Sony Announces Cyber-shots with 3D Sweep Panorama

July 8, 2010: Sony has unveiled three new Cyber-shot digicams, two of which support Full HD (1080p) video recording and come with a new 3D Sweep Panorama mode.
Featuring a 12.2 megapixel Exmor R CMOS Sensor, the new WX5 and TX9 are the first Cyber-shot cameras equipped with the revolutionary 3D Sweep Panorama, which enables users to shoot panoramic 3D images without needing a bulky, complex double-lens camera system. In this mode, the camera will record up to 100 frames as the user sweeps it across a scene. Information from these shots is automatically combined to create a stereoscopic pair of images that can be viewed in 3D with a special viewer or on a 3D-compatible TV.

The new Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5, which will be offered in red and grey. (Source: Sony.)

Sony’s Cyber-shot DSC-TX9, which will be available in silver and black. (Source: Sony.)
These new models also provide a new Sweep Multi Angle mode that records a high-speed burst of 15 frames and produces a ‘3D-style’ image of the subject that can be viewed from different angles. Shots can be viewed on the camera’s LCD screen by tilting the camera from side to side. Sensors inside the camera detect movements and scroll through the sequence of multi-angle frames as you tilt and view. Multi-angle views can also be viewed simultaneously on an ordinary 2D television as you tilt the camera.
Both models also include a Superior Auto mode that captures a high-speed burst of up to six frames when the shutter button is pressed. Camera settings are automatically optimised according to shooting conditions and information from all frames is combined to produce a low-noise image with a wide dynamic range. A new Background Defocus setting makes it easy to shoot pictures with blurred background and a new Soft Skin mode removes blemishes automatically from portrait shots.

The slim Cyber-shot DSC-T99. (Source: Sony.)
The third new model is the Cyber-shot T99, which features a 14.1-megapixel Super HAD CCD sensor and 4x optical zoom lens. Supporting Sweep Panorama and 720p HD movie recording, the T99 also offers the new Soft Skin mode. Like the Cyber-shot TX9, the T99 also features new Underwater Sweep Panorama mode for extra-wide sub-aqua scenes. Waterproof housings are available for both models. Key features are shown in the table below.

All three models are scheduled to go on sale in Europe in September. Local release dates and pricing have still to be determined. For more information, visit www.sony.com.au.