It's getting to be that time of the year again -- time for Sony to expand / refresh its
Cyber-shot lineup. Say hello to the 14.1 megapixel T99 and the 12.2 megapixel WX5 and TX9. All three feature
BIONZ processors and 32MB internal memory (no word on external options). The T99's your underwater-capable option, capable of shooting sweep panorama shots submerged as well as 720p 30fps HD video -- or if you want something of an upgrade, the TX9 is also snorkeling-friendly, but itself can tout Full HD 1080i video recording, a Sweep Multi Angle for "3D-style" imagine, and the 3D sweep panorama with which the
NEX series was just graced. Another neat trick of the Tx9 is its "background defocus" that gives you the DSLR-like effect of sharp foreground images with a blurry background (c.f. most of our
headlining phone review images). If you're willing to sacrifice water resistance for a 5x optical zoom and Sony G lens (the previous two feature 4x and Carl Zeiss) while still retaining TX9's cool 3D tricks, you're gonna want the WX5. At this point, they carry no price tag, but you've got a bit to wait anyway: the trio will all debut in mid-September.
Update: Akihabara News is reporting these cameras also support TransferJet. Additionally,
AV Watch has listed some expected prices for Japan, so without further ado: the WX5 for 35,000 yen (about $400), the TX9 for 45,000 yen ($512), and the T99 for a more budget-friendly 29,000 yen ($330).
posted July 8th 2010 12:56AM
well its a nice feature i suppose. keep it up sony :)
@lars1110 Around what price do you guys suggest the cameras will be at? $400~? If so, then it's time for me to get rid of my 2 year old camera.
@lars1110
Apparently it's small enough to fit in a young girl's hands.
:D I am never going to let engadget live it down...
@lars1110 I am still waiting for HD video for alpha cameras
@lars1110
I guess the background defocus is achieved through software? (given the optics and sensor is rather limited in such a tiny camera)
@lars1110
Taylor swift this for months already
:sarcasm
@SskyNnet Thanks Ross for posting the price :)
3D!!!!!!!
I'll take the ones in picture number 5...
@Muhammad Oli
The Brests or the Camera?
@gold5225 I said oneS
:)
@Muhammad Oli
I agree with your assessment, I too desire those!
I saw a test done with this model for underwater durability. Apparently it works fairly decently, only problem is the sand gets between the slider and scratches the surface of the camera...
@n11
But these cameras aren't actually waterproof according to the linked press release. They have underwater settings to play with the white balance but you need the "optional marine housing" to use them underwater.
Tut tut Engadget.
However, if that background defocus actually works like it suggests in the pictures, then that's game changingly cool.
wasn't the tx5 just released 3 or 4 months ago? what kind of bs life-cyle is sony running on?
@bshigeta The 3D life cycle.
@bshigeta Just because they released these new models, doesn't mean the older ones are discontinued on the spot. These new models will co-exist with the current lineup. The TX9 will be the new high end model, and the T99 will be the lowest end, with the TX5/7 remaining in the middle.
Same thing with other manufactures, like Canon. Canon can sometimes release new lineups not only once, but twice in a year, but they all co-exist, even with older ones.
Crap I bought a t-77 a while back and now this comes out shit!
I had one of the first Sony tiny cams (maybe DSC-T1 ?) with a panel that slid over the lens (similar to this camera) and loved it, but when I try these new ones out in the store I find the flat smooth sliding panel very difficult to move. The old ones had something to push against and could be turned on with a quick one-handed flick. Not these.
That chick's hot...
What color is the middle camera. Gold or Brown.
Virtual motorboat in progress
@cerf77 win
The T99 is cheaper because it doesn't have the Exmor R sensor. That's kinda an important feature.
But... but... I just got my waterproof TX5 on release day back in April : <
I need to stop reading blogs, they just tell me how fast my new gadgets get outdated... :
@ZRod ... and your TX5 is still fine and still being made and sold by Sony. Heck, the TX1, which is even older than your TX5, is still available. These new models are simply to pad up the lineup, with the TX9 for the highest end.
These are not iPods, it's different marketing strategy.
Of course I bought a camera this year :-/ I am glad to see Sony leading the industry. I hope the keep up the good work.
@insomniacinc
Well, it's actually interesting as even Canon and Nikon are using Sony's backlit sensor. So yeah, kudos to Sony. I just hope they are not misguided by cramming in too much MP to the Exmor R sensor (TX9 is 12.8MP, vs 10MP on the TX5/7)
GREAT! I just bought the tx7 FML. this really sucks
@jonnyc Well, the TX9 is probably going to be more expensive than your TX7 when it's available, so I don't see how you're losing out (plus you get to use your camera instead of waiting till September).
Are those shots taken by those cameras with 'backround defocus' feature ?
if yes then wow, that's like using a DSLR with 50mm f/1.8 or yet f/1.4 aperture! ;)
@xValentine
Yes with exception that you'll still be on at something like f/3.5 or less and need a shitload of light or a flash to fill the gap between f/1.4
sounds awesome
The focus in the 5th pic is all wrong! And why is the guy in pic 6 in focus? A piece of crap that cam is...
@finbred
you mad ?
those are typical bokeh shots. even when you use a DSLR you can get that bokeh.
@xValentine
I don't think he was being serious. He was complaining that in pic 5 the hot chick is out of focus yet in pic 6 the dude with small cats for eye brows is in focus.
So many people are mad that they just bought new cameras lol... This isn't that huge of an upgrade and the time you'd have to wait for the new thing is extra opportunity cost!
@pk Thing is, it's not really an "upgrade" from the TX5/7. The TX9 is an addition to the lineup, not replacing those previous models.
"Do YOU come with the car?"
Wow, if that defocusing feature catches on, it will be THE solution for people that want DSLR style photos in a smaller camera. If it works, I'd sell my firstborn to have it on my LX3.
@Bhima LX3 FTW!
@thinkerls
goddam spammers!
wank; i just bought a TX5...
wow $512
Here is an interesting bit from the press release:
As an extra refinement, new Background Defocus makes it easy to achieve pro-style images, similar to the results achieved with a DSLR camera and wide-aperture lens. Cyber-shot™ rapidly shoots two frames when the shutter button is pressed. Position information between the foreground and background is analysed automatically, creating a single picture with your subject in sharp focus and a beautifully blurred background. New Soft Skin mode flatters portrait subjects even further, automatically removing small wrinkles and skin blemishes for effortlessly beautiful results.
@Qoo Sohat means it's fake bokeh. The camera creates a mask from pseudo-3D information and then applies a filter.
It has a reason why I paid 450 eurobux for my 30mm f1.4 Sigma prime.
Sad thing is the EXIFs for the photos on the release site says the pics are taken by a Canon 5D MKII.
I'd like to reiterate the point that the T99 & TX-9 are NOT WATERPROOF and require a marine housing. They just feature underwater MODES.
Engadget does not say they are waterproof, but their wording can be easily misunderstood without reading Sony's press release..
@boredstate
Yeah makes one wonder whether Miller is on Sony's payroll or something. What other reason could there be for such ridiculous wording that CLEARLY implies it's waterproof? Every camera in existence is capable of shooting 'submerged' and 'uderwater capable': either inside a underwater housing or by immersing it and immediately pressing the shutter release--might even get a few shots off before it fails. Miller?
I've always loved the Cyber-Shot cameras. Probably the most flexible camera UI I have ever used (easy on the outside, but you can get your hands dirty with more settings too). Also, these new features look great!