The Sony W300 - The Megapixel race continues
Sony has chosen today to announce 2 new digital camera’s - and first up is the Sony W300, which their press release has dubbed as a megapixel powerhouse. And with a whopping 13.6 megapixels crammed into its 1/1.7″ CCD, it’s hard to argue with that.
The Sony W300:
- 13.6 megapixels
- 3x optical zoom (35 - 105mm equivalent)
- Sony’s Super SteadyShot Optical Image Stabilization
- Up to ISO 3200 (ISO 6400 available in a new ‘extra high sensitivity mode’)
- 2.7″ LCD and an optical viewfinder
- User selectable Noise Reduction options (High, Low, Standard)
- Titanium coated, 1.1″ thick body
- Available May 2008 at an MSRP of $350
Full press release after the link.
New Sony Cyber-Shot Digital Camera is a Megapixel Powerhouse
SAN DIEGO, Feb. 25 — Sony’s new Cyber-shot(R) DSC-W300
digital camera is expected to be among the industry’s most pocket-able,
high- resolution point-and-shoot digital cameras featuring niche
performance options.
The camera announced today integrates an ultra-high 13.6-megapixel CCD
imager along with a Carl Zeiss(R) Vario-Tessar 3x optical zoom lens, a 2.7-
inch LCD screen and an eye-level viewfinder in a compact size. With its
ultra- hard titanium coating, the model offers a premium look and finish
that is highly-resistant to scratches and messy fingerprints.
Enhanced Operation for Better Performance
The W300 camera newly features an “extra high-speed” burst mode that
can shoot three-megapixel photos at five frames per second, ideal for
fast-action shooting of sports, pets or children.
In addition to the blur-reducing effects of Super SteadyShot(R) optical
image stabilization, the camera also has a new “extra high sensitivity”
mode (up to ISO 6400 in this mode only) to help minimize blurry photos when
shooting in challenging lighting conditions, such as indoors or at
twilight, even without a flash.
Noise reduction is now a user-selectable option, with high, low and
standard settings, for greater control over the final look of images. For
example, a low setting can help reduce noise without sacrificing
resolution, making it ideal for landscapes and detailed subjects.
Smart Technology to Capture Better Photos Automatically
As the top-of-the-line model in the series, the W300 camera integrates
the latest “intelligent” features that help users take better pictures more
easily.
Sony’s Smile Shutter(TM) technology prioritizes the faces of children
or adults so that the camera takes the photo at the moment the intended
subject smiles. Improved face detection technology can also prioritize
child or adult faces as the basis for the camera to apply focus, exposure,
white balance and flash color controls for up to eight faces in the
camera’s frame.
The model’s intelligent scene recognition technology automatically can
detect five different types of scenes and optimize the camera settings for
those conditions for a better photo. And advanced mode can take two shots
almost immediately - one with standard automatic settings and the other
with optimized settings.
Powerful Features for Outstanding Images
The W300 model has a number of features to maximize picture quality.
Among them are five color modes, including “real” for less in-camera
processing and more faithful color reproduction; 12 scene selection modes
with a new “underwater” mode that adjusts white balance for more
natural-looking photos; Sony’s new D-Range Optimizer Plus that process
picture to improve detail in photos with harsh highlights or dark shadows;
and an improved auto focus system that includes macro ranges.
Viewing and image management has also been enhanced with helpful date
and calendar views, in-camera search by face or date, slide show with
longer music files, and high-definition component output for viewing photos
on a compatible HDTV set.
Price and Availability
The DSC-W300 camera and optional accessories will be available in May
for about $350. All can be purchased online at sonystyle.com, at Sony
Style(R) retail stores (http://www.sonystyle.com/retail), at military base
exchanges and at authorized dealers nationwide.