Sony Announces Armada Of New H(X)-, TX- And W(X)-Series Point-And-Shoots

DSC-HX200V_Right_Tele_angle — Sony's new 30x superzoom DSC-HX200V

Sony today announces a number of new H-, HX-, TX-, W-, and WX-series point-and-shoot compact camera models. While the new HX models come with whopping 30x and 20x zoom lenses, the new TX models are among the slimmest compacts currently available. Read more after the jump.

HX-models with up to 30x zoom

The new models announced today are the superzoom cameras DSC-H90, DSC-HX10V, DSC-HX20V, DSC-HX30V and DSC-HX200V, the 10x zoom models DSC-W690 and DSC-WX150 as well as the ultra-slim DSC-TX66 and the rugged DSC-TX20.

The DSC-HX200V is the top-end model of Sony’s superzooms series, featuring a whopping 30x 27-810 mm (equivalent) zoom lens with new “AA” (“advanced aspherical”) lens elements allowing for an extra slim lens design. It comes with a new 18.2 megapixel Exmor R backside-illuminated CMOS sensor, an advanced BIONZ processor for fast autofocusing and Sony’s “Optical Steady Shot” image stabilization system.

The HX20V and HX30V models both come with 20x zoom lenses, equally equipped with new “AA” lens elements. Their equivalent focal length range goes from 25-500 mm, and the HX30V adds WiFi capabilities for quick picture sharing.

The zoom range of the HX10V and H90 is “only” 16x, equivalent to 24-384 mm in 35mm full-frame terms. All new HX models feature the same 18.2 megapixel Exmor R sensor, whereas the H90 comes with a 16.1 megapixel CCD sensor.

W(X)-models slimmest 10x zoom compacts

The new W(X)-series models are the “world’s thinnest 10x optical zoom cameras” according to Sony’s press release. Just like the new H(X)-models, their lenses feature the so-called “advanced aspherical” lens elements for extra slim lens constructions. The WX150 shares the 18.2 megapixel CMOS sensor of the advanced HX-models, whereas the W690 shares the 16.1 megapixel CCD of the HX10V and H90.

TX-models slim and rugged

The new TX models are the slimmest of the bunch, measuring only 12.2 mm (0.48 in) in thickness (excluding the lens cover). While the TX66 shares the same 18.2 megapixel CMOS sensor as the WX- and HX-models above, the TX20, which comes with a 16.1 megapixel CCD, is water-, dust-, shock- and freeze-proof.

Full specs, availability and price (from press release)

The DSC-HX200V camera will be available in black this March for approximately $480. Features include:

18.2 MP “Exmor R” CMOS sensor
30x optical zoom lens (27-810mm in 35mm format) with 60x digital “Clear Image Zoom” at full resolution
“Extra High Sensitivity” technology enhances low-light shooting capabilities
Lightning-fast AF speed of approximately 0.13 second in daylight, 0.24 seconds in low-light at 3 EV (speeds may vary based on shooting conditions)
3.0-inch, 921k dot resolution tilting LCD screen
Captures 13MP equivalent still images while shooting video via “Dual-Record”
Full HD Movie Shooting capability (1920×1080/60p) and Optical SteadyShot Active Mode (3 way shake cancelling)
Photo Creativity interface and 9 “Picture Effect” options for creating unique, custom-styled photos and video
Embedded GPS functionality with newly added GPS Log Recording function

The DSC-HX30V camera will be available in black this May for approximately $420. Features include:

18.2 MP “Exmor R” CMOS sensor
20x optical zoom lens (25-500mm in 35mm format) with 40x digital “Clear Image Zoom” at full resolution
Wi-Fi enabled for sharing content directly with compatible smartphone, PC, tablet or other devices
“Extra High Sensitivity” technology enhances low-light shooting capabilities
Lightning-fast AF speed of approximately 0.13 second in daylight, 0.21 seconds in low-light at 3 EV (speeds may vary based on shooting conditions)
3.0-inch, 921k dot LCD screen
Captures13MP equivalent still images while shooting video via “Dual-Record”
Full HD Movie Shooting capability (1920×1080/60p) and Optical SteadyShot Active Mode (3 way shake cancelling)
Photo Creativity interface and 9 “Picture Effect” options for creating unique, custom-styled photos and video
Embedded GPS functionality with newly added GPS Log Recording function
Manufactured with “SoRPlas” – Sony recycled plastic – an exceptionally durable plastic containing 99% recycled materials

The DSC-HX20V camera will be available in black this May for approximately $400. Features include:

