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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1 scores mixed reception
By now you should be thoroughly familiar with Sony's Party-shot-loving and almost unreasonably svelte TX1 compact shooter. Its headline features -- 720p movie mode and better low light performance courtesy of the Exmor R sensor -- have now been put to the test and we're here with the scorecard ready to spill the results. Reassuringly, all reviewers found image quality to be excellent for the camera's size class, and the TX1 even outperformed its peers by keeping noise comfortably in check all the way up to ISO 800. A 1cm (or 0.4-inches for you heretics) Macro mode was another highlight, though criticisms did rain down on issues of lens distortion, a fiddly touchscreen menu that was too prone to accidental activation, and an uncompetitive price point. Of course, your biggest draw here might still be the optional (and spendy) party dock, but the thorough reviews below at least give you the chance to pretend like you're buying this camera for the image quality alone. Read - Photography Blog review Read - Wired review Read - Imaging Resource review Read - Electric Pig review
Sony CyberShot TX1 parts with its Party-dock for some sample pics
Sony's CyberShot TX1 may be best known as one of the cameras designed for use with Sony's amazing Party-shot dock (and, really, that's enough for us), but it's also a fairly capable point-and-shoot in its own right, as evidenced by a full set of sample photos provided by the folks at PhotographyBlog. They were apparently particularly interested in the camera's capabilities throughout its ISO range (from ISO 125 to 3200), and the results do indeed seem to be fairly impressive (especially for a compact point-and-shoot), with noise kept mostly in check even at the highest settings. Hit up the link below to check 'em out for yourself, along with a quick video demonstrating the camera's low-light video capabilities.Update: Hey, the WX1 has it's own gallery of sample shots, too!
Video hands-on: Sony's Party-shot dock knows how to par-tay, unlike Paul
Know what's awesome? Parties... and parfaits. But if we had to choose, we'd rather have Sony's Party-shot dock on hand at our next soirèe instead of a delicate ensemble of whipped confectioneries. Just set your Partyshot-enabled Cybershot into Sony's automatically swiveling and panning $150 IPT-DS1 Party-shot dock and relive up to 11-hours of battery powered magic the next morning. Assuming it's still there, of course. See it in action with your 24 hour IFA party people after the break.
Video: Sony confirms it's 'bringing home 3D' starting in 2010
As it turns out, yesterday's report was spot-on. Sony today announced that it is bringing the experience of looking absolutely ridiculous in 3D glasses home to the living room. The initiative is "starting in 2010" and will expand through BRAVIA LCD HDTVs, VAIO machines, PlayStation 3, and Blu-ray discs... and not in the press release, but we clearly see a CyberShot digital camera in the promotional video (look out, Fujifilm). It's hard to say from the wording if all the listed product lines will go 3D next year, but from what we gather there'll at least be BRAVIA sets in time for that Christmas. Curious see the zaniest video this side of the second dimension? Well, we don't have that, but you can giggle your way through Sony's promo after the break.
Sony's CyberShot DSC-TX1 and DSC-WX1 cameras boast pet-friendly settings, 'Exmor R' sensor for low-light scenarios
If you've been waiting on the edge of your seat for some confirmation of last month's leak of the CyberShot DSC-TX1 and DSC-WS1, wait no longer. Sony's just gone official with the pair of 10.2 megapixel point and shoots, and they're about what you were expecting. The WX1 (pictured left) sports a Sony G lens, 2.7-inch LCD, 5x optical zoom with f/2.5 max aperture, 720p HD movie recording (MPEG4 format), and a new "Exmor R" back illuminated CMOS sensor for better low-light handling. The fancier TX1 has the same Exmor R sensor and 720p movie mode, but also comes with a 3-inch LCD and Carl Zeiss Vario-Tesar lens with 4x telescopic zoom. Both beauts possess the same anti-motion blur and multi-shot modes found in the DSC-HX1, as well as a BIONZ processor, facial detection, smile shutter (for snapping shots when people are smiling, of course), wide panorama capabilities, 10 frames per second burst shooting, and a "pet mode" for taking pictures of your little loved ones, helping to alleviate issues with blurring and pet red-eye. You want street date and price? WX1's coming in October for $350, black only, while the TX1's due out in September for $380 and a palette choice of silver, gray, pink, and blue. Full press release after the break.Update: Akihabara News got some hands-on time during the Japanese unveiling. %Gallery-69503%
Sony readying CyberShot DSC-TX1 and DSC-WX1 cameras?
