Digital Camera Reviews

Sony is proud to present their newest pocket HD Camcorder, the Bloggie Touch. Measuring 15.2mm x 107mm x 52mm and weighing 125 grams, this ultra-compact video camera is equipped with a sensitive Exmor CMOS image sensor, a 4x digital zoom, a 3-inch capacitive touchscreen display, a 4GB/8GB of storage, a flip-out USB arm, an HDMI output and can captures both 1920 x 1080p Full HD video (30fps) as well as up to 12.8 digital still images. The Bloggie Touch will start shipping in October for $180 (4GB) and $200 (8GB), respectively.

B&H has begun taking pre-orders for Sony’s newest DSLR camera ‘Alpha DSLR-A560′ via its online store. In case you didn’t know, the Alpha DSLR-A560 sports a 14.2-megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor, a powerful BIONZ image processor, a 3-inch LCD screen, an SD/SDHC card slot, a USB 2.0 port, an HDMI output and 1080p Full HD video recording (60fps) capabilities. The Alpha DSLR-A560 retails for $649.99 (body only).

The Sony A550 is a mid-range 14.2 megapixel DSLR camera offering enhanced Live View, Auto HDR functionality and high-speed continuous shooting capabilities. Slotting in above the A3- series cameras and below the A700, the Sony Alpha A550 employs a new Exmor CMOS sensor for better low-light images with an increased ISO range of 200-12800. The A550 offers 7fps continuous shooting when using the optical viewfinder or 4fps in Live View mode using the 3 inch tilting LCD screen, while the new Auto HDR mode promises to capture a huge range of shadow and highlight detail in landscapes, interiors and other scenes. The Quick AF Live View of the A3x0 series has been carried over, and is joined by a new Manual Focus Check Live View mode which assists with fine-tuning your composition and focus. A 9-point AF Sensor with eye-start auto-focus, SteadyShot anti-shake system, built-in dust reduction, face detection, smile shutter, a pop-up flash and up to 950 shot battery life complete the A550’s headline specs. The Sony A550 costs £689 / €849 / $950.

The Sony DCR-SX83 16GB Handycam Camcorder is a standard definition camcorder that brings a number of features and functions to the table, while remaining budget-conscious. This camcorder, like all other Sony’s announced in early 2010, has multiple recording media options. In addition to the 16GB embedded, or internal, flash memory, the SX83 gives you the choice of recording to optional Sony Memory Stick Media (including Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo, and Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo) or to popular SD/SDHC memory cards.

Helping to capture all the 720 x 480 video, or 3.1MP still images, is the camera’s 1/4″ back-illuminated “Exmor R” CMOS sensor. This imager maximizes the camera’s light gathering capabilities thus allowing you to capture more detailed and cleaner, or less grainy, images in lower lighting situations. In concert with the Exmor R sensor, the SX83′s Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens brings the reputation and quality of Carl Zeiss optics to the table, while Sony’s SteadyShot image stabilization helps to cut down on blur caused by camera shake. Another important function, the camera’s 25x optical zoom helps you to narrow in on your subject with clarity, while the 2.7″ Clear Photo LCD provides a widescreen platform for composition and playback, along with 270° of rotation, and touch panel operation. Read the rest of this entry »

Still true to MiniDV? Then you’ll love the Sony HDR-HC9 MiniDV High Definition Handycam Camcorder. Get the quality of HD with MiniDV and capture stills to Memory Stick media for fast transferring to your PC or other Memory Stick compatible device for emailing or printing. The HC9 features a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T professional quality lens, 10x optical zoom and a 3.2Mp CMOS sensor for excellent video.

Super SteadyShot image stabilization protects against the age old problem of handshake with even more accuracy than ever before. In addition, The 2.7″ touch panel Clear Photo LCD Plus display boasts user-friendly menus and widescreen viewing for recording and playback. An HDMI connection provides fast transfer of audio and video in single cable. The HDR-HC9 is just the right blend of old and new coming together for an amazing video experience.

