Ultraslim waterproof Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX200V sports 18MP CMOS sensor

Sony is following up its wimpy CES showing with a bang, announcing three CMOS-based compact shooters — most significantly, theSony Cyber-shot DSC-TX200V, a high-end, ultracompact point-and-shoot. (The company also announced the DSC-WX70 and DSC-WX50, which, like the TX200V, use high-resolution, backside-illuminated CMOS sensors.)

The TX200V is the latest addition to Sony's ultracompact T series, bumping last summer's TX55 out of the top spot and packing an amazing assortment of features in a tiny body. It's a smidge bigger than the TX55 (measuring 3.8x2.4x0.7 inches and weighing 4.6 ounces), but that's understandable, considering it's also waterproof to 16 feet, freeze-proof to 14º F, and dust-proof.  The new design features a sleek reinforced glass front, making it somewhat reminiscent of an iPhone 4, but not nearly as slim (in fact, it's not really as slim as it looks in the photo above (see the birds-eye view below to get a better idea).

The flip side of the camera features a 3.3-inch, 921,000-dot OLED touch-screen, which is super sleek as well. Though 18.2 megapixels is a lot to cram onto the typically tiny (1/2.3-inch) sensor, Sony's use of its back-lit Exmor CMOS chip should help mitigate the low-light performance. It should also help give the TX200V zippier performance (Sony claims autofocus speeds of 0.13 seconds in daylight and 0.25 in low light, and 10 fps continuous shooting speeds). In addition to a the now typical features, such as face recognition; smile, blink, and motion detection; "Soft Skin" mode; and more, the TX200V also adds a GPS receiver and compass to round out its full feature set. Other highlights include:

• Full HD video recording (1920x1080 at 60 fps)
• Image stabilization during video and still shooting
• Dual Record feature for capturing still images while shooting video
• Nine "Picture Effect" art filters
• 3D shooting modes (3D Still Image, 3D Sweep Panorama and Sweep Multi Angle)
• Silver, red, and violet color options

The DSC-TX200V is available for pre-order on the Sony website for $499.99 and should begin shipping in late March.

For more information, read the press release »

Sony Introduces New Assortment of Compact, High-powered Cyber-shot® Cameras

New Lineup Features High-Resolution Sensors, Enhanced Low-light Performance and Fast Auto-Focus

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony's newest Cyber-shot® digital still cameras make it easy to capture beautiful memories anytime and anywhere.

Three new models include the DSC-TX200V model from the ultra-thin Cyber-shot T series and the DSC-WX70 and DSC-WX50 models from the stylish, traditionally designed W series, each featuring a high-resolution "Exmor R" CMOS sensor and an improved BIONZ^TM image processor that together boost low light performance and enhance auto-focus speeds, among other benefits.

"We continue to innovate in the compact camera space, finding new ways to help consumers produce high-quality photos and videos as easily as possible, regardless of lighting conditions," said Yosuke Tomoda, director of the Cyber-shot business at Sony Electronics.  "With new technologies designed to improve the overall imaging experience - including extended creativity, control and more - this new lineup of Cyber-shot cameras delivers impressive results with stylish, pocket-sized bodies."

High-Resolution, High-Speed, High-Quality

The new TX200V camera features a newly developed 18.2 MP "Exmor R" CMOS sensor, the highest-resolution currently offered in the "point and shoot" market, and a new BIONZ^TM processor, which work together to create images and video files with extremely low noise.  The advanced model also offers lightning-fast AutoFocus speeds of approximately 0.13 seconds in daytime and 0.25 seconds in low-light situations (speeds may vary based on shooting conditions), helping to ensure you never miss the moment.

Additionally, the TX200V Cyber-shot showcases a new beautiful, reinforced glass design with a large, 3.3-inch (8.3cm) Xtra Fine^TM TruBlack OLED wide touch-screen.  It is also water-proof (up to 5m or approx.16 feet), dust-proof and freeze-proof (up to 14^oF), and features a "Photo Creativity" interface that lets users easily adjust creative settings to produce unique, custom-styled photos.

