Sony's new Cyber-shot WX30 sounds cyber-sweet

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Monday, 25 July 2011 22:04

Your IT - Home IT

A 16.2 megapixel camera that doesn't lose resolution or quality when extended from the 5x optical to 10x 'pixel super resolution' zoom, records active steady shot Full HD 1080i video, takes 12 megapixel stills while video is recording, takes 3D photos and 42.9 megapixel panoramic pics and more? Nice!

The advance of technology continues at amazing pace, with Sony's latest Cyber-shots coming with some seriously cyber-cool capabilities.

Those two are the Cybershot TX55, not yet announced in Australia and which has a slide down lens cover and no protruding lens, and the just locally announced WX30, which like a more traditional digital camera with protruding zoom lens.

Both new cameras use the same 16.2 megapixel Exmor R CMOS which features special new 'pixel super resolution' zooming technology that 'boosts zoom range to 10x without quality loss at the image sensor's maximum resolution (16.2 million pixels)' from the 5x optical zoom built in to both models.

You can read more about the TX55 here from Consumer Reports in the US and will report when Sony announces it locally.

That leaves the WX30 to come sometime in September this year, at a price yet to be disclosed, yet with a feature list that makes it sound like a clear contender for the perfect consumer digital still and video camera.

These include the aforementioned 16.2 megapixel photos, the Full HD 1080i video, 3D photos, 3D panoramic photos and 3D multi view sweep photos, 12 megapixel stills while video is recording, the new no-loss zooming technology, and a new 'real time' Picture Effect mode that Sony says 'broadens artistic possibilities with no editing software needed.'

There's a 3-inch (or 7.5cm) 'Xtra Fine LCD wide' touch screen on the back with fingertip operation as you'd expect from today's touch screen devices.

Sony also promises 'incredible image detail and ultra-low picture noise - even in low light conditions' when taking photos.

 

Continued on page two, please set your snapper to stun and read on!