Sony Updates Cyber-shot Cameras

By Geoff Duncan September 11, 2006

Sony Electronics today announced updated to its Cyber-shot line of ultra-compact digital cameras, unveiling the Cyber-shot DSC-T50 and Cyber-shot DSC-N2, replacing the T30 and N1 models in the current product lineup.

Both cameras are tiny point-and-shoot cameras designed to cram impressive functionality into (very) small packages. Both feature Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar 3× optical zooms and massive 3-inch touchscreen LCDs which dominate the back of the units. The Cyber-shot N2 is much like its N1 predecessor, but weighs in a 6.6 ounces and comes with an upgraded 10.1 megapixel CCD and ISO sensitivity of 1600, so it’s better at capturing images even in low-light and motion conditions—image stabilization helps even more. The N2 also features 52 MB of onboard memory, Memory Stick storage (this is a Sony, after all) a well-liked album-viewing mode which makes the 3-inch LCD a bit of a social magnet. Expect it in October for about $450, with pre-orders coming to the SonyStyle site September 12.

The Cyber-shot T50 updates the T30 design by streamlining the mechanical controls on the back of the camera in favor of the 3-inch touchscreen LCD, but retaines the cool slide-down lens cover which also turns the camera on and off and the 7.2 megapixel resolution. The T50 remains sleeker than the N2—coming in at just 4.4 ounces—and ports 56 MB of onboard flash memory and image stabilization. The T50 should be available in October in black, red, or silver—pre-ordering starts tomorrow—for about $500.

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