Sony has announced a pair of compact cameras, the Cyber-shot TX55 and WX30, both featuring a 16.2 megapixel Exmor R CMOS image sensor and full HD 1080i AVCHD movie recording capabilities. The TX55 is billed as world's thinnest full HD camera, at 12.2mm (0.48 in) thick. The new arrivals are due out in September
Sony Cyber-shot TX55
The TX55 comes with a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens, 3.3-inch OLED touchscreen, 5x optical zoom, optical image stabilization and sensitivity up to ISO 3200. It shoots 42.9 megapixel panoramas in Intelligent Sweep Panorama mode, which works by simply sweeping the camera. The Dual Rec function allows users to take 12 megapixel still photos while recording a full HD movie without interrupting it. The 3D mode makes it possible to capture 3D still images (after pressing the shutter button in 3D mode, a pair of frames is grabbed in a quick succession and a 3D effect comes automatically), 3D Sweep Panoramas and Sweep Multi Angle. A 10x Clear Image Zoom with 'By Pixel Super Resolution' technology magnifies pictures without quality loss, according to Sony.
The memory card slot in the TX55 works with either Memory Stick Micro (M2) or MicroSD/SDHC cards. The camera weighs approximately 94 grams (3.31 oz). It will be initially priced at US$350, and available in Europe and the U.S. starting in September.
Sony Cyber-shot WX30
The WX30 is a bit more standard in terms of design, and comes similarly spec'd to the TX55. The camera features a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens, 16.2 megapixel Exmor R CMOS image sensor, 5x optical zoom, 1080i AVCHD video recording capability and a maximum sensitivity of ISO 3200. Other features include 3D and Intelligent Sweep Panorama modes, Clear Image Zoom and Dual Rec.
The camera features a 3-inch Xtra Fine LCD touchscreen and weighs approximately 100 grams (3.52 oz). The WX30 will be available in Europe in September, with no pricing or U.S. availability announced at this point.
