Sony DSC-W7 7.2 effective Megapixel digital camera zooms ahead in quality

he newest member of the traditional-styled compact W-Series range of Sony digital cameras is the 7.2 effective Megapixel Cyber-shot DSC-W7 (DSCW7), with its ultra-high resolution matched by a large 2.5-inch LCD screen, Carl Zeiss zoom lens and energy efficient performance.

The newest member of the traditional-styled compact W-Series range of Sony digital cameras is the 7.2 effective Megapixel Cyber-shot DSC-W7 (DSCW7), with its ultra-high resolution matched by a large 2.5-inch LCD screen, Carl Zeiss zoom lens and energy efficient performance.

Winning combination
Quality matters in photography, a fact Sony has addressed with the brand new Cyber-shot DSC-W7 digital  camera. By providing 7.2 effective Megapixel resolution and an equally high level of STAMINA battery life, easy to use features and a large 2.5-inch LCD screen, the Cyber-shot DSC-W7 offers high quality both in terms of pictures and camera design. A robust aluminium metal body, which features an optically excellent Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens with a 3x Optical Zoom, adds to the appeal.  As well as several fully automatic modes for quick shooting and ease of use there are also manual exposure settings suitable for the more adventurous photographer.

Quality results
With a Super HAD CCD capable of 7.2 effective Megapixel resolution, you can be sure that the clear, crisp pictures you take can be output in range of larger print sizes with no loss in quality. Image quality is further enhanced by Sony's Real Imaging Processor, which improves image quality further, making colours more realistic as well as speeding up camera operation.

 
By incorporating a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar zoom lens, Sony has matched the high resolution CCD with excellent optical performance and clarity. A 6x Precision Digital Zoom as well as a Smart Zoom facility that allows 14x shooting in VGA mode supplements the powerful 3X Optical Zoom lens.

The large and bright 2.5-inch LCD screen has also been improved, with higher contrast for a more realistic and vivid display of your images. This is combined with a new non-glare finish and low reflection coating; the viewing angle is greatly improved by an impressive 25% - great for reviewing and sharing your images. You can use Sony Memory Stick and Memory Stick PRO for fast and efficient image storage, but there's also the 32MB of internal memory to fall back on when your Memory stick is full or when you forget to bring one with you.

The power to perform
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W7 digital camera takes advantage of Sony's energy-efficient STAMINA system, which works with the Real Imaging Processor to enhance camera performance and increase the number of shots available. With up to 380 shots* on a single charge of the supplied rechargeable batteries, the DSC-W7 puts a lot of power in your hands. With optional NiMH (2500mAh) batteries that number rises to a substantial 430 shots*.

As well as STAMINA, there is a focus on ease of use. You can shoot portraits at twilight, take 'soft snap' shots, capture beach and snow scenes or picture a majestic landscape, all without having to adjust multiple settings - one preset from any of seven Scene Selection modes are available to make life simpler. There are also several automatic modes for rapid shooting, or if you wish to be more creative with your photography, manual exposure modes and professional camera features are also available.

Traditional look and feel
Designed with a classic camera feel and control layout, and the full aluminium metal body of the Cyber-shot DSC-W7 is not only durable but also stylish. The camera is right up to date however, able to handle video in the form of Sony's MPEG Movie VX Fine and Standard formats. In fine mode this allows high quality video VGA recording at up to 30 frames per second (when using an optional Memory Stick PRO), making it ideal for playing back full screen on TV. The length of the recording is only limited by the size of the Memory Stick used. USB2.0 connectivity is also featured onboard, allowing the camera to connect and print directly from a PictBridge** printer or send images to a PC for further editing- the high resolution of the images provides a key benefit in both situations. A range of optional accessories further extends the power of the new DSC-W7, including a new Marine Pack for underwater shooting and a selection of lenses and filters for more creative shots. 

The Cyber-shot DSC-W7 will ship throughout Europe at the end of March 2005.

