Sony in an overnight update put out four new Cyber-shot cameras, each with its own distinct edge. The TX20 embodies Sony's typical very thin, internalized zoom design, but with an unusually rugged body. It can stay immersed at depths down to 16 feet, can take five-foot drops, and survive temperatures as low as 14F.
Sony chose an unusual late Sunday timing for a sweeping update of some of its more important Cyber-shot cameras. The TX200V, WX50, and WX70 all have newer Exmor R CMOS sensors that help them shoot more effectively in low light. The TX200V, despite being the slimmest of the group, has a new very dense 18.2-megapixel sensor that can still minimize noise and can focus in a dark scene in 0.25 seconds, and half as much time in bright lighting.
Two of Sony's cameras likely to be shown at CES were unearthed early through the company's Chinese wing. The W630 appears to be a straight-ahead replacement for the W570 and would have a similar 16.1-megapixel sensor, a 5X lens with a wide-angle 25mm lens, and 720p video capture. Software so far would be similar and center on a sweep panorama mode; its standout may be the inclusion of 2GB of storage to get users shooting right away.
Sony upgraded its Cyber-shots Monday with three new models. The TX55 is its highlight and is billed as the thinnest point-and-shoot camera with built-in optical stabilization, at about 0.48 inches deep. The camera still focuses on image quality by using Sony's first 16.2-megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor, which should help in low light even at the higher resolution.
Xperia blog has published what it claims to be images of a new Sony Ericsson Cyber-shot cellphone. The photos are quite blurred, but show what Xperia purports to be both the Sony Ericsson brand name and the Cyber-shot logo. The images also seemed to show three buttons common to Android OS phones.
Sony is developing a point-and-shoot camera that would have its own built-in 3G connection, insiders said Wednesday. The Cyber-shot camera would have a certain amount of free data to push photos online and would carry an extra fee for very frequent uploaders. Gdgt wasn't told more details of the camera itself.
Sony late Thursday said it had developed a small, phone-sized 17.7-megapixel camera sensor that would overcome much of the performance bottlenecks of earlier technology. The technique, described by Nikkei [reg. required], can process several pixels' input in parallel and takes up to 75 percent less time to generate the final image. At 34.8Gbps of bandwidth, it's about five times faster than a typical phone camera and can handle burst photography or high-speed video that wouldn't have been an option before.
LG on Monday quietly disclosed a complaint it had launched against Sony with the International trade Commission to block sales of the PlayStation 3. The Korean company argued that the 160GB slim PS3 (also known as the CECH-2501A) violates a patent LG claims to hold for Blu-ray disc playback. The suit is believed in retaliation for Sony's action against LG in an attempt to keep its phones out of the market.
Two Sony Cyber-shot cameras have leaked out on Friday that could have Sony pushing the limits of long-zoom cameras. The HX9V could have one of the longest zooms ever in a compact camera with a 16X, f3.3-5.9 lens. It would still try to claim high image quality with Let's Go Digital seeing a 16-megapixel but back-illuminated CMOS sensor that should improve sensitivity and reduce noise.
Sony has announced a collection of new Cyber-shot cameras for CES. Five of these -- the TX100V, TX10, HX7V, WX10 and WX9 -- are all 16.2-megapixel models capable of capturing 3D stills, including panoramas, notably using only a single lens and imager. The TX100V is claimed to be the first compact camera capable of 1080p60 video, while the other four in the group are limited to 1080i60.
Sony started off Thursday by unveiling three Cyber-shot cameras, two of which are its first point-and-shoots to support 3D. The WX5 and TX9 together can use their sweep panorama modes to create a 3D image viewable on a supporting computer or TV, including through HDMI out. A new trick, sweep multi angle, composites 15 different angles to create a 3D image that can simulate 3D even on the camera's 2D display.
Sony on Thursday added a pair of Cyber-shots that are both firsts for the company and in one case the whole camera field. The TX5 is billed as the world's thinnest waterproof camera at less than an inch thick but capable of surviving fully immersed at depths as low as 10 feet. Image quality is still a focus as the camera uses the same 10-megapixel, back-illuminated CMOS sensor as the TX1 to provide much better light sensitivity than the CCDs that are more often used in point-and-shoots.
Sony this week outlined a plan to fight back against Apple by opening its own flagship retail stores. Starting with Sony Store Nagoya, the stores will imitate the multi-floor design of Apple flagships like Ginza and use large, spacious display areas divided by category. The first floor of the Nagoya store will focus on portable devices like Cyber-shot and Handycam cameras, the PSP, Sony-Ericsson phones, Walkman players and VAIO PCs; a second floor will focus on home theater equipment such as Blu-ray players and TVs.
Among its many product debuts at CES, Sony released a pair of digital cameras that are the first to record 1920x1080 video in the AVCHD format. The DSC-HX5V and DSC-TX7 share the same 10-megapixel sensor and also have the same Backlight Correction High Dynamic Range (HDR) feature as well as TransferJet wireless technology. The HX5V alone gets a geo-tagging feature called GPS + Compass and digital image stabilization.
