Sony Cyber-shot HX front view. Photo Credit: SonyMarch 05, 2009, (Sawf News) - The new HX1 Cyber-shot is the first digital still camera to feature sweep panorama technology. It can take 224-degree panorama shots in one easy press-and-sweep motion.
The features a 28-560 millimeter f/2.8-5.2 wide-angle G lens with 20x telephoto range and a 1/2.4-inch CMOS sensor that allows it to achieve burst speeds of 10 frames per second at full 9.1 megapixel resolution in continuous burst mode. The HX1 has a mechanical shutter that helps reduce distortion when shooting a moving subject.
Sweep panorama mode lets you reach beyond the traditional wide-angle lens and capture breathtaking shots. With wide and ultra-wide settings and horizontal or vertical directions, sweep panorama mode can take up to 224-degree horizontal or 154-degree vertical shots.
Using the fast-speed CMOS sensor, the camera continuously shoots full-resolution images at a high speed. Using the imaging processor, it automatically stitches the pictures together to create one stunning panoramic photo. The maximum resolution is 7152 x 1080 (ultra wide horizontal).
The HX1 camera captures movie clips in 1080p HD resolution, and a built-in stereo microphone records crisp, clear audio. The camera's wide 20x optical zoom is also available while shooting.
When set to HD movie, it records at 30 frames per second (1440 x 1080). The camera uses the high-quality, high-compression MPEG4 AVC/H.264 format. Other recording options include standard-definition video and VGA.
HX1 features an intelligent auto mode, which combines Intelligent Scene Recognition (iSCN), Optical SteadyShot and face detection technologies. It recognizes scenes and lighting conditions within one-thirtieth of a second, and then changes settings. This produces clearer images with more natural skin tones, reduced red-eye, fewer closed-eye shots and less overall blur without compromising image quality.
The iSCN feature detects up to eight scenes and automatically changes settings that will apply to the scene or lighting conditions. With the iSCN Advance feature, the camera takes a second shot when low or backlight is detected, letting users choose the best picture.
Sony Cyber-shot HX G Lens. Photo Credit: SonyWith face detection technology, the camera will adjust the flash, focus, exposure and white balance producing more natural skin tones and reducing red-eye. Face motion detection identifies a moving subject and adjusts the ISO to minimize blur. In conjunction with iSCN, the camera takes two pictures simultaneously and saves the one in which the eyes are the least closed.
A new selected-face memory function registers one face (selected by the user) as the main face and adjusts focus, exposure, flash and white balance accordingly. The camera remembers the face every time that face shows in the frame.
Additionally, the camera comes with Smile Shutter technology that helps capture a smile the moment it happens and dynamic range optimizer (DRO) technology that adjusts for contrast.
The Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 camera will be available in April for about $500 and pre-sales will start in March.
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