March 02, 2009 20:00 ET

Sony Cybershot HX1 Debuts High-Zoom 'Exmor' CMOS Sensor

Extraordinary Image Quality Plus High-Speed Shooting

LONDON--(Marketwire - March 2, 2009) -

-- 9.1 effective megapixel 'Exmor' CMOS sensor for high-speed shooting and reduced image noise

-- High speed continuous shooting up to 10 frames per second

-- Premium quality G Lens with 20x optical zoom and 28mm wide angle

-- Record 1080/30p HD movie clips

-- 'Sweep Panorama' mode captures extra-wide landscapes

-- 3.0" tilt-angle Clear Photo LCD Plus screen

The Sony Cybershot HX1 teams stunning picture quality, lightning-fast shooting and powerful creative features in a stylish, supremely easy to use digital camera.

The new flagship of the Sony Cybershot range showcases a range of sophisticated image sensing, optical and processing technologies that offer unrivalled creative possibilities.

Offering cutting edge performance and a powerful 20x optical zoom range, the compact HX1 digital camera fits effortlessly into a weekend bag or small travel case. It's an ideal companion for anyone who needs top-flight imaging performance and advanced shooting functions without the bulk of packing a digital SLR camera and all its accompanying lenses.

The HX1 digital camera, with an effective resolution of 9.1 megapixels, debuts a new Sony-developed 'Exmor' CMOS sensor. Originally developed for the Sony Alpha digital SLR programme, 'Exmor' technology delivers outstanding images with reduced noise, especially when shooting in high ISO settings.

In tandem with the powerful BIONZ image processor, the 'Exmor' CMOS sensor supports full-resolution shooting at an incredible 10 frames per second (max) using a mechanical shutter. Outpacing many pro-spec digital SLR cameras, this super-fast shooting rate is ideal for capturing high-speed action or spontaneous events like parties, where anything can happen in a moment.

The 'Exmor' CMOS sensor supports two new shooting modes that reduce image noise when you're shooting in low light. If you're capturing static subjects, new Handheld Twilight mode grabs a high-speed burst of six frames, combining them to create a single optimised image with dramatically reduced noise levels. If your subject is moving, Anti Motion Blur mode also superimposes six frames to produce one crisp, composite image with less subject blur.

Also powered by the 'Exmor' CMOS sensor and BIONZ processor, the Sony Cybershot HX1 features a brand-new shooting mode that captures breathtaking landscapes, city scenes and more; 'Sweep Panorama'. Just hold down the shutter button and swing the camera horizontally (or vertically). The Sony Cybershot HX1 seamlessly stitches together a high-speed burst of frames to create an extra-wide, high resolution image. Panoramas can be viewed as a scrolling preview on the three-inch LCD screen or new S-Frame digital photo frames or previewed on a PLAYSTATION 3.

Making its Sony Cybershot debut is a new G Lens that has been designed to complement the extraordinary imaging possibilities of the 'Exmor' CMOS sensor and BIONZ processor.

Developed originally for the Sony Alpha Digital SLR family, the G Lens in the HX1 digital camera teams aspherical lens elements and ED (extra-low dispersion) lens for uncompromising optical precision. You'll experience superb resolution and minimal chromatic aberration at all settings, from 28mm wide-angle right up to 560mm super telephoto. This generous 20x optical zoom range accommodates a huge range of shooting possibilities, from landscapes and fun-filled family moments to action-packed sports events.

The Sony Cybershot HX1 is the first compact digital camera from Sony that's capable of shooting 1080/30p HD movies. It captures crisp, detail-packed HD video clips plus stereo sound at a smooth 30 frames per second.

HD movies and still photos can be enjoyed with superb quality on your BRAVIA or any HD Ready television*. BRAVIA Sync displays the camera's playback screen on the TV screen, allowing handy control of slideshow, zoom, image index and other functions with your BRAVIA TV's remote.

The Sony Cybershot HX1 makes it brilliantly easy to get great results without the worry of adjusting camera settings correctly. Intelligent Scene Recognition has been enhanced with the addition of Smile Shutter. This lets you capture beautiful smiles automatically, even in tricky situations like twilight or backlighting.

The HX1 digital camera features a tilt-angle 3.0" LCD screen that gives extra flexibility for framing your shots comfortably in any position. Clear Photo LCD Plus technology delivers superb picture quality and contrast, with a resolution of 230,000 dots that's capable of resolving fine details.

A new jog dial simplifies 'click and rotate' selection and adjustment of camera settings. For extra convenience, there's also a Digital SLR-style Custom button that can be assigned to Smile Shutter, White Balance adjust or metering mode select functions.

The Sony Cybershot HX1 digital camera is available from the beginning of May 2009.

*requires optional HDMI cable

Features             HX1
Effective Pixels     9.1 megapixels
Sensor               1/2.4 type 'Exmor' CMOS Sensor
Lens                 'G Lens'
Zoom                 20x Optical Zoom
Bionz Processor      Yes
HD Movie             1080/30p HD
Wide Angle lens      28mm
ISO                  3200
Display              3.0" Clear Photo LCD Plus Tilting type
Battery Life         195 mins
SteadyShot           Optical SteadyShot
Colours              Black

Environmental Info

Sony is engaged in a constant review of its manufacturing, operational and business practices to ensure that its products are developed in an environmentally responsible way. This approach can broadly be divided into three areas:

Product

Halogenated materials can pose a risk to the environment if disposed of improperly. To minimize this risk, halogen-free flame retardants are used for certain printed circuit boards.

The Cybershot HX1 body is made from 100% recycled plastic.

Process

The extended user manual is provided electronically on CD-ROM to reduce paper use. Product packaging is made from 100% recycled paper to reduce the impact on the environment. VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) -- free vegetable oil based ink is used to print the carton.

Planet

Sony is determined to lead the way as a responsible manufacturer, and as a result we are focussing on three key areas of investment:

1. Reducing CO2 gas emissions
2. Increasing the percentage of renewable energy used in
   manufacturing facilities
3. Minimising the resources used by our factories in manufacturing

For more information, please contact your local PR manager or:

Silke Schild, Corporate Communications, Sony Europe Silke.Schild@eu.sony.com / +44 (0)1932 816 507

About Sony:

Sony manufactures audio, video, communications and information technology products for the global consumer and professional markets. With its music, pictures, game and online businesses, Sony is uniquely positioned to be one of the world's leading digital entertainment brands. Sony recorded consolidated global annual sales of EUR 55.44 billion (yen 8,871 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, based on an average market exchange rate for the same period of yen 160.0 to the EUR. It employs approximately 180,500 people worldwide.

In Europe, the Sony Group recorded consolidated annual sales of EUR 12.73 billion (yen 2,328 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008. Sony Europe, headquartered at the Sony Center am Potsdamer Platz in Berlin, is responsible for the company's European electronics business and registered consolidated sales of EUR 9.55 billion for the same period.

For more information on Sony Europe, please visit http://www.sony-europe.com and http://www.sony-europe.com/presscenter

'Sony', 'Cybershot', 'Cyber-shot', 'Exmor', 'PLAYSTATION' and 'BRAVIA' are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sony Corporation. All other trademarks are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.