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Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-G1 digital camera. Courtesy of Sony, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Sony announces wireless-capable digicam
By Michael R. Tomkins, The Imaging Resource
(Thursday, March 8, 2007 - 12:57 EST)

Sony has today announced its new Cyber-shot DSC-G1, an interesting camera with some very unusual features.

The Sony DSC-G1 has a body design that features a horizontally sliding panel that functions both as protection for the lens when closed, and as a power control to switch the camera on when opened. A six megapixel CCD image sensor is coupled to a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 3x optical zoom lens with a 35mm-equivalent focal range of 38 to 114mm - a moderate wide angle to a moderate telephoto. A whopping 3.5" LCD display offers a whopping 921,000 pixels (equating to a 640 x 480 pixel resolution, with 3 colors for each pixel location). The Sony G1 also includes built-in wireless connectivity, and is compatible with the DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) standard. What this jargon means for the end user is that they should be able to transfer images from the camera to their DLNA-compatible PC with ease, as well as being able to share images with up to four other Sony G1 users simultaneously.

One further unusual feature of the Sony Cyber-shot G1 is its inclusion of a whopping two gigabytes of memory - enough, says Sony, to store 600 images at the camera's full six megapixel resolution. Throw in a Memory Stick Duo / PRO Duo card slot, and you've got a camera that should easily consume the average vacationer's photos without the need to keep swapping cards all day long (and one that will likely end up serving its users well as an electronic photo album, to boot). Of course, given the ability to store such massive quantities of photos on your camera, you'll need a way to find them all later - and Sony has catered for this with the ability to tag images with keywords / labels and organize them by events. Perhaps more impressively, Sony notes that the G1 can also search for images containing a certain face, color or composition found in another image.

As well as its DLNA-compatible wireless connectivity, the DSC-G1 offers USB 2.0 High Speed connectivity, and NTSC / PAL video output. Power comes from a proprietary NP-FR1 InfoLithium battery. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G1 ships from April 2007, priced at $600.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G1
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-G1 digital camera. Courtesy of Sony, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
General
Camera Type Compact
Manufacturer Sony
Model Number DSC-G1
Dimensions 3.7 x 2.8 x 1.0"
93.3 x 71.7 x 25.3mm
Weight 235.0 g
8.2 oz
Planned Price $599.99
Planned Availability 2007
Image Capture
Sensor Type 1/2.5" CCD
6.00 megapixels (effective)
Aspect Ratio 4:3, 3:2
Image Dimensions 2816 x 2112 (5.9 megapixels)
2816 x 1872 (5.3 megapixels)
2048 x 1536 (3.1 megapixels)
1920 x 1080 (2.1 megapixels)
1632 x 1224 (2.0 megapixels)
640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels)
0.3 megapixels
Image Quality 2 levels
Image Preview / Review
Viewfinder No
LCD 3.5", 921,000 pixels
Playback Zoom 5.0x max
Lens
Lens Type Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar (11 elements in 9 groups, 3 aspherical)
3x optical zoom
Image Stabilization Yes
Focal Length 6.3 - 19.0mm (actual)
38 - 114mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture Range f/3.5 - 5.6 (wide) / f/4.3 - 7.1 (tele)
Focusing System 9-area Contrast Detect with AF assist lamp
Manual Focus possible (5) steps
Focusing Range Normal: 20" - infinity (50 cm - infinity)
Macro: 0.4" - infinity (1.0 cm - infinity)
Exposure
ISO Sensitivity Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1000
Shutter Speed 1 - 1/1000 second
Exposure Modes Program
Metering Modes Multi-pattern, Center-weighted, Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments
White Balance Image Sensor - Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Incandescent, Flash
Internal Flash Modes: Auto, On, Slow Sync, Off
Range: Auto ISO: W:0.3-9.2ft (0.1-2.8m), T:0.8-7.2ft (0.25-2.2m)
Creative
Scene Modes Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Landscape, Beach, Snow, Fireworks, High-Speed Shutter, High Sensitivity, Soft Snap, Handheld Twilight
Digital Zoom 2x Precision
Self Timer Yes, 2 or 10 seconds
Movie Format MPEG1? with audio
Storage
Recording Medium Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo, Built-in
File System Complies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF)
File Format JPEG (EXIF 2.2)
Connectivity
Video Yes, NTSC / PAL switchable
Computer USB 2.0 High Speed, WiFi
Other Cradle
Power
Battery Type Lithium Ion rechargeable
Battery Form Factor Proprietary NP-FR1
Product Bundle
Software Picture Motion Browser v2.0, Music Transfer, USB Driver
Battery / Charger 1 x Proprietary NP-FR1Lithium Ion rechargeable battery and charger
Flash Memory 2000.0MB Internal
Other
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliant Yes
PictBridge Compliant Yes
Internal Microphone Yes
Internal Speaker Yes
Tripod Mount Yes
More Photos
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-G1 digital camera. Courtesy of Sony, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-G1 digital camera. Courtesy of Sony, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-G1 digital camera. Courtesy of Sony, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-G1 digital camera. Courtesy of Sony, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
 

