Pre-PMA 2004: Sony today revealed four new CyberShot P-series digital cameras. Starting at the lowest priced, entry level DSC-P41 which has a fixed focal length lens and four megapixel sensor, then comes the DSC-P73 and DSC-P93 both of which have three times optical zoom lenses coupled with a four and five megapixel sensor respectively. Lastly is the DSC-P100, a compact three times optical zoom five megapixel digital camera. The biggest news here being that Sony appear to be utilizing the idea of of a standard image processor across the range, for them it's the "Real Imaging Processor".

Press Release:

SONY PROMOTES ‘WORRY-FREE’ PHOTOGRAPHY WITH NEW CYBER-SHOT CAMERA LINE-UP

Sony DSC-P41	Sony DSC-P73
Sony DSC-P93	Sony DSC-P100

Benefits of Real Imaging Processor Find Their Way to Entire Line-up

LAS VEGAS (PMA 2004, Booth M30), Feb. 11, 2004 — Amid the flurry of high-tech/high-end digital cameras introduced at the annual digital imaging trade show, Sony demonstrates its keen sense of consumer needs with the introduction of its new Cyber-shot® compact P- and basic P-series cameras, designed for taking great pictures simply.

So that the cameras’ settings can be quickly determined behind-the-scenes, Sony incorporated its new Real Imaging Processor™ circuit on the new Cyber-shot DSC-P100, -P93,

-P73 and -P41 cameras. Measured in fast start-up and shot-to-shot times rather than megahertz, key benefits of the processor translate into making the Cyber-shot cameras always ready to great pictures. All cameras will be available this May.

“Throughout the coming years, we’ll see a greater number of people trying out a digital camera for the first time, and we’re making sure that Cyber-shot cameras improve upon their film camera experience,” said Greg Young, Sony Electronics’ director of digital camera marketing.

Cyber-shot P100 Camera: Compact and Full Featured

Don’t let its size fool you. The Cyber-shot compact P100 digital camera is a stylish, pocket-size camera with specifications typically found only on more full-sized, high-end five-megapixel cameras. At about one-inch thin, it is easy to hold and use.

For the first time in a Cyber-shot P-series camera, Sony is offering a Carl Zeiss® Vario Tessar® 3X optical zoom lens to complement the high resolution for great picture clarity. However, the advancements of this camera lie beyond these basic specifications.

So that pictures are captured in-focus with the proper lighting exposure, the camera enlists the aid of a smart auto-focusing and exposure system—meaning that even if the subject is off-center and in a difficult lighting situation, the camera can automatically make the necessary adjustments. Additionally, six preset scene modes are available so that the user can quickly select the best setting for the shooting conditions.

For those wanting greater flexibility, the Cyber-shot P100 camera also features manual flash and exposure settings, and it accepts the VAD-PHB lens adaptor bracket allowing use of telephoto and wide angle conversion lenses.

Available in three striking colors (red, blue and silver), the stylish P100 camera will sell for an estimated $400. A 32MB Memory Stick® memory card, InfoLithium™ battery and AC adapter are included.

Cyber-shot Station: The Perfect Companion

Finally there’s a better place to put the digital camera other than a desk or table drawer. Designed to reside next to a TV or PC, the new Cyber-shot Station™ CSS-PHA camera accessory, available in May for about $80, accommodates the Cyber-shot DSC-P100 camera for playing back slideshows on a TV, while charging the camera’s batteries.

The bundled infrared remote controller intelligently commands the docked camera via the Cyber-shot station to toggle between captured videos and still pictures. And when connected to a PictBridge™ interface compatible printer such as the new Sony PictureStation® DPP-EX50 digital photo printer, printing a specific image is easy as a press of the remote controller’s button.

Cyber-shot Basic P-series: The Only Basic Feature is the Price

Intelligent enough to capture great pictures, but simple enough for the first-time digital camera user, Sony’s line of P-series point-and-shoot cameras help to take the guess work out of digital photography. Like their fully-featured sibling, the P100, the P41, P73 and P93 cameras offer intelligent auto-focus and auto-exposure systems.

Unlike other cameras in this category, the new P-series cameras seem to sip battery power. Thanks in large part to the Real Imaging Processor circuit, the cameras are able to take up to 400 shots between charging.

Additionally, the new processor enables features such as burst mode. The DSC-P41 and -P73 models capture 4 shots at 1.3 fps, while the DSC-P93 camera captures 9 shots at 1.2 fps. And with an optional high speed Memory Stick PRO™ media card, all three cameras can capture video clips in TV quality resolution (VGA) and motion (30fps).

While both the DSC-P41 and -P73 models come with four megapixels of resolution, the latter features a 3X optical zoom lens. Users looking for more will find the P93 model’s five-megapixel 3X optical zoom lens accommodates their needs nicely.

Both the P73 and P93 cameras offer manual exposure control and histogram display for greater user control in image quality. The lens’ outer ring on both cameras can be removed so that the camera can accommodate various conversion lenses.

All of these cameras come bundled with a 16MB Memory Stick card. The Cyber-shot DSC-P41 will sell for about $200. Bundled with rechargeable batteries and a power charger, the DSC-P73 and DSC-P93 cameras will retail for about $300 and $350, respectively.