive 640×480 template entry conflicts with exact handbookAVI Motion JPEG, 320×240 at 30 fps with mono sound; optical zoom cannot change during movie recording. MPEG-1 claims in launch previews conflict with the exact instruction manual
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderNoneNone
Screen size2.4″2″
Screen dots110,000115,200
TouchscreenNoNo
Tilting screenNoNo
Display detailFixed 2.4-inch TFT, maker states 110,000 dots in exact instruction manual and UK archive; dots are not captured image pixels. No touchscreen or tiltingFixed 2-inch TFT, 115,200 dots in exact instruction manual; maker archives round to 115,000. Screen dots are not captured image pixels
Viewfinder detailNo separate viewfinder; composition uses rear LCDNo separate viewfinder; composition uses the rear LCD
Connections and design
BluetoothNoNo
Battery life (maker's claim)60 photographs100 photographs
Body weight146 g130 g
Release detailImaging Resource exact-model specification database records Date Available August 4 2006. Year 2006 retained conservatively because the precise first-sale day is not independently corroborated. Contemporary Sony US reporting planned August shipment; Sony China announced its regional model November 22 2006. No predecessor inferred from the maker calling it a new S-series member after S600.Sony January 17 US announcement planned February sale for S650; Hong Kong March 1 release planned March. Contemporary October 2007 full test establishes 2007 retail hardware; earliest actual worldwide first-sale month remains unestablished, so year precision retained. No explicit maker predecessor relationship established
Recording mediaApproximately 25 MB internal memory; Memory Stick Duo and Memory Stick PRO Duo, including MagicGate variants. No card suppliedApproximately 24 MB internal memory; Memory Stick Duo and Memory Stick PRO Duo, not a full-size Memory Stick. No card supplied
PortsSeparate USB mini-B (Full-Speed USB 2.0) and A/V OUT mini-jack; NTSC/PAL composite video and audio. Exact manual Full-Speed specification overrides Singapore Hi-Speed headingCombined USB/A/V OUT terminal provides mono audio and NTSC/PAL composite video. Full-Speed USB 2.0, not Hi-Speed. Exact instruction manual overrides Ireland archive A/V-out No and contrary regional Hi-Speed templates
Battery life detailTwo supplied LR6 alkaline AA cells: approximately 60 shots / 30 minutes CIPA. Optional NH-AA-DB NiMH pair: approximately 350 shots / 170 minutes, not supplied. Alkaline values vary by brand, settings and conditions; supplied cells described as trial-use batteriesTwo supplied LR6 alkaline AA batteries; approximately 100 shots/50 minutes CIPA at 25 °C, Fine quality, one shot every 30 seconds, alternating zoom ends, flash every other shot and power cycle every 10. Optional NH-AA-DB NiMH pair: 460 shots/230 minutes under same test; not supplied
ChargingSupplied alkaline batteries cannot be recharged. Optional compatible NiMH cells require an external charger; no charger supplied. Optional AC-LS5K mains adaptor separateSupplied alkaline cells cannot be recharged. Optional compatible NiMH cells require an external charger; no charger supplied
Dimensions92.4×62.3×31.2 mm width×height×depth in UK archive; exact instruction manual rounds to 92×62×31 mm excluding protrusions91.0×61.0×26.5 mm width×height×depth, excluding protrusions
Weight detail146 g body only in UK archive; approximately 198 g including two batteries and wrist strap, etc. in exact instruction manual. Plastic body in Singapore maker table130 g body only in exact maker archives/Hong Kong release; approximately 178 g including two batteries, wrist strap, etc. in instruction manual
In the boxTwo AA alkaline batteries, dedicated USB cable, A/V cable, wrist strap, software/handbook CD and instruction manual; rechargeable cells, charger and Memory Stick Duo excludedTwo AA alkaline batteries, dedicated USB cable, dedicated A/V cable, wrist strap, software/handbook CD and instruction manual. Optional NiMH batteries, charger, AC-LS5K adaptor and Memory Stick Duo excluded

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