The optically stabilized Sony G Lens (in this case, with 5x optical zoom) has only otherwise been seen in digital SLRs and high-end camcorders. But the 10.2-megapixel WX1 has some new tricks, too.

A new Twilight mode automatically combines shots at various exposures to produce more dynamic low-low photos. The WX1's Twilight mode and an Exmor R CMOS sensor can also be found on the sexy new Cyber-shot DSC-TX1.

The WX1 has a 2.7-inch LCD and can record video at 720p HD (MPEG-4 @ 30fps). It'll only come in black when it ships in October.

SONY DEBUTS WORLD'S FIRST DIGITAL STILL CAMERAS WITH
BACK-ILLUMINATED "EXMOR R" CMOS SENSOR TECHNOLOGY

New Cyber-shot® Cameras Excel in Low-Light Performance

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 5, 2009 – Sony today announced two new Cyber-shot® cameras (DSC-TX1 and DSC-WX1 models) that provide unprecedented advances in low-light performance with approximately twice the sensitivity of cameras with traditional image sensors.

These Cyber-shot cameras are the first to employ Sony's new "Exmor R" back illuminated CMOS sensor technology to improve shooting in low-light scenarios, enhancing image clarity and drastically reducing grain.

"With these new "Exmor R" CMOS sensor cameras, Sony has vastly improved the customer experience for taking pictures with digital still cameras in low-light scenarios," said Phil Lubell, director of the digital imaging business at Sony Electronics. "We've all taken pictures in dimly lit situations, like blowing out candles on a birthday cake, and the results were grainy and unclear. By redesigning the way these cameras capture light, Sony is leading the industry by creating this easy way to take amazingly clear, vibrant photos in low lighting scenarios."

"Exmor R" Sensor Optimizes Low-Light Performance
Conventional image sensor architecture has required wires and other circuit elements to be positioned above the light sensitive photo-diodes, limiting the imager's light gathering capability. Positioning these elements behind the photo-diodes, Sony's "Exmor R" image sensors can gather more light, resulting in approximately twice the sensitivity compared to conventional sensors.

To further extend low-light shooting performance, the TX1 and WX1 cameras incorporate the hand-held twilight and anti-motion blur multi-shot modes introduced in Sony's breakthrough Cyber-shot DSC-HX1. Using "Exmor R" CMOS sensor's high speed, these modes capture six separate images in less than a second and utilize Sony's BIONZ™ processor to combine the shots into a single image of extraordinary detail and low noise.
Combining the "Exmor R" technology with hand-held twilight and anti-motion blur modes delivers a breakthrough in low-light photography. Users can now capture images of stunning detail and low noise in scenes with no more than candlelight-without flash or the need of a tripod.

Innovative Sweep Panorama™ and High-Speed Shooting
In addition to their breakthrough low light performance, these new cameras also include Sony's Sweep Panorama and 10 frames per second burst shooting features, which were introduced with the Sony® DSC-HX1 camera. The TX1 and WX1 cameras offer these features in smaller, more compact bodies that match nearly any unique style.
Capturing wide landscapes is as easy as "press and sweep." Sweep Panorama mode lets you reach beyond the traditional wide-angle lens and capture breathtaking shots. Using the high-speed "Exmor R" CMOS sensor, the cameras shoot continuously while you sweep across the scene. Using the BIONZ imaging processor, they automatically stitch the pictures together to create one stunning panoramic photo.

The TX1 and WX1 Cyber-shot models can take up to 185 and 256-degree panorama shots respectively in one easy press-and-sweep motion with an image size of 7152 x 1080 (ultra wide horizontal).

Advanced Technology and Compact Design
While the HX1 camera is a well-rounded solution for customers who are looking for high-zoom and speed in a smaller size than a DSLR, the TX1 and WX1 cameras are made for an audience that wants advanced technology in an even more compact design.

With its slim profile of just 16.5mm, the 10.2 mega-pixel TX1 offers streamlined, distinguished curves for a sophisticated look appealing to the fashion-oriented who are also looking for great performance. This model features a new operation on the touch panel that lets you scroll through images with an effortless "flick" of your finger and directly access menus on the 3-inch Clear Photo LCD Plus™ display.

With a Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® lens, the TX1 camera lets you focus as little as 0.4 inches from your subject for extraordinary close-up shots. The 4x telescopic zoom is perfect for capturing far-away subjects, and Sony's Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilization helps overcome camera shake.

The 10.2 mega-pixel WX1 camera has a 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD Plus display and is just over three quarters of an inch thin-an ideal choice for DSLR owners who also want to carry a compact, high performance digital still camera. The WX1 camera features a Sony G lens with an extraordinary wide angle 24-120mm 5x optical zoom. This lens' f/2.4 maximum aperture offers nearly twice the light gathering capability of conventional lenses, and works together with the "Exmor R" imager and low-light shooting modes to provide low-light photography beyond the abilities of other compact cameras.

