1. Introduction 2. Specifications 3. Body & Design 4. Body & Design 5. Operation & Controls 6. Displays 7. Menus 8. Menus 9. Timings & Sizes 10. Features 11. Features 12. Image Quality 13. Compared to... 14. Compared to... 15. Conclusion 16. Samples

Timings & File Sizes

Overall the DSC-P5 is quick snapper, about its slowest function is power-up which takes seven seconds, and not all of that is down to the lens as it only takes two seconds to extend. Otherwise actual shooting (shot to shot) and store times are almost identical to its bigger brother the DSC-S75. This camera runs like a baby S75.

Timing Notes: All times calculated as an average of three operations. A 128 MB Sony Memory Stick card was used for any timings which included file saving. Unless otherwise stated all timings were made on a 2048 x 1536 FINE JPEG image (approx. 1.4 MB per image).

Action	Details	Time taken (seconds)	Notes
Power: Off to Record		7.0	*1
Power: Off to Play		5.5	Image loading *2
Power: Record to Off		3.6
Power: Play to Off	Lens already retracted	<0.5
Mode: Record to Play		0.5	Image loading *2
Mode: Play to Record	Lens already extended	<0.5
Play: Magnify	From x1 to x5.0	7.1	(17 steps)
Rec: Thumbnail view	3 x 3 thumbnails	1.5
Auto Focus LAG	Normal AF	1.1 - 1.6	Average *3
Auto Focus LAG	Macro AF	1.7 - 2.5	Average
Shutter Release LAG		0.1	Fast
Total LAG	Normal AF	0.6	Fast
Off to Shot Taken		7.1	Average
Shot to Shot	2048 x 1536 JPEG FINE	3.2	Fast

Burst 2 Mode

The DSC-P5 has a dedicated continuous shooting mode named 'Burst 2', in this mode one press of the shutter release records two frames. Depending on the selected image size / quality you will have to wait for these images to be written away to the Memory Stick before you can shoot the next burst. To summarise:

• Two frames 0.7 secs apart, wait 6 seconds before you can take the next burst.

File Flush / Display Timing

There are three timings below, I'll describe each in turn:

• Time to process - this is the amount of time after pressing the shutter release button before the camera returns control to you, the image may still be being written away to the Memory Stick but you can begin to take the next shot.
   
• Time to flush - this is the amount of time it takes the camera to process and flush; complete writing the image to the Memory Stick. It is taken from the moment the shutter release is pressed to the moment the red light beside the Memory Stick slot (inside the compartment) goes out. This timing includes the time to process.
   
• Time to display - this is the amount of time it takes the camera to display the image, as with most digital cameras the F707 first displays a rough version of the image (a thumbnail from the file header) and then loads the full resolution image, you can't manipulate the image until it is fully loaded (magnify etc.) however you can interrupt this loading process skip to the next image.

The P5 appears to have enough buffer space to hold a maximum of two images at a time.

Battery life

We ran the camera through our new battery life test. This test is designed to be fair and comparative to each camera and battery type:

• Take 4 shots without flash
• Wait 2 minutes (50% of the time powering the camera off)
• Take 1 shot with flash
• Wait 1 minute
• Repeat

All batteries had been fully discharged and recharged before the test and all cameras were reset to their factory default settings. Here are the results:

The DSC-P5 put in a respectable performance for such a small battery, it managed to outlast Canon's Digital IXUS 300 who's battery provides almost exactly the same power. The battery itself is so small that it really wouldn't be any problem to carry a spare around with you (it's about the size of a chewing gum packet).

1. Introduction 2. Specifications 3. Body & Design 4. Body & Design 5. Operation & Controls 6. Displays 7. Menus 8. Menus 9. Timings & Sizes 10. Features 11. Features 12. Image Quality 13. Compared to... 14. Compared to... 15. Conclusion 16. Samples