Sony Intros 3D Cyber-shot Still Cameras, Updates Budget Line

Sony’s betting that one of the big themes in cameras this year is going to be 3D and, based on what’s already coming out of CES, it’s a solid wager. Today, the company introduced a whole slew of new cameras, including five premium point-and-shoot models with 3D capability and 1920 x 1080 video recording.

All five of these cameras– DSC-TX100V, DSC-TX10, DSC-HX7V, DSC-WX10, and DSC-WX9– feature a 16.2 MP CMOS sensor and two methods for shooting 3D images: 3D Still Image and 3D Sweep Panorama. In the first method, the camera automatically takes two shots using different focus positions to simulate left and right eye images and create the 3D effect. The second method takes images in rapid succession as you hold down the button and “sweep” the camera across a scene.

Other highlights of these cameras include improved HDR (High Dynamic Range) image processing and dual-record mode, which allows you to take a picture while simultaneously shooting a video.

Sony is also updating its budget line of W-series cameras which range from about $110 to $180, and include features such as Sweep Panorama (non-3D version), which allows users to capture a wide landscape with ease and an in-camera guide for help in using the camera.

The full rundown of Sony’s Cyber-shot digital cameras is below. Most of these cameras will be available in March.

Models with 3D capability:

• DSC-TX100V – 3.5-inch OLED touchscreen, 16.2 MP, 1080p recording, GPS and compass for geolocation; $380.
• DSC-TX10 – 3-inch LCD touchscreen, 16.2 MP, 1080i recording, waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, and freeze-proof; $330.
• DSC-HX7V – 16.2 MP, 1080i recording, 10x optical zoom, GPS and compass for geolocation; $300.
• DSC-WX10 – 16.2 MP, 1080i recording, 7x optical zoom; $280.
• DSC-WX9 – 16.2 MP, 1080i recording, 5x optical zoom; $220.

Models without 3D capability:

• DSC-H70 – 16.1 MP, 10x optical zoom, 720p recording, Optical SteadyShot, 25mm wide lens; $230.
• DSC-T110 – 3-inch LCD touchscreen, 16.1 MP, 720p recording, Sweep Panorama mode; $230
• DSC-W570 – 16.1 MP, 2.7-inch LCD screen, 720p recording, 5x optical zoom, Sweep Panorama mode; $180.
• DSC-W560 – 14.1 MP, 3-inch LCD screen, 720p recording, 4x optical zoom, Sweep Panorama mode, Optical SteadyShot; $160.
• DSC-W530 – 14.1 MP, 2.7-inch LCD screen, 4x optical zoom, Sweep Panorama mode, SteadyShot; $130.
• DSC-W510 – 12.1 MP, 2.7-inch LCD screen, 4x optical zoom, Sweep Panorama mode, SteadyShot; $110.