San Diego – Sony introduced in the U.S. Monday three Cyber-shot point-and-shoot cameras using advanced image-sensor technology, and new additions to the Alpha DSLR and NEX mirrorless compact system camera family.
The Sony Alpha A58 DSLR (available in April at a $600 suggested retail with an 18-55mm kit lens) features a 20.1-megapixel Exmor APS-C CMOS image sensor with the company’s Translucent Mirror Technology, a new Bionz image processor, phase-detect autofocus system, an OLED “Tru-Finder,” a tilting 2.7-inch LCD monitor with smooth live view, and Sony’s Triluminos Color technology. Also included is a new Lock-On autofocus system that locks onto an unpredictably moving subject and keeps it in focus, new Auto Object Framing that leverages Sony’s object-recognition technology to optimize portraits, macro shots and scenes without faces.
Mark Weir, Sony’s imaging technology senior manager, said A58 will target “a first-time interchangeable-lens camera user stepping up from a point-and-shoot camera, and a growing body of repeat SLR customers replacing an older model.”
It replaces both the A57 and A37 models.
Meanwhile, the NEX-3n ships to dealers in April with a 16-50mm kit lens at a $500 suggested retail.
The NEX-3n features a reduced body size with a 16.1-megapixel Exmor APS-C CMOS image sensor and 200-16,000 ISO sensitivity, offering low noise high-resolution images in dark settings. It includes a 3-inch, 960,000-dot 180-degree tiltable LCD monitor that flips up for self portrait work. It also adds a point-&-shoot-like zoom lever around the shutter button so photographers new to interchangeable lens cameras will have a familiar way to operate the zoom control on certain new Sony e-mount power zoom lenses.
The camera’s traditional ring lens zoom control will also continue.
Also included is Sony’s Triluminos Color technology, three-shot EV bracketing and new Auto Object Framing that leverages Sony’s object recognition technology to optimize portraits, macro shots and scenes without faces.
In the Cyber-shot point-and-shoot line, Sony introduced the DSC-HX300 (shipping in March at $500) featuring a 20.4-megapixel CMOS sensor, 2x faster autofocus and 2x more effective optical image stabilization. Also included is a 3-inch LCD monitor, 50x optical zoom starting at 24mm with up to 100x “clear image zoom” digital extension, 10 fps burst shooting, FullHD 1080p video recording, up to 12,800 ISO sensitivity, 360 degree Intelligent Sweep Panorama and 3D capture.
The new DSC-WX300 (shipping in April at $330) features built-in Wi-Fi connectivity in addition to an 18.2-megapixel CMOS image sensor, 20x optical zoom starting at 25mm, up to 40x digital zoom extension, 12,800 ISO sensitivity, 3-inch LCD monitor, 2x more powerful image stabilization, 3.6x fast autofocus, 10 fps burst shooting speed, FullHD 1080p video capture, 360 degree Intelligent Sweep Panorama and 3D capture.
The Cyber-shot DSC-TX30 (shipping in April at $350) is a rugged point-and-shoot camera that features an 18.2-megapixel CMOS image sensor, 5x optical zoom starting at 26mm with 10x clear image zoom digital extension, optical steady shot, macro shooting as close as 1 cm with a special built-in LED light for macro shots, 3.3-inch OLED touchpanel monitor, 10 fps burst shooting, 12,800 ISO sensitivity, FullHD 1080p video capture, 360 degree Intelligent Sweep Panorama and 3D capture.
