Click on the W35 for a 360° QTVR tour

The slim, compact DSC-W35 and DSC-W55 are the latest entries in Sony's "W" series of Cyber- Shot models, and will sport 7.2-megapixel imagers and precision Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar lenses. They combine traditional, eye-level viewfinders with large LCD screens for easy framing and viewing of photos. The W55 camera will make a splash in Caribbean blue, pale pink, elegant black and sleek silver with a 2.5-inch LCD screen wrapped in a metal body, and the W35 camera will shimmer in silver with a two-inch screen.

These models feature a 3x optical zoom, blur-reduction technologies (ISO), and 56MB of internal memory for shooting without a media card. Their storage capacities can be expanded further with optional 8GB Memory Stick Duo ™ or Memory Stick PRO Duo™ flash media cards.

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.

Both new models include high 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 380 shots on a single charge for both models. 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 feature high-speed USB 2.0 connectivity with Windows and Mac computers for fast transfers of images and movies. 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.

DSC-W35 Major Features:

• Sony 7.2 Megapixel effective CCD image sensor
• Carl Zeiss 3x Zoom (38-114mm equivalent in 35mm photography)
• MPEG Movie: 640x480 VX Fine w/audio at 30fps (Memory Stick Duo Pro required),
  640x480 VX at 16fps, length limited only by media
• Auto, Program AE, High ISO plus 6 Scene modes
• 4-shot Burst at 1.1fps, 64 Shot VGA at 1.3 fps
• Live histogram display in capture and playback
• 5 Area Multi-point AF; auto or selectable Spot AF point
• 2.0" TFT color (85,000 pixels) LCD Screen with Auto Brightness
• ISO Sensitivity: Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1000
• Adjustable flash level, contrast and sharpness
• Noise Reduction: Automatically cleans up long exposure images
• 14bit A/D Conversion - allows a wider dynamic range from highlight to shadow
• Built-in flash with Auto Fill, Red Eye Reduction and Slow Synchro
• USB 2.05 Auto-Connect to host computer
• Powered by Li-ion rechargeable battery
• 56MB internal memory plus Memory Stick Duo / Duo Pro compatible
• DPOF and PictBridge direct-print USB compatible

Availiable in February (2007), the Cyber-shot W35 will retail for about US$179, and the W55 for about US$199. 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. See our buy box below for current pricing at various online vendors.