New Sony DSC-P5 and DSC-P3 Models Allow Consumers to Capture Great Photos Anywhere

August 21, 2001 -- The best camera is the one that is actually on-hand when a photo opportunity arises, and Sony has unveiled two super slender Cyber-shot® digital still cameras that fit the bill.

Created to expand the company's successful P-series, the new DSC-P5 and DSC-P3 models are not only Sony's smallest cameras to date - they also pack a powerful picture-taking punch.

"We have maximized miniaturization and the available technologies in these two models to refine the idea behind our P-series cameras," said Takashi Kondo, senior vice president of Sony Electronics' Digital Imaging Product Division. "We listened to consumers who encouraged us to make cameras that are more slender, yet maintain the comfortable shape and size that make Sony's pocket-size cameras so easy to handle."

Though small in size, these cameras bring new features to the P series, such as an AF Illuminator for focusing in the dark, in addition to two-shot burst mode, for capturing fast action. Both models reflect operating improvements that include simplified menus.

Pocket-sized Pedigree

The ruggedly elegant design and silver case of the Cyber-shot DSC-P5 model resembles that of its popular predecessor, the DSC-P1, but reveals a slimmer profile - thanks to a two-step barrel lens that retracts into the body of the camera; along with the development of a tiny new C-series InfoLithium® battery, with more than an hour of continuous shooting capacity, depending on use.

At a more attractive price than its predecessor, the DSC-P5 model at about will still feature a powerful 3X optical, 6X digital zoom lens and a 3.34 megapixel (MP) CCD (3.2 MP effective) when it becomes available in October. It will also feature a more precise 14-bit A/D converter and MPEG EX