Sony Cybershot DSC-N1 with touch screen

Sony's rolling out this juicy lil' 8 megapixel Cybershot, the DSC-N1, whose primary claim to fame is its incorporation of a 3-inch touch screen interface. Instead of keying around to control it you just, you know, feel it. Uh huh. Its unspecified amount of internal memory can store "up to 500" images, with a Memory Stick slot for external storage. It's also doing 3X optical and 6X digital zooms. Not sure exactly when this will be out (or price, for that matter), but it looks to be available before the end of the year in Asian and European markets, at least.

[Thanks, Matthias]

[Andy Burns @ Dec 19th 2005 1:26AM]

You can use real buttons while the LCD is switched off, but the touch screen buttons will only be any use when the LCD is on, and the LCD is the biggest battery eater on the camera ...

[TZK @ Dec 19th 2005 1:26AM]

Hey, this looks pretty cool. Though, I fail to see the point in an 8.1MP deck-of-cards point and shoot if the image quality isnt up to par.

[euh @ Dec 19th 2005 1:26AM]

8MP and "internal memory can store �up to 500� images"
That thing would have about 2GB internal memory and a memory stick slot... kewl
Finally a touch screen, with current batteries it will last long enough, next step fuel cells

[RayEarth @ Dec 19th 2005 1:26AM]

It has 26mb internal memory. Apparently has ISO800. 8mp downsized to, say, 4mp, and ISO800 may actually be useable.

[RayEarth @ Dec 19th 2005 1:26AM]

And it stores them as 640x480, not full size.

[chilko @ Dec 19th 2005 1:26AM]

ok
it seems that you can edit pictures directly on the screen with something like stylus...

http://www.sony.de/content/attachment/Paint_de,0.swf

[Tom @ Dec 19th 2005 1:26AM]

I would be friends forever with those chicks!

[RX9 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:26AM]

It's $500, shipping on or before November 18th. You can pre-order from today. http://www.sony.com/n1

[Punchy @ Dec 19th 2005 1:26AM]

I own a 2 megapixel purchased approx. 3 years ago that has touch screen display based on tech. derived from their line of PDA's. Absolutely love it. I can still show up with that poor 2 Megapixel unit and draw a crowd when I start tapping and zooming. Been looking for a new camera and depending on price and size, this may be the one for me. Once you've had touch, you can't go back.

Punchy

[Liam McNulty @ Dec 19th 2005 1:26AM]

The "internal memory" feature is probably similar to that of the Cybershot DSC-M2, which records 640 x 480 copies alongside the "real" pictures that go on the Memory Stick.

Copies of the images are kept locally (on the camera itself) for things like slideshows, the calendar-style display, and so on.

[Eric @ Dec 19th 2005 1:26AM]

Touch screen.....
Riiiiiiggggggghtttt......
There are not enough fingerprints on my camera screen, I want this touch screen ! This way my pictures will be even more difficult to see...
Nice move Sony.

[jon @ Dec 19th 2005 1:26AM]

guys, don't harsh on the hotness. you want one, i want one. you're not fooling anyone.

[Cody Jackson @ Dec 19th 2005 1:26AM]

I preorded mine yesterday!

[Alan Young @ Dec 23rd 2005 11:40PM]

This camera has all the required features to hold my attention. The ability to edit videos, create animated slide shows, touching the sreen to focus a subject, scribble on a picture and the low light photography are just a few inovations, that have my attention. I cancelled a DSC-T9 order for this baby.