Go to:
Previous Item
Current News
Next Item

Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-N1 digital camera. Courtesy of Sony, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Sony announces Cyber-shot DSC-N1
By
(Monday, October 3, 2005 - 03:09 EDT)

Sony Electronics has today unveiled a new compact digital camera model focused on sharing of images, courtesy of a larger-than-average LCD display and new album and slideshow functionality.

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-N1 features eight megapixel resolution from a newly developed CCD imager, rather than the imager we've seen used in a range of other eight megapixel cameras. This is coupled with the smallest popup Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar zoom lens to date, offering a 3x optical zoom range equivalent to 38-114mm on a 35mm camera. Undoubtedly the feature that will really grab attention is the whopping 3.0" LCD display, though - ideal for showing off photos immediately that they're captured, or using the camera itself as a portable photo album. Given the size of the display, there's little room for buttons on the camera's rear - so Sony has instead opted for a touch screen on the display, useable either with a fingertip, or with an included stylus.

Past camera models have attempted to make this last use easier, but Sony have adopted a new spin on the idea with the DSC-N1. As you capture each image, it is saved twice. One copy is saved at your chosen resolution on the camera's flash card, or in 26MB of memory reserved for image storage. The other copy is stored at VGA resolution in a further 26MB of memory that is reserved for a photo album. The user can then select favorite photos from the album for protection, or delete images they don't like. As you continue to capture images and eventually the 26MB of album space (enough for 500 VGA images) runs out, the oldest non-protected image is automatically discarded whenever a newer photo is captured. This simple method should ensure that owners always have a good selection of photos on-hand to show off, with a minimum of fuss. Sony have also extended their slideshow functionality, with a range of transitions including pans, zooms, wipes, and fades, all selected automatically by the camera, and accompanied by music stored in the camera. The user can replace the music with their own selections using the accompanying software, which will transcode the user's personal music to MPEG1 format to replace the existing four background music selections that are built into the camera. 6MB of memory is reserved for the music to be stored in.

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-N1 digital camera will cost $500, and availability is slated for mid-November.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-N1
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-N1 digital camera. Courtesy of Sony, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
General
Camera Type Ultra Compact
Manufacturer Sony
Model Number DSC-N1
Dimensions 3.8 x 2.4 x 0.9"
96.7 x 61.1 x 22.7mm
Weight 185.0 g
6.5 oz
Image Capture
Sensor Type 1/1.8" CCD
8.10 megapixels (effective)
Aspect Ratio 4:3, 16:9
Image Dimensions 3264 x 2448 (8.0 megapixels)
3264 x 2176 (7.1 megapixels)
2592 x 1944 (5.0 megapixels)
2048 x 1536 (3.1 megapixels)
1920 x 1080 (2.1 megapixels)
1280 x 960 (1.2 megapixels)
640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels)
Capture Speed Continuous: 0.9 frames per second for 4 frames
Image Quality 2 levels
Image Preview / Review
Viewfinder No
LCD 3.0", 230,000 pixels
Playback Zoom 5.0x max
Lens
Lens Type Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar
3x optical zoom
Image Stabilization No
Focal Length 7.9 - 23.7mm (actual)
38 - 114mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture Range f/2.8 - f/8.0 (wide); f/5.4 - f/16.0 (tele) - ???
Focusing System 5-area Contrast detection with AF assist lamp
Focusing Range Normal: 20" - infinity (50 cm - infinity)
Macro: 2.4"
Exposure
ISO Sensitivity Auto, 64, 100, 200, 400, 800
Shutter Speed 30 - 1/1000 second
Exposure Modes Aperture, Shutter
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, Auto w/ red-eye reduction, On, On w/ red-eye reduction, Slow synch, Slow synch w/ red-eye reduction Off
Range: 0.6 - 16.4 ft (0.2 - 5 m)
Creative
Scene Modes Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Landscape, Beach, Snow, Fireworks, Candle, Soft Snap
Digital Zoom 2x
Movie Format MPEG with audio
640x480 and 160x112
Max. frame-rate: 30 frames per second
Storage
Recording Medium Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo, Built-in
File Format JPEG
Connectivity
Video Yes
Computer USB 1.1
Other DC In
Power
Battery Type Lithium Ion rechargeable
Battery Form Factor Proprietary NP-BG1
Product Bundle
Battery / Charger Proprietary NP-BG1 Lithium Ion rechargeable battery and charger
Flash Memory 52.0MB built-in memory (26MB storage, 26MB album)
Other
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliant Yes
PictBridge Compliant Yes
Internal Microphone Yes
More Photos
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-N1 digital camera. Courtesy of Sony, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-N1 digital camera. Courtesy of Sony, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-N1 digital camera. Courtesy of Sony, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-N1 digital camera. Courtesy of Sony, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-N1 digital camera. Courtesy of Sony, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-N1 digital camera. Courtesy of Sony, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-N1 digital camera. Courtesy of Sony, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-N1 digital camera. Courtesy of Sony, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
 

Original Source Press Release:

SONY'S LATEST CYBER-SHOT DIGITAL CAMERA LETS YOU CARRY YOUR PHOTO ALBUM AND SLIDE SHOW IN YOUR POCKET

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 3, 2005 —Sony adds more enjoyment and value to your digital photography with its new full-featured compact digital camera with built-in photo sharing functions that goes beyond just picture taking.

