Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S80 is announced by Sony Europe. The DSC-S80 is exclusive to Europe (which is why I missed it during PMA…) - in the rest of the world the S60 seems to be being released instead. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S80 will ship throughout Europe in April 2005.

Sony Europe Press Release

Berlin, 19 February 2005 - Looking for your first digital still camera that is compact and easy to use? Look no further than the new 4.1 effective Megapixel Cyber-shot S40, S80 and S90. All featuring Carl Zeiss 3x Optical Zoom lenses, ideal for high-resolution digital images and prints, and superb STAMINA power efficiency.

Your next digital camera
There’s a model to suit everyone in Sony’s newest line-up - the Cyber-shot S40, S80 and S90 digital still cameras. Attractive features like 4.1 effective Megapixel resolution, with a high level of STAMINA and easy to use functions adding to the value of the new models. Ideal for beginners to digital photography, these compact Cyber-shot cameras each feature a high quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens with 3x Optical Zoom. In addition the new cameras offer bright and clear LCD screens - with the huge 2.5-inch LCD screen on the Cyber-shot S90 being especially useful for framing shots, viewing the user-friendly menu screens, playing back and sharing your pictures with ease. The Cyber-shot S80 offers a large 2-inch LCD screen, and the Cyber-shot S40 a convenient 1.5-inch LCD screen.

Stress-free shooting
Low battery problems are a thing of the past thanks to the highly developed Sony STAMINA power management system. This works to ensure energy efficiency. The Cyber-shot S90 is able to take a generous 420 shots* on one charge of the two supplied rechargeable batteries, the Cyber-shot S80 440 shots* and the Cyber-shot S40 an amazing 550 shots* (using optional batteries**). The Sony Real Imaging Processor controls the operation of each camera in the range, speeding up the camera operation by eliminating delays in shooting and playback as well as contributing to energy efficiency. This innovative Sony technology further enhances the images captured by the high-resolution Super HAD CCD and the Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 3x Optical Zoom lens, resulting in even sharper pictures and better colour reproduction. Backed up by a 6x Precision Digital Zoom, and a Smart Zoom function allowing 10x shooting in VGA mode.

You can use Sony Memory Stick and Memory Stick PRO for fast and efficient image storage, but there’s also the worry-free 32MB of internal memory to fall back on when your Memory Stick is full or when you forget to bring one with you. Worry-free photography is also possible thanks to seven Scene Selection Modes - automatic settings that make sure you’ll have the correct exposure and camera settings for shooting under a variety of circumstances, such as landscape photography, twilight portraits as well as shots in difficult conditions such as at the beach or in the snow. For even more creative choice, the Cyber-shot S90 and Cyber-shot S80 also feature professional-style manual exposure settings, normally only found on more expensive digital still cameras. Nor is the entertainment reserved for still images, using Sony’s MPEG Movie VX Fine mode, you can shoot high quality VGA video with your Cyber-shot and play your masterpiece back full screen on a TV (using optional Sony Memory Stick PRO).

Dock and charge
The concept of ease of use continues with support for the optional Sony Cyber-shot Station. Simply slot either the Cyber-shot S90 or S80 into this powered cradle and it begins charging automatically. While in the Cyber-shot Station, the large LCD screen and angle of the camera combine to make an ideal viewing platform for your images. There’s even a dedicated slideshow button on the cradle as well as a direct print function for quick output to a PictBridge*** compatible printer. What’s more, you can easily connect the Cyber-shot Station to your TV to view a big screen slideshow, with added remote control, or connect to a PC for editing your pictures.

Adaptable
In addition to the Cyber-shot Station, many other accessories are available which allow you to adapt and customise the new Cyber-shot S-Series to your individual needs. These include a range of lenses and filters for more creative shots on the Cyber-shot S80 and S90, exclusive cases that fit neatly around your Cyber-shot to protect it from wear-and-tear, and a Sports Pack for taking your camera on trips to the beach.

The Cyber-shot S40, S80 and S90 will ship throughout Europe in April 2005.