14 DAY TRIAL // Although one would normally believe that Cyber-shot still digital cameras from Sony are designed mostly to take good quality photos in almost any conditions, it would seem that this is not really the case with the company's latest such products, models DSC-HX100V and HX9V, whose main selling point is actually represented by their impressive video shooting skills.
So, as the Japanese company informs us, their new digital cameras are capable of recording video at 60 progressive frames per second (1920x1080 60p) by simply pressing the dedicated video button, which, coupled with their impressive still image recording skills, makes digital camcorders (at least mainstream consumer-grade ones) almost obsolete.
Moreover, Sony reveals the fact that these new Cyber-shot digital cameras are the first to come equipped with a 27mm Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonar T* lens with 30x optical zoom and a 24mm Sony G lens with 16x optical zoom (respectively), as well as a 16.2-megapixel "Exmor R" back-illuminated CMOS sensor that supports the brand-new Intelligent Sweep Panorama HR (High Resolution) mode.
Additional features worth mentioning include the cameras' 3-inch 921,000-dot Xtra Fine LCD display with wide viewing angle, as well as the Dual Record mode which can shoot video, while simultaneously capturing 3-megapixel digital still pictures (2-megapixel in 4:3 ratio when recording in MP4) and the Optical SteadyShot with Active Mode image stabilization, ensuring steady shots at all times.
It's also important to point out that, similar to most of the Cyber-shot digital cameras revealed in 2011 (at CES 2011, to be precise), these new Cyber-shot models also offer 3D imaging capabilities via the 3D Sweep Panorama or the 3D Still Image modes.
"These new H Series cameras are a great addition to the already explosive high zoom market, loaded with cutting-edge innovations by Sony to shoot stills and video," said Kelly Davis, director of the digital imaging group at Sony Electronics, adding that "with these unique Sony technologies, including GPS, 3D, AVCHD video as well as increased zoom, Sony is offering consumers the best of both worlds."
According to Sony, the DSC-HX100V and DSC-HX9V cameras will be available in black and will cost about $450 and $350, respectively, with pre-orders starting in February and the first shipments being scheduled for April 2011.
