Sony has Digital Imaging all wrapped up this Christmas. With Christmas not far away people are starting to think about the best way to capture all the family action and party spirit. Sony is offering a full range of models that combine sleek design, synonymous with the Sony brand, with cutting edge technological functions. We've put together a buying guide for three of Sony's sleek and stylish Digital Cameras. If technological innovation is what interests you, the Sony Cyber-Shot N1 offers two new technological advances from Sony. For classic Sony style check out the Sony Cyber-shot T7 featuring the slimmest frame of all Sony’s digital still cameras. Sony’s 7.2 Cybershot P200 effective Megapixel marvel with Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar zoom lens and 2.0-inch LCD just keeps on shooting, providing top quality, simplicity and value for money. For full information on each camera, check out our buying guides below.

Sony Cyber-shot N1 [8MP 3x Optical Zoom]
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T7 Digital Camera [5MP, 3x Optical Zoom]
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P200 Digital Camera [7MP, 3x Optical Zoom]
 

Plus, check out the full range of Sony Digital Cameras available, in the Sony Shop.

Sony Cyber-shot N1 [8MP 3x Optical Zoom]

Sony announces high quality Digital Still Camera brimming with new innovative features

8.1 effective Megapixels, Super large 3.0 inch touch-screen LCD and ZEISS 3x Optical Zoom.

The Sony Cyber-shot N1 offers the perfect combination of smooth design, fun shooting and sharing experiences, with superb image quality. The camera features an 8.1 effective Megapixel Super HAD CCD, the highest ever resolution for a super compact Cyber-shot. The massive 3.0 inch Clear Photo LCD Plus screen also features a handy touch-screen operation, again two more firsts for a Sony Cyber-shot. The Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 3x Optical Zoom lens produces sparkling, sharp images - and it’s all packaged in a compact aluminium body that’s only 22.7mm slim. Great new viewing technologies, Pocket Album and Slideshow with Music features, ensure the most enjoyable and varied shooting and sharing experience ever from Sony.

The big screen you can touch

The large hybrid 3.0 inch touch-sensitive LCD on the Cyber-shot N1 makes this stylish digital camera even easier to use, allowing you to operate various functions when shooting and playing back by simply touching the LCD screen. For example with the Free Spot AF function, you can focus on an object directly by just touching it on the LCD screen. Likewise, functions like menu, playback, forward and reverse can be controlled by just touching or tracing a finger across the LCD screen. The paint and stamp function is great for families:using the supplied stylus, artistic and decorative final touches can be added to photos. The brand new Clear Photo LCD Plus technology greatly improves the resolution and brightness of the 3.0 inch LCD screen. The improved 65% NTSC colour ratio leads to clearer and more vivid picture quality. The LCD incorporates a smooth anti-reflection layer, for a better image quality than conventional textured layers. It also suppresses reflections more effectively to increase the display contrast, especially outside in bright sunlight. Perfect for sharing photographs with friends and family.

View and share pictures, wherever, whenever

Imagine how heavy a photo album carrying 500 of your favourite photos might be! The new Pocket Album feature from Sony allows you to carry and view up to 500 of your favourite still photos on the camera's large LCD screen. A separate, internal memory is dedicated to holding your pictures in VGA size thumbnails, which means you can view them whenever you want. The internal Pocket Album is a great way to share memories and tell a story with friends. In addition to sharing on the large LCD screen, images can be viewed on a connected TV screen. When the maximum capacity is reached, the oldest images are automatically deleted to make space for new ones (individual images can be protected from deletion). Of course, images are also stored in full high resolution on optional Memory Stick Duo™ or Memory Stick PRO Duo™ for you to save on a PC or print out.

Truly dynamic slide shows

In addition, the Cyber-shot N1 features a Slideshow with Music function for a truly rich slide show experience. It brings your pictures to life by playing them back in a variety of slide show styles: select from 'Active', 'Simple', 'Stylish' and 'Nostalgic' modes and your pictures will be shown at random accompanied by a choice of four pre-set background music melodies to complement the mood. You can even add background music of you own choice using the supplied Picture Package software. You can select the Music Transfer function to add your own music (MP3 or CD music) to the camera’s internal memory to further personalise your slide shows. To make the very best of your memories, the camera goes one step further, blending and zooming in and out on images for a truly dynamic, movie-like slide show. You don't even have to wait to get home to enjoy this great feature-just switch to Slideshow with Music mode and the camera does the rest! There is also a 'Normal' function for playback without mood music.