It was only a few months ago that we were fielding rumors about Sony's CyberShot DSC-HX1, and now we're struggling to keep our credit card at bay each time we waltz by one in the local camera shop. Today, Sony Insider has pointed out that the outfit may be readying a new duo to complement the megazoom: the DSC-TX1 and DSC-WX1. If the latest whispers prove legitimate, the TX1 will boast a 10 megapixel sensor, 4x optical zoom, 3-inch LCD, 720p movie mode and a price tag somewhere south of $400. The WX1 should check in as a lower-end model with 10 megapixels, a 5x optical zoom, 2.7-inch LCD and the same 720p movie mode; why exactly it'll be cheaper we're not sure, but that's the good word at the moment. E-tailer Provantage already has listings for both cameras up, so it seems as if it's just a matter of time before Sony confirms all the good news.[Via Sony Insider]
Sony Cyber-shot W180 and W190 cameras feature awesome digital zooms
Sony just announced a pair of Cyber-shot cameras in Europe. Both offer Sony's smile shutter technology, 3x zoom stabilized with SteadyShot, 2.7-inch LCD, a claimed ISO 3200 sensitivity, and 7 automatic scene selection modes. The W180, though, has a 10.1 megapixel sensor to the 12.1 megapixels of the W190 (pictured). Oddly, Sony's pushing the 17x/18x digital zoom capabilities on these -- something we haven't seen hyped for a few years:Pristine picture quality is further enhanced by the high-quality 3x optical zoom lens. Smart zoom boosts maximum magnification to a frame-filling 18x for W190 and 17x for W180 for even more dramatic close-ups. In other words, these cams are targeting entry-level consumers prone to enjoying a Big Mac and tattle-rag while shopping instead of doing any real pre-purchase research. Available starting July in silver, black, and red for "an outstanding value." Backside front, after the break.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 superzoomer reviewed
Sure, it's got that funky flip-out display, in-camera panorama stitching, HD video recording and a host of other fancy features for its $500 pricepoint, but does Sony's new Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 give DSLRs a run for their money? Digital Photography Review doesn't seem to think so. The camera has a lot in common with Canon's similarly-positioned SX1 IS, and even bests it in some departments with that 10 fps continuos shooting mode, but the actual image quality just isn't in the same ballpark as a barely more expensive DSLR, and DP Review figures that if you don't need the 20x zoom or other more gimmicky features, most folks would probably be better served by saving their pennies for the real deal.
Sony's panorama-shooting DSC-HX1 camera handled on video
If you're looking to craft an epic, 1,500 megapixel panorama image, something like the Gigapan Imager is your best bet. But, for those of us who want to capture a little wide-angle action and then move on before the tour bus abandons us, Sony's upcoming DSC-HX1 could be the solution. The nine megapixel shooter, releasing in April, comes with a unique (for the moment) panorama mode that allows it to capture 224-degree horizontal or 154-degree vertical shots automatically. Just push the shutter release and then slowly sweep the 20x lens across that wondrous vista before you. The camera internally fuses everything together to create a single 7152 x 1080 image; no post-processing required. It's demonstrated in a video below (on a quaint little diorama), and while $500 is on the pricey side for a non-SLR digi cam, if you've ever tried to stitch photos manually you might think it money well spent -- assuming it still works that well without a tripod.
Sony's CyberShot DSC-HX1 camera gets official, coming March for $500
Sony has finally shown its cards for PMA this year, and that Ten of Clubs up its sleeve looks to be the CyberShot DSC-HX1 we heard about last week. According to the presser, it's the company's first digital camera with sweep panorama technology for up to 224-degree horizontal and 154-degree vertical panorama shots with the push of a button. It's also sporting a 20x optical zoom, 1/2.4-inch Exmor CMOS sensor for 10 frames per second at 9.1 megapixel resolution, a Sony G lens and 1080p HD movie recording. Look for it this March for around five Benjamins.
