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Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-T100 digital camera. Courtesy of Sony, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Sony: Two new T-series digicams
By
(Tuesday, February 27, 2007 - 11:00 EST)

Amongst a group of five digital camera announcements today in the runup to the PMA show, Sony has unveiled two new Cyber-shot T-series digital camera models.

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T20 is a replacement for last August's DSC-T10, and combines eight megapixel resolution with a Zeiss-branded 3x optical zoom lens, and a 2.5" LCD display. The DSC-T100 - a replacement for last September's DSC-T50 - has the same resolution of eight megapixels found in the T20, but instead couples it with a Zeiss-branded 5x optical zoom and a larger 3.0" LCD display. Other features of both cameras include ISO sensitivity to a maximum of ISO 3200, a Memory Stick Duo / PRO Duo card slot plus 31MB of built in memory, and power from a proprietary Lithium Ion rechargeable battery.

All of Sony's digital camera models announced today include Sony's new face detection technology, capable of detecting up to eight faces simultaneously. Sony's system is apparently linked not only to the camera's autoexposure and autofocus systems as in most similar systems, but also to white balance and flash metering as well - allowing the camera to ensure proper flash exposure and pleasing flesh tones. Also, the cameras announced today mark the first application of Sony's Bionz mage processor - first seen in the company's Alpha digital SLRs - in compact camera models. Sony says Bionz will offer improved image quality, faster response times, and better battery life in its compact cameras. One final common thread between today's camera announcements is that they all offer high definition component video output, either via a propietary cable, or a camera dock.

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T100 ships first from March 2007, priced at $400. The Cyber-shot DSC-T20 follows from April, priced at $330.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T20
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-T20 digital camera. Courtesy of Sony, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
General
Camera TypeUltra Compact
ManufacturerSony
Model NumberDSC-T20
Dimensions3.5 x 2.2 x 0.9"
89.7 x 55.7 x 22.8mm
Weight159.0 g
5.6 oz
Planned Price$329.99
Planned Availability 2007
Image Capture
Sensor Type1/2.5" CCD
8.00 megapixels (effective)
Aspect Ratio4:3, 3:2
Image Dimensions3264 x 2448 (8.0 megapixels)
3264 x 2176 (7.1 megapixels)
2592 x 1944 (5.0 megapixels)
2048 x 1536 (3.1 megapixels)
1920 x 1080 (2.1 megapixels)
1632 x 1224 (2.0 megapixels)
640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels)
Image Quality2 levels
Image Preview / Review
ViewfinderNo
LCD2.5", 230,000 pixels
Playback Zoom5.0x max
Lens
Lens TypeCarl Zeiss Vario-Tessar (11 elements in 9 groups, 3 aspherical)
3x optical zoom
Image StabilizationYes
Focal Length6.3 - 19.0mm (actual)
38 - 114mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture Rangef/3.5 - 8 (wide) / f/4.3 - 10 (tele)
Focusing System9-area Contrast Detect with Face Detection with AF assist lamp
Manual Focus possible (5) steps
Focusing RangeNormal: 20" - infinity (50 cm - infinity)
Macro: 0.4" - infinity (1.0 cm - infinity)
Exposure
ISO SensitivityAuto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
Shutter Speed1 - 1/1000 second
Exposure ModesProgram
Metering ModesMulti-pattern, Center-weighted, Spot
Exposure Compensation+/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments
White BalanceImage Sensor - Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent-1, Fluorescent-2, Fluorescent-3, Incandescent, Flash
Internal FlashModes: Auto, On, Slow Sync, Off
Range: Auto ISO: W:0.3-7.4 ft (0.1-3.0m) T:0.6-6.2 ft (0.25-2.5m)
Creative
Scene ModesTwilight, Twilight Portrait, Landscape, Beach, Snow, Fireworks, High-Speed Shutter, High Sensitivity, Magnifying Glass (Super Macro), Soft Snap
Digital Zoom2x Precision, up to 15x Smart Zoom
Self TimerYes, 2 or 10 seconds
Movie FormatMPEG1 with audio
Storage
Recording MediumMemory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo, Built-in
File SystemComplies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF)
File FormatJPEG (EXIF 2.2)
Connectivity
VideoYes, NTSC / PAL switchable
ComputerUSB 2.0 High Speed
OtherHD 1080i video out with optional cable or cradle
Power
Battery TypeLithium Ion rechargeable
Battery Form FactorProprietary NP-BG1
Product Bundle
SoftwarePicture Motion Browser v2.0, Music Transfer, USB Driver
Battery / Charger1 x Proprietary NP-BG1 Lithium Ion rechargeable battery and charger
Flash Memory31.0MB Internal
Other
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliantYes
PictBridge CompliantYes
Internal MicrophoneYes
Internal SpeakerYes
Tripod MountYes
More Photos
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-T20 digital camera. Courtesy of Sony, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-T20 digital camera. Courtesy of Sony, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-T20 digital camera. Courtesy of Sony, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
 

