SAN DIEGO, Aug. 29, 2004 – With its 7.2 megapixels and a Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar® lens with 4x optical zoom, Sony's new Cyber-shot â DSC-V3 digital still camera puts outstanding image quality, sophisticated controls and a compact ergonomic design in the hands of photo enthusiasts. It will be available in late October for about $700.

Providing all the versatility of a much larger camera, the V3 is a compact, classic rangefinder-style camera featuring a large easy-to-handle grip. The new design incorporates a 2.5-inch LCD viewfinder, providing more room than ever before to see and share images the moment they are captured.

“The Cyber-shot DSC-V3 model is for a special class of photographer that wants creative control over the picture-taking process in an ultra-portable package,” said Greg Young, general manager for digital still camera marketing in Sony Electronics' Personal Mobile and Imaging Division.

Fast and Responsive

The new camera is powered by Sony's recently introduced Real Imaging Processor™ circuitry that ensures fast start-up and shot-to-shot times of just over a second, providing increased speed and performance for automatic features like auto focus and auto exposure. Breathtaking still photographs are only part of the picture. When used with Memory Stick PRO Ô media, the V3 camera also captures and plays back high resolution moving images in MPEG-VX Fine mode, with 640x480 pixel resolution at 30 frames per second up to the capacity of the media card .

The V3 model employs a rechargeable InfoLithium® battery system for quick recharging time, which means that you will spend less time charging and more time taking pictures, up to 260 shots per charge.

More Features, More Images

Packed with versatility, the DSC-V3 camera can satisfy the needs of even the most discerning hobbyist. In addition to dual media slots that accept Memory Stick Ò and Compact Flash Ò I media formats for storing hundreds of photos, this new camera can record in the RAW format, which preserves the original data recorded to the CCD and provides extensive control over the image editing process.

Capturing action shots is made easier with high-speed burst (SDRAM) mode, which can capture up to eight full-resolution images at more than two frames per second. Additional features include:

Resolution: Sony's 7.2-megapixel CCD image sensor provides the Cyber-shot DSC-V3 camera with a maximum image size of 3072 x 2304, equating into 8.5 x 11-inch prints at 300 dpi.

Manual Exposure Controls: Flexible exposure control is provided with aperture priority, shutter priority and manual exposure modes for better command over motion and depth of field.

Hologram AF™ Illuminator: Projects a laser pattern on the subject to create contrast for precise focus, even in low or no light.

Multi-Pattern Measuring: Independently meters the light in 49 points of the frame to establish the optimum exposure, even when highlight and shadow aren't centered in the frame.

Hot Shoe: Communicates mode and exposure information to the accessory flash components, including Sony's HVl-F32X external flash or other studio flash systems.

NightShot Infrared System: Captures infrared images in total darkness at a distance of up to 15 feet.

NightFraming System: To capture crisp images in low or no light, this feature illuminates the subject with the NightShot system for proper framing, focuses with Hologram AF illuminator and lights the scene with the appropriate amount of flash.

Printing one or many images is easy with the DSC-V3 camera, which is PictBridge ™ compatible. Connect the camera to a PictBridge enabled printer, such as Sony's new PictureStation Ô DPP-FP30, and printing is as simple as pressing the print button.

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Editor's Notes : Sony Electronics' Personal, Mobile and Imaging Products Division markets Cyber-shot® digital still cameras, Handycam® camcorders and related imaging accessories. In addition, the division markets personal audio products, such as the new Network Walkmans, along with the Hi-MD™, Net MD™ and CD Walkman® players. It also markets a variety of mobile electronics for enjoyment in the car. For additional information about Sony products, your readers can 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 .