Sony Smiles with its Smallest 3D Digital Cameras

Sony today unveiled two new Cyber-shot digital still cameras (models DSC-TX9 and DSC-WX5) that are claimed to be the world’s smallest 3D cameras, capturing 3D images with a single lens system using a sweeping motion.

“Sony is making it easy to create personal 3D content that can be enjoyed with friends or family on compatible 3D television systems,” said Kelly Davis, director of the digital imaging business at Sony Electronics.

Both models offer a 3D Sweep Panorama feature, which lets you take panoramic pictures in one press-and-sweep motion. The high-speed burst of frames is stitched together using processing techniques to automatically create detail-packed 3D panoramas.

These images can be enjoyed in 2D or 3D on compatible 3D televisions (3D-compatible HDMI cables and 3D glasses are also required and are sold separately.)

The DSC-TX9, which has a 3.5-inch 921k resolution LCD touchscreen, and the DSC-WX5, which has a 2.8-inch LCD screen, also let you view images in a whole new way, says Sony.

Unlike 3D Sweep Panorama mode, which lets you view your 3D images on compatible 3D television systems, Sweep Multi Angle lets you view images moving in simulated 3D right on the cameras’ LCD screen by tilting the camera back and forth.

This new shooting feature captures 15 images at different angles and then compiles them into one photo, creating a 3D-like effect on the display.

In addition to Sweep Multi Angle, the 12.2 megapixel TX9 and WX5 models offer new features including Background Defocus, which simulates depth of field control and Superior Auto mode, which provides low image-noise levels previously only available from DSLR cameras, according to Sony.

The Background Defocus mode, featured in the TX9 and WX5 models, provides artistic photos like those taken with a DSLR by making it easy to blur the image’s background, putting the emphasis on your subject and creating a bokeh effect.

The camera takes two shots, identifies the background and applies a defocus effect keeping your subject crisp and clear in the foreground.

The Natural Flash feature also improves image quality and captures colors the way the eye sees them. This feature takes a reference shot without flash and then uses that as a color reference correction, resulting in more lifelike images.

These cameras also help you focus on moving subjects. By selecting your subject on the LCD screen, the camera will keep focus even as the subject moves closer or farther away.

Another new feature, Soft Skin mode, recognizes skin tones and reduces the appearance of imperfections without affecting the rest of the shot. With Sony’s “Exmor R” back-illuminated CMOS sensor technology, the new cameras provide low-light performance and 10fps burst shooting.

With the AVCHD format, used in Sony’s high-definition Handycam camcorders, the models can record movies in 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolutions in 60i at up to 17Mbps for smooth movement during playback. They can also capture videos in the MP4 format (up to 1440 x1080 30p 12Mbps) for online sharing.

In addition to its AVCHD video capability, the TX9 and WX5 cameras have Optical SteadyShot image stabilization, helping overcome camera shake.

The cameras and accessories will be available in September online at Sonystyle.com, at Sony Style retail stores (www.Sonystyle.com/retail), at military base exchanges and at authorized dealers.

The TX9 will be available for about $400 in (dark gray and red) while WX5 will come for about $300 in (silver and black).

Photo courtesy: Sony