18.2 MP “Exmor R” CMOS sensor
20x optical zoom lens (25-500mm in 35mm format) with 40x digital “Clear Image Zoom” at full resolution
“Extra High Sensitivity” technology enhances low-light shooting capabilities
Lightning-fast AF speed of approximately 0.13 second in daylight, 0.21 seconds in low-light at 3 EV (speeds may vary based on shooting conditions)
3.0-inch, 921k dot LCD screen
Captures 13MP equivalent still images while shooting video via “Dual-Record”
Full HD Movie Shooting capability (1920×1080/60p) and Optical SteadyShot Active Mode (3 way shake cancelling)
Photo Creativity interface and 9 “Picture Effect” options for creating unique, custom-styled photos and video
Embedded GPS functionality with newly added GPS Log Recording function
Manufactured with “SoRPlas” – Sony recycled plastic – an exceptionally durable plastic containing 99% recycled materials

The DSC-HX10V camera will be available in white, silver, black and red this March for approximately $330. Features include:

18.2 MP “Exmor R” CMOS sensor
16x optical zoom lens (24-384mm in 35mm format) with 40x digital “Clear Image Zoom” at full resolution
“Extra High Sensitivity” technology enhances low-light shooting capabilities
Lightning-fast AF speed of approximately 0.13 second in daylight, 0.22 seconds in low-light at 3 EV (speeds may vary based on shooting conditions)
3.0-inch, 921k dot LCD screen
Captures 13 MP equivalent still images while shooting video via “Dual-Record”
Full HD Movie Shooting capability (1920×1080/60i) and Optical SteadyShot Active Mode (2 way shake cancelling)
Photo Creativity interface and 9 “Picture Effect” options for creating unique, custom-styled photos and video
Embedded GPS functionality with newly added GPS Log Recording function

The DSC-H90 camera will be available in silver, black and red this March for approximately $250. Features include:

16.1 MP CCD sensor
16x optical zoom lens (24-384mm in 35mm format)
3.0-inch, 460k dot LCD screen
720p HD Movie Shooting capability (1280×720/30p), Optical SteadyShot Active Mode
Improved iAuto mode that can recognize up to 33 scenes
4 “Picture Effect” options for creating unique, custom-styled photos and video

The DSC-WX150 camera will be available in silver, black, red and blue this May for approximately $250. Features include:

Effective 18.2 MP “Exmor R” CMOS sensor
Lightning-fast AF speed of approximately 0.13 second in daylight, 0.20 seconds in low-light (speeds may vary based on shooting conditions)
3.0-inch 460k dot LCD screen
10x wide-angle optical zoom lens (25-250mm in 35mm format) with 20x digital “Clear Image Zoom” at full resolution; includes newly developed “AA” lens element
“Extra High Sensitivity” technology enhances low-light shooting capabilities
Captures 13 MP equivalent still images while shooting video via “Dual-Record”
Full HD Movie Shooting capability (1920×1080/60i)
Enhanced Optical SteadyShot reduces hand shake during still and video shooting
9 total “Picture Effect” options, allowing for creative, custom styled photographs

The DSC-W690 camera will be available in silver, black, red and blue this May for approximately $180. Features include:

Effective 16.1 MP CCD sensor
3.0-inch 230k dot LCD touch screen
10x wide-angle optical zoom lens (25-250mm in 35mm format) including newly developed “AA” lens element
720p HD Movie Shooting capability
Enhanced Optical SteadyShot reduces hand shake during video shooting
4 total “Picture Effect” options, allowing for creative, custom styled photographs

The DSC-TX66 camera will be available in silver, gold, red, white, purple and pink this March for about $350

Effective 18.2 MP “Exmor R” CMOS sensor
Ultra-thin design measuring at 12.2 mm thick (excluding lens cover)
Lightning-fast AF speed of approximately 0.13 second in daylight, 0.25 seconds in low-light (speeds may vary based on shooting conditions)
5x wide-angle optical zoom lens (26-130mm in 35mm format) with 10x digital “Clear Image Zoom” at full resolution
“Extra High Sensitivity” technology enhances low-light shooting capabilities
3.3-inch Xtra Fine™ OLED touch-screen
Captures 13 MP equivalent still images while shooting video via “Dual-Record”
Full HD Movie Shooting capability (1920×1080/60i)
Enhanced Optical SteadyShot reduces hand shake during still and video shooting
“Photo Creativity” interface plus 9 “Picture Effect” options for creating unique, custom-styled photos and video

The DSC-TX20 camera will be available in orange, green, black, blue and pink this May for about $330. Features include:

16.2 MP “Exmor R” CMOS sensor
4x wide-angle optical zoom lens (25-100mm in 35mm format) with 8x digital “Clear Image” Zoom at full resolution
Waterproof (up to 5m,16 feet), dustproof, shockproof (up to 1.5m or 5ft) and freeze-proof (up to 14oF)
“3.0-inch Xtra Fine LCD touch-screen with 921k dot resolution
Captures 12 MP equivalent still images while shooting video via “Dual Record”
Optical SteadyShot Active Mode reduces hand shake during video shooting
7 “Picture Effect” options for creating unique, custom-styles photos and video