The P32 is equipped with a fixed focal length F2.8 Sony lens with 33mm coverage (as compared to a 35mm camera) and auto focus. The user can manually select a focus distance of 0.5m, 1m, 3m, 7m or infinity.

All of Sony's cameras are equipped with a focus illuminator that assists the auto focus system in dim lighting or total darkness.

The eyelevel optical real-image zoom viewfinder has a field of view of approx. 80% of the captured image. There is no diopter adjustment. The LEDs indicate card activity/Self-Timer, Autofocus/Auto Exposure Lock and Flash status.

The built-in flash has modes for Auto flash, Fill-flash, Flash Cancel, or the new slow shutter plus flash and Red-eye Reduction can be enabled via the 4-way selector. The working range for the flash is 1.3 to 12.5 ft (when ISO is set to auto).

The Zoom switch in Record mode controls the range of the Smart zoom (if enabled and the LCD is on). In PlayBack mode, the Zoom control allows you to magnify the image up to 5x by pressing the "T"elephoto side. The "W"ide button enables the Index mode and when pressed twice brings up the exposure info, more on all of this on page 4 of the review.

The Mode Dial has positions for SETUP, Movie, Record, Playback. The MENU button calls up or dismisses the onscreen menus. The DISPLAY / LCD buttons turns the color LCD on/off and also controls the display of overlay information. New on the P32 is a dedicated button to change the image size, in playback it is used to delete images.

The 4-way selector lets you navigate through the menus or select images during playback. Pressing it in the center accepts selections. In record it lets you select the flash mode, Macro Mode, self-timer and Quick Review.

The I/O ports are found behind a door on the back and include: DC IN for optional AC Adaptor, a USB 2.0 port for transferring images to the computer and an Audio-Video Out port to display images on a TV. The video timing can be set for NTSC or PAL standard.

Located on the bottom is the Memory Stick Pro card slot. The DSC-P32 comes with an 16MB Memory Stick and can use any capacity Memory Stick or Memory Stick Pro card. The card is easily removed by pressing it inward which makes it "pop" out.

Power comes from two AA type batteries. The P32 is supplied with high-capacity 2100mAH NiMH rechargeable batteries and an overnight AC charger. It can be used with alkaline batteries but expect a shorter runtime -- we highly recommend the use of rechargeable NiMH batteries. They pack a lot more power and save you money.