NEW SONY CYBER-SHOT CAMERA’S VIDEO CAPTURE GOES HIGH DEF
SAN DIEGO, Aug. 28, 2008 – Sony is adding high-definition movie recording to its digital camera line with the introduction of the Cyber-shot® DSC-T500 model.
This 10-megapixel camera features wide and full-screen 720p movie recording at 30 frames per second in fine, standard and VGA recording modes. This resolution is three times higher than standard-definition movies.
The movie function is based on the MPEG4 AVC/H.264 codec for video compression and stereo audio. Benefits of the format include high-quality video as well as small file sizes that are easy to download, upload and share.
“Our research revealed that people like to shoot video with their point-and-shoot cameras, but were very dissatisfied with the video quality and the resulting large files,” said Phil Lubell, director of digital camera marketing at Sony Electronics. “Our new T500 fulfills this customer need for a digital camera that delivers high-quality movies in a small form factor.”
Movie capture on this model is further enhanced to include zoom while in recording mode and high-sensitivity shooting for natural- or low-light environments.
The camera can continuously record a video clip up to 10 minutes in length. It can hold hours of clips by expanding the camera’s capacity with a Memory Stick® media card (media sold separately), which now has capacities up to 16 GB.
It also features a dual photo and video capture mode. Simply press the photo button while in movie mode and capture up to three photos with no recording interruption.
Powerful Features for Exceptional Images
The T500 camera integrates a wide (16:9), 3.5-inch (measured diagonally), transflective, touch panel LCD screen for easy navigation, framing and viewing in strong light conditions. It has a Carl Zeiss® 5x optical zoom lens with a wide field of view (33 – 165 mm, 35 mm equivalency). It incorporates Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilization and high sensitivity settings up to ISO3200 helps combat blur and facilitate flash-free shooting for natural-exposed photos.
The model also incorporates face detection technology, an intelligent function that automatically detects up to eight faces in the camera frame and adjusts focus, exposure and flash.
High Definition Living
The T500 camera connects to a compatible HD television via an HDMI™ cable (sold separately). Photos and videos can be enjoyed as slide shows in high definition for a cinematic experience.
Subjects can take center stage as slideshows move through sophisticated pans, fades and wipes. Slide shows are given a boost with background music, including use of up to four pre-recorded music tracks of up to five minutes in length. You can even add your own tunes, using the bundled software.
Pricing and Availability
The DSC-T500 is supplied with Picture Motion Browser software for easy organizing and viewing of images. Sleek and compact, it will ship in elegant black with a brushed metal finish in late September for about $400.
All cameras and a range of accessories can be purchased online at sonystyle.com, at Sony Style® retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail), at military base exchanges, and at authorized dealers nationwide. Pre-orders begin on Aug. 29 at www.sonystyle.com.
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Sony Cybershot Digital Camera Web Site
I just purchased the camera and love it! I’m a professional videographer, and haven’t seen anything like this. the 720p video is awesome. Yet the only downfall is the battery life. At least in my case. I seem to only get a day or so on it. Almost like a phone that you have to charge overnight. Otherwise. GREAT
Thanks for commenting. I’ve been curious about this camera. Sony was very excited about it when they told me about it. Please post a review for it in our user review section. That’s a much better place to share your experience with the camera. Here’s a link to the T500 review page:
Sony Cybershot DSC-T500 User reviews >>
Hi, just bought the camera… It is just awesome to be able to record HD 720p. I bought it mainly for the ability to support it. The same limitations in low light conditions for all camera in this category. I have the same disappointment with the battery and hope Sony can either fix it with some firmware upgrades or perhaps a larger capacity battery.. Take a look at the link to you tube… be sure to click ‘watch in HD’.
here is the link. note the sound is recorded separately
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMFymoIzckw
just bought this camera also. It takes lovely photo and video in outdoor light but is a bit disappointing in indoor/low light conditions
My comment is basically similar to so many made on the net about this camera. Photo and Video quality in good light condition is quite good, but kind of disappointing in indoor and low light conditions. I actually compared it against a 4 year old Nikon 4MP which I have. The Nikon is better in terns of noise as well as white balance. Sadly, the T500 has no manual white balance setting.
I actually wished to get rid of it after seeing the indoor photo quality (noise and WB), but nobody would buy it, so I stuck with it:)
Anyway, I am now trying to make the best of it by relying on noise reduction software like NeatImage & Photoshop for White Balance correction.
I would like to add that my 4 year Nikon takes slightly sharper pictures also. For example, I took a shot of my bedroom with a digital clock somewhere in the background, using both cameras from the same location. In the Nikon shot I can see all number segments reasonably well, but with the T500 shot some of the segments are not clear.
I would also like to add that the battery life is not that good. You definitely need a spare battery if you wish to take an outing along with it.
it’s need a firm update to record video in slowmotion