Sony today released its new flagship compact camera, the
Cyber-shot DSC-RX100, along with the waterproof
HDR-GW77V camcorder.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100
The aluminium-built RX100 camera inherits many imaging
features from Sony's a range of A-mount and E-mount
cameras, shooting still images, full HD videos and
offering many manual controls.
At the heart of the Cyber-shot RX100 is the first
1.0-inch type Exmor CMOS sensor with a resolution of
20.2 effective megapixels. Specially developed by Sony,
the sensor has an area that's approximately four times
larger than the 1/2.3-type sensors in traditional
point-and-shoot cameras. The sensor's larger area takes
in more light while capturing content, resulting in
detail-packed images and low-noise Full HD movie clips.
The larger sensor is partnered with a Carl Zeiss
Vario-Sonnar T fixed lens with 3.6x optical zoom range.
In contrast to standard point-and-shoot cameras, it has
a wide F1.8 maximum aperture to let in additional light
and complement the resolving power of the larger sensor.
Similar to high-performance DSLR optics, the lens
features seven- bladed circular aperture. This makes it
easy to produce images with subjects in sharp focus
against a smoothly-blurred, defocused background. The
lens also features an Advanced Aspherical (AA) lens
element that contributes to the camera's compact
dimensions.
Newly optimized to complement the 1.0-inch type sensor
and lens, the camera's BIONZ image processor maximizes
shooting response times while helping assure clean
images. It also extends sensitivity right up to ISO
25600 (using Multi Frame Noise Reduction), allowing for
clear handheld images in low light conditions. To
capture fast-moving subjects, the RX100 camera can also
shoot at up to 10 frames per second (in full resolution)
and has high-speed autofocus that locks onto a subject
in as quickly as 0.13 seconds (depends on scene and
lighting conditions).
The new RX100 camera features a high-resolution 3-inch
1,229k dot Xtra Fine LCD display and also adds a new
feature: WhiteMagic technology. This uses additional
white pixels to boost screen brightness, allowing users
to see subtle details and tones on the screen in all
types of shooting environments, including outdoors in
bright sunlight.
For making manual adjustments while shooting both still
images and movies, the new camera has a smooth control
ring around the lens body, which can be used to alter
exposure, zoom, creative picture effects and a variety
of other customizable functions. Additionally,
frequently used functions can be assigned to the Fn
(function) button for instant access, and the Memory
Recall feature can store up to three groups of
customized shooting settings based on user preference.
Similar to a DSLR-style interface, there's a choice of
auto and manual focus modes on the Cyber-shot RX100
camera for image control. For those that prefer focusing
manually, MF Assist magnifies images to simplify fine
adjustments, and there's also a pro-style peaking
function that highlights sharply-focused areas of the
image on screen.
The RX100 camera also includes the option for six
different creative styles and a variety of popular
picture effects including Toy Camera, Partial Color, HDR
Painting and several others, most of which can be
previewed directly on screen before shooting.
The new Cyber-shot features Auto Portrait Framing - a
feature found on Sony's latest a range of A-mount and
E-mount cameras -- making it simple to create framed
portraits. This eature automatically detects faces in a
scene, crops the picture accordingly creates a tighter
composition at full resolution. Both the original and
cropped photo are saved for review.
The Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 digital camera will be
available this July for about $650.
Sony HDR-GW77V camcorder
The new HDR-GW77V camcorder can capture full HD video
and 20.4-megapixel photos in extreme conditions, so that
indoors or out. Waterproof down to 16 feet, the
camcorder's 3.0" (16:9) Xtra Fine LCD touch screen
(921K) remains fully operational when submerged and it
also has an "Underwater Mode" which adjusts the white
balance for underwater conditions to make colors appear
natural.
Sony's latest camcorder is also shockproof and dustproof
making it durable enough to withstand an accidental drop
from up to approximately 5 feet and suitable for just
about any situation.
The waterproof camcorder uses a back-illuminated Exmor
R CMOS sensor along with a built-in flash.
For the first time, Sony introduces Intelligent Sweep
Panorama mode for still photo into the camcorder family.
The feature found in Sony Cyber-shot cameras reaches
beyond the traditional wide angle lens and lets you
capture expansive shots of landscapes or cityscapes just
by pressing the shutter button and panning the scene
with a sweeping movement.
The Extended Zoom feature digitally boosts the
camcorder's 10x optical zoom range to a 17x maximum
magnification. And with 16GB of embedded Flash memory,
it can record and store up to 4 hours of high definition
video content (HD LP mode).
Another standout feature is Optical SteadyShot image
stabilization with Active Mode which compensates for
greater degrees of camera shake. To further balance
movement, 3-Way Shake-Canceling adds electronic roll
stability for even smoother video capture.
Along with these features, the camcorder uses Sony's
professional-quality G Lens. In addition, the 29.8mm
focal length in Photo Mode and Video Modes offers a
broader perspective for enhanced wide angle shooting.
The HDR-GW77V camcorder also employs a built-in GPS
receiver and NAVTEQ maps. The receiver gives you the
ability to view your current location on the LCD map
display, automatically "geotag" your shooting locations,
and view the geotagged content using a Map Index
function on the camcorder or once downloaded to a
computer using the supplied PlayMemories Home software.
The camcorder also includes the following technologies:
- iAUTO - automatic selection of optimal camcorder
settings in different environments; up to 99 scene
combinations possible
- Tracking Focus - extension of Face Detection to choose
an object by touching the LCD panel and having the focus
follow the selected object
- Self Portrait Timer - setting that ensures properly
framed arms-length photos of you and your friends
- Highlight Playback ? mode to identify and compile key
scenes into short, entertaining movies complete with
music and transitions
- Event Browse - groups your images and videos together
for easier viewing; can be used with Highlight Playback
to create and share a highlight reel from your event
Sony's new camcorder can record video and still images
directly to Memory Stick PRO Duo media, Secure Digital
(SD), or SDHC media card (all sold separately) in
addition to 16GB of embedded memory.
The camcorder is compatible with both PC and Mac
computers. Mac users can transfer AVCHD content and
edit video clips in HD quality using iMovie software.
For PC users, the PlayMemories Home software enables
viewing, editing, organizing and uploading images to
many major video and photo sharing Web sites.
The HDR-GW77V Waterproof Handycam camcorder will be
available later this month for about $700.