The Sony Cyber-shot H20 is a new 10 megapixel camera with a Carl Zeiss 10x optical zoom lens. If you need high performance in a compact, go-anywhere package, the Sony H20 teams a powerful 10x optical zoom range and HD 720p movie recording with a 3-inch LCD screen. The Sony H20 camera will be available in black for about $280 / £269.

Sony Press Release

If you need high performance in a compact, go-anywhere package, the Cyber-shot H20 teams a powerful 10x optical zoom range and HD movie recording with purposeful styling.

The intelligent auto mode, available on the H20 model helps “think” for you and detect scene conditions then adjust settings, especially in difficult lighting scenarios.

“This camera provides a seamless experience,” said Karim Noblecilla, senior product marketing manager in Sony Electronics’ Digital Imaging Division. “You can go from a walk in the park to taking pictures of a flower and then back to beautiful landscapes or indoor birthday parties, and the camera will know what to do to get the best shot.”

Additionally, intelligent auto mode enhances pictures of faces to capture natural skin tones, identifies when your subject has closed eyes, and helps reduce blur without damaging image quality.

Sony has combined three key technologies to make this camera smarter.

Intelligent scene recognition (iSNC) detects up to eight scenes, recognizing objects, faces and lighting conditions (e.g. low light and backlight). Then, in one-thirtieth of a second, it changes the setting to get the best shot.

Face detection registers up to eight faces; adjusts focus, exposure, white balance and flash; and detects motion. This intelligent camera combines face detection with iSCN, featuring blink detection. It takes two pictures and saves the one in which the subject’s eyes are the least shut.

The H20 camera also has selected-face memory, allowing you to zero in on the main subject’s face. The next time the camera detects the priority face in the frame, it will automatically focus on that person.

The Optical SteadyShot image stabilization feature helps prevent blur due to camera shake without impacting image quality. Equipped with Sony’s Smile Shutter technology, these cameras automatically capture a smile the moment it happens.

Another advanced feature that sets this camera apart from most digital still cameras is iSCN advanced. Noblecilla said the iAuto feature increases the chances of getting a great shot. You can also set up iSCN advanced as a permanent feature. When the scene has difficult lighting such as backlight or low light, the camera will take two shots within a fraction of a second using two alternative settings, so you can select which picture you prefer.

The H20 camera features wide and full-screen 720p movie recording at 30 frames per second in fine, standard and VGA recording modes. The 720p movie resolution is three times higher than VGA movies.

The movie function is based on the MPEG4 codec for video compression. Plus the T900 has a stereo microphone. Benefits of the format include high-quality video as well as PC-friendly files that are easy to download, upload and share.

The H20 model features 10.1 megapixels, a 10x Carl Zeiss optical zoom lens and a 3-inch (measured diagonally) LCD screen.

Sony has simplified the display of options on the H20 to make it easier for customers to use it. The most commonly used features include shooting mode, zoom, play, delete and Smile Shutter. These are available at a click or touch of a button. More sophisticated users can select other shooting modes or change the settings using the menu button.

This camera is equipped with tools to edit, archive and share. It has in-camera retouch features like red-eye correction and image management to easily sort through thousands of photos in calendar view or album view. You can group favorites and filter by baby, adult, all faces or smiles. The PhotoMusic feature offers an HD slideshow mode with transitions and music for viewing on the camera or television.

The HD output feature lets you view images in high-defintion, although HDMI and component cables are not included.

Bundled Picture Motion Browser (PMB) software allows you to quickly organize images on a compatible PC and upload images to the Web. You can search and organize images by event, smile or face, including children and infants. Then you can display them in calendar or chronological views organized into folders.

Sony Cyber-shot H20 Key Specifications
• 10.1 effective megapixels
• Carl Zeiss 10x optical zoom lens
• Record 720p HD movie clips
• Optical SteadyShot for clearer handheld shooting
• Enhanced Face Detection and Smile Shutter technology
• Intelligent Scene Recognition, adjusting exposure and other settings to give the best picture

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