Sony introduces new Cyber-shot cameras and accessories

Sony have pushed out three new cameras – the HX100V, HX9V and the W520, available from March to April 2011. Also on the cards are a line of new accessories, memory cards and an online private photo-sharing service dubbed ‘Personal Space’, accessible from Android and iOS smartphones as well as PCs.

The two HX series CyberShot cameras both feature 16.2MP sensors with a smattering of fancy features from full 1080p video capture at 50fps to built in GPS and compass (for location and shooting direction). Both have a 3 inch wide LCD displays, Carl Zeiss lenses and an interesting ‘Intelligent Sweep’ panorama mode for easy 10480×4096 res panoramic photos.

The Cyber-shot W520 is a new 14.1 megapixel compact with 5x optical zoom and a 25mm wide-angle lense. Like the two HX cameras, images can be taken with Sony’s Sweep Panorama and Intelligent Auto and viewed on the 2.7 inch LCD display.

Full press release, specs and pictures of the new cameras after the break.

HX100V

HX9V

IPT-DS2

Press Release

Bigger zoom with less blur: Cyber-shotT HX Series cameras with Full HD video

HX100V and HX9V with 3D, new Intelligent Sweep Panorama High Resolution Mode and GPS/Compass

• Cyber-shotT HX100V with 30x optical zoom; HX9V with 16x
• Optical SteadyShot image stabilisation with Active Mode
• One-touch Full HD video
• 16.2 effective megapixel Exmor RT CMOS Sensor
• 3.0″ 921,000-dot Extra Fine LCD with wide viewing angle
• DSLR-class high-speed Autofocus
• GPS/Compass
• 3D Sweep Panorama, 3D Still Image and Sweep Multi Angle
• Intelligent Sweep Panorama HR mode captures super-size scenes

The latest power-packed Cyber-shotT HX100V and HX9V from Sony offer Full HD video shooting at the touch of a dedicated button. Recording video at 50 progressive frames per second (1920×1080 50p), both cameras can capture fast-moving action with exceptional smoothness and clarity.

What’s more, both new H Series cameras are loaded with cutting-edge innovation from Sony to shoot stills, video and 3D with the quality you’d expect from a professional camera.

Ideal for travellers and photo enthusiasts, the flagship Cyber-shotT HX100V features a Vario-Sonnar lens by Carl Zeiss with T* coating on optical surfaces that virtually eliminates flare. This premium lens offers an ultra-powerful 30x optical zoom range for crisply-detailed close-ups of distant subjects. Comfortable to hold and carry, the camera’s styling echoes the body shape and control layout of larger DSLR designs.

Smaller and lighter still, the HX9V offers a high-performance G Lens with powerful 16x zoom range with 24mm wide angle to accommodate virtually any photo opportunity.

Despite their powerful zoom range the HX100V and HX9V can capture crisp, blur-free images with significantly reduced handshake, even while you’re walking along. Featured on both cameras, Optical SteadyShot with Active Mode is a powerful image stabilisation system with ‘3-way shake cancellation’ as found on premium Handycam® camcorders from Sony. You’ll be rewarded with clearer results when you’re shooting handheld, even at telephoto settings where camera shake is most pronounced.

The HX100V and HX9V offer a choice of 3D shooting options with 3D Sweep Panorama, 3D Still Image and Sweep Multi Angle. In another Cyber-shotT first, the 16.2 effective megapixel Exmor RT CMOS Sensor inside both cameras supports a brand-new Intelligent Sweep Panorama HR (High Resolution) mode.

Just press the shutter button and sweep the camera to capture huge panoramic images with an incredible 10480×4096 resolution, over 40million pixels.

Both cameras offer speedy shooting responses you might expect from a DSLR camera. High-speed autofocus locks onto subjects in as little as 0.1 seconds, letting you grab the most fleeting photo moments with ease.

DSLR-like shooting options are further broadened by Background Defocus mode. The HX100V and HX9V can automatically combine two successive frames captured at different focus settings when the shutter is pressed. These are combined to yield a professional-looking image with crisply-focused foreground subjects against a smoothly blurred background.

The advanced imaging possibilities of both cameras don’t compromise fuss-free operation. Superior Auto mode recognises a wide range of shooting conditions, automatically adjusting settings and shooting a high-speed burst of multiple frames as required in low-light conditions. These are automatically combined within the camera to create beautifully-exposed, low-noise results with virtually any subject – even in challenging low light conditions without flash.

Ideal for travel, holidays and more, both cameras feature an enhanced GPS/Compass function that captures your location and shooting direction. See the results after shooting as exciting online maps with any PC.

The Cyber-shotT HX100V also features a manual control ring that can be assigned as desired to adjust focus or zoom. It’s ideal for applications like macro photography, where focus can be adjusted precisely while viewing a magnified portion of the image.

New accessories for Cyber-shotT

There’s a choice of elegantly styled carry case options for HX100V and HX9V with a quality leather-like finish. Giving easy access to your camera, the special design avoids electromagnetic interference with the GPS/Compass function of both cameras.