About the size of a deck of playing cards, the stylish Cyber-shot® DSC-N1 is a high-performance, 8-megapixel camera, with an amazingly large, 3-inch, touch-screen LCD that is rare for a compact camera of this size. The N1 features a new album function that automatically stores up to 500 of your favorite images in VGA resolution, and uses them to create dynamic slide shows with music and transition effects – in the camera.

“Since the introduction of compact cameras with large LCDs, consumers have increasingly been using their cameras to not only capture moments, but also share and show them immediately on the LCD screens,” said James Neal, director of digital imaging products at Sony Electronics. “The combination of these functions makes the N1 ‘more than just a camera’, because it takes sharing to a whole new level.”

All You’ll Need in a Compact Camera
Take pictures with the confidence that you’ll get excellent picture quality. With the DSC-N1’s 8-megapixel Super HAD™ CCD, its resolution is extraordinary for a compact camera. The camera’s Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar® lens lets you capture images with the utmost sharpness and clarity.

Sony’s Real Imaging Processor® LSI provides excellent color accuracy and incredibly fast response times. Its advanced power management system delivers long battery life; up to 270 shots per charge (actual battery life depends on usage conditions). With shutter lag minimized to just 9 milliseconds, you won’t miss life’s most important moments.

Moreover, the N1 offers excellent ISO sensitivity, which is of particular importance when shooting in low-light conditions. You can capture faster action at night with less blur or, in certain conditions, avoid using a flash altogether.

With an optional Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media card, shooting high-quality video is a breeze. MPEG-VX fine mode allows you to record MPEG video with 640x480 pixel resolution at 30 frames per second, up to the capacity of a compatible media card.

Your Pictures on the Big Screen
Now showing pictures to your friends and family is even more enjoyable. The Cyber-shot N1’s 3.0-inch LCD screen is almost the size of an actual photograph – large enough for easy viewing. The camera’s menu functions are accessible with your finger or thumb, and its innovative touch-screen interface reduces the need for traditional keys next to the LCD, allowing for a large screen in a very compact body. With Sony’s Clear Photo® LCD technology, your images will be bright, with high-contrast, and easy to view in virtually any environment.

Store Up to 500 of Your Favorite Photos
The N1’s album function automatically stores up to 500 of your favorite images for a “pocket full of memories.” By recording each image separately, once in full-resolution and again in 640x480-resolution, your favorite images accumulate for easy recall and sharing wherever you go.

When you release the shutter, the full-resolution image is saved to an optional Memory Stick Duo™ media card or in the camera’s 26MB of internal memory. Automatically, the image is resized to 640x480 and stored in the portion of the camera’s internal memory dedicated to the album.

Because you will take hundreds or perhaps thousands of pictures with your N1, the album function lets you protect the images you want to keep, so that over time you will have a collection of your favorite photos with you wherever you go. And with the camera’s file management system, you can quickly locate your images; simply search for pictures by the month and date that you originally created them.

To expand your playback options, you can view your photos on your television, through the optional Cyber-shot Station™ cradle, or on your PC. You decide how to share your photos, Sony lets you do it.

For even greater personalization of your photos, the DSC-N1 model also has a distinctive paint function that let’s you draw symbols or words on the pictures in your album using your finger or the supplied stylus.

Dynamic Slide Shows Without a PC
Now you can bring your photos to life with this latest model’s slide show function. The N1 creates slide shows directly on the camera without using a PC. Images can be played back with such advanced features as transitions, pans, wipes, fades and zooms, choreographed to pre-loaded soundtracks. You can also use your own music, using the camera’s supplied software. With the camera’s built-in speaker, your slide shows are sure to have that cinematic effect with sound to complete the experience.

More for Your Memories
Sony has even more ideas for enjoying your camera’s pictures and sharing them with family and friends. Connect the N1 model to a Sony DPP-FP50 digital photo printer and make prints at home or turn them into postcards or even calendars.

If you need to print tens or even hundreds of pictures, or want to share funny video clips, Sony’s online photo service can make the job simple. At www.imagestation.com, you can create your own online photo and video albums, order prints, or make customized gifts from coffee mugs and photo books to calendars and T-shirts.

The camera comes supplied with a Lithium Ion battery, battery charger, multi-connector cable, wrist strap, stylus, and software CD-ROM. Optional accessories include the Cyber-shot Station™ cradle, a marine pack, and leather carrying case.

The Cyber-shot N1 digital camera will be available in mid-November for about $500 online at SonyStyle.com, at Sony Style retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail), and at authorized dealers nationwide. Pre-orders begin online today at www.sony.com/n1.

# # #

Go to:
Previous Item
Current News
Next Item

Powered by Coranto