Sony's 2004 AA-powered budget compact — 4.1MP CCD, fixed f/2.8 lens with no optical zoom
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P43 was a budget model in the 2004 P-series line-up, sold alongside the near-identical DSC-P41. Unlike most of its P-series stablemates it dispensed with an optical zoom entirely, using a fixed focal length lens to keep the price down, and ran on ordinary AA batteries.
It records 4.1-megapixel images (2304x1728) from a Super HAD CCD through a fixed 5mm f/2.8 Sony lens, with Smart digital zoom the only way to tighten framing. A 1.5-inch LCD sits on the back, storage is Memory Stick media, and the two AA cells are rated around 180 shots with alkalines or 420 with NiMH rechargeables. USB 2.0 and PictBridge are built in.
With no zoom motor there is little to go wrong mechanically, and start-up is quick for its era. The fixed lens forces zone-framing with your feet, which suits casual snapshots and students after the mid-2000s CCD look on a small budget rather than anyone needing reach.
Used condition checks are simple: inspect the AA compartment for leaked-cell corrosion, confirm the flash charges, and take a test frame to check the CCD for lines or dead areas. Memory Stick media rather than SD is required, so budget for a card and reader if none is included.