San Diego –
unveiled Sunday its DSC-TX55 slim-styled
Cyber-shot digicam with a whopping 16.2 million “By Pixel Super Resolution” and
a 10x virtual zoom range.
The TX55, which
ships in September at a $350 suggested retail, also captures 3D images, and
records 1080 HD video.
The camera’s By
Pixel Super Resolution technology is said to boost the zoom range to a virtual
10x without losing quality at the Exmor R CMOS image sensor’s 16.2 million
pixel maximum resolution.
It is also the first
Cyber-shot to have a Picture Effect mode, offering photographers greater
creative control in camera without the need for post-production software
enhancements.
“Our new DSC-TX55
model redefines what a compact camera can do,” said Yosuke Tomoda, Sony
Cyber-shot business director. “In addition to the newly developed, ultra-thin
chassis design, the camera features an incredible combination of features and
performance, putting more creativity at users’ fingertips than ever before.”
The TX55 also
employs a high-speed auto-focus system that can lock onto a subject in 0.1
seconds, for repaid picture shooting of fleeting scenes.
The camera’s 5x
optical zoom lens uses folded optics technology to reduce depth. It measures 12.2mm
slim, and is called by Sony “the thinnest camera in its class” (defined as cameras
with optical anti-shake functions).
FullHD 1080 video
is captured in the AVCHD compression format.
It introduces
brand-new Clear Image Zoom that boosts magnification without lowering the pixel
count in the final image. Exclusive to Sony, By Pixel Super Resolution
processing further extends the camera’s 5x optical zoom range, allowing
full-resolution 16.2 megapixel images with a maximum 10x zoom.
Sony said the By
Pixel Super Resolution technology significantly boosts still-image quality
during movie recording. A Dual Rec function captures 12 megapixel-level still photos
without interrupting FullHD video shooting.
The camera
includes a large 3.3-inch Xtra Fine OLED wide touchscreen.
Other features
include electronic image stabilization for vertical and horizontal handshake
correction, and SteadyShot image stabilization with Active Mode, which compensates
for handheld camera movements during FullHD video shooting.
A Superior Auto
mode in the camera recognizes a wide range of shooting situations, adjusting
exposure and other settings for high-quality images with low noise and high
dynamic range.
The camera includes
Sony’s Intelligent Sweep Panorama mode and features HR (High Resolution) mode,
letting users capture up to 42.9-megapixel panoramas.
Users can sweep
the camera, and then enjoy the results on a connected HDTV or a PlayStation3
system.
The 3D Still Image
capture system requires a single shutter press to capture two consecutive shots,
using the first image to estimate depth information to create a 3D stills
without a special lens.
Other 3D shooting
options include 3D Sweep Panorama mode and Sweep Multi Angle.
The TX55 stores
images to Memory Stick Micro (Mark2) and MicroSD/SDHC flash memory cards.
Sony offers a
choice of media in capacities up to 16GB, with Memory Stick Micro being
enhanced to achieve data transfer speed of up to 15MBps (fastest among micro
memory cards) by carrying the same high performance HX Engine controller used
on Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo cards to fully support the new 3D and FullHD video
shooting features.
All cards come
with free PC software (available via download), File Rescue for recovery of
deleted or damaged photos and files, and x-Pict Story slide show creator.