Sony and Carl ZEISS in partnership

The brushed aluminium metal body of the Cyber-shot N1 boasts smooth lines and modern styling and houses a Sony developed 8.1 effective Megapixel Super HAD CCD, combined with a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 3x Optical Zoom lens, to ensure crystal clear shots every time. If you need to zoom even more, no problem: the camera features a 6x Precision Digital Zoom, and a 15x VGA Smart Zoom to help you view subjects near and far. With the 16:9 shooting mode you can even shoot wide-screen images for playback on your wide-screen TV.

High sensitivity for reduced blur

Picture blur is significantly reduced because of the high sensitivity capability of the Cyber-shot N1. Traditionally this would lead to an increase in noise, however utilising the newly developed Clear RAW NR feature, the signal to noise ratio is greatly improved. The Clear RAW NR original algorithm system reduces colour and luminance noise, enabling shooting with significantly higher sensitivity (up to ISO 800). This ensures images with less noise and finer detail. This is especially beneficial when shooting in low-light conditions, or when shooting moving objects.

Stylish shooting on the go

A fun photographic experience comes as standard with the Cyber-shot N1. Despite its huge LCD screen, its light and compact body weighs in at only 151g*. It’s a perfect size to drop into a bag so you never miss a single photo opportunity with friends and family, or a fabulous view or memories from your latest holiday. Whatever the occasion, there is bound to be a suitable setting to capture it amongst the eight pre-set Scene Selection modes, including Twilight, Snow and Beach functions. Just choose your preferred mode: the shutter speed and exposure has all been pre-set for worry-free and convenient shooting. The Cyber-shot N1 also features a manual exposure if you feel like being a little more creative.

Always ready

Battery performance is not a problem for the Cyber-shot N1 - with its improved Sony STAMINA technology, you can take up to 300** shots on a single charge of the supplied Lithium battery. To keep up with the shooting ability the camera offers, its Real Imaging Processor provides a very quick camera response time. If you do run out of power, just charge it up again with the supplied battery charger.

Greater Appeal

The Cyber-shot N-series also features PictBridge, the standard for printing directly to compatible PictBridge photo printers, such as the Sony DPP-FP50. The optional Cyber-shot Station makes charging and connecting to a PC, printer or TV even simpler. A greater range of optional accessories are available for the Cyber-shot N1, including a leather case, and a new Marine housing for underwater shooting down to 40m, complete with basic control functionality (as a substitute for the standard touch-screen operation).

Design

The rounded-off squared body design was inspired by the simple functionality of the Touch-screen. The entire back of the Cyber-shot N1 is finished in a glossy black, with key controls lit in blue for ease of use. The front is dressed in an elegantly machined aluminium fascia surrounding the two-tone lens barrel. The sharp contrast of Silver and Black gives the Cyber-shot N1 a unique cool yet solid style.

Real Imaging Processor benefits

The Real Imaging Processor was designed by Sony to provide a faster start-up time, enhanced colour reproduction and an improved signal to noise ratio, resulting in greatly improved picture quality and camera operation. Burst mode shooting is possible thanks to the Real Imaging Processor as well as a beneficial effect on the battery performance of the Cyber-shot N1. It also makes high-resolution video possible, recording footage in MPEG Movie VX Fine (640 x 480, 30 frames per second) format – the recording time is only limited by the capacity of your optional Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media.

Flexibility

The camera has several advanced Auto Focus (AF) options including Multi-Point (5 points), Centre Weighted, Spot and Free Spot (using touch-panel), as well as options for Saturation, Contrast and Sharpness. Further flexibility is included with a variety of Light Metering, Flash, White Balance and Burst Modes. The live Histogram feature shows the luminance distribution of the image as a graph in the LCD, a great tool to judge the correct exposure.

Memory

Worry-free shooting is a reality with the Cyber-shot N1’s 26MB internal memory. Now not only can you shoot and store pictures on an optional Sony Memory Stick Duo™ or Memory Stick PRO Duo™, but with the internal memory you can be safe in the knowledge you will never miss a great photo opportunity again. An extra separate internal memory is allocated to the Pocket Album feature.

Connectivity

Options for connectivity include Hi-Speed USB 2.0 and an enhanced version of the PictBridge interface provides a way for the Cyber-shot N1 to connect directly to a compatible printer without the need for a PC. A/V connectivity allows connections to a TV for playback and sharing of images, MPEG Movie VX Fine movies, the Pocket Album feature and the Slideshow with Music feature. The optional Cyber-shot Station makes charging and connecting to a PC, printer or TV even simpler.