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T100
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-T100 digital camera. Courtesy of Sony, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
General
Camera TypeUltra Compact
ManufacturerSony
Model NumberDSC-T100
Dimensions3.6 x 2.3 x 0.9"
91.8 x 59.2 x 22.3mm
Weight172.0 g
6.0 oz
Planned Price$399.99
Planned Availability 2007
Image Capture
Sensor Type1/2.5" CCD
8.00 megapixels (effective)
Aspect Ratio4:3, 3:2
Image Dimensions3264 x 2448 (8.0 megapixels)
3264 x 2176 (7.1 megapixels)
2592 x 1944 (5.0 megapixels)
2048 x 1536 (3.1 megapixels)
1920 x 1080 (2.1 megapixels)
640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels)
0.3 megapixels
Image Quality2 levels
Image Preview / Review
LCD3.0", 230,000 pixels
Playback Zoom5.0x max
Lens
Lens TypeCarl Zeiss Vario-Tessar (12 elements in 10 groups, 3 aspherical)
5x optical zoom
Image StabilizationYes
Focal Length5.8 - 29.0mm (actual)
35 - 175mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture Rangef/3.5 - 5.6 (wide) / f/4.4 - 10 (tele)
Focusing System9-area Contrast Detect with Face Detection with AF assist lamp
Manual Focus possible (5) steps
Focusing RangeNormal: 20" - infinity (50 cm - infinity)
Macro: 0.4" - infinity (1.0 cm - infinity)
Exposure
ISO SensitivityAuto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
Shutter Speed1 - 1/1000 second
Exposure ModesProgram
Metering ModesMulti-pattern, Center-weighted, Spot
Exposure Compensation+/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments
White BalanceImage Sensor - Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent-1, Fluorescent-2, Fluorescent-3, Incandescent, Flash
Internal FlashModes: Auto, On, Slow Sync, Off
Range: Auto ISO: W:0.3-12.1 ft (0.1-3.7m) T:2.6-9.5 ft (0.8-2.9m)
Creative
Scene ModesTwilight, Twilight Portrait, Landscape, Beach, Snow, Fireworks, High-Speed Shutter, High Sensitivity, Magnifying Glass (Super Macro), Soft Snap
Digital Zoom2x Precision, up to 25x Smart Zoom
Self TimerYes, 2 or 10 seconds
Movie FormatMPEG1 with audio
Storage
Recording MediumMemory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo, Built-in
File SystemComplies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF)
File FormatJPEG (EXIF 2.2)
Connectivity
VideoYes, NTSC / PAL switchable
ComputerUSB 2.0 High Speed
OtherHD 1080i video out with optional cable or cradle
Power
Battery TypeLithium Ion rechargeable
Battery Form FactorProprietary NP-BG1
Product Bundle
SoftwarePicture Motion Browser v2.0, Music Transfer, USB Driver
Battery / Charger1 x Proprietary NP-BG1Lithium Ion rechargeable battery and charger
Flash Memory31.0MB Internal
Other
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliantYes
PictBridge CompliantYes
Internal MicrophoneYes
Internal SpeakerYes
Tripod MountYes
More Photos
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-T100 digital camera. Courtesy of Sony, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-T100 digital camera. Courtesy of Sony, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-T100 digital camera. Courtesy of Sony, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-T100 digital camera. Courtesy of Sony, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-T100 digital camera. Courtesy of Sony, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
 

Original Source Press Release:

SONY'S CHARMING CYBER-SHOT DIGITAL CAMERAS BECOME THE LIFE OF THE PARTY

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 27, 2007 — Sony is introducing a line of slim and stylish Cyber-shot T-series cameras that are destined to be the fashionista crowd’s favorite party companion.

