Pre-PMA 2006: Sony announce today not one, but two new H-series cameras to replace the popular Cyber-shot H1. Like the H1, both feature an image stabilized 12x optical zoom, manual, aperture and shutter priority modes and electronic viewfinders. New for the 7.2MP H5 and 6.0MP H2 are boosted sensitivity up to ISO 1000 (with Sony’s Clear RAW™ noise reduction technology) and - for the H5 - a large 3-inch screen.
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Sony Zooms In On Fast-Growing Product Category with Two New Digital Cameras
ORLANDO (PMA 2006, Booth #4150), Feb. 25, 2006 — Sony is expanding its high-zoom digital still camera line with two new Cyber-shot® models that are sure to zero in on the subjects you most desire.
Clad in black, the new DSC-H5 model has a 7.2-megapixel CCD imager and extra-large, three-inch LCD screen. It also shimmers in silver along with the stage-worthy DSC-H2 model, which has a six-megapixel imager and two-inch LCD. Both cameras flaunt Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar 12x optical zoom lenses and focal length ranges of 36 to 432 millimeters (35 mm equivalence).
“High-zoom cameras are one of the fastest-growing segments in the industry,” said James Neal, director of digital imaging products at Sony Electronics. “They are powerful enough to get those hard-to-see distant shots, and have the easy-to-use functionality of point-and-shoot cameras.
Ready, Steady, Shoot
Even without the steadiest of hands (or subjects), the cameras’ anti-blur technologies ensure challenging shots can be executed with ease. These new models incorporate Sony’s Super SteadyShot® optical image stabilization to help reduce image blur caused by hand movement. Because these cameras feature high-light sensitivity settings up to IS0 1000, fast-moving cars and people along the boulevard can also be captured with considerably less blur and graininess. Sony’s Clear RAW™ noise reduction technology minimizes picture noise, making it easier to shoot at faster shutter speeds.
These anti-blur technologies are an advantage when shooting in low-light conditions, such as outdoor shots in the evening or inside dark museums. These shots can be taken without a flash, resulting in naturally-exposed images that truly capture the drama and atmosphere of the moment. And, you can get as close as you want with the cameras’ significant macro mode of three-quarters of an inch.
You Are Big! The Cameras Got Smaller – And Smarter
The new H-series cameras are substantial, without feeling bulky, and feature a comfortable grip with controls easily accessible by thumb. You can count on detailed image previews using the H5 model’s three-inch, high-resolution LCD screen, with a pixel count of 230K and Sony’s Clear Photo LCD Plus™ technology. The LCD features high-quality color reproduction and displays pictures with vivid clarity.
Sony’s ultra-fast Real Imaging Processor™ circuitry increases both models’ battery efficiency for quicker start-up, faster shot-to-shot times, higher-quality movie capture, and longer battery life. The H5 camera delivers up to 340 shots on a single charge, while the H2 model offers 400 shots per charge.
The new cameras include auto-exposure and multi-point, auto-focus features along with pre-set scene modes customized for specific shooting conditions, all working silently in the background while you concentrate on the “center-stage” action. When greater creative control is needed, aperture/shutter priority and manual exposure modes are available options.
Both models have 32MB of internal memory, which can be expanded with an optional Memory Stick Duo™ media card or Memory Stick PRO Duo™ card, now available in capacities up to four gigabytes.
My Autograph, Please
Make the most of your close-ups by producing high-quality prints. Simply connect these models to a Sony DPP-FP50 digital photo printer and produce lab-quality photos at home. You can even create postcards for all of your budding fans with the printer’s supplied software.
With Sony’s ImageStation® online photo service, you can expand your options to print tens or even hundreds of pictures, create online photo and video albums, or make customized gifts such as photo books and calendars.
The Cyber-shot DSC-H5 camera will be available in May for about $500 and the DSC-H2 model ships in April for about $400.
Bundled accessories include rechargeable AA NiMH batteries, charger, lens hood with adaptor and lens cap with strap, and USB and AV output cables. Options include a wide conversion lens (VCL-DH0758) for about $150, a tele-end conversion lens (VCL-DH1758) for about $150, a close-up lens (VCL-M3358) for about $70, a jacket case (LCJ-HC) for about $50, and a soft carrying case (LCS-HA) for about $40.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H5 / DSC-H2 specifications (preliminary)
| DSC-H5 | DSC-H2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | • 1/2.5 " Type CCD |
• 1/2.5 " Type CCD • 6.0 million effective pixels |
| Image sizes | • 3072 x 2304 • 3072 x 2048 (3:2) • 2592 x 1944 • 2048 x 1536 • 1632 x 1224 • 640 x 480 |
• 2592 x 1944 • 2592 x 1728 (3:2) • 2048 x 1536 • 1280 x 960 • 640 x 480 |
| Movie clips | • 640 x 480 @ 16 / 30fps • 160 x 112 @ 8fps |
|
| File formats | • Still: JPEG • Movie: MPEG VX |
|
| Lens | • 36-432mm equiv • 12x optical zoom • Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar • F2.8-3.7 |
|
| Image stabilization | Super SteadyShot® | |
| Conversion lenses | Yes | |
| Digital zoom | 2x / 24x TTL | |
| Focus | • Manual • Aperture Priority • Shutter Priority • Single • Monitor • Continuous |
|
| AF area modes | • 3 Area Multi-Point AF • Center AF (selectable) • Contrast detect |
|
| AF assist lamp | Yes | |
| Focus distance | • Normal: 50cm min • Macro: 2cm |
|
| Metering | • Multi-pattern • Center weighted • Spot |
|
| ISO sensitivity | • Auto • ISO 80 • ISO 100 • ISO 200 • ISO 400 • ISO 800 • ISO 1000 |
|
| Exposure compensation | • +/-2EV • 1/3 EV steps |
|
| Exposure bracketing | n/a | |
| Shuttter speed | n/a | |
| Aperture | F2.8-3.7 | |
| Modes | • Program • Manual • 7-preset select scene modes |
|
| Scene modes | 7-preset select | • Twilight • Twilight Portrait • Portrait • Landscape • Beach • High-speed shutter • Candle |
| White balance | • Auto • 5-presets • Manual |
• Auto • Manual • Daylight • Cloudy • Fluorescent • Incandescent • Flash WB |
| Self timer | 2 or 10 secs | |
| Continuous shooting | n/a | |
| Image parameters | Natural, Vivid, Sepia, B&W | |
| Flash | • Pop-up • Auto • On • Off • Slow synch • Red-eye reduction • Range: 0.3-9m |
|
| Viewfinder | Eye-level 0.3-inch LCD, TTL | |
| LCD monitor | • 3.0-inch • 230,000 pixels |
• 2.5-inch • 230,000 pixels |
| Connectivity | • USB • A/V |
|
| Print compliance | PictBridge | |
| Storage | • 32MB internal memory • Memory Stick compatible |
|
| Power | • 2xAA alkaline or NiMH batteries | |
| Weight (no batt) | 438 g (1lb.0oz) | |
| Dimensions | 107.8 x 81.4 x 91.2 mm (4 1/4 x 3 3/16 x 3 5/8 in) | |
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