Sony Unveils 12 Digicams

January 7, 2010: Sony has released details of 12 new digicams at this year’s CES show in Las Vegas.

Leading the line-up is the Cyber-shot HX5, a slimline model with a 5.92 x 4.57 mm 10.2-megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor and Sony G lens with 25mm wide angle and 10x optical zoom covering the equivalent of 25-250mm in 35mm format. It sports a 3-inch Clear Photo LCD monitor and can record Full HD (1920 x 1080i) video clips using the efficient AVCHD format. Optical SteadyShot with a new Active Mode is provided to minimise camera-shake and the HX5 comes with an improved Intelligent Sweep Panorama, a step up from the feature first introduced on last year’s Cyber-shot HX1, TX1 and WX1 models. The camera detects objects moving in the field of view as you sweep the camera and compensates for any mis-matching as images are automatically stitched together.

Sony’s new Cyber-shot HX5. (Source: Sony Europe.)
The HX5 is also the world’s first camera that integrates GPS and Compass functions. Locations are displayed in real time on the monitor and geotagged images and video clips can be viewed in on-line maps with supplied Picture Motion Browser PC software. A new Compass function shows which direction you were pointing when the picture was taken. HDR (High Dynamic Range) Backlight Correction produces natural, balanced results with high contrast and strongly backlit scenes by combining two shots taken in quick succession. A new Portrait mode is also included.

Colour options for the new W-series Cyber-shots. (Source: Sony Europe.)
Sony’s popular Cyber-shot W Series expands with eight slim, colourful cameras. Top of the range is the 14.1-megapixel Cyber-shot W380, which has a 1/2.3 inch (6.16 x 4.62 mm) Super HAD CCD Sensor plus a fast f/2.4 G Lens with 24mm wide angle and 5x optical zoom. Even slimmer and more compact than its predecessor, the W380 can record HD (1,280 x 720) video clips and includes the popular Sweep Panorama function. Manufactured in black, silver, gold and red, the Cyber-shot W380 sports a 2.7-inch LCD monitor. Other new models in this series include the Cyber-shot DSC-W390, W370, W360, W350, W330, W320 and W310.

The new Cyber-shot TX7 brings AVCHD 1080i Full HD movie recording to the ultra-slim T-series line-up. The slender body conceals a Carl Zeiss 4x optical zoom lens and 10.2-megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor. The 3.5-inch touchscreen LCD features TruBlack screen technology to minimise reflections and boost contrast for easier viewing outdoors. The Cyber-shot TX7 also features Intelligent Sweep Panorama and has an easy-to-operate user interface.

The new Cyber-shot TX7. (Source: Sony Europe.)
Rounding off the new releases are two S-series models, which are powered by AA batteries. Offering12-megapixel resolution and 10x optical zoom lenses, the Cyber-shot S2100 and S2000 come with 3-inch, 230,400-dot LCD monitors.

Colour options for the Sony Cyber-shot S2100. (Source: Sony Europe.)

All new Cyber-shot models feature in-built Picture Motion Browser (PMB) Portable software. Just connect the camera via USB to any Internet-ready PC: with just a few clicks it’s easy to upload pictures and video clips directly from Cyber-shot to your favourite image and video sharing sites on the web. They also have dual slots for Memory Stick PRO Duo and SD/SDHC cards.
Several of the new models will be offered in Australia. The Cyber-shot TX7 is on sale now at an RRP of $649. The Cyber-shot HX5, which will also sell for $649, is scheduled for release in March. For more information, contact Sony Australia by phoning 1300 13 SONY (7669) or visit www.sony.com.au.