The 8-megapixel DSC-T100 camera is a showstopper with the most powerful zoom and largest LCD screen in Sony’s T-series. With its Carl Zeiss® 5x optical zoom lens and 3-inch LCD screen, this model will debut in red, black and silver.

The 8-megapixel DSC-T20 camera features a Carl Zeiss 3x optical zoom lens and a 2.5-inch LCD screen, and will hit the scene in pink, white, black and silver.

In colors to match your party gear and less than a half-inch thick, both cameras can easily slip into a clutch purse or the pocket of a jacket. They can be fashionably protected with four different styles of matching camera cases in colors such as pink, red, green, grey, crème, brown and black, which will be sold separately.

“ There’s a generation of style-conscious, tech-savvy people who want the brands and products in their lives to reflect who they are,” said Phil Lubell, director of marketing for digital cameras at Sony Electronics. “Our new T-series cameras can give these customers the form factor and advanced technologies they’re looking for.”

Let Sony Take You Higher
When it comes to entertaining, the living room is the hub. Sony’s new T-series cameras feature high-definition output so you can bring your photos to the party and take full advantage of the HD equipment already in your home. Once you have viewed photos in the utmost clarity, color and detail on an HDTV set, there’s no going back to huddling around a PC. And tech-savvy snappers know that standard-definition equipment can’t display the full glory of even a 2-megapixel picture.

Sony’s new cameras have three accessory options for high-definition photo viewing. All are compatible with the Sony VMC-MHC1 HD component cable for simple connection to an HDTV set. They can also be connected to the new Sony CSS-HD1 high-definition Cyber-shot Station™ with a bundled component cable and a remote commander. Connect all your devices to the station just one time and it also works as a charger for the camera.

The complete high-definition photo viewing solution is the Sony DPP-FPHD1 package, which includes the high-definition component cable, a Cyber-shot cradle, a remote commander and a high-definition printer with component HD output. Designed to complement any living room, this new printer comes in elegant black and can be positioned horizontally or vertically. As you view your pictures, you can print the ones you want to hand out as party mementos, on the spot, in about 45 seconds.

All of the new cameras are equipped with a built-in slide show function. You can play back your images, complete with dynamic transitions choreographed to your choice of music clips.

Don’t Let Bad Photos Kill The Buzz
The party people will look fabulous in every shot with Sony’s new face detection technology. It can identify up to eight faces in the camera’s LCD frame, and automatically adjust white balance and flash as well as focus and exposure for sharp, clear photos.

Shooting in low light doesn’t have to result in blurry, grainy photos. Sony’s Super Steady Shot® optical image stabilization counters camera shake and stabilize images so you can easily shoot with longer exposure times. Armed with high light sensitivity (up to ISO 3200), you can also shoot at higher shutter speeds without using the cameras’ flash and spoiling the mood of the pictures. Sony’s Clear RAW ™ noise reduction technology will help reduce the picture noise common to low-light exposures.

Technology That Won’t Slow You Down
Sony’s new T-series cameras are powered by the Bionz™ processing engine, first used in Sony’s Alpha digital SLR camera system. Not only does this robust processing engine deliver the fast image processing speeds needed to produce color-rich, detailed pictures for true high-definition photo viewing, it also speeds up the cameras’ response times and extends battery life.

Slide their lens covers down and these cameras are ready to shoot in less than a second and prepared for the next shot in about a second. They’ll keep snapping for the duration of the party – on a full charge, up to 380 shots for the T100 camera and 340 shots for the T20 model.

You can edit PC-free with these cameras’ internal functions. Red-eye correction and dynamic range optimization to adjust under- or over-exposed areas can be performed without having to make a lot of adjustments to the camera. Photos can be retouched and enlivened on the spot with up to four filter selections, such as the fish-eye filter for an amusing fishbowl effect.

The T100 camera will ship in March for about $400, and the T20 will be available in April for about $330. Options will include batteries, travel chargers, lenses, filters, sports packs and cases. All models can be purchased online at sonystyle.com, at Sony Style® retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail), and at authorized dealers nationwide. Pre-orders begin on February 28 at www.sonystyle.com/newcameras.

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