SonyCyber-shot
Latest
The best superzoom camera
By Amadou Diallo This post was done in partnership with The Wirecutter, a list of the best technology to buy. Read the full article here. After more than 40 hours of researching and spending several days shooting with a handful of contenders side by side, we found the Nikon COOLPIX P610 is the best superzoom camera for most people. The Nikon P610 has a 60x zoom range, built-in Wi-Fi, and GPS support. You can shoot sharp photos with lifelike colors using the electronic viewfinder or the articulated rear screen, aided by an eye sensor that automatically switches between the two, and then quickly send them wirelessly to your phone. Plus, the P60 is simple enough to use without cracking open the manual and light enough to bring on long walks without straining your neck or shoulders.
Visualized: Sony's Cyber-shot RX1 gets smashed to pieces, in a good way
A full-frame sensor inside a compact camera sounds like lunacy, but Sony's managed it (at least, in principle) with its new Cyber-shot RX1. While only at the engineering sample stage, we're already deeply in love with its retro body and the potential that lurks inside that 24.3-megapixel sensor. The question, of course, is how did they manage to squeeze that whopping hardware into such a small body? Take a gander through the gallery from our brothers at Engadget Chinese to see how it achieved such a feat. %Gallery-165039%
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 boosts image quality with 1-inch sensor, f/1.8 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens (hands-on video)
With little room to grow (or shrink) on the housing front, we've begun to see manufacturers take a different approach with point-and-shoot cameras, boosting the size of image sensors to present a clear advantage over smartphone cams, which continue to cannibalize their dedicated counterparts. Sony, for its part, has just announced what's by far the most compelling Cyber-shot to date -- the DSC-RX100. To the amateur's eye, this all-aluminum pocketable camera looks like any old high-end point-and-shoot, with a familiar compact design and a small, permanently attached optical zoom lens. Hiding behind that f/1.8 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 3.6x zoom optic, however, is this model's true gem: a 1-inch (13.2x8.8mm) 20.2-megapixel CMOS sensor, offering four times the area of the 1/1.7-inch imagers found in most comparably sized devices. A larger sensor means sharper details, improved low-light performance and that creamy shallow depth-of-field that's synonymous with large ILCs. Having an f/1.8 lens on-board also doesn't hurt -- the optic offers a maximum aperture range of f/1.8-4.9, but can still manage captures just beyond f/2.8 at the 50mm position, giving it significant versatility. There's also a 3-inch 1,229k-dot LCD with a new technology called WhiteMagic, which adds white pixels to boost outdoor visibility while still delivering VGA resolution. A pair of control dials -- one surrounding the lens and the second on the rear -- enable direct access to frequent settings. There's a full manual mode on-board, giving you complete control over both stills and 1080/60p video, along with RAW capture, a seven-blade circular aperture and a BIONZ imaging processor, with support for ISO 80-25,600. The RX100 is packaged with a new battery, which is capable of 330 shots on a single charge, and packs a MS/SDXC slot, HDMI port and a USB port with charging capability. There's also a 10 frames-per-second continuous mode, 13 Picture Effect options and features that were previously only available on Sony's interchangeable lens models, like Sweep Panorama. The RX100 is designed as an all-in-one unit, so there's no microphone input or hot shoe to be found, but given the camera's incredibly small size, we really don't mind. What's slightly less encouraging, however, is the price tag -- the RX100 will run you $650 when it hits stores in July, while accessories like a jacket case ($85), battery pack ($50) and screen protector ($12) place it further out of reach. Take a closer look in the hands-on video just past the break.%Gallery-156584%
Sony boosts superzoom collection with DSC-HX200V, HX30V, HX20V, HX10V, H90 Cyber-shots
Sony unleashed a small handful of cameras before this month's CP+ Camera & Photo Imaging Show, but its spring 2012 line was far from complete. Today's announcements round out the collection, however, with a total of nine new models making their way through the Tokyo camera maker's news gate. Five of these point-and-shoots fit within the company's new H-Series, including the Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V, HX30V, HX20V, HX10V and H90. As you may have gathered, that H represents high-zoom -- this recent offering ranges from the H90 and HX10V, which sport 16x (24-384mm) optical zooms, to the HX200V, with a whopping 30x (27-810mm) lens. Filling in the gap, we have the HX20V and HX30V, both with 20x (25-500mm) optics.All of the cameras include 18.2-megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensors, with the exception of the lower-shelf H90, with its 16.1-megapixel CCD. That lower-end model also stands alone in the display department, with a 3-inch 460k-dot LCD, compared to the 3-inch 921k-dot screens on the other four models. All five cameras can capture HD video, with the H90 shooting at 720/30p, the HX10V offering 1080/60i and the HX20V, 30V and 200V capturing at 1080/60p. As you may have gathered, the H90 is the least expensive of the lot, and is also the only model to exclude GPS, selling for $250 when it hits stores next month. The HX10V and HX200V will also ship in March, with pricing set at $330 and $480, respectively, while the HX20V and 30V will be available in May for $400 and $420. As always, you'll find full details in the PR just past the break.
