Sony Unveils Wi-Fi Camera During PMA
By Greg Scoblete -- TWICE, 3/12/2007
LAS VEGAS — Sony introduced its first Wi-Fi enabled digital camera at the Photo Marketing Assocation (PMA) show, here, last week as part of its 2007 that will include digital cameras and printers set to ship in April and May.
The new 6-megapixel Cyber-shot DSC-G1 marks the debut of Wi-Fi in Sony's still camera line. The G1 is compatible with Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA)-enabled devices and can wireless share images with up to four cameras simultaneously. The unit also sports a 3.5-inch, 921,000-pixel LCD and 2GB of internal memory, with a slot for Memory Stick DUO.
The camera includes built-in image management software for finding and organizing images stored on the camera. Users can select an image and then find other images with the same face, color or composition in other images.
The G1 features a 3x optical zoom lens with Super Steady Shot optical image stabilization and a maximum ISO of 1000. It will ship in April for an estimated $600.
All of Sony's new cameras will be capable of outputting images to high-definition televisions via a $40 accessory component output cable (VMC-MHC1) or through an optional Cyber-shot cradle, which includes the component output.
Sony also announced a photo printer with a high-definition output, and will sell it as a stand-alone product and in a bundle with one of their new W-series cameras (see below).
All the new cameras will also offer Carl Zeiss optics with Sony's Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization and will mark the debut of Sony's face detection technology, which is capable of identifying up to eight faces in the frame and adjusting exposure accordingly. Another new feature found across the models is a nine point autofocus, up from the five available on previous models, and a slide show mode that adds transition effects and music clips to images for in-camera playback.
Sony also migrated its Bionze processing engine from its Alpha digital SLR down to all the new point-and-shoots. The company says the processor boosts battery life and camera performance.
The 2007 Cyber-shots will also feature four in-camera filters, red-eye correction, ISO sensitivities to 3,200, a dynamic range optimizer and the company's Clear RAW noise-reduction technology.
The H-series of ultra zoom cameras will see two 8-megapixel additions in April, both sporting 15x optical zoom lenses (31mm-465 mm/35mm equivalent). The cameras offer 31MB of internal memory and a burst mode of 2.2 fps, up to 100 8-megapixel images.
Among the camera's nine scene modes is a new sports-shooting mode that combines a high shutter speed and continuous autofocus for locking onto to fast-moving subjects and reducing shutter lag
The H9 features a 3-inch, flip-up LCD, 250-shot battery life, and a NightShot mode for photographing in low light environments. It will retail for an estimated $480.
The H7 camera has a non-articulating 2.5-inch LCD screen and a 300-shot battery life and will retail for an estimated $400.
The slim T-series will also see two 8-megapixel additions, both less than a half-inch thick with sliding lens covers. Available in March for $400, the T100 offers a 5x optical zoom, a 3-inch LCD and a 380-photo battery life. It will be sold in red, black and silver.
The T20 (April, $330) sports a 3x optical zoom lens, a 2.5-inch LCD screen and a 340-shot battery life. It will be available in pink, white, black and silver.
Finally, the company added a trio of new W-series models. All will offer a 3x optical zoom lens, eye-level viewfinders, 31MB of internal memory, metal bodies and a 2.5-inch LCD screen.
The DSC-W200 sports a 12-megapixel sensor, nine scene modes and a 270 shot battery life. It will be available in silver in May for $400.
Available this month, the 8-megapixel W90 has a battery life up to 350 shots, seven scene modes, and a 2.2 fps burst mode up to 100 8-megapixel images. It will be sold in silver or black.
Finally, the 7-megapixel W80 model offers a 340-shot battery life and will be available in pink, white, black and silver. It ships in March for an estimated $250.
The W80 will also be bundled in a kit with the new DPP-FPHD1 printer, the Cyber-shot cradle and HD component output cable. The bundle will be available in April for $400.
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