The new WX70 and WX50 models each are equipped with a high-resolution 16.2 MP "Exmor R" CMOS sensor, with the WX70 featuring a 3.0-inch 921k dot LCD touch-screen and the WX50 featuring a slightly smaller 2.7-inch LCD screen.

All-Around Performance

Each of the new Cyber-shot cameras features a new "Extra High Sensitivity" technology, which minimizes unwanted noise in low-light shooting conditions.  For consumers who want to get closer to their subjects without losing quality, these new models have "Clear Image Zoom" technology, which boosts optical zoom to 2x virtual capability (i.e. 5x optical zoom to 10x virtual zoom) at full camera resolution.

The TX200V, WX70 and WX50 cameras also offer image stabilization during video and still shooting.  Using technology borrowed from the Sony Handycam® lineup, the "Optical Steady Shot Active Mode" drastically reduces blurring caused by camera shake while on the move.  All models can shoot video in Full HD resolution.

Additional notable features of the new lineup include nine "Picture Effect" options for expanded creativity, "Dual Record" capabilities, 3D shooting modes (3D Still Image, 3D Sweep Panorama and Sweep Multi Angle), fast shooting speeds (10 fps burst mode) and more.

Product Specs, Pricing and Availability

The new assortment of cameras and an expanded range of stylish accessories, including the new LCS-WM and LCS-THT soft carrying cases, will be available this Marchat Sony retail stores and online (www.store.sony.com) as well as other authorized retailers throughout the Sony dealer network.  Detailed specs are below:

• The DSC-TX200V camera will be available in silver, red, and violet for approximately $500.  Features include:
  • 18.2 MP "Exmor R" CMOS sensor
  • 26mm equivalent lens with 5x optical zoom, 10x virtual zoom via "Clear Image Zoom" technology
  • "Extra High Sensitivity" technology enhances low-light shooting capabilities
  • Lightning-fast AF speed of approximately 0.13 second in daylight, 0.25 seconds in low-light (speeds may vary based on shooting conditions)
  • Beautiful, slim reinforced glass design with 3.3-inch (8.3cm) Xtra Fine^TM Tru-Black OLED wide touch-screen
  • Waterproof (up to 5m,16 feet), dustproof and freeze-proof (up to 14^oF)
  • Captures 13 MP equivalent still images while shooting video via "Dual-Record"
  • Full HD Movie Shooting capability (1920x1080/60p) and Optical SteadyShot Active Mode
  • Photo Creativity interface and 9 "Picture Effect" options for creating unique, custom-styled photos and video

• The DSC-WX70 camera will be available in silver, black, pink, violet and white for approximately$230. Features include:
  • 16.2 MP "Exmor R" CMOS sensor, 3.0-inch 921k dot LCD touch screen
  • 25mm equivalent lens with 5x optical zoom, 10x virtual zoom via "Clear Image Zoom" technology
  • "Extra High Sensitivity" technology enhances low-light shooting capabilities
  • Captures 12 MP equivalent still images while shooting video via "Dual-Record"
  • Full HD Movie Shooting capability (1920x1080/60i) and Optical SteadyShot Active Mode
  • 9 total "Picture Effects" options, allowing for creative, custom styled photographs

• The DSC-WX50 camera will be available in silver and black for approximately $200. Features include:
  • 16.2 MP "Exmor R" CMOS sensor, 2.7-inch LCD screen
  • 25mm equivalent lens with 5x optical zoom, 10x virtual zoom via "Clear Image Zoom" technology
  • "Extra High Sensitivity" technology enhances low-light shooting capabilities
  • Captures 12 MP equivalent still images while shooting video via "Dual-Record"
  • Full HD Movie Shooting capability (1920x1080/60i) and Optical SteadyShot Active Mode
  • 9 total "Picture Effects" options, allowing for creative, custom styled photographs

SOURCE Sony Electronics