San Diego, CA—With an exceptionally slim body, Sony’s DSC-TX55 Cyber-shot camera is designed to make it easy to capture still photos, Full HD AVCHD video and 3D images, as well as provide consumers with creative control of their photos and videos.
The DSC-TX55 features a range of new technologies, including By Pixel Super Resolution technology, which boosts the camera’s zoom range to a virtual 10x without losing quality at the image sensor’s maximum resolution of 16.2 megapixels, according to Sony. It is also the first Cyber-shot to offer a picture effect mode to expands artistic possibilities without the need for editing software.
“Our new DSC-TX55 model redefines what a compact camera can do,” said Yosuke Tomoda, director of Sony Electronics’ Cyber-shot business. “In addition to the newly developed, ultra-thin chassis design, the camera features an incredible combination of features and performance, putting more creativity at users’ fingertips than ever before.”
The TX55 boasts a 16.2MP, highly sensitive Exmor R CMOS sensor engineered to deliver “incredible image detail and ultra-low picture noise in both still images and Full HD video—even in low-light conditions.” And its autofocus is said to lock onto a subject in 0.1 second.
Less than the thickness of a standard AA battery, not including the lens cover of its 5x optical zoom folded lens, the TX55 is touted as the world’s thinnest camera in its class (among cameras with an optical anti-shake function). It also introduces brand-new “clear image zoom,” developed to boost magnification without lowering the pixel count in the final image. And its By Pixel Super Resolution processing further extends the zoom range, allowing full-res 16.2MP images with a maximum 10x zoom. This technology is also reported to increase still image quality during movie recording. At a touch of the shutter button, a dual rec function grabs 12MP photos without interrupting video recording.
Add to this SteadyShot image stabilization with active mode and enhanced electronic image stabilization for vertical and horizontal handshake correction that compensates for camera movements during video shooting.
Other features include: a 3.3-inch Xtra Fine OLED touch screen; intelligent sweep panorama mode that features HR (high resolution) mode to capture 42.9MP panoramas by sweeping the camera; superior auto mode that recognizes shooting situations to adjust exposure and other settings for low-noise images with high dynamic range; 3D options, including image capture with a single shutter press, 3D sweep panorama and sweep multi-angle modes; and a picture effect mode with a palette of in-camera image treatments that can be viewed on-screen, including HDR painting, rich-tone monochrome, miniature, toy camera, partial color, pop color and soft high key.
Sony’s DSC-TX55, which has a slot for Memory Stick Micro and microSD/SDHC flash cards, will be available for $350 this September. sony.com
