Sony's 2001 ultra-compact — 3.2MP CCD, 3x f/2.8-5.6 zoom, NP-FC10 battery and Memory Stick
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P5 was a 2001 ultra-compact that followed the original DSC-P1, sitting near the top of Sony's early pocket P line. At the time, its 3-megapixel class resolution was close to the consumer maximum, and the P5 was pitched as a premium shirt-pocket camera.
It uses a CCD delivering 3.2 megapixels effective, mated to a 3x optical zoom with an f/2.8-5.6 aperture range. Framing is via a 1.5-inch TFT LCD or a small optical finder, storage is Sony's full-size Memory Stick, and power comes from the slim NP-FC10 InfoLithium pack. Loaded weight is around 214g and an AF illuminator assists focusing in low light.
The P5 is now firmly a collector and retro-digicam piece: an early-2000s metal compact with unhurried autofocus and write times, but distinctive early CCD rendering. It suits casual snapshots and anyone curious about the first generation of genuinely pocketable megapixel cameras.
The NP-FC10 battery is the key check on used examples — packs are over two decades old, so confirm charge retention and that a charger or cradle comes with it. Original full-size Memory Sticks are small in capacity and need a matching reader. Inspect the LCD for age-related bleed and run test shots to rule out CCD faults.