Exclusive: Sony DSC-F505

Aug 24, 1999 at 04:00:00 GMT

EXCLUSIVE: Once more we can bring you the inside information on a new digital camera release, this time the much awaited Sony DSC-F505. Loosely based around the DSC-F55 this digital camera has had an interesting marketing campaign over the last few days, just a few minutes ago I received a confirmation of specifications and the name DSC-F505 for the camera.

The Sony DSC-F505

Specifications

• 2.1 Megapixel CCD (1600 x 1200)
• Carl Zeiss Zoom Lens (5 x)
• Digital Zoom (2 x)
• 2" Hybrid LCD Screen (122,000 pixels) - very sharp
• LCD switchable backlight (with hybrid "sunlight" portal at top)
• No optical viewfinder
• Auto or Manual focus
• Aperture and Shutter priority
• Spot metering mode
• Manual "hold" whitebalance
• Macro mode
• Rotating lens assembly (-50 degrees to +90 degrees)
• Internal pop-up flash (top of lens assembly)
• MemoryStick storage (only)
• MPEG movie ability
• InfoLithium batteries
• USB and Serial connectivity
• Video out (switchable)
• Price: (not confirmed) US$950
• Availability: (not confirmed) October 1999

There we are, everything but shutter speeds and apertures, looks like an interesting camera, with a 5 X zoom and the same imaging engine from the F55. My only worries are the lack of viewfinder (objective) and use of MemoryStick for storage (again, objective). Look out for a review of this camera on this site soon.

Some of Sony's pictures of the camera:

(Click for larger image)