Steve's Digicams - Breaking News - Sony 02/24/03 Press Release

Sony's Two New CD Mavica Cameras Underscore Ease Of Use And Performance

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CD500 Mavica
CD350 Mavica

The new MVC-CD350 model combines the advantages and capacity of the instant-archive CD- R/RW format with a compact size that anyone can use for go-anywhere shooting. Meanwhile, the MVC-CD500 model features advanced resolution and control flexibility, which has made CD Mavica so popular among digital photography enthusiasts.

Both models record directly to low cost, high capacity 3-inch CD-R/RW discs. They will be available in April, and will sell for around and , respectively.

"Our strategy centers on making technology easy-to-use," said Steve Haber, senior vice president for Sony Electronics' Digital Imaging Products Division. "By matching the design of these new CD Mavica cameras to a wide variety of users' tastes, more consumers will be able to enjoy the unique advantages of CD photography."

Compact Size for Go-Anywhere CD Photography

The MVC-CD350 will soon be the most compact CD Mavica camera available. Consumers will enjoy the capacity and instant archiving of CD photography in the size of a typical 35mm film camera.

The new camera sports a 3.2 megapixel imager, 3X optical zoom lens and Sony's new Smart Zoom - all of which help to easily frame shots for higher quality pictures.

Though simple enough for a novice, the MVC-CD350 model includes advanced Multi-point Auto Focus and Multi-pattern exposure systems to capture the shot properly the first time. The camera's new Auto Fill Flash function can even sense when a subject is in shadow and automatically fire the flash.

Beyond still images, the MVC-CD350's new MPEG VX mode captures full frame video clips with audio - up to six minutes continuously on a 156MB CD-R/RW disc.

Advanced Technology to Capture Advanced Images

Optimized for photo enthusiasts, the MVC-CD500 can capture extraordinary digital images. Highlighted by Sony's 5.0 megapixel Super HAD™ CCD imager, Carl Zeiss® Vario- Sonnar® lens with 3X optical zoom and direct-to-CD-R/RW sequential recording, this new model also features:

• Manual Exposure Controls: Flexible exposure control is provided with aperture priority, shutter priority and manual exposure modes. For better command of motion and depth of field, Program Shift feature allows direct to various aperture/shutter speed combinations from within the auto mode

• Five-area Multi-Point Auto Focus: The camera evaluates five separate areas of the frame and intelligently focuses on the subject, displaying the selected focus point, or the user can choose any of the five points for manual control.

• Continuous Auto Focus: With Single, Monitoring and Continuous AF modes, the photographer can optimize focusing to the situation - especially useful for fast capturing action.

• Multi-Pattern Measuring: Independently meters the light in 49 points of the frame to establish the optimum exposure, even when highlight and shadow are not centered in the frame.

• Hot Shoe and ACC Terminal: Allows the user to connect Sony's HVL-F32X flash or remote controls with the ACC terminal, or synchronize other flash units or studio lighting with the Hot Shoe terminal.

• Hologram AF™ Illuminator: Projects a laser pattern on the subject to artificially create contrast, even in low or no light.