Sony adds to slim T-series and launches WX150 flagship style compact
Feb 28, 2012 at 04:00:00 GMT
Sony has added depth to its T-series range of slim cameras with the skinny DSC-T66 and svelte-yet-rugged DSC-TX20. It has also added the 10x zoom DSC-WX150 to the top of its conventionally-shaped compact camera lineup - claiming it to be the slimmest 10x camera currently available. The 5x zoom T66 and the WX150 are both based around the company's latest 18MP CMOS sensor, helping them offer high-speed autofocus. The T66 has an OLED touch-screen while the waterproof, 16MP T20 instead uses a LCD touch-panel. Finally there's a DSC-W690, a 16MP CCD camera based around the same 10x, 25-250mm equivalent lens as the WX150.
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SONY INTRODUCES VERSATILE NEW LINEUP OF CYBER-SHOT CAMERAS
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| Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX150 |
New Cameras Feature Ultra-thin Body and Lens Designs, Rugged Capabilities
SAN DIEGO, Feb. 27, 2012 – With the ability to deliver impressive, high-resolution images while underwater, outside or inside, during both day and night, Sony's slim new line of Cyber-shots represent the ultimate in versatility for the compact camera space. Four new models announced today include the DSC-WX150, DSC-W690, DSC-TX66 and DSC-TX20 models.
The DSC-WX150 and DSC-W690 models are the world's thinnest 10x optical zoom cameras – slimmer than any other 10x compact cameras currently offered in market (measured at slimmest part excluding lens). This exceptionally thin design is largely attributed to the new "Advanced Aspherical" lens element, which allows the lens unit to be drastically smaller than those in previous 10x zoom Cyber-shots while still producing very highly detailed, accurate images.
The new TX66 camera features an ultra-slim, front-sliding design and measures about 12.2 mm (excluding lens cover), which is about the thickness of a standard AA size battery. The similarly thin TX20 camera is Sony's most "rugged" compact camera offering -- waterproof (up to 5m or 16ft), dustproof, shockproof (up to 1.5m or 5 ft) and freezeproof (up to 14oF).
Each of the new WX150 ,TX66 and TX20 cameras features a high-resolution "Exmor R" CMOS sensor and advanced BIONZ® image processor, enhancing low-light performance, Auto Focus speeds, image stabilization and opening up various multi-shot capabilities including 10 fps burst mode, "Background Defocus" mode, 3D still image shooting and more. These models also have "Dual Record" functionality for capturing high-resolution still images while shooting video, and "Clear Image Zoom" digital zoom technology, which boosts optical zoom to 2x virtual capability (i.e. 5x optical zoom to 10x virtual zoom) at full camera resolution.
Each of the new models can shoot full HD video (at various resolutions) and offer "Picture Effect" options for creative photography. Product Specs, Pricing and Availability The four new Cyber-shot cameras will be available at Sony retail stores and online (www.store.sony.com) as well as other authorized retailers throughout the Sony dealer network. Availability and detailed specs are below:
•The DSC-WX150 camera will be available in silver, black, red and blue this May for approximately $250. Features include:
- Effective 18.2 MP “Exmor R” CMOS sensor
- Lightning-fast AF speed of approximately 0.13 second in daylight, 0.20 seconds in low-light (speeds may vary based on shooting conditions)
- 3.0-inch 460k dot LCD screen
- 10x wide-angle optical zoom lens (25-250mm in 35mm format) with 20x digital “Clear Image Zoom” at full resolution; includes newly developed “AA” lens element
- “Extra High Sensitivity” technology enhances low-light shooting capabilities
- Captures 13 MP equivalent still images while shooting video via “Dual-Record”
- Full HD Movie Shooting capability (1920x1080/60i)
- Enhanced Optical SteadyShot reduces hand shake during still and video shooting
- 9 total “Picture Effect” options, allowing for creative, custom styled photographs
•The DSC-W690 camera will be available in silver, black, red and blue this May for approximately $180. Features include:
- Effective 16.1 MP CCD sensor
- 3.0-inch 230k dot LCD touch screen
- 10x wide-angle optical zoom lens (25-250mm in 35mm format) including newly developed “AA” lens element
- 720p HD Movie Shooting capability
- Enhanced Optical SteadyShot reduces hand shake during video shooting
- 4 total “Picture Effect” options, allowing for creative, custom styled photographs
•The DSC-TX66 camera will be available in silver, gold, red, white, purple and pink this March for about $350
- Effective 18.2 MP “Exmor R” CMOS sensor
- Ultra-thin design measuring at 12.2 mm thick (excluding lens cover)
- Lightning-fast AF speed of approximately 0.13 second in daylight, 0.25 seconds in low-light (speeds may vary based on shooting conditions)
- 5x wide-angle optical zoom lens (26-130mm in 35mm format) with 10x digital “Clear Image Zoom” at full resolution
- “Extra High Sensitivity” technology enhances low-light shooting capabilities
- 3.3-inch Xtra Fine™ OLED touch-screen
- Captures 13 MP equivalent still images while shooting video via “Dual-Record”
- Full HD Movie Shooting capability (1920x1080/60i)
- Enhanced Optical SteadyShot reduces hand shake during still and video shooting