Sony announces quartet of Cyber-shot cams, boasts of slim profiles and tough skin
The Cyber-shot family just keeps growing and growing, with its latest litter focused on keeping slim and staying active. The quartet's most rugged machine, the $330 16.2 megapixel DSC-TX20, promises to be tough as nails by tolerating water up to 16 feet under, bouncing back from five foot falls and braving freezing tundras as cold as 14 degrees Fahrenheit. The $350 DSC-TX66, on the other hand, forgoes the armor in favor of a 18.2 megapixel sensor, a 3.3-inch "Xtra Fine" OLED touch screen and 1920 x 1080 video recording. The outfits 18.2 MP DSC-WX150 and 16.1 MP DSC-W690 claim the titles of "world's thinnest 10x optical zoom cameras," (excluding the lens) according to Sony, and are priced at $250 and $180, respectively. Read on for Sony's official press release and all of the rough, tough and svelte details, as well as Sony's own hands-on look at the new Cyber-shot lineup.
Sony grows Cyber-shot family by three with DSC-WX50 and WX70, ultra-thin TX200V
Far more svelte than its lengthy product name, the Cyber-shot DSC-TX200V is Sony's new point-and-shoot flagship, packing an 18.2 megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor, 26mm 5x optical zoom lens, 1080/60p video capture and a 3.3-inch Xtra Fine TruBlack OLED touchscreen. Sony claims that the cam's BIONZ processor can help it capture stills and video with extremely low noise, and an improved focusing system can deliver speeds of about 0.13 seconds in daylight and 0.25 seconds in lower-light conditions. Its reflective durable housing enables waterproof shooting down to 16 feet, and can protect the camera from dust and freezing temperatures of 14 degrees Fahrenheit.If price is more important to you than an ultra-thin design and top-of-the-line spec list, then the DSC-WX70 and DSC-WX50 might be of interest. Both cameras include 16.2 megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensors, 25mm 5x optical zoom lenses, 12 megapixel stills during video capture, and 1080/60i HD shooting. There are nine "Picture Effects" options, adopted from the NEX series and also found on the TX200V. Both the WX50 and WX70 have a nearly identical list of features, though the first model includes a 2.7-inch display, compared to a 3-inch touchscreen on the WX70. All three cameras are expected to ship in March in a variety of colors. The TX200V will be available in silver, red and violet finishes with a retail price of $500, while the WX70 and WX50 will run you $230 and $200, respectively. Hit up the press release just past the break for the full list of colors and specs.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V reviewed, scores top rating on Photography Blog
With PSN issues abound, April and May were certainly not banner months for Sony. Things are looking up for the electronics maker in June, however, with well-received PlayStation Vita and NEX-C3 camera announcements last week, and now a top rating for its highly-capable Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V point-and-shoot over at Photography Blog. The 16.2 megapixel camera includes a 16x wide-angle zoom lens and a 921K-dot 3-inch LCD, and the reviews site highlighted the cam's excellent image quality and 1080p video capture, going so far as to say that the "Sony CyberShot DSC-HX9V is the best travel-zoom camera that we've reviewed to date." Hot damn! We expect a lot of camera for $350, and it looks like this superzoom delivers for advanced shooters as well, with a 10 fps full-res burst mode, full manual control, and an f/3.3 wide-angle aperture. We're sold. If you don't want to step up to the slightly larger and pricier NEX series, this über-versatile digicam seems to be the next best thing.