Sony today announced the upcoming release of the largest capacity flash-based media storage cards in its recordable media range, with the 32GB PRO-HG Duo HX card and a 32GB PRO Duo card, both of which double the capacity of the current products. The former is made to work with Sony's Handycam camcorders, Alpha DSLRs and Cyber-shot compact cameras. The card has a 20MBps peak read speed and 15MBps peak write speed, or about three times faster than Sony's PRO Duo media card.
Sony's Cyber-shot themed handsets are currently headlined by the C905. Of course, its most notable feature of this uber-cameraphone is its 8.1 megapixel camera, and Sony has been known to produce some great digital cameras with its Cyber-shot line; but can the C905 live up to its photographic heritage and still be a great phone? We've come to an important conclusion in our complete C905 review for the slider handset on AT&T's network.
Sony this morning sought to fix one of the longer lasting problems of compact cameras by introducing two new models. The Cyber-shot TX1 and WX1 both switch from a usual CCD sensor to the CMOS technology more commonly seen in DSLR cameras; between this and moving illumination to the back, the cameras gain twice as much light sensitivity as others in their class. The approach helps them shoot in low light without needing to invoke flash or risking blur.
Sony today had a rare Europe-first introduction today that launched two basic pocket Cyber-shot cameras, the W180 and W190. Either is meant for simplicity and has a slider to toggle between still photo and movie modes rather than a mode dial. They also have image stabilization, ISO 3,200 light sensitivity and Sony's more recent face detection, which tracks up to eight faces to keep them in focus.
Japan's AU KDDI recently created a new brand, iida, which is meant to appeal to fashion-conscious customers. One of the first products to be released under the brand is a new Sony Ericsson slider known as the G9. The handset sports a 1Seg TV tuner built into its stainless steel body, which is coated with a thin coating of titanium compound. Unlike AU KDDI's other phones, the G9 supports both CDMA 1X and GSM networks. Apart from this, a few exterior changes as well as a different display and camera, the G9 is similar to Sony Ericsson's Cyber-shot S001 handset.
Sony tonight upgraded its Cyber-shot H series just ahead of tomorrow's PMA show. The HX1 shoots photos at a modest 9.1 megapixels but compensates through sheer speed: a new 1/2.4 CMOS sensor lets it capture up to 10 frames per second of images without dropping resolution, while a BIONZ processor borrowed from the Alpha line lets it record 4:3 ratio 1080p video with stereo sound. Footage is encoded directly in AVCHD (H.264).
Sony this morning gave its Cyber-shot line a major update for its core models. The T90 and T900 lead a refresh that now adds a full scene recognition mode that tunes all scene settings, including face detection, to match the colors and lighting without requiring knowledge of camera techniques. They also stand as the first touchscreen Sony cameras to shoot 720p video and use MPEG-4.
A new cell phone from Sony Ericsson has been uncovered at the same time as the company's pre-MWC launches. The C901 has a 5-megapixel camera like the C903 and likewise sports 3G data network support and quad-band GSM for voice. The camera's functions are similarly high-end and involve an LED flash, autofocus, face and smile detection and geotagging using built-in GPS.
Sony is about to release its latest geotagging accessory for its Cyber-shot line of digital still and video cameras, the GPS-CS3KA. The device is available for pre-order via Amazon and is the long-awaited successor to the Sony CS1, itself released in 2006. The device can add the location of photos and videos captured by users' cameras as well as their date. It is powered by a single AA battery rated at 15 hours of life and can accept both MS and SD memory cards.
Sony Ericsson's pre-MWC efforts have begun with the launch of two sliders in its Cyber-shot and Walkman lines. Topping the list, the C903 steps up the quality of the company's mid-range cameraphones with a 5-megapixel sensor, flash and a sliding lens cover like on some of Sony's dedicated still cameras. It also includes face and smile detection, TV output and built-in GPS that can geotag shots in addition to locating the owner's position.
As part of a sweeping update to KDDI's phone lineup, Sony Ericsson has launched a pair of handsets that both have features often left out of non-Japanese cellphones. The Cyber-shot S001 has the 8-megapixel camera still rare for the company but centers on an extremely sharp, 854x480 OLED display with enough color saturation to help previewing photos or watching 1Seg digital TV. The camera itself also has features closer to dedicated cameras with shooting up to the equivalent of ISO 1,600, image stabilization and detection of both faces and smiles.
Sony Ericsson has staked out a position at CES with three new phone launches. Leading the field, the W715 is an improvement on the older W705 that adds GPS to the Walkman slider and thus support for both turn-by-turn directions and finding points of interest on the ordinarily music-centric phone. It continues to offer a 3.2-megapixel camera, 3G and Wi-Fi with DLNA media sharing along with signature music functions like shake-to-shuffle control over random play and smart playlists based on moods.
Sony on mid-Thursday crowned its Cyber-shot news at CES with the DSC-G3. The camera is both one of Sony's few Wi-Fi equipped cameras but is the only one to include its own web browser. The addition not only allows for basic web use on the 3.5-inch touchscreen but also streamlines photo and video uploading; users can post images to Flickr, movies to YouTube, and other similar actions without having to return home to a computer. A streamlined landing page improves the experience in particular for sites like Picasa.
