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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T200
Click photo for more images of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T200 and DSC-T70. |
Sony has introduced two new ultracompact 8.1-megapixel cameras. The DSC-T70 offers an f/3.5-4.3, 38mm-114mm (35mm equivalent) 3x Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar zoom lens, while the DSC-T200 provides an f/3.5-4.4, 35mm-175mm 5x Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar zoom lens. The internally zooming lenses are optically stabilized and are protected by built-in covers that power the cameras on when opened. Both models have 230,000-pixel widescreen LCDs, although the T70's is a 3-inch screen and the T200's measures 3.5 inches. The cameras depart from their predecessors -- the T20 and T100 -- by endowing their LCDs with touchscreen functionality and dispensing with buttons. In addition to providing an interface for changing settings, the touchscreens allow users to select autofocus points and jot messages on photographs with a stylus.
The new T-series cameras are designed for automatic photography, and provide ten scene modes, along with automatic and programmed automatic modes. They also offer a good selection of exposure-control tools, including automatic exposure bracketing, spot and center-weighted metering modes, a live histogram, and selectable flash output levels. The cameras have a top light-sensitivity setting of ISO 3200 and a somewhat low top shutter speed of 1/1000 second. Exposure problems can be addressed through image processing by Sony's Dynamic Range Optimizer, which opens up dark shadow areas. For capturing action, the new T models offer continuous-shooting modes that snap photos at about 2 frames per second.
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The most notable new feature in these cameras is their Smile Shutter face-detection mode. When activated, it snaps a photo automatically whenever someone in front of the camera smiles. The cameras' face-detection technology can identify as many as eight faces in a photo and accordingly adjust exposure, focus, flash intensity, and white balance. Among other notable features are redeye correction and a set of photo effects that include fisheye distortion, a star filter, a partial color filter that retains color in the subject and converts the background to black-and-white, and a soft-edge filter that blurs the background. Radiation and Retro effects are also new to the T series with these models. The T70 and T200 record smooth VGA video with sound, and can zoom while recording. They can also play photo slide shows with music and customized transitions.
The T200 will be available in Fall 2007 for about $400 with a red, black, or silver finish, and the T70 will be available in the fall for $300 with a pink, white, silver, or black finish. The cameras are compatible with Sony's VMC-HD1 high-definition component cable for 1080i photo output to an HDTV, as well as Sony underwater housings.
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