Original Source Press Release:

SONY DEBUTS ITS FIRST WIRELESS CYBER-SHOT DIGITAL CAMERA

LAS VEGAS, March 8, 2007 – Sony is advancing wireless digital photo sharing with today’s introduction of the 6-megapixel Cyber-shot ® DSC-G1 digital camera.

The G1 model is Sony’s first digital camera with the ability to send photos wirelessly to other Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA)-enabled devices, such as another camera or a PC.

“ This is a step towards realizing a platform for networked photo communication,” said Phil Lubell, director of marketing for digital cameras at Sony Electronics. “We will continue to explore the possibilities for networked digital imaging as broadband Internet becomes more pervasive in American homes.”

One-Touch Wireless Photo Sharing and Archiving
The G1 model features a 3.5-inch LCD screen with resolution of 921,000 pixels. Lubell said that’s four times higher than the average compact digital camera and all previous Sony Cyber-shot models. The new camera’s slide show with music function makes sharing photos directly on the camera even more enjoyable.”

“ Sony popularized the use of large LCD screens on compact cameras, with the understanding that simply passing the camera around is a means of sharing,” Lubell said.

The new models’ camera-to-camera wireless capability makes it possible to send your friends a photo at the push of a button. It’s also possible for up to four camera users to send each other photos in real time. With a DLNA-compatible PC, storing and sharing photos becomes simplified through wireless image transfer from the camera to the PC.

Mega Storage Capacity and Sophisticated Image Management
The G1 unit is the ideal vacation camera with 2GB of internal memory, saving you from having to manage extra media cards. It becomes a virtual photo album in your pocket as it can store up to 7,500 VGA-quality photos or 600 6-megapixel pictures. If additional storage is needed, the camera's capacity can be expanded with an optional Memory Stick Duo ™ media card or Memory Stick PRO Duo ™ card, now available in capacities up to eight gigabytes.

In addition to storage capacity, it incorporates an auto image management system with sophisticated search functions. You can organize your photos by events, such as vacations or birthdays, and retrieve them later by keywords or labels. It’s also possible to select an image and search for other photos with the same face, same color, or a similar composition.

Armed with features for optimal shooting and sharing, the new model also integrates built-in technologies to minimize image blur, including Super Steady Shot® optical image stabilization. It also has high light sensitivity, up to ISO 1000, to facilitate shooting at higher shutter speeds, as well as low-light conditions for more natural exposures or for settings where flash is not permitted.

This new Cyber-shot model also features a distinctive design. Its Carl Zeiss® 3x optical zoom lens is wrapped in an elegant metal body. You slide the lens cover across, instead of down as with previous models, and you’re ready to shoot in less than a second.

The DSC-G1 digital camera will ship in April for about $600. Additional accessories will include lenses, filters, batteries, travel chargers, sports packs and cases. All can be purchased online at sonystyle.com, at Sony Style retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail), and at authorized dealers nationwide. Pre-orders begin on Feb. 28 at www.sonystyle.com/newcameras.

# # #

Editor’s Note: The available storage capacity of Memory Stick Duo and Memory Stick PRO Duo media may vary. A portion of the memory is used for data management functions. The viewable area of LCD displays is measured diagonally. For additional information about Sony products, your readers can call toll-free at (888) 222-SONY, or visit Sony's web site at: www.sonystyle.com.

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