Tech Savvy Cameras
These cameras include the most recent Sony technology, including, Intelligent Auto (iAuto) mode which, recognizes scenes, lighting conditions and faces, and adjusts settings resulting in clearer images, faces with more natural skin tone and less blur; Face Detection that detects up to eight faces and optimizes focus, flash, exposure and white balance and intelligent Scene (iSCN) that delivers nine Scene Selection modes to quickly adjust for specific shooting conditions.
Pet mode is a new Sony feature that minimizes blur when shooting moving pets. This new mode also reduces glowing pet red-eye.

Additionally, the cameras have technologies Sony Cyber-shot customers have come to expect. These include Smile Shutter™ technology that automatically captures a smile, dynamic range optimization (DRO) that improves exposure and contrast, intelligent Auto Focus that captures fleeting moments and HD video capability that records HD movies in 720p high definition MPEG4 format.

With HD video capability, these cameras record HD movies in 720p high definition MPEG4 format for stunning large-screen home movie playback. You can record up to 29 minutes (or up to 2GB file size) in 720p format.
Pricing and Availability

The TX1 camera will be available in silver, gray, pink and blue this September for about $380. The WX1 camera will be available in black this October for about $350. Pre-sales will start in August. The cameras and a range of accessories will be available online at sonystyle.com, at Sony Style® retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail), at military base exchanges and at authorized dealers nationwide.

The 10.2Mp TX1 doesn't have the Sony G Lens of the DSC-WX1, but does share its low-light optimized Exmor R CMOS Sensor and Twilight mode (a series of shots are combined at various exposures to produce photos with greater dynamic range).

The TX1 has a shutter button, but all other controls are via the touch screen, which also lets you flick through images with a finger. The camera also has a 4x optical zoom, and can record 720p HD (MPEG-4 @ 30fps).

The DSC-TX1 will be available in gray, blue, pink, and silver for $380 in September.

SONY DEBUTS WORLD'S FIRST DIGITAL STILL CAMERAS WITH
BACK-ILLUMINATED "EXMOR R" CMOS SENSOR TECHNOLOGY

New Cyber-shot® Cameras Excel in Low-Light Performance

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 5, 2009 – Sony today announced two new Cyber-shot® cameras (DSC-TX1 and DSC-WX1 models) that provide unprecedented advances in low-light performance with approximately twice the sensitivity of cameras with traditional image sensors.

These Cyber-shot cameras are the first to employ Sony's new "Exmor R" back illuminated CMOS sensor technology to improve shooting in low-light scenarios, enhancing image clarity and drastically reducing grain.

"With these new "Exmor R" CMOS sensor cameras, Sony has vastly improved the customer experience for taking pictures with digital still cameras in low-light scenarios," said Phil Lubell, director of the digital imaging business at Sony Electronics. "We've all taken pictures in dimly lit situations, like blowing out candles on a birthday cake, and the results were grainy and unclear. By redesigning the way these cameras capture light, Sony is leading the industry by creating this easy way to take amazingly clear, vibrant photos in low lighting scenarios."

"Exmor R" Sensor Optimizes Low-Light Performance
Conventional image sensor architecture has required wires and other circuit elements to be positioned above the light sensitive photo-diodes, limiting the imager's light gathering capability. Positioning these elements behind the photo-diodes, Sony's "Exmor R" image sensors can gather more light, resulting in approximately twice the sensitivity compared to conventional sensors.

To further extend low-light shooting performance, the TX1 and WX1 cameras incorporate the hand-held twilight and anti-motion blur multi-shot modes introduced in Sony's breakthrough Cyber-shot DSC-HX1. Using "Exmor R" CMOS sensor's high speed, these modes capture six separate images in less than a second and utilize Sony's BIONZ™ processor to combine the shots into a single image of extraordinary detail and low noise.
Combining the "Exmor R" technology with hand-held twilight and anti-motion blur modes delivers a breakthrough in low-light photography. Users can now capture images of stunning detail and low noise in scenes with no more than candlelight-without flash or the need of a tripod.

Innovative Sweep Panorama™ and High-Speed Shooting
In addition to their breakthrough low light performance, these new cameras also include Sony's Sweep Panorama and 10 frames per second burst shooting features, which were introduced with the Sony® DSC-HX1 camera. The TX1 and WX1 cameras offer these features in smaller, more compact bodies that match nearly any unique style.
Capturing wide landscapes is as easy as "press and sweep." Sweep Panorama mode lets you reach beyond the traditional wide-angle lens and capture breathtaking shots. Using the high-speed "Exmor R" CMOS sensor, the cameras shoot continuously while you sweep across the scene. Using the BIONZ imaging processor, they automatically stitch the pictures together to create one stunning panoramic photo.