Sony’s entry-level HDR-XR100 80GB High Definition Handycam Camcorder offers up true 1080 x 1920 high definition recording and the convenience of internal media, at an affordable price. The camera’s hard disk drive holds almost 32 hours of HD video and 4MP still images, while optional Memory Stick Duo media provides additional storage.

Helping you to capture all that beautiful footage would be the job of 1/5″ Exmor CMOS sensor and BIONZ image processor, along with the 10x optical zoom and a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens. The 2.7″ wide touch panel LCD with 270° of rotation helps you compose accurate shots and makes for easier viewing upon playback. In addition, the HDR-XR100 also boasts other user-friendly features like Face Detection and Smile Shutter technology that ensure everyone in the frame looks their best.

Sony’s HDR-XR550V 240GB Handycam Camcorder provides up to 100 hours of high def recording to an internal hard disk drive (HDD), GPS capabilities, and a myriad of other features and functions. In addition to the large HDD, Sony also gave the XR550V the ability to record to proprietary Memory Stick media, or to SD/SDHC memory cards. Transfer video and still images from the HDD to removable media for easy uploading, and to free up space on the camera when you can’t get to a PC.

The XR550V captures 1920 x 1080i HD video and 12MP stills. The camera also offers up 1080/60p output to HDTV, and features like Dual Recording that allow you to record video and take a still shot at the same time. Other options such as 24Mbps AVCHD video capture help you to get the most out of your memories.

At the core of the XR550V you’ll find a 1/2.88″ back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor, a generous 3.5″ Xtra Fine LCD display, a 0.27″ color viewfinder, and other functions like 10x optical zoom, Optical SteadyShot image stabilization, and a Wide Angle G-Lens. Other features like Sony’s BIONZ Image Processor, BRAVIA Sync technology, and an HDMI connection all come into play as well.

The built-in GPS receiver with NAVTEQ maps, one of the most notable features on the XR550V, gives you the ability to geotag your video or still images for quick retrieval options, geotagging your footage online, and for keeping everything organized according to place. The GPS receiver also automatically adjusts the camcorder’s clock to the proper time zone, making it the ideal partner no matter where in the world you find yourself.

Sony’s MHS-CM5 bloggie Camera (Violet) is a high definition pocket camcorder that sports a pistol-grip design along with a number of features and functions. In addition to 1920 x 1080p MP4 video capture, the CM5 also take 5MP stills. The camera has “Movie” and “Still” buttons for switching between still or video capture as well.

When it comes to what makes the CM5 tick, you’ll find all the same features that the big guys, consumer camcorders, use too. There’s a 5MP CMOS sensor that helps to capture video and still images with clarity, a 2.5″ swivel LCD that rotates up to 270°, and even 5x optical zoom for capturing far off subjects. Other important core features include Sony’s SteadyShot image stabilization, which cuts down on blur caused by motion, and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Read the rest of this entry »

The Sony NEX-VG10 Interchangeable Lens Handycam is the first-ever large sensor video camera, merging the rich colors, enhanced light sensitivity, and shallow depth-of-field of video DSLRs with the shape, size, and functionality of a camcorder. That means no more rigging out your video-enabled DSLR with accessories that cost twice as much as the camera–and no more funneling your video through the tiny sensors and fixed lenses of camcorders past.

Along with access to Sony’s growing line of E-mount and already established A-mount lenses (using an optional adapter), the NEX-VG10 provides an APS HD CMOS sensor that measures over 19 times the size of a conventional camcorder’s! This translates into a significant upgrade in pixel size and image quality, allowing you to record truly cinematic-looking video that gives you creative control over what’s in focus and what’s not. Whether shooting 1920 x 1080 video or 14.2MP stills, creative control is the order of the day–from manually adjusting iris, shutter speed, white balance and gain to finding the perfect lens to capture the world as you see it.