Accessories

Sony also includes a variety of accessories with the Cyber-shot N1. These include a rechargeable Lithium Battery, Battery Charger, Wrist Strap, a CD containing software (including Picture Package with Music Transfer) and USB driver, as well as an AV and USB multi-use terminal cable.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T7 Digital Camera [5MP, 3x Optical Zoom]

Ultra-slim and ultra-stylish, the Sony Cyber-shot T7 is a hidden treasure for top quality digital photography

Incredibly slim body, 2.5-inch LCD screen, 5.1 effective Megapixel resolution and Carl Zeiss 3x Optical Zoom lens make the new Cyber-shot T7 a serious contender for the title of the World’s coolest digital still camera. At just 9.8mm thick at it’s thinnest point*, it’s easy to carry and simple to use.

Sharp image

Just slip the new Sony Cyber-shot T7 in your pocket for photography on the go. It’s amazingly slim- thanks to a highly efficient design, the stainless-steel body is just an incredible 9.8mm thick at it’s thinnest point*. Although optimised for compact use, the Cyber-shot T7 still has space to offer a full size 2.5-inch ‘hybrid’ LCD screen, further enhanced with the Sony Clear Photo LCD technology. Folded within the sleek body lies a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens with 3x Optical Zoom - the lens has been specially designed with a folded path optical lens system to keep the camera ultra slim. What’s more, the Cyber-shot T7 is able to offer a 5.1 effective Megapixel resolution and an enhanced power management system for extended shooting time.

Lean machine

The ultra-thin Cyber-shot T7 represents a milestone in ingeniously engineered compact digital camera design. The Carl Zeiss 3x Optical Zoom lens takes advantage of a space saving high quality folded path optical system. A 6x Precision Digital Zoom is also available, as is a Smart Zoom facility which allows 12x shooting in VGA mode. This compact theme is continued by the slim-line InfoLITHIUM battery and optimised mechanical design of this high quality digital camera while the most efficient use of picture storage space is provided by support for either Memory Stick PRO Duo or Memory Stick Duo. To further streamline the body of the Cyber-shot T7, the camera comes complete with a separate tripod adaptor and multi-terminal adaptor for versatile connectivity. Sony hasn’t scrimped on the power efficiency either - the energy efficient power consumption ensures that you get up to 150 shots** on a single charge of the supplied battery.

Clear Winner

Filling most of the entire back of the Cyber-shot T7, the large 2.5-inch LCD screen is perfectly sized for framing, displaying and sharing pictures. It benefits from two Sony innovations in the form of Clear Photo LCD technology, which cuts down reflections from interfering with your shooting and picture playback and Hybrid technology, which allows you to view the screen easily, even in high contrast situations like at the beach or on the ski slope. Another key Sony technology is the Real Imaging Processor, which works with the 5.1 effective Megapixel Super HAD CCD to provide sharper images and more realistic colours as well as speeding up the camera operation - so you never miss a shot.

Straightforward shooting

The Cyber-shot T7 is a model of simplicity. The menu system is logical, clear and easy to use, with an enlarged icon function. This, for example, informs the user that the Macro, Flash or Self-Timer settings have been engaged. The ten Scene Selection modes mean you don’t have to worry about taking the perfect shot in many of the most common situations. Simply select a mode such as twilight portrait, fireworks, beach or snow and the camera takes care of the rest. A magnifying glass mode allows macro shooting up to 1cm from the object.. Fully automatic modes and multiple autofocus settings are also available for quick shooting as well as more professional control. The Cyber-shot T7 is also capable of high quality VGA video recording at up to 30 frames a second using an optional Memory Stick PRO Duo in the MPEG Movie VX Fine mode, ideal for playing back full screen on a TV. USB 2.0 connectivity is also featured on the Cyber-shot T7 for high speed transfer of images to a compatible PC for editing, and the camera can even connect directly to a PictBridge*** compatible printer without the need of a PC.

Perfect pocket camera

The Sony Cyber-shot T7 is a compact digital camera capable of delivering 5.1 effective Megapixels, but thanks to a Sony engineering process that includes dramatically shrinking the size of circuit boards, it is encased in a stainless-steel metal body that is only 9.8mm thick at it’s thinnest point*. Optimised for size in terms of both styling and mechanical design, the camera weighs in at only 114g, and just 136g when fitted with a Sony Memory Stick Duo, the supplied compact rechargeable battery and neck strap. The high resolution is due to an enhanced Super HAD CCD, which works in conjunction with Sony’s Real Imaging Processor to produce high-quality, pin-sharp and realistically coloured images.

