Sony Introduces Low Cost W120 and W130
Sony today released the DSC-W120 and DSC-W130, two new models in its slim W-series lineup of point-and-shoots. Both have HD output, semi-manual focus, Sony’s face detection and smile shutter, and Sony’s Super SteadyShot image stabilization system. The
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******Jan. 23, 2008 - Sony today released the DSC-W120 and DSC-W130, two new models in its
low-end and low cost W-series lineup of point-and-shoots. Both have HD output, semi-manual focus, Sony’s face detection and smile shutter, and Sony’s Super SteadyShot image stabilization system. The W120 will retail for $199 when it ships in early March, and the W130 will retail for $229 when both models ship in March.
The W120 is the successor model to last year’s W55, and the W130 is a stand-alone addition to the W-series. Both cameras share the majority of their specifications with the W55, including 7.2 megapixel image sensors and 2.5-inch, 115,000-pixel LCD screens. The optical zoom lens jumps from 3x on the W55 to 4x on the W120 and W130, with a 31-128mm range.
Both models feature Sony’s Super SteadyShot image stabilization system, which combines electronic image stabilization with a high sensitivity of ISO3200 to reduce blur in images. Sony’s D-Range Optimizer is also included, which automatically corrects contrast and exposure in images.
Sony has updated its face detection and Smile Shutter, allowing users to prioritize children and adults in photos. Child Priority mode, for example, focuses on a child’s face first, automatically focusing and exposing the face. This also works in Sony’s Smile Shutter, allowing users to select, for example, to have the camera snap a photo once a child’s smile is detected.
Sony includes semi-manual focus on the W120 and W130. Semi-manual focus allows users to choose an approximate distance between the camera and the subject – the camera then focuses based on the distance chosen.
In addition, Sony adds an Easy shooting mode to the mode dial. Taken from their camcorders, this new mode is meant to be even simpler than Auto mode, using a "simple display, large font, and simply vocabulary," to make taking pictures as simple as possible, according to Sony. The Easy mode locks out the majority of control, but a separate Auto mode still allows some control by the user.
Both cameras allow for HD output for viewing photos on an HDTV via an optional HD outout cable or Sony's new Cyber-shot station cradle. The difference between the two models can be found in the in-camera editing options. The W130 offers an "unsharp mask" editing option post-capture, which resembles tools found on editing software such as Photoshop. The unsharp mask tool automatically sharpens a photo while the image is still in the camera.
Both models run on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. The W120 will come in silver, black, pink, and blue, and the W130 will come in silver, pink, and black.