Sony’s newest point and shoot camera, the TX-200V, is not only as durable as they come, but also sports a stunning design. It was announced along with two new W series shooters, the DSC-WX70 and DSC-WX50, this week.
This mini beauty, the TX-200V, kicks it in high gear with a massive 18 megapixel sensor, the biggest to date in the point and shoot marketplace. To complement the TX-200V’s extra larger picture taking abilities, Sony has outfitted the rear of the camera with an Xtra Fine TruBlack OLED wide touch-screen measuring 3.3-inches. It’s waterproof to a depth of up to 5m, is dust proof, freeze proof up to 14 F-degrees and can survive some pretty stiff beatings with it’s durable shell.
Some other notable features included full HD video, a super fast auto focus (0.13 seconds in daytime and 0.25 seconds in low-light situations), dual record mode (13mp stills with video), a 5x optical zoom that boasts Sony’s magical 2x digital zoom that supposedly doesn’t reduce image quality, optical steady shot, background de-focus (it captures the foreground and background and blurs out the rear creating a DSLR like image), smile shutter tech, GPS and compass record, anti-blink feature, intelligent scene recognition and 9 picture effects for video and photo capture.
Sony’s TX-200V will commence shipping 3/23/2012. You can preorder it now for $499.99.
As mentioned, two other W-series cameras were announced as well. If price is more important to you than an ultra-thin design and top-of-the-line spec list, then the DSC-WX70 and DSC-WX50 might be of interest. Both cameras include 16.2 megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensors, 25mm 5x optical zoom lenses, 12 megapixel stills during video capture, and 1080/60i HD shooting. There are nine “Picture Effects” options, adopted from the NEX series and also found on the TX200V.
Both the WX50 and WX70 have a nearly identical list of features, though the first model includes a 2.7-inch display, compared to a 3-inch touchscreen on the WX70. All three cameras are expected to ship in March in a variety of colors. The TX200V will be available in silver, red and violet finishes with a retail price of $500, while the WX70 and WX50 will run you $230 and $200, respectively.
Check out the full 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 – 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™ 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™ 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™ TruBlack OLED wide touch-screen. It is also water-proof (up to 5m or approx.16 feet), dust-proof and freeze-proof (up to 14oF), 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 March at 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™ Tru-Black OLED wide touch-screen
• Waterproof (up to 5m,16 feet), dustproof and freeze-proof (up to 14oF)
• Captures 13 MP equivalent still images while shooting video via “Dual-Record”
• Full HD Movie Shooting capability (1920×1080/60p) 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 (1920×1080/60i) 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 (1920×1080/60i) and Optical SteadyShot Active Mode
• 9 total “Picture Effects” options, allowing for creative, custom styled photographs
