Sony Introduces 4 Megapixel Cyber Shot
BY GREG SCOBLETE -- TWICE, 6/25/2001
RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J.— Sony Electronics announced several new digital imaging products last week, including two photo printers and its first digital still camera with a 4.1 megapixel CCD, the Cyber-shot DSC-S85.
The new Cyber-shot model will be available in August for about $800.
The camera features a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar zoom lens with a 3x optical and 6x precision digital zoom. This model also offers a "Digital eXtended Processor" (DXP) 14 bit A/D converter, providing for more accurate capture of detail — particularly in highlights and shadows.
The DSC-S85 has an Auto Focus (AF) illuminator, which briefly illuminates subjects to allow a positive focus lock. A three-frame burst mode captures three full-resolution images at up to two frames-per-second to capture fast-moving subjects.
The DSC-S85 camera is Sony's first model to use internal memory as a Memory Stick-to-Memory Stick copy function for data transfer and sharing. The copy function allows users to capture images on a Memory Stick, hold them temporarily on internal memory, and then copy the images onto another Memory Stick. The camera has an InfoLithium Battery with the AccuPower Meter System, which lets one battery charge last up to 2.5 hours in shooting mode — up to 2,500 shots. The AccuPower meter continuously displays the battery time remaining, in minutes, on the LCD screen.
Supplied Accessories include a 16MB Memory Stick media card, an NP-FM50 InfoLithium battery, an AC adapter/charger, an A/V output and USB cables, and an application software/USB driver CD-ROM.
A new Cyber-shot, model DSC-P20, is set to ship in August for about $250. The camera features 1.3 megapixel resolution, 3x digital zoom, MPEG motion video, ClipMotion animation and a playback mode that enables the user to enlarge and trim images in the camera, and save them as new photos.
The DSC-P20 also offers a high-speed scan auto focus, selectable red eye reduction and an AF illuminator light to capture images in low- or no-light situations.
Two supplied AA alkaline batteries power the camera for up to 60 minutes of shooting time. An optional NP-FS11 InfoLithium battery and charger may be used to extend shooting time to 120 minutes. The camera also comes bundled with a 4 MB Memory Stick media card, USB cable and an application software/USB driver CD-ROM.