The TX1 and WX1 Cyber-shot models can take up to 185 and 256-degree panorama shots respectively in one easy press-and-sweep motion with an image size of 7152 x 1080 (ultra wide horizontal).

Advanced Technology and Compact Design
While the HX1 camera is a well-rounded solution for customers who are looking for high-zoom and speed in a smaller size than a DSLR, the TX1 and WX1 cameras are made for an audience that wants advanced technology in an even more compact design.

With its slim profile of just 16.5mm, the 10.2 mega-pixel TX1 offers streamlined, distinguished curves for a sophisticated look appealing to the fashion-oriented who are also looking for great performance. This model features a new operation on the touch panel that lets you scroll through images with an effortless "flick" of your finger and directly access menus on the 3-inch Clear Photo LCD Plus™ display.

With a Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® lens, the TX1 camera lets you focus as little as 0.4 inches from your subject for extraordinary close-up shots. The 4x telescopic zoom is perfect for capturing far-away subjects, and Sony's Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilization helps overcome camera shake.

The 10.2 mega-pixel WX1 camera has a 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD Plus display and is just over three quarters of an inch thin-an ideal choice for DSLR owners who also want to carry a compact, high performance digital still camera. The WX1 camera features a Sony G lens with an extraordinary wide angle 24-120mm 5x optical zoom. This lens' f/2.4 maximum aperture offers nearly twice the light gathering capability of conventional lenses, and works together with the "Exmor R" imager and low-light shooting modes to provide low-light photography beyond the abilities of other compact cameras.

Tech Savvy Cameras
These cameras include the most recent Sony technology, including, Intelligent Auto (iAuto) mode which, recognizes scenes, lighting conditions and faces, and adjusts settings resulting in clearer images, faces with more natural skin tone and less blur; Face Detection that detects up to eight faces and optimizes focus, flash, exposure and white balance and intelligent Scene (iSCN) that delivers nine Scene Selection modes to quickly adjust for specific shooting conditions.
Pet mode is a new Sony feature that minimizes blur when shooting moving pets. This new mode also reduces glowing pet red-eye.

Additionally, the cameras have technologies Sony Cyber-shot customers have come to expect. These include Smile Shutter™ technology that automatically captures a smile, dynamic range optimization (DRO) that improves exposure and contrast, intelligent Auto Focus that captures fleeting moments and HD video capability that records HD movies in 720p high definition MPEG4 format.

With HD video capability, these cameras record HD movies in 720p high definition MPEG4 format for stunning large-screen home movie playback. You can record up to 29 minutes (or up to 2GB file size) in 720p format.
Pricing and Availability

The TX1 camera will be available in silver, gray, pink and blue this September for about $380. The WX1 camera will be available in black this October for about $350. Pre-sales will start in August. The cameras and a range of accessories will be available online at sonystyle.com, at Sony Style® retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail), at military base exchanges and at authorized dealers nationwide.

To my eye the footage looks a bit too grainy for my taste, but then what did I expect at that maximum bit rate of 4.48Mbps? Heck, HDV runs at 25Mbps and even it doesn't look perfect. A strange phenomenon we noticed was that the audio is out of sync when playing the file on Windows Media Player but plays back perfectly on a Mac using QuickTime. – Charlie White

Download AVI file here

It's almost too tiny, and with its foldout viewscreen giving you a 16:9 look at whatever it is you're shooting, it's hard to tell what's going on. Even so, it's a substantial-feeling camera, and gives the impression of a precision piece of engineering. We shot some 720p footage with this little sucker, and will attempt to manipulate and edit it later on our Vegas adventure.

But for now, our feelings about this diminutive bauble are overwhelmingly positive, and were highly impressed with the Canon PowerShot TX-1 after a lengthy session of shooting with it and generally getting a feel for its capabilities. – Charlie White

The camera has component outputs for playing that 720p footage on an HDTV, and its MovieSnap feature also lets you grab frames from the HDTV footage for use as stills. It looks like Canon didn't skimp on the still-camera capabilities, either, helping you hold its retractable 10x optical zoom lens steady with optical image stabilization that shifts the lens to compensate for unwanted camera movement.

Take the jump for pricing on the TX1, as well as more high-rez pictures:

Canon's $499.99 price for the TX1 is apparently aimed to undercut the $699 Sanyo Xacti HD2 flash-based HD camcorder, while both have the same megapixel count and 10x zoom lenses. Canon says the TX1 will ship next month. – Charlie White

Press Release [Canon USA, Inc.]