Sony DSC-TX100V and the rest of the Cyber-shot posse hands-on
Sony announced a heap of new Cyber-shot cameras earlier this week, and after spying the entire line posing Miss America-style at Sony's CES booth, we decided to go hands on. The DSC-TX100V's OLED screen, which is a Cyber-shot first, was definitely impressive in terms of clarity, brightness and color reproduction -- despite only viewing a fellow convention goer obstructing the booth. The DSC-TX10 is also one the classiest looking ruggedized camera we've ever seen and thankfully lacks accents such as excessive rubber detailing. Sony wasn't really down with us testinghow much grief it could actually take though. Similarly, we had hoped to check out the DSC-WX10's 1920 x 1080 60fps video capture mode -- since it's the only digital compact to support it -- but that idea got shut down the moment a few Sony VIPs arrived. Still, we did manage to take a few shots of each in the wilds of the convention center which you can check out in the gallery below. %Gallery-113428%
Sony's waterproof and dustproof DSC-TX5 stands up to review scrutiny
You'll remember the TX5 as Sony's do-it-all solution for compact camera fans. It aims to be both stylish -- with a slender 0.7-inch profile and a 3-inch touchscreen -- and rugged, thanks to a metal frame that makes it impervious to water, dust and sub-zero conditions. Throw in the backlit Exmor R CMOS sensor, optical image stabilization, SDHC compatibility, and 720p movie mode and you've got a pretty fearsome paper tiger on your hands. But does it roar in reality? According to Photography Blog, you won't be getting the finest image quality around, but the TX5 impressed with some terrific high ISO performance, excellent handling of chromatic aberrations, and a versatility that allows you to take photos you might not otherwise get to with more conventional shooters. That is an opinion broadly shared by CNET, though both reviewers agreed that pricing will be a tough pill to swallow given that this is still just a 10 megapixel point-and-shoot. Hit the sources for more or mosey on past the break for a sample video.
Sony's DSC-TX5 is waterproof, freeze-proof, dust-proof, and headed for retail this April
Our early info on this diminutive shooter only indicated it'd be waterproof, so it's a pleasant surprise to see some further optimizations thrown in for use in less hospitable environments. You'll be able to go down to 10 feet under water with the TX5, drop it from a 5-foot height, or explore the tundra at temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit (-10 Celsius) without the camera throwing in the towel. So Sony claims anyhow. Other features include a now confirmed 10fps burst mode, a 10.2 megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor, 4x optical zoom plus optical image stabilization, and a 3-inch touchscreen on the back. The one thing that doesn't make the transition from rumor to reality is the reputed 1080p movie mode -- the TX5 makes do with a still desirable 720p video recording. Sony's also kicking out the DSC-H55 (pictured after the break) today, which will have the same video mode, but adds a 10x optical zoom and a thicker, non-weatherproofed body. Both cams will happily write to Class 4 and above SDHC cards when they debut this April, priced at $350 for the TX5 and $250 for the H55. %Gallery-85894%
Sony T90 point-and-shoot gets reviewed, liked
In an already overpopulated compact camera market, the Cyber-shot T90 solicits attention with a 16:9 touch-screen LCD and a sliding lens shield. The lads over at PC Mag grabbed one of these Sony shooters for an in-depth prodding and poking session to determine whether the external appeal of the camera is backed up by solid technology under the hood. Praise was meted out for image sharpness and 720p video recording, though battery life was found disappointing. For their full impressions, test results and an exhaustive spec sheet, hit the read link.
