Sony's Cyber-shot line of digital compact cameras includes the H Series that features "Sweep Panorama" technology for 3D viewing. The HX5 model, weighing only seven ounces, captures both still images and video clips. The Cyber-shot HX5 won three awards: European Imaging and Sound Association Award -- Best Product 2010-2011, Compact Camera; Technical Image Press Association Award 2010 Award; and Which? Best Buy Award 2010.
Intelligent Sweep Panorama
The Cybershot HX5 features "Intelligent Sweep Panorama," using one Sony G lens to record up to 100 images at different angles as the camera moves in a sweeping motion, to record a three-dimensional image. The photographer can select from three panorama sizes. The BIONZ processor aligns and stitches the images to produce an ultra-wide, three-dimensional image viewed with 3D glasses on the Sony Bravia 3 High-Definition TV.
Technical Specifications
The HX5 also produces 1080i HD high definition movies with audio video compression (AVCHD), to allow smaller files for the personal computer. The Sony G lens features 10X optical zoom range and a 25mm equivalent wide angle useful for landscape and group shots. The 3-inch liquid crystal display (LCD) displays high contrast and a wide viewing angle. This LCD shows a bright image in a wide range of lighting conditions. High image resolution is 10.2 megapixels for detailed enlargements. The ISO speed ranges from ISO 125 to 3200.
The built-in flash system includes auto daylight synchronized flash and red-eye reduction. To help reduce risk of subject or motion blur, this model features an anti-motion blur mode. To capture action sequences, the continuous shooting mode allows recording up to 10 frames per second.
Sensor
According to Sony, the Exmor R CMOS Sensor is twice as sensitive for capturing light as other camera sensors. The back-illuminated design allows light to fall onto receptive areas without any blocking. Unlike other cameras that boost signals electronically and produce noisy or grainy images, this sensor records detail in low light conditions with less grain. This technology allows large, 13 x 19-inch full frame prints. For difficult, low light conditions, the Handheld Twilight mode produces six frames and then blends them into one crisp image.
Recording and Playback
The HX5 uses the JPEG recording format. Recording media includes the Memory Stick Duo for still images, the Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo and SC/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card (Class 4 or higher for movies). The supplied software is Picture Motion Browser version 5.0 for Windows.
High-definition playback includes trimming, zoom, image rotation, cue and review. Viewers can watch the HD slideshow with music on the LCD or an HD TV. When images are burned to a disc, the recording can also be played on Blu-ray Disc players and Sony PlayStation 3 systems.
For travelers who want to record the location and local time on each image, this camera includes a built-in GPS receiver that records latitude, longitude, altitude and direction the camera was pointing to during the shot. Mapping software reads this geotagging data during playback. With the aid of online maps, viewers can record the location of each shot.
Tags: Memory Stick, Sweep Panorama, Association Award, Award 2010, Intelligent Sweep, Intelligent Sweep Panorama
