Sony announces two new Cyber-shot U digicams (UPDATED) By
Mike Tomkins
(Wednesday, May 28, 2003 - 00:00 EDT)
Sony Electronics has today announced two new digital cameras in its Cyber-shot U series.
Cyber-shot U cameras are traditionally very small and easy on the eye, and today's announcements are no exceptions. The DSC-U30 follows closely in the footsteps of the previous DSC-U10 and DSC-U20 models styling-wise, but with the addition of a circular detail on the sliding lens cover. It features a 2 megapixel CCD imager, fixed focal-length lens, and Memory Stick PRO compatibility: Sony Cyber-shot U DSC-U30 | | Imaging Device | 1/2.7" 2.0 Megapixel Super HAD™ CCD | Recording Media | Memory Stick® Media and Memory Stick PRO™ Media | Zoom | 1X | Filter Diameter | N/A | Focal Length | 5.0mm | 35mm Conversion | 33mm | Aperture | f 2.8 | Focus | 4-Step Manual Preset with Auto | Minimum Focus Distance | 3.9" (0.1m) | Macro | Auto / Selectable | Shutter Speed | Auto (1/8 – 1/2000) | Manual Exposure | N/A | Color LCD | 1.0" 64K Pixels TFT Reflective LCD | Flash Modes | Auto, Forced On, Forced Off , Red-Eye Reduction | Flash Effective Range | 1.6 – 6.0 feet (0.5m – 1.8m) | White Balance | Auto | Picture Effects | Solarize, Black & White, Sepia, and Negative Art | ISO | Auto | Scene Modes | Soft Snap, Illumination Snap, Twilight, Active Outdoor, Vivid Nature | Self-Timer | Yes, 10 seconds | Video Output | N/A | Still Image Mode | JPEG (Normal) | MPEG Movie Mode | MPEG Video Mail (160 x 112) without Audio | Clip Motion | N/A | Microphone / Speaker | N/A | USB Terminal | Yes, Powered USB Bus | Memory Stick PRO™ Media Compatibility | Tested to support up to 1GB media capacity; does not support high speed transfer function; does not support Access Control security function | Software Supplied | Pixela ImageMixer™ Software for Sony v1.5, USB Driver SPVD-008 | OS Compatibility | Microsoft® Windows® 98 / 98SE / Me / 2000 Professional, XP Home and Professional, Macintosh® OS 8.5.1 / 8.6 / 9.0 / 9.1/ 9.2, Mac OS X 10.0 / 10.1 | Supplied Accessories | “AAA” Rechargeable NiMH Batteries, BC-CS2 Battery Charger, USB Cable, MSA-8A 8MB Memory Stick® Media, Neck Strap, Software CD-ROM | Dimensions (W / H / D) | 3 3/8" x 1 5/8" x 1 3/16" (85mm x 40mm x 29mm) | Weight | 4.3 oz. (123g) w/Batteries, Memory Stick® Media, and Neck Strap | More Photos | | | | | | . | The Cyber-shot U DSC-U60, meanwhile, takes the line in a new direction - underwater! The camera looks to be very similar to the DSC-U30, but in a vertical form-factor with a hybrid 1-inch LCD screen. Again, resolution is 2 megapixels and the lens has a fixed focal length equivalent to 33mm. Sony Cyber-shot U DSC-U60 | | Imaging Device | 1/2.7" 2.0 Megapixel Super HAD™ CCD | Recording Media | Memory Stick® Media and Memory Stick PRO™ Media | Optical Zoom | 1X | Filter Diameter | N/A | Focal Length | 5.0mm | 35mm Conversion | 33mm | Aperture | f 2.8 | Focus | 4-Step Manual Preset with Auto | Minimum Focus Distance | 3.9" (0.1m) | Macro | Auto / Selectable | Shutter Speed | Auto (1/8 – 1/2000) | Manual Exposure | N/A | Color LCD | 1.0" 64K Pixels Hybrid LCD | Flash Modes | Auto, Forced On, Forced Off , Red-Eye Reduction | Flash Effective Range | 1.6 – 6.0 feet (0.5m – 1.8m) | White Balance | Auto | Picture Effects | Solarize, Black & White, Sepia, and Negative Art | ISO | Auto | Scene Modes | Soft Snap, Illumination Snap, Twilight, Active Outdoor, Vivid Nature, Underwater | Self-Timer | Yes, 10 seconds | Audio / Video Output | N/A | Still Image Mode | JPEG (Normal) | MPEG Movie Mode | MPEG Video Mail (160 x 112) without Audio. 15 second maximum clip length | Clip Motion | N/A | Folder Create / Select | Yes | Microphone / Speaker | N/A | Slide Show Mode | N/A | Media / Battery Indicator | Yes | File Formats | JPEG, MPEG | Maximum File Resolution | 1632 x 1224 | USB Terminal | Yes, USB Bus Powered | Memory Stick PRO™ Media Compatibility | Tested to support up to 1GB media capacity; does not support high speed transfer function; does not support Access Control security function | Software Supplied | Pixela ImageMixer™ Software for Sony v1.5, USB Driver SPVD-010 | OS Compatibility | Microsoft® Windows® 98 / 98SE / Me / 2000 Professional, XP Home and Professional, Macintosh® OS 8.5.1 / 8.6 / 9.0 / 9.1/ 9.2, Mac OS X 10.0 / 10.1 | Supplied Accessories | NH-AAA-DI Rechargeable NiMH Batteries, BC-CS2 Battery Charger, USB Cable, Wrist Strap, MSA-8A 8MB Memory Stick® Media, Software CD-ROM | Dimensions (W / H / D) | 2 3/8" x 4 3/8" x 1 3/4" (60.2 x 116.8 x 43.3mm) | Weight | 6.7 oz. (191g) w/Batteries, Memory Stick® Media, and Wrist Strap | More Photos | | . | Both new cameras will be available in early July. The Cyber-shot U DSC-U60 will cost around $250, and the Cyber-shot U DSC-U30 will cost about $200.
