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Sony announces H50 long-zoom digicam
By
(Monday, February 25, 2008 - 07:00 EST)

Sony has today announced its new Cyber-shot DSC-H50 digital camera.

The Sony H50 offers a sensor resolution of nine megapixels along with a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar branded 15x optical zoom lens that includes Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization. Other H50 features include ISO sensitivity from ISO 80 to 3,200, a not-so-generous 15MB of internal memory, and a large 3.0" LCD display with 230,000 pixels.

The Sony DSC-H50 uses contrast detection autofocusing, with face detection, 9 focusing points and an AF assist lamp to help out in difficult lighting conditions. Exposures are determined with multi-pattern metering by default, and both center-weighted or spot metering modes are also on offer. As well as the internal memory, a Memory Stick Duo slot (compatible with PRO Duo cards as well) lets you expand capacity to meet your needs. Power for the H50 is provided by a proprietary NP-BG1 Lithium-ion rechargeable battery.

The Sony Cyber-shot H50 will ship this May in the USA, priced at $400.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50
General
Camera TypeEVF
ManufacturerSony
Model NumberDSC-H50
Dimensions4.6 x 3.2 x 3.4"
116.1 x 81.4 x 86.0mm
Weight415.0 g
14.5 oz
Planned Price$399.00
Planned Availability 2008
Image Capture
Sensor Type1/2.3" Sony CCD
10.30 megapixels (total)
9.10 megapixels (effective)
Filter TypeRGBG
Aspect Ratio4:3, 3:2
Image Dimensions3456 x 2592 (9.0 megapixels)
3456 x 2304 (8.0 megapixels)
3456 x 1944 (6.7 megapixels)
2592 x 1944 (5.0 megapixels)
2048 x 1536 (3.1 megapixels)
1920 x 1080 (2.1 megapixels)
640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels)
Image Quality2 levels
Image Preview / Review
ViewfinderYes, EVF type; 0.2" color LCD, 201K pixels
LCD3.0", 230,000 pixels
Lens
Lens TypeCarl Zeiss Vario-Tessar (13 elements in 8 groups, 4 aspherical, 1ED)
15x optical zoom
Image StabilizationYes
Focal Length5.2 - 78.0mm (actual)
31 - 465mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture Rangef/2.7 - 5.6 (wide) / f/4.5 - 8 (tele)
Focusing System9-area Contrast Detect with Face Detection; center-weighted AF, flexible spot AF with AF assist lamp
Manual Focus possible (0) steps
Focusing RangeNormal: 0" - infinity (1 cm - infinity)
Macro: 0.4" - infinity (1.0 cm - infinity)
Exposure
ISO SensitivityAuto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
Shutter Speed30 - 1/4000 second
Exposure ModesAperture, Shutter, Manual
Metering ModesMulti-pattern, Center-weighted, Spot
Exposure Compensation+/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments
White BalanceImage Sensor - Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent-1, Fluorescent-2, Fluorescent-3, Incandescent, Flash, One Push (custom), Manual
Internal FlashModes: Auto, On, Slow Sync, Off
Range: ISO Auto: W: 0.2 - 9.1m / T: 1.2 - 5.5m; ISO 3200: up to 18m (W), 11m (T)
Flash Exposure Compensation+/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments
Creative
Scene ModesTwilight, Twilight Portrait, Portait, Landscape, Beach, Snow, Fireworks, High Sensitivity, Advanced Sports Shooting, Smile Shutter
Digital Zoom2x Precision, up to 81x (total) Smart Zoom
Self TimerYes, 2 or 10 seconds
Movie FormatMPEG1 with audio
Storage
Recording MediumMemory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo, Built-in
File SystemFAT16, FAT32, complies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF)
File FormatJPEG (EXIF 2.2)
Connectivity
VideoYes, NTSC / PAL switchable
ComputerUSB 2.0 High Speed
OtherDC input, HD 1080i video out with optional cable
Power
Battery TypeLithium Ion rechargeable
Battery Form FactorProprietary NP-BG1
Product Bundle
SoftwarePicture Motion Browser v3.0, Music Transfer*
Battery / Charger1 x Proprietary NP-BG1 Lithium Ion rechargeable battery and charger
Flash Memory15.0MB Internal
Other
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliantYes
PictBridge CompliantYes
Internal MicrophoneYes
Internal SpeakerYes
Tripod MountYes
More Photos
 

Original Source Press Release:

NEW SONY CYBER-SHOT DSC-H50 DIGITAL CAMERA IDEAL FOR FAST-ACTION SHOOTING

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 25, 2008 – Sony today announced the latest addition to its high-zoom camera line, the 9.1-megapixel Cyber-shot® DSC-H50 digital camera. It is the ideal choice for people looking for high zoom, high-resolution and speed.

This new model utilizes a powerful Carl Zeiss® 15x optical zoom lens with Super SteadyShot® optical image stabilization to capture action at a distance. One of the main lens elements is manufactured from super low-dispersion glass, which helps it produce more exact point-to-point correspondence between an object and its image. The lens yields sharp, high-contrast images and reduces color fringing, even when shooting in telephoto ranges.

The camera also features a large, 3-inch tilting LCD screen so you can shoot comfortably from nearly any position, at low and high angles. Its scratch-resistant, UV hard-coat finish adds a premium look and feel that mirrors the performance of the model.

Improved Advanced Sports Shooting Mode
Its improved “advanced sports” shooting mode now employs a system to apply higher shutter speeds, up to 1/4000 of a second, more frequently than on previous models. This mode combines high shutter speeds with predictive continuous auto-focusing so you can quickly focus and capture fast-moving subjects with minimal shutter lag ? basically the time it takes for the camera to focus and shoot.

Sophisticated Operation
The camera’s versatile, long-distance flash is powerful enough to illuminate subjects more than 55 feet away (when using ISO 3200, wide angle).

Noise reduction is now a user-selectable option, with high, low and standard settings, for greater control over the final look of images. For example, a high setting used for portraits or night scenes can help produce smoothly textured images with reduced noise.

The unit features extensive manual controls, including an exposure bracketing mode that newly includes settings for white balance and color modes. This function records three images, each with a different white balance or color mode applied, to help capture the ambience of the original scene.

Smart Technology to Capture Better Photos Automatically
The camera also incorporates intelligent features that help you take better pictures more easily. They include improved smile shutter and face detection technologies with child or adult priority recognition, as well as, intelligent scene recognition with standard and advanced modes to analyze shooting conditions and select the optimal setting automatically.

Other helpful features include a new D-Range Optimizer (DRO) plus mode that applies a high image correction algorithm to retrieve more picture detail in bright highlights and dark shadows; NightShot® technology to help capture photos in virtually no light as well as infrared remote access; five color modes including “real” for less in-camera processing and more faithful color reproduction; in-camera editing features; advanced in-camera image management functions; improved slide show functions with longer music files; and HD component output for viewing photos on a compatible HDTV set.

Pricing and Availability
The H50 model will soon sit at the top of the Cyber-shot high zoom line. It will ship in May for about $400 with a full line of accessory options. All can be purchased online at www.sonystyle.com, at Sony Style® retail stores, at military base exchanges and at authorized dealers nationwide.

# # #

Editor’s Note: The camera requires a Sony high-definition component cable for viewing on an HDTV set (sold separately). The viewable area of LCDs is measured diagonally. For additional information about Sony products, your readers can call toll-free (888) 222-SONY, or visit Sony's web site at www.sonystyle.com. Press releases and digital images are available for the news media at Sony Electronics’ news and information web site at www.sony.com/news.

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