Sony introduces world’s first digital still cameras with Full HD progressive video, dual recording and 3D still image capture
06 January 2011
Top models add 16.2-Megapixel Exmor R™ CMOS Sensor; Cyber-shot™ TX100V debuts OLED touch screen
Sony today unveils five new Cyber-shot™ digital still cameras that make it easy to achieve DSLR-like quality still images, stunning 3D photos and high-quality Full HD videos.
Sony has designed five new innovative 16.2-megapixel Cyber-shot™ cameras (models DSC-TX100V, DSC-TX10, DSC-HX7V, DSC-WX10 and DSC-WX7) that are the world’s first compact digital still cameras to include 3D Still Image™ mode, for taking 3D images using only one lens and imager. In addition, the Cyber-shot™ TX100V is the world’s first still compact digital camera to offer Full HD (1920 x 1080/50p) progressive video shooting for silk-smooth reproduction of fast-moving action.
The TX100V is also the first Cyber-shot™ camera from Sony with an 8.8cm (3.5-inch) OLED touch screen that provides deeper blacks and rich colours, while being thinner and offering a faster response time than most LCDs – a feature that’s especially useful when shooting movies. Additionally, the WX10 is one of the only digital still cameras to include a high speed linear focus feature that provides quicker, more precise focusing that’s comparable to the speed of a DSLR camera.
Advanced Video Capture
Capturing no less than 50 Full HD (1920 x 1080) progressive frames per second (‘50p’), the Cyber-shot™ TX100V digital camera assures even smoother video playback with sports and other fast-moving action. The DSC-TX10, DSC-HX7V, DSC-WX10 and DSC-WX7 cameras record crystal-clear movies at 50i in 1080 AVCHD.
Separate buttons are provided for shooting video and stills, and ‘Dual Rec’ mode allows simultaneous capture of crisp still images without interrupting video recording. (Dual Rec is not supported in 50p mode).
Create Personal 3D Content
Sony makes it easy to create personal 3D content that can be viewed on a 3D TV home theatre system. 3D images can be captured using 3D Sweep Panorama™ mode or the new 3D Still Image mode. In 3D Still Image mode, the 3D digital camera takes two consecutive shots in different focus positions to calculate the depths, creating left-eye and right-eye images to produce a 3D effect. Images can be enjoyed in 2D or stunning 3D on compatible 3D televisions like the new BRAVIA KDL-HX820 (3D-compatible HDMI cables and 3D active shutter glasses are also required).
The cameras also include the 3D Sweep Panorama™ feature, which lets you take panoramic pictures in one press-and-sweep motion. The high-speed burst of frames is stitched together to automatically create detail-packed 3D panoramas.
These cameras will let you view images in a whole new way. Unlike 3D Sweep Panorama™ mode, which lets you view your 3D images on compatible 3D television systems, Sweep Multi Angle™ lets you view images moving in simulated 3D on the camera screen simply by tilting the camera back and forth. This shooting feature captures 15 images at different angles, compiling them to create a 3D-like effect on the display.
Easy Menu Selection Technology
With improved Superior Auto™ and Intelligent Auto™ modes, all new Cyber-shot™ Sony digital camera models can automatically recognize a wide range of common shooting situations, combining up to six high-speed exposures of the scene to produce a single image with greater clarity, optimum dynamic range and lower image noise.
Easily accessible from the cameras’ menu button, an In-Camera Guide lets users get on-screen help without thumbing through paper instruction manuals. (In-Camera Guide is not available for W510 and W530 models).
Background Defocus mode rapidly shoots two frames at different focus settings, combining them to create a single DSLR-style image with your subject in sharp focus against a smoothly defocused background. Soft Skin mode reduces visible blemishes and wrinkles, while Natural Flash corrects colour balance for more natural shots. All five cameras also offer super-fast capture at 10fps at full 16.2-megapixel resolution.
With a Sony G lens with 10x optical zoom in a compact camera body, the Cyber-shot™ HX7V Sony digital camera offers built-in GPS and Compass which records the location and direction of where photos were taken. The WX10 features a 7x, bright F2.4 24mm wide angle lens and the Hi-Speed Linear AutoFocus feature, and the DSC-WX7 camera has a 5x 25mm wide angle lens for capturing the perfect group shot or landscape.
The DSC-TX100V, DSC-TX10, DSC-HX7V, DSC-WX10 and DSC-WX7 cameras are the first Sony Cyber-shot™ with an improved HDR (High Dynamic Range) feature that compiles highlights, mid-tones and shadows from three separate shots to create one realistic-looking photo, even in difficult lighting conditions.
DSLR Speed
With the new Hi-Speed Linear AutoFocus feature, the Cyber-shot™ WX10 makes it easy to focus on your subject with DSLR-like speed. Instead of a mechanical gear to drive the AutoFocus, the DSC-WX10 has a magnetic coil (like those used in an audio speaker) to move the lens linearly and achieve AutoFocus in a straight back-and-forth motion—not rotationally.
Durable design
The 16.2 megapixel Cyber-shot™ TX10 digital camera is water-proof, shock-proof, dust-proof and freeze-proof, and offers HD movie and 3D photo capture, plus Intelligent Sweep Panorama™, an Exmor R™ CMOS sensor that promises crisp, clear photos even in low light and a 7.5cm (3-inch) touch screen.
Water-proof in up to 5m of water, the TX10 lets you take high-quality photos, including panoramic pictures, and Full HD 1080i videos of your friends, family or pets underwater. From the tropics to the top of the mountain, the camera is also freeze-proof down to -10 degrees C, so you can take pictures on your next snowbound adventure.
Not only is good to go in chilly weather, but the sleek TX10 is durable enough to withstand an accidental drop from up to approximately 1.5m. Additionally, it is dust-proof thanks to its airtight construction, so you can take it with you wherever the dust might kick up.
All new Cyber-shot™ digital camera models are compatible with the latest range of premium-quality SDHC cards by Sony. The perfect partner for your Cyber-shot™, 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.
All new Cyber-shot models will be available in a range of colours from March 2011.