Sony today announced the ultra slim Cyber-shot DSC-T1. The DSC-T1 is the first 'credit card style' digital cameras from Sony, it utilizes a folded-optics lens system (in the same manner as Minolta's DiMAGE X/Xi/Xt) which means that the optical zoom is mounted vertically in the camera body, it 'sees' through the final lens element by way of a 90 degree prism. This provides the DSC-T1 with a three times optical zoom coupled with a five megapixel sensor. Additionally Sony appear to have taken a leaf out of Casio's book and fitted the DSC-T1 with a huge 2.5" LCD monitor, with an excellent 211,000 pixel resolution. The DSC-T1 is also only the second Sony digital camera to come with a docking station for charging and image transfer (the F77 had one but it was only released in Asia). The DSC-T1 should be available in January at around $550.

Press Release:

SONY TAKES `NO COMPROMISE' APPROACH TO NEW SLIM CAMERA

World's Smallest Five Megapixel Camera Packs Performance and Style

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 21, 2003 —Adding one more case to the "How'd They Do That?" file, the miniaturization wizards at Sony (known formally as product designers and engineers) took features found on more full-figured digital cameras and squeezed them into a slim, pocket-friendly design no larger than a deck of cards.

Slide the front lens cover down and in just over one second, the Cyber-shot® DSC-T1 digital camera's large 2.5-inch LCD viewfinder comes to life. It occupies roughly two-thirds of the camera's back-surface area, giving more room to see and show off images at the moment they are captured.

Press the shutter release button and the camera demonstrates why it is perhaps the fastest five megapixel camera. Due in large part to Sony's Real Imaging Processor™ circuit, it shoots full-resolution images in one second intervals, and can capture four high-speed burst shots in less than two seconds.

But the camera offers more than great still pictures. With optional Memory Stick PRO Duo™ cards, the T1 camera captures and plays back high resolution moving images in MPEG-VX Fine mode—good enough to make onlookers believe that it was captured with a digital camcorder.

"True to Sony's DNA, we created a digital camera that balances the cutting-edge performance with eye-catching design," said Steve Haber, senior vice president of Sony Electronics' Personal, Mobile and Imaging Products Division. "If the best camera is the one that you have with you at all times, then this is that camera."

So, How Did They Do That?

The slim metallic design of the Cyber-shot T1 digital camera is attributed to a new Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® optical lens that operates within the camera rather than extending out. In spite of its compact design, the camera still features a five megapixel CCD image sensor and a 3X optical zoom to ensure great image quality.

Other miniaturization efforts include the development of a new rechargeable Infolithium® battery system that is roughly the size of a matchbox and a tiny Memory Stick PRO Duo removable media slot.

The USB port, A/V Out and DC jacks have also been relocated to the new camera docking station (bundled accessory) for charging the battery pack or connecting the camera to a TV or computer.

The result is a camera that measures about 0.8 inches thin and 2.4 inches tall.

Taking the Guess Work Out of Lighting Conditions

The Cyber-shot T1 camera is packed with sophisticated auto-focus and auto-exposure options to help get the picture right the first time.

Users can also select from eight different shooting modes in accordance with the shooting conditions. The camera automatically makes the optimum settings to match the scene, making it easy to shoot high quality images even under difficult lighting conditions.

In the Magnifying Glass scene mode, subjects that appear on the LCD screen are magnified up to 3.3 times, which allow users to see details that would otherwise be difficult to confirm with the naked eye.

Other modes include twilight, portrait, landscape, snow, beach, high speed shutter and even fireworks.

The Cyber-shot T1 camera will be available in January for about $550.

Accessories To Go

To get the most of the new digital camera, Sony will offer a variety of accessories that includes:

Marine Pack for Cyber-shot T1 camera (MPK-THA): Underwater camera housing that protects the camera to depths as low as 120 feet (40 meters). Available for about $200.

Removable Battery (NP-FT1): An additional power source for those occasions when a lot of pictures will be captured. Available for about $60.

Compact Travel Charger (BC-TR1): Convenient and portable AC charger. Available for about $60.

Memory Stick PRO Duo (MSX-M256A, MSX-M512A): Ultra-small memory card with capacities up to 512MB with prices starting at about $125.

Leather Case (LCS-THA): Stylish and durable carrying case designed specifically for the Cyber-shot T1 camera. Available for about $50.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T1 Specifications *

Sensor 1/2.4", 5.1 million pixel CCD
Lens • 3x optical zoom
• 38 - 114 mm equiv.
• F3.5 - F4.4
• Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar
• Folded optics
Auto focus • 5 area multi-point AF
• AF illuminator
Image sizes • 2592 x 1944
• 2592 x 1768 (3:2 ratio)
• 2048 x 1536
• 1280 x 960
• 640 x 480
Movie sizes • 640 x 480, 30 fps (req. Memory Stick Pro Duo)
• 640 x 480, 16 fps
• 160 x 112
• All limited only by storage capacity
• All with audio
File formats • Still: JPEG (Fine / Standard)
• Movie: MPEG
Exposure modes • Auto
• Program AE
• Scene
• Movie
Scene modes • Twilight
• Twilight Portrait
• Landscape
• Snow
• Beach
• High Speed Shutter
• Fireworks
• Magnifying
Noise reduction • Clear color
• Clear luminance
• Slow shutter NR
Shutter speed 1 - 1/1000 sec
Apertures Wide: F3.5, F5.6, F8
Metering • 49 segment Multi-pattern
• Spot metering
Flash • Built-in
• Modes: On, Off, Slow Sync
• Red-eye reduction: On, Off
White balance • Auto
• Daylight
• Cloudy
• Fluorescent
• Incandescent
• Flash
Histogram • Live view
• Playback
LCD Monitor • 2.5"
• 211,000 pixels
Viewfinder None
Storage • Memory Stick Duo (32 MB included)
• Memory Stick Pro Duo
Power • Supplied Lithium-Ion NP-FT1 battery
• AC adapter/charger cradle
Connectors • Video out (via cradle)
• USB (via cradle)
Dimensions 91 x 60 x 21 mm (3.6 x 2.4 x 0.8 in)
Weight 180 g (6.6 oz)

* Unfortunately Sony haven't yet published full specifications, as soon as we can find them we will update this table.