Capturebuzz

Sony is adding high-definition movie recording to its digital camera line starting with the Cyber-shot® DSC-T500 model. The 10MP DSC-T500 features wide and full-screen 720p movie recording at 30fps in fine, standard and VGA recording modes. This resolution is three times higher than standard-definition movies. The movie function is based on the MPEG4 AVC/H.264 codec for video compression and stereo audio. Benefits of the format include high-quality video as well as small file sizes that are easy to download, upload and share.

The DSC-T500 can continuously record a video clip up to 10 minutes in length. It can hold hours of clips by expanding the camera’s capacity with a Memory Stick® media card (sold separately). Memory Stick® media is now available in capacities up to 16GB. It also features a dual photo and video capture mode. Simply press the photo button while in movie mode and capture up to three photos with no recording interruption.

Features

• 10.1-megapixel effective recording
• 5X optical zoom (2X digital/10X total zoom)
• Optical SteadyShot® image stabilization
• 3-1/2″ touchscreen LCD with anti-reflective coating
• 35mm equivalent lens focal length: 33-165mm
• highest JPEG resolution: 3648 x 2736
• high sensitivity mode (ISO 3200) for low-light shooting without flash
• face detection controls focus, exposure, and color for detailed portraits
• 16:9 widescreen high resolution photo mode
• 9 scene selection modes including Beach, Landscape, and Twilight Portrait
• stereo microphone/speaker
• 720p high-definition movie mode with audio (1280 x 720 at 30 frames per second)
• 9-point autofocus for shooting multiple or off-center subjects
• macro mode
• burst mode takes up to 100 consecutive rapid-fire photos
• variable ISO (film speed equivalent) settings
• in-camera slide show with music playback
• 4MB built-in flash memory holds 1 photo at top resolution
• high-speed USB interface
• compatible with Memory Stick® Duo and Memory Stick® PRO Duo™ media
• compatible with PictBridge-enabled printers
• Dimensions: 4″W x 2-1/2″H x 15/16″D
• weight (with battery): 6.4 oz.

The DSC-T500 camera integrates a wide (16:9), 3.5-inch (measured diagonally), transflective, touch panel LCD screen for easy navigation, framing and viewing in strong light conditions. It has a Carl Zeiss® 5x optical zoom lens with a wide field of view (33 – 165mm, 35mm equivalency). It incorporates Optical SteadyShot image stabilization and high sensitivity settings up to ISO3200 helps combat blur and facilitate flash-free shooting for natural-exposed photos. The DSC-T500 also incorporates face detection technology, an intelligent function that automatically detects up to eight faces in the camera frame and adjusts focus, exposure and flash.

What’s in the box?

• Cyber-shot® DSC-T500
• rechargeable InfoLithium® battery (NP-BD1)
• battery charger (BC-CSD)
• audio/video and USB multi-connector cables
• wrist strap
• software CD-ROM

Price and Availability

The Cyber-shot® DSC-T500 can be found at camera retailers in the USA for about $350.