UPDATED 2003-05-28 01:22ET: Added the Sony USA press release...
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Original Source Press Release:
SONY'S NEW DIGITAL CAMERAS PROMOTE SPORTS AND FASHION Latest Additions to Cyber-shot U-series Designed to Capture Moments as They Happen
SAN DIEGO, May 28, 2003 - Capturing summer memories on the beach or at a nightclub just got more fun with the new Cyber-shot® U-series digital cameras from Sony.
The Cyber-shot DSC-U60 digital camera's ruggedized and waterproof design brings picture taking to places users would be cautious in taking a conventional camera: the ski slope, the beach, the side of a mountain, even up to 5 feet underwater.
The Cyber-shot U30 model has a compact, fashionable design that turns it into an attention-grabbing, wearable accessory that is light enough to hook to a belt loop, drape around the neck or carry in a pocket.
Both models will be available in early July, and will sell for around $250 and $200, respectively.
"Because so much of life's greatest moments occur at the most unexpected times and in unexpected places, we designed our new Cyber-shot U-series to accompany the user on any adventure," said Steve Haber, senior vice president for Sony Electronics' Digital Imaging Products Division.
Finally, a Camera for the Sport Utility Lifestyle
Fully weatherproofed with O-ring sealing closures, the new Cyber-shot U60 unit is a digital camera designed to meet the rigors of an active lifestyle.
Its unique vertical orientation (designed for one-handed operation) and fast start up time (less than a second) ensure that the user remains a part of the activity even when taking a picture.
Adding to that experience, the Cyber-shot U60 model's buttons are laid out to be easily accessible with the thumb. With a few clicks of the Scene button, users can switch between seven different scene modes, including an underwater setting (noted by a fish icon) to adjust for the blue hue of water and an action setting (noted by a running man icon) to capture fast moving subjects.
Style-Cubed: You, Your Friends and `U'
If the ideal setting for the Cyber-shot U60 camera is the great outdoors, then its sibling, the Cyber-shot U30 camera, could easily be seen at parties, nightclubs and other urban activities.
Small enough to wear and hip enough to flaunt, the new camera comes in three different colors (blue, silver and charcoal grey) to match any outfit or mood. And because of its size, users will find that they will always have a camera on-hand to capture spontaneous and candid moments.
For those instances when the user wants to be a part of the picture, the Cyber-shot U30 model features a circular mirror on the sliding lens cover to ensure that the picture is properly framed.
Both of the new cameras are designed with a simple-to-use interface, but behind-the-scenes, advanced photographic features work to ensure the user to concentrate on capturing the moment without being distracted by camera settings.
Pre-Flash Metering: For capturing a subject with a scenic background under low-light conditions, the camera illuminates the subject and calculates exposure through the lens directly from the CCD for accurate flash metering. Adjustable flash level and red-eye reduction insure great flash shots.
MPEG Movie Mode (Video only): For those moments when a simple still picture doesn't capture the entire mood, both new digital cameras capture up to 15 seconds of MPEG video (160 x 112 pixel resolution) that are perfect for emailing to family and friends.
Bright LCD Monitor: For framing a picture accurately, the reflective LCD absorbs and reflects the ambient light through the LCD to improve brightness outdoors.
Supplied Rechargeable NiMH Batteries: Both units come supplied with Sony's Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) AAA Stamina® batteries with external charger.
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Editor's Note: Sony Electronics' Digital Imaging Product Division markets digital imaging products and services, including Cyber-shot® and Digital Mavica® still cameras, Handycam® camcorders and related accessories. For additional information about Sony products, call (888) 222-SONY, or visit Sony's web site at: www.sony.com/di. Press releases and digital images are available for the media at Sony Electronics' news and information web site at: www.sony.com/news. See product user's manual for proper care of waterproof housing. |
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