Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50

April 24, 2013 | Mark Goldstein | Digital Compact Cameras | Comment |

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50 is the World’s smallest camera with a 30x zoom lens. In addition to the 24-720mm lens, the new Sony HX50 travel-zoom also boasts a 20.4-megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor, ISO range of 80-12,800, full P/A/S/M  manual controls, built-in wi-fi connectivity, and Full HD (50p) movie recording capability. The HX50 has a dial to adjust exposure compensation plus a mode dial for other manual shooting settings, a Multi Interface Shoe for attaching a compatible electronic viewfinder, flash or microphone, and a Multi Terminal for using a remote controller. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50 will be available in the UK from May 2013 priced at around £350.

Sony UK Press Release

Sony Cyber-shot™ HX50: The World’s smallest, lightest camera with 30x zoom and advanced features

From round-the-world expeditions to family walks on a Sunday afternoon, the new Sony Cyber-shot™ HX50 camera gives every scene the colour, detail and clarity it deserves – even at high zoom. Boasting a 20.4MP sensor and built-in image stabilisation, the HX50 delivers beautifully vibrant photos and Full HD videos, even when you’re far from your subject. What’s more, it’s the world’s smallest, lightest1 digital still camera that packs a powerful 30x optical zoom range.

Packing really big features in a small body

While it’s tempting to rely on your smartphone, the HX50 gives photographers plenty of great reasons to invest in a dedicated pocket camera. Its wide-ranging optical zoom gives users more flexibility to pick their shooting position, while Optical SteadyShot gives peace of mind that image quality won’t be compromised. Even at 30x zoom, the HX50 now offers image stabilisation that’s twice as effective as the Cyber-shot™ HX200V2.

Powered by a 20.4-megapixel3 Exmor R CMOS sensor and BIONZ processor, the HX50 produces high-resolution, high quality images with exceptional low-light performance. Working at more than twice the speed of the Cyber-shot™ HX200V4 at full zoom, high-speed autofocus captures even the most fleeting moments for posterity. What’s more, integrated Wi-Fi lets you share those special memories quickly and easily with friends and family.

For more advanced photographers who like to fine-tune the details of a shot, there’s a dial to adjust exposure compensation plus a mode dial for other manual shooting settings such as P/A/S/M modes. There’s also a Multi Interface Shoe for attaching a compatible electronic viewfinder, flash or microphone for better video sound quality – the perfect match for the high quality video shooting of Full HD (50p) recording capability. Adding to the package is a Multi Terminal for using a remote controller, very useful for close-ups and movies.

Battery stamina is crucial when you’re travelling and don’t know where the next plug point will be found. The X-type lithium-ion battery in the Cyber-shot™ HX50 is smaller than any of its predecessors5, yet delivers 400 photos6 from a single charge.

Make your own movies

With more people shooting video alongside still photos, the HX50 delivers stunning results. It captures beautifully smooth Full HD movies (50p) that benefit from Optical SteadyShot (Active Mode)7 compensation for reduced camera-shake when you’re videoing on the move. Its compatibility with TRILUMINOS Colour technology means that footage can be enjoyed with rich, natural colours when viewed on any TRILUMINOS Display TV.

Ready to get a little more creative? The HX50 offers nine different picture effects8 to experiment with, giving those shots of the children an entirely new perspective. There are also three picture effects available in Intelligent Sweep Panorama mode9, plus four different movie effects10.

The HX50 is available to pre-order now from www.sony.co.uk and will be available in the UK from May 2013.

1 Among digital still cameras with optical zoom of 30x or higher. Based on Sony internal survey, as of this announcement (April 2013).
2 Shutter speed comparison at telephoto end of zoom range; Based on Sony internal testing.
3 Effective megapixels; approximate
4 Based on CIPA standard, internal measurement. (At telephoto end of zoom range)
5 Compared to digital still camera models in the Sony HX range
6 CIPA standard, internal measurement. Approximate figure: actual value depends on shooting conditions.
7 Compensates for blur in the direction the camera rolls; used in conjunction with electronic blur compensation
8 HDR Painting, Richtone Monochrome, Miniature, Toy Camera, Pop Colour, Partial Colour, Soft High-key, Watercolour, Illustration
9 Pop Colour, Partial Colour, Soft High-key
10 Toy Camera, Pop Colour, Partial Colour, Soft High-key

Specifications

Effective Pixels (approx.)
20.4 megapixels

Image Sensor
1/2.3 type (7.82mm) Exmor R CMOS sensor

Processor
BIONZ

Lens
Sony G, 24-720mm,  f/3.5 (W) - 6.3 (T), 11 elements in 10 groups (including 5 aspheric elements)

Zoom
30x

ISO (still image)
Auto/80/100/125/160/200/250/320/400/500/640/800/1000/1250/1600/2000/2500/3200/4000*/5000*/6400*/8000*/10000*/12800*

* Achieved using "By Pixel Super Resolution" technology and overlay burst shooting.

Display
7.5cm (3.0type) (4:3) / 921,600 dots / Xtra Fine / TFT LCD

Wi-Fi
Yes

Battery
NP-BX1 and USB Charge/USB Power Supply

Battery Life / still image shooting (approx.)
400 images* / 200 minutes

* CIPA standard, internal measurement. Approximate figure: actual value depends on shooting conditions

Approx. dimensions W x H x D
108.1mm x 63.6mm x 38.3mm

Weight (body only, excluding media and battery)
Approx. 272g (Battery and Memory Stick DUO are included) Approx. 246g  (Body Only)

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