eK-gadgets info

Sony has introduced a pair of cameras that use their brand new “Exmor R” CMOS sensor. This new sensor is “back illuminated”, allowing for better low light performance than traditional CCD sensors (click the link below for more details). Sony says that the Exmor R has twice the sensitivity of a typical CCD, and this sample photo (shot at ISO 2500) is quite impressive for a compact camera. This sensor allows for the same features that come on Sony’s Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 super zoom, including sweep panorama, handheld twilight and anti-motion blur modes, and super-fast continuous shooting.

The first two cameras to use the Exmor R sensor are the DSC-WX1 and DSC-TX1. One’s compact, and the other is really compact. Here are the details:

Cyber-shot DSC-WX1

• 10.2 Megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor has twice the sensitivity of traditional CCDs
• F2.4 – F5.9, 5X optical zoom Sony G lens, equivalent to 24 – 120 mm (too bad the max aperture at telephoto isn’t fast like at the wide end)
• Optical image stabilization
• 2.7″ LCD display with 230,000 pixels
• Compact body is less than 0.8 inches thick
• Point-and-shoot operation with auto scene selection
• Face, smile, and blink detection
• Can take up to 10 photos at a whopping 10 frames/second
• Sweep panorama feature lets you “pan” the camera to capture a giant image with a 185 or 256 degree field-of-view
• Handheld twilight and anti-motion blur features rapidly shoot a series of images and combine them into one to allow for sharp photos in low light or fast action situations
• New “pet mode” minimizes blur and removes pet redeye
• Records video at 1280 x 720 (30 fps) with sound for up to 29 minutes
• 11MB onboard memory + Memory Stick Duo slot
• Uses NP-BG1 or NP-FG1 lithium-ion battery; 350 shots per charge
• Ships in October for $350

Cyber-shot DSC-TX1 – changes:

• F3.5-4.6, 4X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 35 – 140 mm
• Traditional T-series body is 0.65 inches thick, comes in silver, gray, pink, and blue
• 3-inch touchscreen LCD display with 230,000 pixels; screen now supports “flick” action to browse through photos
• Uses NP-BD1 or NP-FD1 li-ion battery; 250 shots per charge
• Ships in September for $380

Along with the two cameras comes a rather bizarre accessory called the Party-shot. Compatible only with the WX1 and TX1, this camera dock will seek out faces and smiles, compose photos using the rule-of-thirds, and take pictures — automatically. It can tilt up to 24 degrees and pan 360 degrees courtesy of two AA batteries. If you’re tired of holding your camera, the Party-shot can be yours next month for a rather steep $150.