Sony announced three new compact cameras over the weekends, two of which are capable of taking 3D shots (to a certain extent). The announcement also marks a quiet introduction of Sony’s new 12 megapixel “Exmor R” backlit CMOS sensor (versus the 10 megapixel backlit sensors we’ve been seeing for quite a while now), which I’m pretty sure we’ll be seeing in other manufacturers’ cameras later this summer/fall. The high-speed, high sensitivity CMOS sensor allows the two models announced today that utilize it (the Cyber-shot WX5 and Cyber-shot TX9) to perform various tricks such as quick continuous shooting, combining multiple photos into a single ‘high quality’ (At least in theory) shot and doing seamless in-camera panoramas without having to constantly take multiple shots and stitch them up later. The ultra-thin Sony Cyber-shot TX9 also sports a touchscreen display with TruBlack technology (first seen on Sony’s NEX cameras announced in May), which improves on contrast and screen legibility.

Sony Cyber-shot WX5
(Stylish compact camera)

• 12 effective megapixels (CMOS)
• 24 – 120 mm (f2.4 – f5.9) 5X optical zoom lens
• Optical image stabilization
• 2.8 inch LCD (460,000 pixels)
• Some manual controls; new “Superior Auto” (that’s some name there)
• Intelligent Sweep Panorama automatically constructs a panorama from panning the camera;
  New 3D Sweep Panorama does the same thing, except this time the result comes out as a 3D photo
• Intelligent Multi Angle lets you take 15 shots at various angles and assembles one image that moves when you angle and tilt the camera in playback
• Background Defocus mode blurs out the background behind your subject (faux SLR shallow depth-of-field effect) by combining one ’sharp’ photo and another defocused one
• Anti-blur and Handheld Twilight prevents blurry photos in low-light by automatically taking and combining 6 photos into one
• Continuous shooting up to 10 frames per second at full resolution (up to 10 pictures)
• Face, blink and smile detection, software redeye removal
• Full HD (1920 x 1080) 60i FPS movie mode with stereo sound using AVCHD codec;
  1080i and 720p recording also available as options
• Single memory card slot takes either SD/SDHC/SDXC or Memory Stick Duo cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available in September for $300
• Comes in your choice of silver or black

Sony Cyber-shot TX9
(Stylish compact camera)

• 12 effective megapixels (CMOS)
• 25 – 100 mm (f3.5 – f4.6) 4X optical zoom lens
• Optical image stabilization
• 3.5 inch wide touchscreen LCD (921,000 pixels) with TruBlack technology
• New “Superior Auto” (that’s some name there)
• Intelligent Sweep Panorama automatically constructs a panorama from panning the camera;
  New 3D Sweep Panorama does the same thing, except this time the result comes out as a 3D photo
• Intelligent Multi Angle lets you take 15 shots at various angles and assembles one image that moves when you angle and tilt the camera in playback
• Background Defocus mode blurs out the background behind your subject (faux SLR shallow depth-of-field effect) by combining one ’sharp’ photo and another defocused one
• Anti-blur and Handheld Twilight prevents blurry photos in low-light by automatically taking and combining 6 photos into one
• Continuous shooting up to 10 frames per second at full resolution (up to 10 pictures)
• Face, blink and smile detection, software redeye removal
• Full HD (1920 x 1080) 60i FPS movie mode with Dolby Digital stereo sound using AVCHD codec;
  1080i and 720p recording also available as options
• Single memory card slot takes either SD/SDHC/SDXC or Memory Stick Duo cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available in September for $400
• Comes in your choice of black or red

Sony Cyber-shot T99
(Ultra-compact camera)

• 14 effective megapixels (regular CCD)
• 25 – 100 mm (f3.5 – f4.6) 4X optical zoom lens
• Optical image stabilization
• 3.0 inch wide touchscreen LCD (230,000 pixels)
• No manual controls
• Standard Sweep Panorama automatically constructs a panorama from panning the camera
• Face, blink and smile detection, software redeye removal
• Standard 720p HD (1280 x 720) 30 FPS movie mode with mono sound using MPEG4 codec
• Single memory card slot takes either SD/SDHC/SDXC or Memory Stick Duo cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available in September for $250
• Comes in your choice of silver, black, pink, purple or green

Related articles:

• New Sony cameras feature Exmor CMOS sensors
• Sony announces their first rugged camera and new compact super-zoom
• Sony HX1 with Exmor CMOS
• Sony presents twelve new Cyber-shot models!
• Panasonic rolls out Lumix LX5, FZ100 prosumer cameras; FZ40, FX700, TS10 consumer compacts