Sony Alpha 57 DSLR Camera with 12fps Continuous Shooting

I found the Alpha 57 with 18-55 Lens Kit at Amazon.co.uk from £587, but I'm not sure such price stays that low as Amazon.co.uk also sells the Alpha 37 with 18-55 Lens Kit from £501.79. The Alpha 57 is also suitable for beginners, thanks to the Auto Portrait Framing, a new feature that utilising face detection and the compositional 'rule of thirds'. Composition is the most important key in producing beatiful pictures, but color and tonal also play a big role. Sony Alpha 57 comes with a range of in-camera Picture Effects includes 11 effect types and 15 variations. Available since April 2012, the Sony Alpha 57 is compatible with Sony A-mount lenses. Other highlights include: ISO 100 - 16000; HDMI mini connector; 3.0″ Xtra Fine LCD; Built-in flash; Auto HDR; Shutter speed 1x4000-30sec, Bulb; Memory Stick PRO Duo/PRO-HG Duo; SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card; and many more.

Waterproof Case For Sony NEX-5N

Online store GeekStuff4U has rolled out the waterproof case for Sony NEX-5N in Japan. It is actually a polycarbonate hard case for the Sony NEX-5N. The case provides access for all buttons and wheel. The double-lock function ensures that the case is not released suddenly even if there is some pressure from outside. You can buy the waterproof case for Sony NEX-5N for $285.20. Each purchase comes equipped with a camera strap and a belt. [Product Page]

The Sony DSC-RX100 Might be my Next Travel Camera

 
Last week I was on vacation up in Michigan and took a brand new camera that I had purchased especially for the trip with me only to figure out that it was too bulky to carry around. The Olympus OM-D EM-5 is a fantastic mirrorless camera if you don't mind the size and weight. I did. So I ended up using my iPhone for most of the trip. When I got back home, I sold the Olympus and another mirrorless camera I had recently purchased (Sony NEX-7) and decided to just be happy with my iPhone… at least till my next vacation this Fall. But then yesterday I saw the announcements for the Sony DSC-RX100 camera and it looks like it might be a perfect travel camera for me. The RX100 is very compact, but boasts 20.2 MP, houses a 1″ CMOS sensor and a 3.6x Carl Zeiss 28-100mm zoom lens. The $648.00 price seems high for a point and shoot camera. but I might splurge on the Sony DSC-RX100, which is currently available for pre-order from BHPhoto

Sony's New Advanced Cyber-shot RX100 Camera Packs Large Sensor and Bright Lens into Stylish, Pocket-Size Body

