The shoot mode dial that is normally on the body of the camera and can be accidentally changed without much effort  has been moved into the menu so the user has to physically want to use another mode.  The camera menu is a pretty standard setup with drive modes, AF modes, digital zoom, etc.   There is a new menu item called Brightness/Color that contains ISO, white balance, metering, flash modes, Dynamic Range settings and Auto HDR setup along with SONY’s Creative Style setup (normal, vivid, portrait, BW, etc.).  Once the user gets used to having these more often used menu items moved away from the general setup menu, I can see how this is a much more convenient way to make adjustment.  Image size, Playback and Setup are pretty standard fare.

Alright then.  we have the camera setup and were ready to go out and shoot.  First thing I want to try out is the sweep panorama.  I’ve been quite enamored the process on the pocket sized point and shoot.  Now let’s see what we get when were using the same firmware with an aps-c sized sensor.

O.K. - Wow!  Hand held in Sweep Panorama mode.  The original shot at 300dpi came up with a measurement of 6.187″X27.302″ and that is in the Standard Pan mode.  There is also a choice for Wide Pan that allows you to shoot a full 180° with each picture.  Now, here’s the really impressive part.  It doesn’t show as well here on the web but the sun was just above the right side of the shot when this was taken and even with no lens hood attached or other protection from the direct light, there is no flare and the exposure is pretty close to perfect.

This shot was taken with the NEX-3.  14.2 mp at a focal length of 18mm.  I haven’t seen it first hand but SONY says the same picture from the NEX-5 played on one of their new 3D TV sets actually will show the pan in 3D.  Nothing short of amazing for this old darkroom geek.

On to some of the other goodies.  The NEX system has Optical Steady Shot,  Anti Motion Blurr, Auto HDR (although with the advance auto light control built into the camera I don’t know where one would need to use it), face detection, smile detection, precision digital zoom and a speed priority selection that will allow up to 7 fps to catch all the action and potentially never miss the shot you want.

Each kit comes with body, lens (either the 16mm f/2.8 or the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6), removable flash, Info-Lithium rechargeable battery and charger, lens hood (with the 18-55 kit), USB cable, neck strap, software CD, 1 year limited warranty and of course the inevitable flyers to let you know about all the goodies you can get to go with your new camera.  Prices are starting at $549.95.  I think I want one of these just for the Panorama feature.

The game has officially changed.

Sony introduces two new α (alpha) compact interchangeable lens digital cameras that provide the performance of a digital SLR in a compact body.

The NEX-5 and NEX-3 are the world’s smallest and lightest interchangeable lens digital cameras with full DSLR performance, sweep panorama, and low-light shooting.

“Consumers want better picture quality in a smaller form factor,” said Kristen Elder, director, digital imaging. “These cameras are the game-changers everyone has been waiting for and will revolutionize the consumer experience by offering outstanding picture quality in a pocketable size.”

Unlike conventional DSLR models, the “mirror-less” construction of the new models reduces the thickness of both camera bodies to just about an inch at their slimmest point.

The NEX-5 and NEX-3 are the first α cameras to offer high-definition video recording, including auto-focus and auto-exposure. Both cameras include built-in stereo microphones for recording audio.

The models are also the first α cameras that incorporate Sweep Panorama, featuring the press-and-sweep motion for panoramic photos.

Both cameras will be 3D-ready this July. With 3D Sweep Panorama mode, the cameras can shoot 3D panoramic still images with a single lens.

The NEX-5 and NEX-3 integrate a BIONZ processor that allows quick DSLR-style shooting response with autofocus and minimal shutter lag. Both cameras can capture full-resolution images at speeds up to 7 frames per second.

Three new E-mount lenses are being introduced, including a 16mm wide-angle prime lens, an 18mm-55mm standard zoom lens, and an 18mm-200mm high-magnification zoom lens (right).

The NEX-5 and NEX-3 cameras that come with a 16mm lens will cost about $650 and $550 respectively. For the NEX-5 and NEX-3 with the 18-55mm lens, it will cost about $700 and $600 respectively. The NEX-3 will be available in silver, black and red, and the NEX-5 in silver and black.

The 16mm and 18-55mm lenses will be available for about $250 and $300.

The cameras, lenses and a range of accessories will be available in July at Sony Style retail stores and authorized dealers nationwide.

SONY TX5

SONY INTRODUCES WATERPROOF DIGITAL STILL CAMERA WITH PERFORMANCE AND STYLE

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 17, 2010 – Leading the industry in innovation and design, Sony today unveiled two new Cyber-shot® digital still cameras (models DSC-TX5 and DSC-H55).