Sony Ericsson will start off 2009 with a new mid-range Cyber-shot phone, a new leak from SEMC says. Nicknamed the "Kate," the C510 should adopt the familiar candybar form factor but carry a 3.2-megapixel camera and the features of newer Sony Ericsson camera phones, including face and smile detection as well as a camera-friendly interface. Autofocusing and basic flash would also give it better image quality in less than ideal conditions.
A recently-spotted FCC filing revealed few specifications and details on Sony's upcoming Cyber-shot DSC-G3 digital camera, although one key revelation in the document is the fact the camera will come with 802.11b/g Wi-Fi. This would mark the second Cyber-shot with the ability to share photos wirelessly, as Sony released the Wi-Fi equipped DSC-G1 over a year ago.
Not content with earlier announcements, Sony on Thursday added another entry into its touchscreen Cyber-shots with a second high-end model. The T500 is dominated by the same 3.5-inch touchscreen interface and 10 megapixel sensor as the T700 but exchanges the 4GB of internal storage with Memory Stick cards and high-performance video capture; as the first Sony camera capable of recording in HD, the T500 records in widescreen 720p in H.264 with stereo audio, making clips easy to either edit in common HD editing tools such as iMovie or to downscale for uploading to most online video sites.
Sony on Thursday launched its Cyber-shot DSC-T700 and DSC-T77 digital cameras with what it claims are more "intelligent" shooting functions. The 10-megapixel T77 camera is Sony's thinnest model at less than 5/8 of an inch with a 3-inch, 16x9 touch panel LCD screen. It features updated intelligent scene recognition technology, Smile Shutter and face detection technologies (with child and adult priority), as well as high sensitivity shooting (up to ISO 3200), eleven scene modes, and in-camera image management. The slightly thicker T700 -- measuring just over 5/8 of an inch -- model offers all the features of the T77 unit plus 4GB of internal memory (nearly 1,000 full-resolution photos) along with a larger 3.5-inch, wide touch panel Xtra Fine LCD screen for photo-like viewing (210 pixel-per-inch resolution).
In keeping with its tradition for recent James Bond movies, Sony Ericsson today revealed a special-edition phone paired up with the upcoming Quantum of Solace. The C902 Titanium (not yet shown) comes in the same silver color that Daniel Craig's Bond uses in the movie and comes with several preloaded pieces of content for the spy movie, including a starter version of a game as well as a trailer, multiple interviews, and matching themes.
Sony Ericsson is developing a more music-oriented version of its C902 Cyber-shot cameraphone, according to leaked shots obtained by S-E Blog. Codenamed "Patty," the device would ship as the W902 and would have the same 5-megapixel camera and LED flash of the C902, but with a much more music-oriented layout: users would have quick access to the full Walkman media playback software through side music controls. Accordingly, it would also have a more rugged-looking and simpler all-black design. A flush headphone jack may also be evident in one photo
Continuing a string of announcements, Sony Ericsson on Tuesday has swung its attention to its camera phones. The C905 is the handset maker's first Cyber-shot slider and shoots at 8.1 megapixels -- an unprecedented resolution for any of the company's cellphones. The sensor is backed up by a xenon flash as well as digital autofocusing that supports face detection and image stabilization. The device also incorporates real GPS and uses the positioning feature both for mapping and to geotag shots.
Sony Ericsson is nearing the launch of a new cameraphone that will sit at the top of its Cyber-shot line, according to a new leak by SE-NSE. Codenamed the "Shiho," the C905 will not only have a sharper 8.1-megapixel camera sensor but also a brighter xenon flash and several image quality features that aren't present in earlier phones, including a rare image stabilization feature as well as smart contrast adjustment; video also receives the same treatment. A GPS receiver with data assist support will both help with navigation as well as let users geotag their photos.
Sony-Ericsson will release a version of the K850 in the US through AT&T, info provided from an FCC filing show. Already available for a month through Rogers in Canada, the K850 will come as the US-friendly K850a but should support the same tri-band 3G Internet access and quad-band GSM as its northern counterpart, giving it full-speed data on AT&T's network. Text in the user guide accompanying the FCC data references AT&T by name.
Sony today broke from the normal cycle of camera updates by releasing two updates to its Cyber-shot lineup. The W300 is the first truly compact point-and-shoot to cross the 12-megapixel barrier and produces 13.6 megapixels without extra bulk. The extra depth also provides headroom for high-speed shooting: by dropping to three megapixels, the camera can shoot at five frames per second for an extended period. Hardware image stabilization is built-in but can also be backed by a special ISO 6400 sensitivity mode that eliminates blur at the expense of noise.
Rounding out Sony-Ericsson's phone releases at Mobile World Congress are the C702 and C902, both entries in the company's Cyber-shot cameraphone lineup. The 3.2- and 5-megapixel respective phones are each designed for frequent photography, each with their own unique twists. The C702 equips assisted GPS and will geotag photos with their positions; its body is also sealed against dust and splashes and is shaped to snap photos easily with one hand.