Travelling light no longer means compromisingon picture quality with the Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 camera, Sony's new flagship compact camera 20Mpix. Striking the ultimate balance of form and function, the stylish, aluminium-built RX100 camera inherits many advanced imaging features from Sony's α range of A-mount and E-mount cameras, delivering beautiful still images, crisp full HD videos and a level of manual control and creativity unmatched by any other camera of its size. “This camera is ideal for travel, portraits or street photography, delivering impressive resultsin a variety of lighting conditions with an intuitive, customizable control interface,” said Yosuke Tomoda, director of the Cyber-shot business at Sony Electronics. “It's a perfect step-up model for point and shoot users not interested in larger DSLR or compact system cameras, and also an outstanding choice for enthusiasts who may already own a large DSLR and are looking for a high-quality, pocket-sized 'all-in-one' second camera.” At the heart of the Cyber-shot RX100 is the world's first 1.0-inch type Exmor® CMOS sensor with a resolution of 20.2 effective megapixels. Specially developed by Sony, the sensor has an area that's approximately four times larger than the 1x2.3-type sensors in traditional point-and-shoot cameras. The sensor's larger area takes in more light while capturing content, resulting in beautiful, detail-packed images and Full HD movie clips with very low noise. The larger sensor is partnered with an exceptionally bright Carl Zeiss®Vario-Sonnar T* fixed lens with 3.6x optical zoom range. In contrast to standard point-and-shoot cameras, it has a wide F1.8 maximum aperture to let in additional light and complement the resolving power of the larger sensor. Similar to high-performance DSLR optics, the lens features seven- bladed circular aperture. This makes it easy to produce images with subjects in sharp focus against a smoothly-blurred, beautifully defocused background. The lens also features an Advanced Aspherical (AA) lens element that contributes to the camera's extremely compact dimensions without sacrificing optical zoom performance or resolution. Newly optimized to complement the 1.0-inch type sensor and lens, the camera's powerful BIONZ® image processor maximizes shooting response times while helping assure exceptionally clean, natural images. It also extends sensitivity right up to ISO 25600 (using Multi Frame Noise Reduction), allowing for exceptionally clear handheld images in low light conditions. To capture fast-moving subjects, the RX100 camera can also shoot at up to 10 frames per second (in full resolution) and has high-speed autofocus that locks onto a subject in as quicklyas 0.13 seconds (depends on scene and lighting conditions). The new RX100 camera features a high-resolution 3-inch 1,229k dot Xtra Fine LCD™ display and also adds a new feature: WhiteMagic™ technology. This uses additional white pixels to boost screen brightness, allowing users to see subtle details and tones on the screen in all types of shooting environments, including outdoors in bright sunlight. For making manual adjustments while shooting both still images and movies, the new camera has a smooth control ring around the lens body, which can be used to alter exposure, zoom, creative picture effects and a variety of other customizable functions. Additionally, frequently used functions can be assigned to the Fn (function) button for instant access, and the Memory Recall feature can store up to three groups of customized shooting settings based on user preference. Similar to a DSLR-style interface, there's a choice of auto and manual focus modes on the Cyber-shot RX100 camera for enhanced image control. For those that prefer focusing manually, MF Assist magnifies images to simplify fine adjustments, and there's also a pro-style peaking function that highlights sharply-focused areas of the image on screen. The RX100 camera offers a generous choice of artistic options to expand creative shooting possibilities. It includes the option for six different creative styles and a variety of popular picture effects including Toy Camera, Partial Color, HDR Painting and several others, most of which can be previewed directly on screen before shooting. The new Cyber-shot features Auto Portrait Framing - a feature found on Sony's latest α range of A-mount and E-mount cameras — making it simple to create sharp, perfectly framed portraits. This unique feature automatically detects faces in a scene, crops the picture accordingly creates a tighter, pro-style composition at full resolution. Both the original and cropped photo are saved for review. New accessories include a spare battery, dedicated carrying case and a battery charger designed to complement to the new camera.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 boosts image quality with 1-inch sensor, f/1.8 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens (hands-on video)

With little room to grow (or shrink) on the housing front, we've begun to see manufacturers take a different approach with point-and-shoot cameras, boosting the size of image sensors to present a clear advantage over smartphone cams, which continue to cannibalize their dedicated counterparts. Sony, for its part, has just announced what's by far the most compelling Cyber-shot to date - the DSC-RX100. To the amateur's eye, this all-aluminum pocketable camera looks like any old high-end point-and-shoot, with a familiar compact design and a small, permanently attached optical zoom lens. Hiding behind that f/1.8 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 3.6x zoom optic, however, is this model's true gem: a 1-inch (13.2x8.8mm) 20.2-megapixel CMOS sensor, offering four times the area of the 1x1.7-inch imagers found in most comparably sized devices. A larger sensor means sharper details, improved low-light performance and that creamy shallow depth-of-field that's synonymous with large ILCs. Having an f/1.8 lens on-board also doesn't hurt - the optic offers a maximum aperture range of f/1.8-4.9, but can still manage captures just beyond f/2.8 at the 50mm position, giving it significant versatility. There's also a 3-inch 1,229k-dot LCD with a new technology called WhiteMagic, which adds white pixels to boost outdoor visibility while still delivering VGA resolution. A pair of control dials - one surrounding the lens and the second on the rear - enable direct access to frequent settings. There's a full manual mode on-board, giving you complete control over both stills and 1080x60p video, along with RAW capture, a seven-blade circular aperture and a BIONZ imaging processor, with support for ISO 80-25,600. The RX100 is packaged with a new battery, which is capable of 330 shots on a single charge, and packs a MS/SDXC slot, HDMI port and a USB port with charging capability. There's also a 10 frames-per-second continuous mode, 13 Picture Effect options and features that were previously only available on Sony's interchangeable lens models, like Sweep Panorama. The RX100 is designed as an all-in-one unit, so there's no microphone input or hot shoe to be found, but given the camera's incredibly small size, we really don't mind. What's slightly less encouraging, however, is the price tag - the RX100 will run you $650 when it hits stores in July, while accessories like a jacket case ($85), battery pack ($50) and screen protector ($12) place it further out of reach.