Sony CyberShot DSC-HX1 with 20x zoom and 1080p video rumored
The rumor mill seems to be coalescing around a new CyberShot DSC-HX1 camera from Sony in the run-up to the big PMA camera show next week. In fact, on-line camera shops are already adding placeholders for Sony's new flagship, super-zoom with 1080p video and HQ sound. If true, we're just days away from seeing the official launch of a 9 megapixel (CMOS) camera with 20x zoom, 2.7-inch (possibly 3.0-inch like the DSC-H50) LCD, optical SteadyShot with anti-motion blur, and a 10fps burst rate at unspecified resolution. Rumor also has it priced at £400 which directly translates to $571 -- though it'll likely be priced between $400 and $500 (pre-tax) Stateside as these things generally go. [Thanks, Semi]Read -- BuyACamera DSC-HX1 cached entry Read -- DP Review rumor
Sony Ericsson C903 hands-on
First off, red handsets never seem to be particularly photogenic, mmkay? But color aside, Sony Ericsson's C903 is well specced, fairly handsome, and we'd expect that the price won't be wallet numbing. The C903 is comfy as far as the phone's footprint in-hand goes, though, it is a little husky through the middle with the sliding camera cover -- and the inner workings of the autofocus 5 megapixel shooter we suspect. Keyboard? Meh, our fingers immediately got a little lost while banging on it as each row has no real defining line between keys. Though despite the chubbiness and keyboard awkwardness, if this newest in the Cyber-shot line is priced properly it could be a hit. Follow on for more pictures of a red handset than you're likely going to be comfortable with.%Gallery-44992%
Sony Ericsson's W395 Walkman and C903 Cybershot bring more of the same
In the run-up to Mobile World Congress we've been treated to a windfall of hot new phones and technologies. Then there's Sony Ericsson's W395 Walkman and C903 Cyber-shot. The W395 is a new Walkman slider with built-in stereo speakers meant for the "youth" market, a market that seemingly hates 3G or storage since the quad-band GSM/EDGE device ships with a measly 1GB memory card. It will, however, be affordable and feature a 2 megapixel camera when it ships in Q1. The C903 Cyber-shot slider already spotted around here a few times brings a 5 megapixel autofocus camera with sliding lens cover as we've seen -- give the cover a slide and this cameraphone's ready for duty. The camera features face detection and a Smile Shutter mode that automatically snaps the shutter when a happy face is detected. It also packs a 2.4-inch display, Memory Stick Micro (M2) expansion slot and, get this... it'll even make phone calls. This worldphone rides quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE for 10 hours of talk or 400 hours of standby with UMTS/HSPA 900/2100 (or 850/1900/2100 in the C903a configuration) frequencies bringing the 3G sometime in Q2. Beautiful devices for what they are -- guess we're just spoiled by all the MWC goods expected in Barcelona from RIM, LG, Samsung, Toshiba, Acer, Android, Palm, Microsoft... you get the idea.Update: Details on a 5 megapixel C901 candybar were also released sans the Cyber-shot branding and any fanfare even though it's similarly spec'd to the C903. [Via Phone Arena]Read -- W395 WalkmanRead -- C903 Cyber-shot
Sony Ericsson C905 gets reviewed -- all 8.1 megapixels of it
When you're reviewing a phone dominated by an unusually weighty image sensor that dominates the spec sheet, you can bet that cam is going to get an extra-thorough rundown. MobileBurn put Sony Ericsson's beastly C905 slider through its paces, and as you might expect, it produced some pretty awesome pictures -- as cellphones go, at least -- with a full-featured camera interface that seems to throw some validity behind the handset's Cyber-shot branding. There was some weirdness with vivid colors that seemed to be a fault of the review unit, and the geotagging functionality didn't really work, but if you just want to produce decent images that you can blow up and plaster to a dorm wall, this sucker should do the trick. A xenon flash, HSDPA, and serviceable signal and sound quality all conspire to make it a workable choice dubbed "Highly Recomended" by the site. Alright, yeah, count us in.
