Digital Camera News and Reviews

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W220

Sony has announced a new budget digital camera called Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W220. The camera sports a 12.1 megapixel sensor and 4x optical zoom.

Some key features for the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W220:
-12.1 megapixel sensor
-4x optical zoom (30 – 120mm)
-2.7 LCD screen
-Intelligent Scene Recognition
-Dynamic Range Optimizer
-Optical SteadyShot image stabilisation
-Smile Shutter technology
-HD output

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W220 will be available from March 2009 and cost about $190.

Press release:
New Sony Cyber-shot camera gets even more intelligent yet still very practical

Las Vegas, January 7, 2009 – Sony today announced a new 12-megapixel Cyber-shot® camera (model DSC-W220) that combines powerful imaging features with intelligence to make taking great pictures easy.

The entry-level W model has features that until now were only found in high-end models (DSC-W150 and DSC-W170), including Intelligent Scene Recognition and Dynamic Range Optimizer.

“This camera is perfect for customers who forget to change settings to the right scene mode, do not have the time to change settings or do not know what setting to use” said Karim Noblecilla, senior product marketing manager in the Digital Imaging Division at Sony Electronics. “It chooses the correct scene mode, which makes it easy to use.”

Intelligent Scene Recognition automatically recognizes a total of five scenes—twilight portrait, twilight, twilight using a tripod, backlight and backlight portrait. It optimizes camera settings for shooting situations, taking an additional shot in low and bright light scenarios when there are two different approaches to shooting a scene so users can choose which picture they would like to keep.

The camera’s Dynamic Range Optimizer uses a sophisticated algorithm to determine the best exposure and contrast settings in almost any shooting environment, giving images a natural look with clearer details that match what you see with your naked eye.

The W220 camera has a 2.7-inch LCD screen (measured diagonally) and Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar 4X optical zoom lens with 30 millimeter (equivalent) wide angle view. It includes Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilization to minimize blur without affecting picture quality. Sony’s Smile Shutter™ technology automatically captures a smile the moment it happens. You can use the adult or child priority setting when shooting scenes containing both adults and children, and the camera will distinguish one face from another.

Bundled Picture Motion Browser (PMB) software allows you to quickly organize images on a compatible PC and upload images to the Web. You can search and organize images by event, smile or face, including children and infants. Then you can display them in calendar or chronological views organized into folders.

Images can be stored and managed on both the camera’s 15MB internal memory and an optional Memory Stick® media card. The camera’s high definion output and HD slideshow with music let you share images on HDTV sets, including Sony’s BRAVIA® flat-panel LCD models (HDMI cable not included).

Pricing and Availability
The DSC-W220 camera will be available in March in silver, black, pink and blue for about $190.

Sony Alpha 900

DIWA Labs has tested the first full frame DSLR camera from Sony, the Sony Alpha 900. With its 24.6 megapixel sensor this should be a very interesting camera for everyone who is serious about their photography. DIWA Labs tested the Alpha 900 with two lenses; the Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 24-70mm f/2.8 ZA and the Sony 20mm f/2.8 SAL20F28.

Some key features for the Sony Alpha 900 camera:
-24.6 megapixel full frame sensor
-In-camera image stabilization
-3″ LCD screen
-HDMI output with PhotoTV HD compatibility
-5fps continuous shooting

Read all the tests of the Sony Alpha 900 with Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 24-70mm f/2.8 ZA and Sony 20mm f/2.8 SAL20F28 here.
The tests done by DIWA Labs are very technical so you need to read their test guide to understand the test results.

Sony Cybershot DSC T77

Imaging Resource has reviewed a 10 megapixel compact camera from Sony, the , which is the successor to the DSC-T70 camera.

Some key features for the Sony Cybershot DSC T77:
-10.1 megapixel sensor
-4x Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar optical zoom lens (35-140mm, f/3.5-4.6)
-3″ LCD screen
-ISO sensitivity from 80 to 3,200

Imaging Resource ends up giving the Sony Cybershot DSC T77 a pretty good verdict as the camera has a very slim design and is capable of producing good pictures, but there are some set backs because the Sony camera has a bit of corner softness, chromatic aberrations and noise at higher ISO levels. If you are looking for a very slim compact camera the Sony Cybershot DSC T77 might be your choice.

Read the full review of the Sony Cybershot DSC T77 camera here.

Sony Cybershot DSC T500

Digitalcamerareview.com has reviewed Sony Cybershot DSC T500 compact camera that boosts high definition video recording (up to up to 1280×720) at 30 fps.
Some key features for the Sony Cybershot DSC T500:
-HD movie capture
-10.1 megapixel sensor
-5x optical Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar zoom lens (33-165mm)
-3.5″ LCD screen
-Image stabilization

Digitalcamerareview.com ends up giving the Sony Cybershot DSC T500 a pretty good verdict as its video recording is very good, but the camera has troubles with higher ISO levels and not so good auto focus at some occasions. If you are looking for excellent video recording capabilities in a compact camera the Sony Cybershot DSC T500 might be the camera for you.

Read the full review of the Sony Cybershot DSC T500 camera here.