The Cyber-shot T7 features a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens (f3.5-4.4) with 3x Optical Zoom at a focal length of 38-114mm (35mm conversion). This innovative Optical Zoom lens has been specially designed to keep the camera compact by operating within the body, featuring an improved design that keeps the camera slim. Drawing on the considerable experience of Carl Zeiss, the high quality lens is coated to ensure less distortion and will deliver bright and sharp images every time. A supplemental 6x Precision Digital Zoom is featured on the camera, as is a Smart Zoom facility, which allows 12x shooting in VGA mode.

This top quality optical system is supported by a large 2.5-inch LCD screen, which covers much of the back of the camera. Sony’s Hybrid LCD screen technology has been implemented on this model to allow the menu screens or the digital images to be viewed in high contrast situations such as at the beach or in the snow. In addition the screen benefits from Clear Photo LCD technology for cutting down reflective interference on the display. The combination of these features means that the large 2.5-inch LCD screen benefits from a higher contrast, clarity and brightness and is therefore much easier to use.

The well-sized menu screens control basic or advanced camera functions and in addition the camera features an enlarged icon function, which is activated whenever the user changes settings such as the Macro, Flash or Self-Timer settings.

The Cyber-shot T7 offers ten scene selection modes to provide automatic presets for occasions such as shooting by candlelight or at twilight, or when at locations such as the beach or on the ski slopes. These modes remove the need for the user to have specialist photographic knowledge and leave the camera in charge of working out exposure, shutter speed and white balance. More specialised scene selection modes are also available including a high-speed shutter, ‘soft snap’ setting and a magnifying glass mode. The Cyber-shot T7 also features controls for sharpness, contrast and saturation settings, as well as several auto exposure modes and multiple autofocus, noise reduction and ‘film speed’ (ISO) settings.

The camera features support for Sony Memory Stick Duo and Memory Stick PRO Duo for image storage, and allows short VGA video clips in the high-resolution MPEG Movie VX Fine (640x480, 30 frames per second) format to be recorded, when used with an optional Memory Stick PRO Duo. Hi-Speed USB 2.0 connectivity also allows the Cyber-shot T7 to transfer images quickly to a compatible PC for editing, using the software supplied on CD. About the Real Imaging Processor and STAMINA The advanced power management technology from Sony allows 150 shots** to be taken on the Cyber-shot T7 with one charge of the supplied rechargeable battery. The energy-saving Real Imaging Processor, designed by Sony to provide the heart for the Cyber-shot range, is another factor in the high level of power conservation delivered by this camera. Among the many other improvements offered by this chip are more accurate colour reproduction, improved auto focus performance and a greater signal to noise ratio for clearer images, as well as enhanced auto white balance and auto exposure. The Real Imaging Processor speeds up the camera operation by reducing the playback and shooting intervals, as well as improving the shutter and release time lag so you can shoot faster. About the Cyber-shot Accessories Supplied accessories for the Cyber-shot T7 include an InfoLITHIUM battery (NP-FE1) and charger, a 32MB Sony Memory Stick DUO and Duo adaptor, a multi-use interface adapter (USB / AV out / DC-in), AV and USB Cables, a neck strap and stand. In addition the camera ships with a CD containing Picture Package, ImageMixer and the USB driver software.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P200 Digital Camera [7MP, 3x Optical Zoom]

7.2 effective Megapixel Compact Cyber-shot P200 Is Best For Pocket, Image Quality and Stamina

Sony’s 7.2 effective Megapixel marvel with Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar zoom lens and 2.0-inch LCD just keeps on shooting, providing top quality, simplicity and value for money.

Compact quality

Encased within a slim metal body is Sony’s latest pocket digital still camera, the Cyber-shot P200. Don't just be dazzled by the stylish exterior, however - a powerhouse lies inside. Extremely high-resolution images are within your grasp because of the 7.2 effective Megapixel Super HAD CCD and 3X optical zoom lens Guaranteed for quality and reliability, the Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens extends out from the body of the camera when required, keeping the lines elegant and the body slim. The higher resolution means that your images will print larger and will carry finer detail, while the 7.2 effective Megapixel CCD also extends Sony Smart Zoom capability.

Pocket power

Of course that’s only half the picture. You can keep shooting as long as you need, because Sony’s STAMINA technology means the Cyber-shot DSC-P200 can shoot up to 370** high quality images on one charge of the InfoLithium battery. Lending a hand is the unique Sony Real Imaging Processor, helping to make the Cyber-shot P200 highly energy efficient as well as speeding the camera operation- you’re sure never to miss a shot due to ‘shutter lag’! As well as boosting the performance of the camera, the Real Imaging Processor works in conjunction with the high resolution Super HAD CCD and Carl Zeiss lens to produce pictures of excellent quality. Rich colours, clear images, sharper focus and more accurate exposures are all possible with Sony’s Real Imaging Processor providing the heart of the Cyber-shot P200.

