Overview

The Sony Cybershot DSC-W50 is a 6 megapixel ultra compact digital camera. It is equipped with a 3 times optical zoom and large sized 2.5 inch LCD display. Sony introduces a greater light sensitivity, combined with color noise reduction in the DSC-W50. This allows taking pictures in low light conditions and may help minimize the problems of weak flashlights typically found in ultra compact camera.

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Available Reviews

• Sony DSC-W50 review at imaging resource
• Sony Cybershot DSC W50 review at cameras.co.uk
• Sony Cybershot DSC-W50 review at Steve's Digicams
• Sony Cybershot DSC-W50 review at Megapixel
• Sony CyberShot DSC-W50 at CNet
• Sony Cybershot DSC-W50 review at DCRP

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Features

6 Megapixels Resolution
The DSC-W50 offers 6 megapixels resolution allowing you to not only capture small details but also to create large size prints.

Display and Viewfinder
The W50 is not only equipped with a large 2.5 inch LCD display, making it easy to shoot and review photos, but also offers an optical viewfinder - a feature lots of other ultra compact camera don’t have.

High Sensitivity
The Cybershot W50 features an ISO 1000 sensitivity mode, which allows you to get good photographic results in extreme low light conditions. The camera is also equipped with noise reduction technology, minimising the color noise that can be a problem at such high sensitivity.

Powerful Battery
The DSC-W50’s battery lasts up to 390 shots, which should be enough for most photographic ‘expeditions’. On top of that the W50 comes with a compact charger which is small enough to carry with you should you ever run out of battery while on the road.

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Specifications

Sensor: 1/ 2.5in. CCD
Resolution: 6.0 megapixels
LCD Screen: 2.5 inch TFT
Storage Media: Memory Stick DUO or Memory Stick DUO PRO
Viewfinder: Optical
Zoom: 3X optical
Focal Length: 6.3 – 18.9mm, 35mm equiv.: 38 - 114mm
Focus: 5 Area Multi-Point AF, Center AF
Macro Mode: 0.74in. (2cm)
Shutter Speed: 1 - 1/2000 s.
Flash Effective Range: ISO Auto: 6” to 7′ 10″ (0.2-2.4m)(W), ISO 1000: 2′ 7” to 24’ (0.8-7.3m)(W)
Flash Modes: Auto, Forced On, Forced Off, Slow Synch, Red-eye Reduction
Exposure Compensation: ±2.0EV, 1/3EV steps
Continuous Shooting Mode: up to 3 shots at 1.4 fps in full resolution
White Balance: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Incandescent, Flash
Sensitivity: Auto, ISO 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1000
Scene Modes: Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Soft Snap, Landscape, Beach, Snow, High Sensitivity
Self-Timer: 10s, 2s
Movie Mode: MPEG format, up to 640 x 480 at 30fps
PC Interface: USB 2.0
Battery: battery pack
Dimensions: 3 1/2″ x 2 5/16″ x 15/16″ (89 x 59 x 23 mm)
Weight: 4.7 oz (157 g) body only

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Press Release

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 13, 2006 — Sony has re-engineered its W-series of top-performing Cyber-shot® digital still cameras to embody the virtues of a traditional camera style and satisfy modern tastes for sleek, compact design.

In addition to sporting eye-level viewfinders in the fashion of traditional cameras, the new DSC-W50 and DSC-W30 models have large LCD screens and are significantly more compact than previous W-series models.

Both new cameras offer six-megapixel image resolution for high-quality prints, high-light sensitivity for fast-action shooting and more natural-looking pictures in low-light conditions, precision Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar 3x optical zoom lenses, and MPEG1 movie recording.

Available in silver, the DSC-W50 model features a 2.5-inch, easy-to-view LCD screen wrapped in a metal-alloy body with sophisticated etching and details. The DSC-W30 model also comes in silver with a two-inch LCD.

“These new models will be attractive to people who prefer the look and feel of a traditional camera, but without the bulk,” said James Neal, director of digital imaging products at Sony Electronics. “We’ve also increased the light sensitivity, which minimizes the need for flash photography, and improved the cameras’ user interface for better photography results and overall camera experience.”

No More Guessing What those Icons Mean

Anyone who has ever found menu icons on a digital still camera mysterious will appreciate the new function guide on the latest W-series models. When menu icons are selected, such as a specific shooting function or scene mode, a text explanation is displayed on the LCD making it easier to take a great shot. This function guide can be turned off once the user becomes more familiar with the camera.

Built for Better Performance

Both new models include high light-sensitivity settings up to ISO 1000, which allow for shooting at higher shutter speeds to capture fast-moving subjects with less blur. With higher light sensitivity at your fingertips, you can shoot in available light without a flash for more naturally-exposed, “true-to-life” pictures. With Sony’s Clear RAW ™ imaging technology, you can up the camera’s sensitivity without dramatically increasing picture noise, which makes pictures look blurry and grainy.

Sony’s ultra-fast Real Imaging Processor™ circuit delivers quick start-up, fast shot-to-shot times, and long battery life — up to 400 shots on a single charge for the DSC-W30 model. It also speeds up the cameras’ sophisticated auto-exposure and multi-point, auto-focus features so that users get the picture right the first time.

Both cameras have 32MB of internal memory, which can be expanded further with an optional Memory Stick Duo™ media card or Memory Stick PRO Duo™ card, now offered in capacities up to two gigabytes.

Make the Most of High-Resolution Images through Prints

You can make high-quality prints by simply connecting these models to a Sony DPP-FP50 digital photo printer. You can even create postcards or calendars using the printer’s supplied software.

With Sony’s ImageStation® online photo service, you can expand your options to print tens or even hundreds of pictures, create online photo and video albums, or make customized gifts such as photo books and calendars.

The Cyber-shot DSC-W50 will be available in early March for about $250, and the DSC-W30 is available this month for about $230. Bundled accessories include rechargeable Lithium ion batteries (NP-BG1), charger (BC-CSG), USB and AV output cables, and Cyber-shot viewer software. Options include a lithium ion battery (NP-BG1) for about $50, a travel charger (BC-TRG) for about $60, a sports pack (SPK-WA) for about $100, and a 30mm lens/filter adapter (VAD-WB) for about $30.
(source: Sony)