Sony Unveils Cyber-shot DSC-T50 with Touch Screen LCD

*September 10, 2006 –* Along with the DSC-N2, Sony added a top T-series model to their ultra compact lineup today, introducing the DSC-T50. The 7-megapixel camera features a 3-inch touch screen LCD and will retail for a solid $500 when it hits stores in October. Combined with the champagne gold N2, the T50's red, black, and silver offerings represent "the company’s new color strategy for Cyber-Shot," stated today’s Sony press release. The style-conscious camera employs a minimalist design with limited buttons to create a sleek look, according to the release. The T50 eliminates the 4-way controller found on the previous T30, introduced at the same introductory price tag in April.

In place of the more traditional button array, the new T50 adds a touch-screen interface, a first among T-series models. As the upgrade to the T30, the T50’s equally-sized 3-inch, scratch-resistant, 230,000 pixel Sony Clear Photo Plus LCD is borrowed from the previous model but

now includes the added touch screen functionality.

The Sony DSC-T50 carries over the same megapixel count and a non-extending, 3x optical zoom lens from the T30. Like the previous model, the camera comes with Sony’s Super SteadyShot technology for optical image stabilization to reduce hand shake. However the new model does tote a slightly lesser, but still reasonably generous 56 MB of internal memory.

T50 users can create "personal narratives," according to Sony’s press release, with the built-in slideshow effects. The musical slideshows have pan, wipe, and fade effects for playback.

With the included Stamina InfoLithium batteries, the camera can purportedly take 400 shots per charge, according to the release. The camera is compatible with optional Memory Stick Duo or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards.

Eager consumers can preorder the Cyber-shot T50 at www.sonystyle.com/T50 starting September 12.