And if you need a little extra help keeping your images sharp and steady, the included 18-200mm OSS zoom (and its E-mount alternatives) is video-optimized to silently autofocus while providing optical image stabilization for potentially shaky shots. As on so many other camcorders, a bright, high-resolution 3″ LCD screen swivels 180° for maximum viewing flexibility. (Try that on a 7D!) Further distinguishing the NEX-VG10 is an included Quad Capsule stereo microphone, which adds the precise, high-quality audio you’ll need to match the lushness of your images. Headphone and external microphone jacks give you even more audio control.

The Sony Handycam NEX-VG10E is an interchangeable-lens Full-HD camcorder using the Sony E lens mount – the same as the one found on the new Sony NEX digital system cameras – and an APS HD CMOS sensor. The NEX-VG10E comes supplied as standard with an image-stabilised E18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS lens, optimised for video shooting and offering smooth, ultra low-noise autofocus and stepless diaphragm control. Alongside the three currently available E-mount lenses, users of the NEX-VG10E can mount a wide variety of A-mount DSLR optics by using the optional LA-EA1 mount adapter. The Sony NEX-VG10E comes equipped with a 3”, 921,000-dot LCD screen and a 1,152,000-dot electronic viewfinder. Apart from capturing Full-HD video, the Handycam NEX-VG10E can also shoot stills at a resolution of 14.2 megapixels. Availability is slated for September in the U.S.A. and October in Europe. The price is $2,000 including the 18-200mm lens.

Sony is gearing up to drop a new point-and-shoot camera ‘Cyber-shot DSC-T99′ for the Japanese market. Powered by a powerful BIONZ image processor, this compact camera packs a 14.1-megapixel Super HAD CCD sensor, Carl Zeiss lens, a 4x optical zoom lens, a 3-inch touchscreen display, a 32MB of internal memory, an SD/SDHC card slot, ISO up to 3200 and has the ability to record 720p HD video at 30fps. Available in black, silver, pink, green and violet color options, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T99 will go on sale in Japan from mid-September for around $250.

The Sony Cyber-shot WX5, TX9 and T99 compact digital cameras have been unveiled today. The WX5 and TX9 are the first Cyber-shots to offer 3D Sweep Panorama. The WX5 and TX9 also feature a 12.2 megapixel Exmor R CMOS Sensor for low noise performance, 1080i Full HD movie recording, Superior Auto mode and Background defocus mode. The 14.1 megapixel Cyber-shot T99 offers Sweep Panorama and 720p HD movie recording. The Sony Cyber-shot WX5, TX9 and T99 digital cameras will be available from mid-September 2010.

Sony has finally confirmed the availability of the Sony A290 and A390 DSLR cameras. Both cameras feature a 14-megapixel sensor, a 2.7-inch LCD display, Memory Stick and SDHC memory card support, up to 3200 ISO sensitivity, a USB 2.0 port and an HDMI mini connector. The Sony Alpha A390 has a 2.7-inch tilt and swivel LCD display with a Quick AF Live View, while the Sony Alpha A290 weights at just 456grams (without battery). The Sony Alpha A290 and A390 will be released in Summer 2010.

Image-acquire has reviewed the Sony DCR-SR68 camcorder that provides a 80GB hard disk drive, so you can capture and store up to 61 hours (LP mode) of video footage. The DCR-SR68 also delivers sharp, high-resolution images thanks to a professional-quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens, while the 60X optical zoom lets you capture tight shots from a distance. This affordable video recorder also has a 2.7-inch Clear Photo color LCD monitor, the SteadyShot image stabilization, a variety of scene recognition modes and fader effects and a digital still photo mode.

The newly announced Sony Alpha NEX-3 interchangeable lens camera is finally available for pre-order in the US via Amazon for $549.99. In case you didn’t know, the Alpha NEX-3 sports a 14.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, a powerful BIONZ processor, a 3-inch swiveling LCD screen, an SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot, up to 7 fps continuous shooting, ISO up to 12800, a USB 2.0 port, an HDMI output and 720p HD video recording.