CES 2011: Sony Revamps Digital Camera, Camcorder Lineups

At CES, Sony introduced a broad range of Cyber-shot digicams and Handycam camcorders, some of which have 3D features.

The company is billing its HDR-TD10 (shown at top of story) as the world's first "Double Full HD" 3D camcorder (although the JVC GS-TD1 3D cam described above seems to share that billing). Arriving in April for about $1,500, the HDR-TD10 has dual Sony G 10x zoom lenses with optical image stabilization, dual Exmor R CMOS sensors, and dual BIONZ video processors. The HDR-TD10 captures separate left- and right-eye streams at 1080p24 or 1080p60, along with 5.1-channel audio. 3D footage can be watched on a 3D-capable TV with appropriate glasses, or without glasses on the HDR-TD10's 3.5-inch 3D touchscreen. The HDR-TD10 can also capture 7MP 2D stills. camcorder batteries

A couple of new 2D Handycams have nifty new feature: an LED projector built into the LCD touchscreen. That lets users project video images up to 60 inches diagonal onto a flat surface, so they can conduct impromptu screenings. Audio comes from built-in stereo speakers powered by digital amplifiers. Priced at $1,000 and arriving in April, the HDR-PJ50V (shown at right) records onto an internal 220GB hard drive. It features a three-inch LCD touchscreen, Exmor-R CMOS sensor, Sony G 12x wide-angle zoom lens, and built-in GPS receiver for geo-tagging image and video files. The HDR-PJ10 ($750, available in March) records onto 16GB of flash memory, and employs a 30x zoom lens.

Aimed at video enthusiasts, the HDR-CX700V features a Sony G wide-angle 10x zoom lens with optical image stabilization, a newly developed Exmor-R CMOS sensor with 16:9 native aspect ratio, 96GB of internal flash memory, and built-in GPS receiver with Navteq map database. The HDR-CX700V has a wide range of features for videophiles, such as support for 1080p recording at 60 and 24fps frame rates, with selectable presets for colour and gamma; expanded focus, zebra and peak settings, and an assignable dial for manual controls. The HDR-CX700V can also capture 12MP stills. It will be available in March for $1,300. canon camcorder batteries

Arriving in April for $1,100, the HDR-XR560V has 64GB of internal flash memory, and can record HD video at 1080p60 and 1080p24, with CimemaTone presets for gamma and colour. It features a new 1/2.88-inch Exmor-R 16:9 CMOS sensor, Sony G 10x wide-angle zoom lens, assignable function dial, and GPS receiver with Navteq map database.

There are two entry-level HD Handycams: the HDR-XR160 with 160GB hard drive ($650, arriving in April) and the HDR-CX130 with SDXC-compatible and MemoryStick Duo slots ($500, March). Both models have 30x wide-angle zoom lens with optical image stabilization, Exmor-R sensor and three-inch LCD with touch panel. They can capture 3MP stills as well as HD video.

Sony will have two new standard-definition Handycams for 2011: the DCR-SX45, with dual memory-card slots ($280) and the DCR-SX85 ($330) with 16GB of internal flash memory. Both models have Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar 60x zoom lens and three-inch LCD with touch panel. sony camcorder batteries

All of Sony's 2011 camcorders have a Direct Copy feature for transferring footage to an external USB drive. HD models feature tracking autofocus, which automatically maintains focus on a subject selected on the touchscreen; Event Browse, for automatically grouping content; and Highlight Playback & Share, for creating simple highlight reels.

Sony's digital still cameras will all be refreshed this quarter. The affordable W-series starts with the Cyber-shot DSC-W510 ($130; available in silver, black and red), which has a 4x zoom lens (26-104mm equivalent), 12.1MP sensor, 2.7-inch LCD, image stabilization and sweep panorama mode. The DSC-W530 ($150; available in silver, black, pink and blue) boosts resolution to 14.1MP, and the DSC-W560 ($180; available in silver, black, red and blue) also has a three-inch LCD. The DSC-W570 ($200; available in silver, black, pink and violet) has a 5x (25-125mm equivalent) zoom lens, 16.1MP sensor and 2.7-inch LCD; and adds HD video capability at 720p. All four models ship in February.

Sony's 2011 Cyber-shots above the entry W-series employ 16.2MP Exmor-R CMOS sensors. The backlit sensors offer excellent low-light performance, Sony notes. The step-up cameras can all record HD video at 1080i in AVCHD format, and feature dual video/still image recording, which allows them to capture 3MP stills while simultaneously recording HD video. jvc camcorder batteries

Several models allow the capture of 3D images. The 3D Sweep Panorama mode creates 3D panoramic images from images captured with a press-and-pan motion. With the new 3D Still Image mode, the camera records two shots with different focus positions to calculate the depth of objects in the scene, and uses that information to generate separate left- and right-eye images. Pictures taken in either mode can be viewed on a 3D TV with suitable glasses. Users can also use the Sweep Multi-Angle mode, and view the results in simulated 3D on the camera's built-in screen.

The Cyber-shot DSC-WX7 ($250; available in black, silver, pink, blue and white) features a 5x wide-angle zoom lens (24-120mm equivalent), and 2.8-inch LCD. The DSC-WX9 ($270; available in black, silver, red and violet) is similar, but has a three-inch 921,000-dot high-resolution LCD. Both models feature a fast 10fps burst rate at 16.2MP, backlight correction HDR mode, sweep panorama, 3D Sweep Panorama, and 3D still image mode. They'll be available in March.

Also arriving in March, the Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V is a compact super-zoom camera, employing a 10x Sony G lens. Other features include maximum 10fps burst rate on 16.2MP stills, 3D Sweep Panorama and 3D Still Image. It will be available in black, red and blue, and retail for $350.

The Cyber-shot DSC-TX10 is waterproof to 16 feet, shockproof to five feet, dustproof, and freeze-proof to -10°C. It features a three-inch LCD touchscreen with touch autofocus control. The DSC-TX10 will be available in March in sliver, black, green, blue and pink for $360. toshiba camcorder batteries

Arriving in March for $430, the Cyber-shot DSC-TX100V features a 3.5-inch OLED touchscreen with autofocus selection, 3D Sweep Panorama and 3D Still Image modes, and a GPS receiver for recording shot location. In addition to 1080i video in AVCHD format, the DSC-TX100V can record 1080p60 (but dual record does not work in 1080p mode).

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