Sony’s Latest Point-and-Shoots
Sony’s latest point-and-shoot cameras: one is waterproof and the other has a 10x optical zoom.
When I hear the word “camera”, I think of interchangeable lenses and shooting in RAW but admittedly, carrying around a DSLR kit isn’t always feasible. With that in mind, I’ve been searching for a suitable point-and-shoot replacement for those times when a pocket camera is much more suitable than an 825g DSLR (without the lens).
Sony has just announced their latest P&S and its ability to withstand the elements is making it look like a great candidate. (Using a DSLR around water, humidity, sand or other foreign elements is a huge no-no.)
The first, the DSC-TX5 is the smallest and thinnest camera certified waterproof to a depth of 10ft. It can also operate down to -10C, is completely sealed (and therefore dust/sand-proof) and can withstand drops of 5ft.
It utilizes Sony’s latest Exmor R sensor which allows it to take 10 megapixel shots at up to 10 frames-per-second as well as shoot 720p (1280×720 at 30 fps) video. The back of the camera features a large 3” LCD touchscreen for easy control and operation.
Another built-in feature is high-dynamic range shooting which allows it to combine similar images with different exposures and extract the best parts of each.
The second camera, the DSC-H55, features a 10x optical zoom and 14 megapixel resolution. It features a built-in “Panorama” mode that allows you to take multiple pictures and automatically stitch them together to create a larger image.
Both cameras feature image stabilization to reduce blur and shake when taking photos as well as when capturing video (e.g. while walking around) as well as face & smile detection. When taking group shots or self portraits, the cameras can be set to wait until it detects subjects before capturing the image.
The cameras also utilize the quick Class-4 SD memory cards (SDHC) as well as Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick PRO Duo.
The DSC-TX5 will be available in 5 colours: silver, black, pink, green and red for an MSRP of $399 CAD. The DSC-H55 will be available in 2 colours: black and silver for an MSRP of $329 CAD.
They are available for pre-order now and will be shipping and in retail stores in April.