facebook rss twitter

Sony launches a trio of Cyber-shot compact digital cameras

by Mark Tyson on 20 February 2013, 16:00

Tags: Sony (NYSE:SNE)

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qabsxj

Add to My Vault: x

Please log in to view Printer Friendly Layout

Sony has unveiled a trio of compact digital cameras which will augment its Cyber-shot range. The trio don’t really look related, apart for the Sony Cyber-shot branding. At the top end of the range we have the HX300 bridge camera featuring a 50x Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* zoom lens. Next, the WX300 is a compact travel-zoom camera, it’s the world's smallest and lightest digital stills camera to feature a 20x optical zoom. Finally the TX30 is “the slimmest most compact, waterproof camera we’ve made” says Sony. The “stylish” TX30 compact has a 5x optical zoom and is waterproof to 10m, it’s available in pink, orange, blue or black.

Cyber-shot HX300 Digital compact bridge camera

The HX300 features a colossal 50x optical zoom capability. The lens, made by Carl Zeiss, has the 35mm equivalent focal length of 24 – 1200mm in 4:3 mode (26 – 1300mm in 16:9 mode). The F-stop values range from F2.8 at wide angle to F6.3 at full telephoto. The sensor on the HX300 is an Exmor R™ CMOS Sensor and is a 1/2.3 type (7.76mm). The camera captures images with approximately 20.4 megapixels.

Sony says the HX300 offers great low-light performance and it “handles like a DSLR with no need to change lenses”. This new bridge camera will be available in the UK starting from March priced at around £420.

Cyber-shot WX300 Digital compact camera

Sony claims the WX300 is the “World’s smallest camera with 20x optical zoom”. It’s not all about the size, this camera shares many of the enthusiast features of other travel-zoom cameras that are popular today. With this in mind Sony describe the WX300 as “the small camera with big ideas.”

The WX300 is 92 x 52 x 21mm in size and weighs 105g yet features; an 18.2MP, Exmor R CMOS sensor, 20x optical zoom, Full HD, Intelligent Auto and Wi-Fi. Also, despite its size, its battery has great stamina and can last for up to 500 shots. Its 35mm equivalent zoom range is 25-500mm at F3.5 to F6.5. The 18.2 megapixels are captured by a 1/2.3 type (7.82mm) sensor.

The WX300 will be available in the UK from April and priced around the £280 mark.

Cyber-shot TX30 Digital compact camera

Here is a new entry to Sony’s T series of stylish compacts meant to be pocket friendly and take-anywhere but capable of great quality photographs. Reinforcing the portability message is the TX30’s resilience to the elements. “On the ski slopes, under the water or at a poolside party – get the shot that really captures the moment every time with the stylish TX30” suggests the sales blurb. As well as being waterproof to 10m the camera is Shockproof, dust proof and freeze resistant. The TX30 has also got a friendly macro mode called “magnifying mode”.

Looking at the technical specs this camera has a 18.2MP sensor, 5x optical zoom, Full HD movie capability and 8.3cm (3.3") OLED touchscreen. The Exmor R CMOS sensor providing the pixels is again a 1/2.3 type (7.76mm) unit. The lens on the TX30 has a 35mm equivalent optical zoom range of 26-130mm and F3.5 to F4.8.

You will be able to purchase the TX30 from March. It will be available in orange, blue or black but the Sony site also shows it in pink... I don’t have any price guidance for this camera.



HEXUS Forums :: 3 Comments

Login with Forum Account

Don't have an account? Register today!
The TX30 has a 5x Optical zoom, and looks like it could fit inside a phone casing…
Is that it? No PS4?
PS4 is tonight. Or tomorrow, if you've already gone to bed…