Viewing pleasure

The back of the Cyber-shot P200 presents another surprise. A large 2.0-inch LCD can be used to playback your pictures and adjust the camera settings. Bigger than you would expect for a pocket camera of these dimensions, the LCD is protected from harm and enhanced by a clear polycarbonate panel. As it is, the LCD keeps to the slim lines of the camera by being set flush into the metal body. Animated and enlarged icons make choosing functions simpler and it’s easier to read the menu or select from any of the camera’s exposure settings and nine Scene Selection modes. Fully automatic for ease of use or manual exposure for the more advanced approach, these features allow you to be as creative as you want. The scene selection modes ensure that you’ll always get an ideal picture in any of nine common situations including fireworks displays, beach activities or fast fun and games in the snow. Extend the experience There’s certainly more to this camera than meets the eye. You can use USB2.0 to connect directly to a PictBridge printer or hook up to a PC and use the bundled software for even more creativity with your pictures. A Sony Memory Stick is provided to store your images - simply remove and slot the Memory Stick into any supported device such as VAIO computers for even more playback options. Not only that, but the Cyber-shot P200 is also capable of recording full screen high-quality MPEG movies for viewing on a TV. For even greater extensibility, the Cyber-shot P200 supports an optional powered cradle, the Cyber-shot station. With this you can connect to a PC, printer or AV device, using a remote control to view your images on TV, while the camera battery charges up in the dock.

More about the Sony Cyber-shot P200

The Sony Cyber-shot P200 is capable of delivering 7.2 effective Megapixels, due to an enhanced Super HAD CCD, and works in conjunction with Sony’s Real Imaging Processor to produce high-resolution images that are stunning in their clarity and colour reproduction. In addition to this, Sony has equipped the DSC-P200 with a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens with 3x optical zoom. Carl Zeiss lenses draw on more than 100 years of experience in optical engineering with the Vario-Tessar zoom lens being specially designed to keep the camera compact. On operation, the lens extends out from the body to offer a highly responsive 3X optical zoom that provides excellent picture quality at any setting. A conversion lens can be attached to the Vario-Tessar lens to enable more creative photo options. A 6X precision digital zoom is also on hand, as is a Smart Zoom facility, which allows 14X shooting in VGA mode.

Although the camera is slim and compact enough to be carried in a pocket (104x51.5x27.9mm) its robust aluminium metal body carries a 2.0-inch colour LCD. As well as being ideal for viewing your images, this provides easy access to advanced camera settings such as Histogram display as well as all menu items. For added ease of use, an animated and enlarged icon feature is activated whenever the user changes the Macro, Flash or Self-Timer setting.

As a bonus for cameras of this size the Cyber-shot P200 features a simple-to-use Manual Exposure mode, as well as Auto Exposure and Programmed Auto Exposure. For automatic operation and further ease of use, the Cyber-shot P200 offers nine Scene Selection modes to provide effective presets for occasions such as birthday portraits by candle light, fireworks displays and beach scenes, or when a high speed shutter, twilight portrait or a ‘soft snap’ effect is required.

The Cyber-shot P200 includes support for Sony Memory Stick (supplied) and Memory Stick PRO and Hi-Speed USB 2.0 for connectivity requirements, which can be extended when docked in the optional Cyber-shot Station. The camera also features the PictBridge* interface which allows the Cyber-shot P200 to connect directly to a compatible PictBridge printer without any need for a PC. Short video clips, ideal for attaching to email, are also possible with the Cyber-shot P200. The high-resolution MPEG Movie VX Fine (480 x 460, 30 frames per second) format is possible when used with optional Memory Stick PRO storage or MPEG Movie VX Standard when the supplied Memory Stick is used.

About the Real Imaging Processor and STAMINA

Two key technologies power the Cyber-shot P200. A staggering 370**-shots are capable on one charge of the NP-FR1 InfoLITHIUM battery, thanks to Sony’s STAMINA power management technology. This is helped in no small part to the energy-saving Real Imaging Processor, designed by Sony to provide the heart for its Cyber-shot range. Among the many improvements offered by this chip are more accurate colour reproduction, a better signal to noise ratio to provide clearer images, improved Autofocus performance, as well as enhanced auto white balance and auto exposure. You can also shoot faster thanks to the Real Imaging Processor, which has reduced the playback interval and shooting interval and improved the shutter and release time lag.

About the Cyber-shot Station and Accessories