Compatible with the HX9V and several other Cyber-shotT models, the latest Party-ShotT IPT-DS2 is a docking base that automatically shoots smiling, relaxed portraits of everyone in the room. The new model features enhanced styling, touch sensitive activation for ‘on demand’ shooting and support for Intelligent Sweep Panorama with compatible Cyber-shotT models. Supplied with a protective cover and a tripod.

Cyber-shotT W520

Also new from Sony, the Cyber-shotT W520 teams superb image quality with simple, uncluttered operation. Light and compact, the W520 features a 14.1 megapixel CCD sensor, 5x optical zoom lens with 25mm wide angle, a 6.7cm/2.7" Clear Photo LCD, Sweep Panorama and Intelligent AUTO.

New SDHC media cards

All new Cyber-shotT models are compatible with the latest range of premium-quality SDHC cards by Sony. The perfect partner for your Cyber-shotT, they’re also a great match for SD/SDHC-compatible cameras, camcorders and devices from other manufacturers. The affordable Essential Series and value-added Experience Series are joined by the flagship Expert Series (Class 10) for photo users who demand class-leading capacity and transfer speeds.

Personal, secure online sharing with Personal SpaceT*

Personal SpaceT is the network service by Sony that makes it easy and secure to share photos and video clips captured on your Cyber-shotT camera. Upload your images from any Internet-enabled PC with the cameras’ supplied Picture Motion Browser software, or using pre-installed PMB Portable software. An email sent with an embedded link ensures that invited family and friends – and no-one else – can view your pictures. Videos and photos shared via Personal SpaceT can also be viewed on Android smartphones such as the XperiaT by Sony Ericsson or iPhone, via a dedicated application that can be downloaded from the Android Market or App Store. XperiaT users can also upload images directly to their own Personal SpaceT from their smartphone.

The Cyber-shotT W520 compact digital camera will be available from March 2011. The Cyber-shotT HX100V and HX9V will be available from April 2011.

Cyber-shotT HX100V, HX9V, W520 key technical specifications

Features	DSC-HX100V	DSC-HX9V	DSC-W520
Effective Pixels	Approx. 16.2 Megapixels	Approx. 16.2 Megapixels	Approx. 14.1 Megapixels
Image Sensor	1/2.3 type (7.77mm) Exmor R CMOS sensor	1/2.3 type (7.77mm) Exmor R CMOS sensor	1/2.3 type (7.76mm) Super HAD CCD
Processor	BIONZ	BIONZ	YES
Lens	Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar T*	Sony G lens	Sony Lens
Zoom	30x (optical) / 27mm wide angle	16x (optical) / 24mm wide angle	5x (optical) / 25mm wide angle
ISO	3200	3200	3200
Sweep Panorama	Yes	Yes	Yes
Sweep Multi Angle	Yes	Yes	No
LCD screen size	7.5cm (3.0″)	7.5cm (3.0″)	6.7cm (2.7″)
Battery Life	205mins (410 shots) – CIPA standard with LCD on	150mins (300 shots) – CIPA standard with LCD on	110mins (220 shots) – CIPA standard with LCD on
Image stabiliser	Optical SteadyShot Active Mode	Optical SteadyShot Active Mode	SteadyShot
Video recording	HD 1080p movie MPEG-4	HD 1080p movie MPEG-4	VGA
Internal memory	Approx.19MB	Approx.19MB	Approx.28MB
Approx. dimensions WxHxD (mm)	121.6mm x 86.6mm x 93.1mm	104.8mm x 59.0mm x 33.9mm	96.3mm x 55.6mm x 21.2mm
Weight (body only, excluding media and battery)	Approx. 525g	Approx. 215g	Approx. 108g
Available colours	Black	Black, Gold	Black, Silver, Red

About Sony:

Sony is a leading global innovator of audio, video, communications and information technology products for both the consumer and professional markets. Sony is renowned for its audio-visual products, such as the BRAVIAT LCD high-definition television, Cyber-shotT digital camera, Handycam® camcorder, “?” (pronounced Alpha) digital SLR camera, and Walkman® MP3 player as well as its VAIOT personal computers and high-definition (HD) professional broadcast equipment, highlighted by the XDCAM® HD. Offering a complete end-to-end HD value chain and with its electronics, music, pictures, game and online businesses, Sony is one of the world’s leading digital entertainment brands, employing approximately 170,000 people worldwide.

Through its long-term football partnerships as an official sponsor of the UEFA Champions League until 2012, Official FIFA Partner until 2014 and global sponsor of the FIFA World CupT in 2010 and 2014, Sony is inspiring a sense of excitement for the millions of football fans around the world.

“Sony”, “WALKMAN”, “VAIO”, “Cyber-shot”, “Handycam”, “?”, “BRAVIA” and “XDCAM” are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sony Corporation. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

 

Posted by: Vince