NOTES

Please find below further details about products and services highlighted in the Press Release:

About the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W7
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W7 digital camera features an enhanced Super HAD CCD capable of 7.2 effective Megapixels. This resolution produces images that are able to be output as large prints with no loss in quality and is ideal for photo-editing purposes.  
Encased in a robust and durable aluminium body styled in a more traditional camera design, the Cyber-shot DSC-W7 features a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens with 3x Optical Zoom. Specially designed to keep the camera compact by operating within the body and extending out when needed, the high quality zoom lens draws on the world-famous optical engineering experience of Carl Zeiss. An optional conversion lens is available for the zoom lens to extend the creative options available. The Sony DSC-W7 also features a 6x Precision Digital Zoom, as well as a Smart Zoom function to facilitate 14x shooting in VGA mode.

The large 2.5-inch LCD screen turns the Cyber-shot DSC-W7 into the ideal photo viewer for playing back or sharing images in the form of a slideshow. It's also well sized for framing shots and allows easy access to the menu screens that control basic or advanced camera functions. There is also a more traditional way to frame shots in the shape of an optical viewfinder.

Special noise reduction and auto-focus features add to the aid ease of use and there are several different light metering options, a histogram display, special flash-specific and multi-burst shooting modes and an easy-to-use Manual Exposure mode. As well as these professional-style features, the camera features several automatic exposure modes.

There are also seven Scene Selection modes that provide automatic presets for occasions such as shooting portraits by candlelight or at twilight as well as for locations such as at the beach or in the snow.
Storage is provided by 32MB of internal memory and there is also support for Sony Memory Stick and Memory Stick PRO. When the Sony Memory Stick PRO is used, the Cyber-shot DSC-W7 can also record VGA quality video clips in the high-resolution MPEG Movie VX Fine (640 x 480, 30 frames per second) format. USB 2.0 provides high-speed connectivity, able to transfer the high-resolution images quickly to a compatible PC for photo editing or straight to a compatible PictBridge** printer, for print output without any need for a PC.

About the Real Imaging Processor and STAMINA
The Sony STAMINA power management technology allows up to an impressive 380* shots to be taken on the Cyber-shot DSC-W7 with one charge of the two supplied rechargeable batteries, while the camera is also capable of up to 430* shots when used with the optional NiMH (2500mAh) batteries.  Another factor responsible for this energy efficiency is the Real Imaging Processor, a specially designed Sony microprocessor that controls the Cyber-shot DSC-W7 and provides many improvements to the image capturing process. These include more accurate colour reproduction, improved auto focus performance and a greater signal to noise ratio for clearer images, as well as enhanced auto white balance and auto exposure. The Real Imaging Processor also speeds up the Cyber-shot DSC-W7, considerably reducing playback and shooting intervals, as well as improving the shutter and release time lag to allow you to shoot faster and catch that elusive picture every time.
 
 
About the Cyber-shot Accessories
Supplied accessories for the Cyber-shot DSC-W7 include two NH-AA-DA rechargeable batteries and charger, a wrist strap, AV and USB cables, and a software CD containing Sony Picture Package, ImageMixer and USB Drivers.

Optional accessories include a Marine Pack for underwater photography, higher power batteries for an even greater number of shots, a range of custom cases, and conversion lenses and filters. Some of these accessories are also available as part of a cost-effective starter kit.

Key specifications:
Cyber-shot DSC-W7

• Large 2.5" LCD
• Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® lens 
• 3x Optical Zoom, up to 14x Smart Zoom, 6x Precision Digital Zoom 
• 7.2 effective Megapixel 
• Quick Operation (Start-up 1.3 sec, Shutter Time Lag 0.3 sec, Shutter Release Lag 0.01sec) 
• Stamina Battery Life (approx 380 shots*) 
• Real Imaging Processor 
• Manual Exposure Setting 
• Rechargeable Batteries & Charger included 
• MPEG VX Fine with Audio 
• AF Illuminator 
• Histogram Indication 
• USB 2.0 High Speed Transfer 
• Scene Selection Mode (7)
• Internal Memory 32MB 
• Conversion Lens Compatible (Optional) 
• PictBridge** Compatible 
• High Quality Aluminium Body

* The measurement method is based on the CIPA standard (CIPA: Camera & Imaging Products Association).
** PictBridge is a trademark
Subject to errors and technical changes.