Sony announces an even smaller 30x zoom camera, the HX80
Everyone carries around a camera in their pocket these days. The latest smartphones all have pretty good cameras in them, but they're not great for every situation. Sometimes you want a camera that takes a bit higher quality shots, or maybe you want some serious zoom that a fixed lens just won't give you. Well, today Sony just announced a new point-and-shoot that should satisfy your need for extra zoom, without taking up too much space in your pocket.
Last year, Sony was pretty excited to announce their HX90V camera. They called it the world's smallest camera with a 30x optical zoom. While it was a well-deserved title at the time, the crown is being handed off to their latest release, dubbed the HX80. While they haven't said just how much smaller the newer model is, they've given us a lot of other useful info.
The camera will feature an 18.2 MP Exmor R CMOS sensor, 5-axis image stabilization, a pop-up flash, and a retractable viewfinder. You'll also find that the 921k dot LCD screen can flip up to 180-degrees for all of those selfies that you take. The biggest news is, of course, the 30x optical zoom lens. Check out the full spec list below:
- Premium 30x ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* optical zoom lens with 60x "Clear Image" digital zoom capability
- Built-in pop-up OLED Tru-Finder EVF w/ high contrast and vivid colors
- 18.2 MP Exmor R CMOS sensor and BIONZ X processor ensure the finest capture details for still images and Full HD videos in all lighting conditions
- Optical SteadyShot with 5-axis image stabilization minimizes effects of camera shake
- 921k dot, 3.0 type LCD screen that tilts a full 180 degrees
- Full HD movie shooting capabilities including high-speed XAVC S format at 50 Mbps
- Built-in 'pop up' flash for low-light shooting support
- Compatible with Wi-Fi / NFC for seamless wireless transfer of content and with select Sony PlayMemories™ Camera apps
The camera is due out in April, for a retail price of around $350.