Slim enough to fit in your pocket or purse at less than an inch thin — about the size of a deck of cards — the TX5 is the world’s thinnest and smallest certified waterproof (up to 10 feet deep) digital still camera with Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilization and touch operation. Additionally, the 10.2 megapixel model is Sony’s first digital still camera with an “Exmor R” CMOS sensor that is also certified to be freeze proof down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit, shockproof up to about a 5-foot drop and dust proof.

“Only Sony can deliver a technology-packed, ultra slim, fashionable T-series camera that is also durable. Until now, you couldn’t have it all in one camera” said Kelly Davis, director of the Digital Imaging business at Sony Electronics. “It is so versatile because it’s a great camera for both indoor and outdoor usage. You can easily take it from a day at the beach with the kids to a cocktail party with friends. This camera is also great for activities such as snorkeling, snowboarding or boating.”

Waterproof, Freeze Proof, Shockproof and Dust Proof

Waterproof in up to 10 feet of water for an hour, the TX5 lets you take high-quality photos, including panoramic pictures, and 720p high definition videos of your friends, family or pets underwater. From the tropics to the top of the mountain, the camera is also freeze proof down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit, so you can take pictures of the kids sledding or snowboarding. Not only is it ready for cold weather, but the TX5 is durable enough to withstand an accidental drop from up to approximately 5 feet. Additionally, it is dust proof, so you can take it with you on a camping trip or a mountain bike ride.

The camera features an “Exmor R” sensor and offers 10fps continuous burst shooting for capturing action shots, so you can get great photos of the perfect moment such as when your kids are in mid air while jumping into the pool. Additionally, the sensor provides outstanding low-light performance so you can take high-quality photos even after the sun sets.

In one easy press-and-sweep motion, take panoramic photos of the underwater landscape or breathtaking views from the top of the mountain using the Intelligent Sweep Panorama™ feature. Another benefit of the “Exmor R” sensor, this innovative feature combines separate captures, detects faces and subject motion and intelligently adjusts the width while stitching the images together, resulting in natural looking panoramic photos.

Equipped with a foldable, 25 mm equivalent wide-angle 4x optical zoom Carl Zeiss® Vario Tessor® lens, the TX5 delivers outstanding sharpness and high-quality photos while helping to keep the camera compact. The camera also has a three-inch (measured diagonally) Clear Photo LCD Plus™ (230,400 pixel) wide touch screen display that functions—even underwater. You can focus on your subject, operate the menu and share photos and videos with a touch of the screen—wet or dry. Additionally, you can decorate your photos using the paint feature or scroll through images by simply sweeping your finger across the screen.

Shadows and Details Made Easy

In addition to making it easy to capture entire landscapes or tall buildings, the TX5 camera also helps to manage difficult lighting situations. The “Exmor R” CMOS sensor lets you take high-quality photos in low light without a flash. Additionally, the TX5 has a solution for backlight situations.

With in-camera multi-shot Backlight Correction High Dynamic Range (HDR), the camera combines highlight and shadow detail of two separate captures into one remarkably natural looking image—even without a tripod. HDR offers a solution for strong backlight situations which typically result in either dark shadows in the foreground or a washed out background. Sony’s “Exmor R” sensor and BIONZ® processor help to correct these issues.

Sony also is introducing the H55 model, which offers high zoom in a compact design. The H55 camera’s 10x optical zoom Sony G lens with 25mm wide-angle (equivalent) takes better shots from greater distances and of wider landscapes. With a 14.1 megapixel CCD sensor, this camera lets you take panoramic shots in one sweeping motion with Sweep Panorama™ mode. You can also frame and view photos on its three-inch (measured diagonally) Clear Photo™ LCD screen (230,400 pixels).

Featuring 720p movie recording, the H55 model offers Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilization to help reduce blur in photos without compromising image quality. It also adds Optical SteadyShot image stabilization with Active Mode, which lets you shoot smoother movie clips even if you are walking while shooting. Optical SteadyShot image stabilization with Active Mode allows a moveable lens element inside the camera to shift with greater range of motion—10 times the range of the Optical SteadyShot feature at wide end in standard mode—to compensate for camera shake.

The TX5 and H55 cameras share intelligent features including HD movie recording (1280 x 720 at 30p). Additionally, these cameras have a Self portrait timer that automatically takes the shot two seconds after one or two faces are detected, making hand held self-portraits easy. They also offer Smile Shutter™ technology to automatically capture smiles and iAUTO and Easy modes, which make it easy to get the best shot in nearly any lighting situation.

To give customers greater choice and enhance the overall customer experience, the TX5 and H55 cameras feature a memory card slot compatible with both Memory Stick® (PRO Duo™) and class-four and above SD/SDHC formats.