Sony Ericsson's new ad shows off the C905's camera and absolutely nothing else
An ad campaign shot entirely on a mobile phone camera? Well, Sony Ericsson -- claiming to be the first -- has done it, using the C905, ostensibly to prove what an awesome (8.1-megapixel) camera it boasts. The results can be found exclusively in December's issue of FHM, and are what Sony Ericsson Marketing Director David Hilton calls an "amazing opportunity" to "show off the capabilities" of the Cyber-shot. So let's just get this straight: your ad uses a professional model, a fashion photographer, professional lighting, and makeup, not to mention all that retouching, and we're supposed to be impressed with the camera? Okay, we'll admit it: we're pretty impressed.[Via PicturePhoning]
Sony Ericsson's new Cyber-shot gets clearer, isn't Kate
Sony Ericsson's purported codenames are a source of endless amusement, because they 1) are virtually always feminine names, and 2) have zero bearing on the final product name. We'd heard that Sony Ericsson was prepping a new Cyber-shot candybar by the name of Kate, and now we're hearing that it's not Kate after all -- but really, it doesn't matter one way or another since it'll be a letter with three numbers after it by the time it launches. The important thing is that we're now seeing much better shots of the alleged 5-megapixel baddie with xenon flash, offering what'll probably be a modernized alternative to the K850. If Sony Ericsson doesn't cancel it first, that is.[Via SEMC Blog]
Leak Sauce: is this Sony Ericsson's new Cybershot "Kate"?
Now this is what we call a proper spy shot! While we can plainly make out Cybershot branding, nothing else is apparent as the photographer is seemingly attempting to capture the essence of blur and shake. Evidently Sony Ericsson's Kate is set to replace the K770 in the Cybershot line, though sadly, we lack any info about just what exactly its specs will be -- if, indeed, it's real. The folks at cellphonesail mention that it has a unique lens cover a la Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T2, and that's really all that is mentioned, though being a Cybershot, we can expect a decent cam. Typical of Sony Ericsson leaked sets, we'll likely start to see a flow of info in the near term as this is purportedly shipping in Q4 this year.[Via SEMC Blog]
Sony Cyber-shot T500 hands-on
We got a look at Sony's new HD-shootin', 10.1 megapixel Cyber-shot T500 today, and it seems to do what it says on the box. There was no Memory Stick in the display version, so we couldn't test out any HD recording, but the touchscreen interface did seem responsive, and mode switching from stills to video is a snap. Perhaps it was the lighting we were under, but the large LCD did seem to flicker a bit, and wasn't stunningly bright either, but otherwise we're big fans of the build quality of the device. Fashioncam this is not -- there's some heft, bulk and sharp edges here that will keep it away from your skinny jeans -- but the T500 is a fine entry from Sony, and at $399 it's pretty well priced for what it can do.%Gallery-30743%
Sony's Cyber-shot T500 10 megapixel compact shoots HD videos
It's no D90, but Sony has a new compact stillcam for your snapping pleasure, the Cyber-shot T500, and it's touting an HD movie mode just like any good bandwagon hopper should. The 10.1 megapixel camera offers up a 5x optical zoom, 3.5-inch LCD and Optical SteadyShot, but most of the attention is likely to be lavished on the 1280 x 720 30 fps h.264 movie mode. You can grab 720p stills while you shoot, and you can expect to store about an hour of video on your 4GB Memory Stick... you do have a 4GB Memory Stick, right? The T500 hits this October, no word just yet on price. Oh, and she comes in colors.
Sony Ericsson's C905, Z780 and X1 hands-on
We got our grubby mitts all over the latest and greatest from Sony Ericsson, including that new C905 8 megapixel monstrosity, and, of course, the Xperia X1. The C905 is certainly no slouch in the camera department, with that for-serious Xenon flash and dedicated camera keys, but you'll pay for it in thickness -- the C905 is a good deal thicker than its Walkman counterparts, though that does leave room for a nicely formed slide-out keypad. The C905 is capable of geotagging pictures, but can't upload on the fly to photo services just yet like Nokia's new phones, though such capability is in the works. While the C905 seems finely honed for a specific purpose, the Z780 flip phone seems much more plain jane in comparison, with a rather large size despite its "slim proportions" and a lack of detailing in styling to make it really pop. But, of course, who needs all that featurephone nonsense when you've got the X1 staring 'em all down? We got to twiddle around with an out-of-battery Xperia for a minute, and it's certainly one of the thickest and heaviest phones headed for the market in the near future -- though the upside of that is some glorious build quality, an immense WVGA screen and an expansive, highly touchable keyboard. SE certainly does seem to have something for everybody, but with Moto apparently working on an 8 megapixel camera of its own, and touchscreen rivals to the X1 hogging all the spotlight, SE's isn't looking at an easy road to bumping back that profitability. Oh, and in case you were interested, the gallery below also includes the W760 sporting a black finish, a pink-ish red-ish W580 and the wonderfully tiny W350i.%Gallery-26014%