Sony Handycam HDR-GW77V has pocket camcorder form-factor and waterproof design, we go hands-on

Waterproof camcorders have traditionally been popular in the pool but less compelling on land, given the somewhat-cumbersome designs, so-so image quality and form-factors that aren't necessarily more comfortable than a similarly equipped smartphone. This may describe nearly every pocket cam you've considered, but not Sony's new Handycam - instead, think of the HDR-GW77V as a high-end camcorder you'll want to use everywhere, that happens to be just as rugged as it is practical. The camera packs the standard ruggedized punch, with a waterproof rating to 16 feet, the ability to survive a five-foot drop and a dustproof housing (though that's typically a given for tightly-sealed cams). You wouldn't think to take still photos with your camcorder, but Sony wants you to just that - to the tune of 20.4 megapixels. The Handycam's 10x optical zoom lens can capture static frames just as easily as motion, with features like optical SteadyShot and Sweep Panorama, though the 1x3.91-inch CMOS sensor means you shouldn't expect point-and-shoot-level image quality. The GW77V can shoot 1080x60p video and features a wide-angle 29.8mm G lens, along with a 3-inch 921k-dot ExtraFine touch-enabled LCD. There's a dual Memory Stick M2/microSD slot, 16GB of internal memory and a GPS module with built-in NAVTEQ maps to boot (accounting for roughly 2.7 gigs of that internal storage). We spent a few minutes shooting with the GW77V and were quite pleased with its performance - the Handycam was very responsive, with very fast focusing and an Optical SteadyShot feature that resulted in smooth footage, even while holding the camera by hand with the lens zoomed in completely. This certainly isn't your run-of-the-mill waterproof model, but considering the $700 price tag, you wouldn't expect it to be. The Handycam HDR-GW77V is slated to hit stores in silver, blue and black later this month.

Sony Cybershot DSC-RX100 Compact Camera

Here we have the leaked pictures of Sony's upcoming Cybershot DSC-RX100 compact camera. The camera will feature a 13.2X8.8Mm Exmor CMOS sensor (type 1.0 effective number of pixels 20.2 million pixels), a 3.0-inch LCD screen (1,229,000 dots), Vario-Sonnar T * lens, ISO sensitivity (100 and 80 in the expansion), NR ISO125-6400 in auto: ISO125-25600 in auto, RAW image support and 1080 60p AVCHD 28M Full HD video recording capabilities. Unfortunately, there's no word on pricing and release date yet. [Photo Rumors]

Sony Handycam HDR-GW77V Rugged Pocket HD Camcorder

Sony will launch a new rugged pocket HD camcorder in Japan. Known as the Handycam HDR-GW77V, this waterproof (down to 5m), shockproof (from 1.5m) and dustproof camcorder sports a 1/3.91 type Exmor R CMOS image sensor, a 10x optical zoom lens, a 3.0-inch touchscreen LCD display, a 16GB of storage, an SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot, GPS, a micro HDMI port, a micro USB port and 1080/60p Full HD video recording capabilities. The Handycam HDR-GW77V will go on sale from May 25th for 70,000 Yen (about $860) in blue, white and black color options.

Sony NEX-F3 Camera Unveiled

Here’s a leaked picture of the Sony NEX-F3. According to the picture, the camera features a 16-megapixel sensor and the new BIONZ processor. The Sony NEX-F3 also has a new built-in flash and a 180-degree tiltable LCD display. The Sony NEX-F3 is the successor to the NEX-C3. Stay tuned for more updates. [Sony Alpha Rumors]

Sony HXR-NX30 camcorder: built-in projector, 96GB storage for $2,500

Don't worry, lone gunslingers, today isn't just about the NEX-FS700. Sony's pro range has also been bolstered with the HXR-NX30 for videographers who need to travel light. This model sacrifices interchangeable lenses in favor of a palm-friendly form factor with a 26mm-260mm (35mm equivalent) Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T fixed lens. The camera sports Sony's ‘Balanced Optical SteadyShot' technology, which means both the lens and the sensor assembly are floated as a single element to minimize camera shake. Unlike that of the larger NEX-VG20, the HXR-NX30′s sensor is shrunken too: it's an Exmor R CMOS that's only slightly larger than 1x3-inch. The North American NX30U variant handles 1920 x 1080 at 60p, 30p and 24p, as well as 60i and 720x60p, stored as AVCHD on the camera's 96GB of internal memory. A detachable XLR unit takes care of pro-quality audio. Weirdly, the HXR-NX30 even houses a built-in projector that plays back 100-inch footage from a distance of 16 feet. It's an interesting feature, but will it be worth its weight?