The DSC-P5 is Sony's latest update to their range, joining (and soon replacing) the DSC-P1 on which its based. Those observant will have already noticed it's carrying the new '3.2 megapixel' notation which is in compliance with the new JCIA effective megapixel guidelines. The new DSC-P5 is almost 40 g (1 oz) lighter than the P1 it's also a little thinner, both of these facts are thanks to the new InfoLithium C NP-FC10 battery.

The DSC-P5 is one of two new 'P' cameras announced at the same time. The DSC-P3 is virtually identical to the P5 apart from its lower 1920 x 1440 resolution and fixed 36 mm equiv. focal length lens and lower price of $499. Many parts of this review will apply to both cameras.

Sony DSC-P5 compared to Sony DSC-P1

  Sony DSC-P5 Sony DSC-P1
 
CCD 1/1.8" 3.3 megapixels 1/1.8" 3.3 megapixels
A/D converter 14 bit 12 bit
Image sizes 2048 x 1536, 2048 x 1360 (3:2),
1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 640 x 480		 2048 x 1536, 2048 x 1360 (3:2),
1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 640 x 480
Lens 3 x optical zoom
39 - 117 mm equiv. (F2.8 - F5.6 )		 3 x optical zoom
39 - 117 mm equiv. (F2.8 - F5.3)
AF Illuminator Yes No
Manual Focus Yes, 5 distances No
ISO Auto, 100, 200, 400 Auto
Program AE modes Twilight Four: Twilight, Twilight+, Landscape, Portrait
Flash range 0.5 - 2.8 m (1.6 - 9.2 ft) 0.3 - 2.0 m (1.0 - 6.5 ft)
Burst mode Yes, 2 frames No
MPEG EX Yes No
Battery InfoLithium C, NP-FC10 (2.4 Wh) InfoLithium S, NP-FS11 (4.1 Wh)
Dimensions 113 x 53 x 36 mm
(4.4 x 2.1 x 1.4 in)		 113 x 53 x 44 mm
(4.4 x 2.1 x 1.7 in)
Volume 216 cm3 264 cm3
Weight (inc. batt) 214 g (7.8 oz) 250 g (8.8 oz)