- “Photo Creativity” interface plus 9 “Picture Effect” options for creating unique, custom-styled photos and video
•The DSC-TX20 camera will be available in orange, green, black, blue and pink this May for about $330. Features include:
- 16.2 MP “Exmor R” CMOS sensor
- 4x wide-angle optical zoom lens (25-100mm in 35mm format) with 8x digital “Clear Image” Zoom at full resolution
- Waterproof (up to 5m,16 feet), dustproof, shockproof (up to 1.5m or 5ft) and freeze-proof (up to 14oF)
- “3.0-inch Xtra Fine LCD touch-screen with 921k dot resolution
- Captures 12 MP equivalent still images while shooting video via “Dual Record”
- Optical SteadyShot Active Mode reduces hand shake during video shooting
- 7 “Picture Effect” options for creating unique, custom-styles photos and video
Sony DSC-T20, DSC-T66, DSC-W690 & DSC-WX150 specifications
| Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T20 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX150 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
| MSRP | Approx. $180 | Approx. $250 | |
| Body type | |||
| Body type | Ultracompact | Compact | |
| Sensor | |||
| Max resolution | 3264 x 2448 | 4608 x 3456 | 4896 x 3672 |
| Other resolutions | 2592 x 1944, 2048 x 1536, 640 x 480 | 4608 x 2592, 3648 x 2736, 2592 x 1944, 1920 x 1080, 640 x 480 | 4912 x 1080, 4896 x 2752, 3648 x 2736, 3424 x 1920, 2592 x 1944, 1920 x 1080, 640 x 480 |
| Image ratio w:h | 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 | 4:3, 16:9 | |
| Effective pixels | 8.0 megapixels | 16.1 megapixels | 18.2 megapixels |
| Sensor photo detectors | 8.2 megapixels | 16.4 megapixels | 18.9 megapixels |
| Sensor size | 1/2.5" (5.744 x 4.308 mm) | 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) | |
| Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS | |
| Processor | BIONZ | ||
| Image | |||
| ISO | Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 | Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800 | |
| White balance presets | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Custom white balance | No | Yes (1) | |
| Image stabilization | Optical | ||
| Uncompressed format | No | ||
| JPEG quality levels | Fine, Standard | ||
| File format |
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| Optics & Focus | |||
| Focal length (equiv.) | 38–114 mm | 25–250 mm | |
| Optical zoom | 3× | 10× | |
| Autofocus |
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| Digital zoom | Yes | Yes (20x) | Yes (40x) |
| Manual focus | Yes (5 steps) | No | |
| Normal focus range | 50 cm (19.69″) | ||
| Macro focus range | 1 cm (.39″) | 5 cm (1.97″) | |
| Number of focus points | 9 | ||
| Lens mount | None | ||
| Screen / viewfinder | |||
| Articulated LCD | Fixed | ||
| Screen size | 2.5″ | 3″ | |
| Screen dots | 230,000 | 230,400 | 460,800 |
| Touch screen | No | ||
| Screen type | ClearPhoto TFT LCD display | ||
| Live view | No | Yes | |
| Viewfinder type | None | ||
| Photography features | |||
| Maximum aperture | F3.5 - F4.3 | F3.3 - F5.9 | |
| Minimum shutter speed | 1 sec | 30 sec | |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/1000 sec | 1/1600 sec | |
| Exposure modes |
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| Scene modes |
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| Built-in flash | Yes | ||
| Flash range | 3 m | 3.3 m | 3.7 m |
| External flash | No | ||
| Flash modes | Auto, Red-Eye reduction, On, Off, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync | |
| Drive modes |
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| Continuous drive | Yes | Yes (1 fps) | Yes (10 fps) |
| Self-timer | Yes (10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) | |
| Metering modes |
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| Exposure compensation | ±2 (at 1/3 EV steps) | ||
| WB Bracketing | No | ||
| Videography features | |||
| Format |
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| Microphone | Mono | Stereo | |
| Speaker | Mono | ||
| Resolutions | MPEG VX (640 x 480, 16/30 fps, unlimited) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Storage | |||
| Storage types | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo |
| Storage included | 31 MB Internal | 27 MB | 19 MB |
| Connectivity | |||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | ||
| HDMI | No | Yes | |
| Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | ||
| Remote control | No | ||
| Physical | |||
| Environmentally sealed | No | ||
| Battery | Battery Pack | ||
| Battery description | InfoLithium (NP-BG1) & charger | Lithium-Ion NP-BN battery and charger | |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 220 | 240 | |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 197 g (0.43 lb / 6.95 oz) | 142 g (0.31 lb / 5.01 oz) | 133 g (0.29 lb / 4.69 oz) |
| Dimensions | 90 x 56 x 23 mm (3.54 x 2.2 x .91″) | 94 x 56 x 22 mm (3.7 x 2.2 x .87″) | 95 x 56 x 22 mm (3.74 x 2.2 x .87″) |
| Other features | |||
| Orientation sensor | No | Yes | |
| Timelapse recording | No | ||
| GPS | None | ||
Additional images
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| Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-W690 | Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-WX150 |
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| Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-TX20 | |
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| Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-TX66 |