Camera Labs

Hi folks,

Well, "revolutionary" might be overstating it but we won't know until the reviews are in. From this press release:

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 5, 2009 – Sony today announced two new Cyber-shot® cameras (DSC-TX1 and DSC-WX1 models) that provide unprecedented advances in low-light performance with approximately twice the sensitivity of cameras with traditional image sensors.

These Cyber-shot cameras are the first to employ Sony’s new “Exmor R” back illuminated CMOS sensor technology to improve shooting in low-light scenarios, enhancing image clarity and drastically reducing grain.

There's much more detail in the press release about the background to this backlit sensor technology (similar technology has been used in astronomical sensors for some time) or you can view the individual product pages by clicking on the images below.

DSC-TX1

DSC-WX1

Can't wait to see this technology in DSLRs as well, providing it lives up to the hype.

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

I've read comments that say they do not expect this technology to help DSLRs much. The reason they're useful in compacts is due to the very small pixel pitch of compact sensors. The circuitry that goes before the light sensitive layer really affects the efficiency of light transmission. With DSLRs on the other hand, the pixel pitch is a lot larger. Thus the circuitry that goes before the light sensitive layer doesn't obscure as much light.

All this is just speculation and hearsay for now. I guess we'll only know for certain what kind of noise performance we get from the new sensors. To be perfectly honest, even if they make no difference to DSLRs it could open up a new generation of good low light performing compacts and I could always use one of those

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PhilipGoh.com

Look at this page:
http://australia.sony.com.au/SonyTwilig ... prize.html

"This feast of football celebrates the launch of new Cyber-shot, Handycam and α DSLR models featuring the Exmor R CMOS sensor..."

Do you still think it will not be used on Alpha cameras?

Well pgtips is questioning the usefulness in dSLRs, not whether or not they will be used. The way I see it, Sony could use any help it can get!

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flickr

Sony α300
Sony HVL-F58AM Bounce-Shift Flash
Tamron SP 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF)
Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di
Sony 50mm F/1.4 SAL-50F14
Sony 100mm Macro F/2.8 SAL-100MF28

This was one of those "bah, I'll believe it when it makes production" kind of technologies for me and now it actually has! Can't wait to see the sample images, I hope the images are actually and improvement and this turns out to be more than just a marketing exercise.

Thanks for sharing Bob.

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Graham
Flickr

Somebody shoot me, but the gunmetal gray is just outright SEXY.

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Sony DSLT-α77V | Sony STP-GB1AM strap | Sony SAL50F14 | Sony SAL75300 | Sony SAL1680Z Carl Zeiss

"αlpha male. Sony fanboy. Like. no. other."

flickr

but stil a compac buy way too cool if ever it can realy see in the dark...

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Good Aperture Everyone! Good reply is always Making me very very happy thanks...
Sony A700; sony 18-70mm, 18-250.
My flickr!! http://www.flickr.com/photos/loymercs/
My Blog!! http://loymercsclick.blogspot.com/

Judging from the sample images, things are looking good for the new cameras.



Via Gizmodo

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Graham
Flickr

I've heard the A500 and A550 may have the Exmor R sensor, the A850 won't. Judging from the pictures Graham posted (thanks for those), the A5x0 could be very interesting in Sony's DSLR line-up!

- Bjorn -

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Street and documentary photographer | Google+ | Twitter | Blog | Tumblr

Leica M9-P (my article on Camera Labs) | Leica D-Lux 5 | 50mm Summilux

Lol Bjorn it was a joke, I'm pretty sure that is not an accurate representation of their performance.

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Graham
Flickr

Probably not, but it's an interesting development anyway! Perhaps it's Sony's way of finally reducing the noise levels in their DSLR cameras.

- Bjorn -

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Street and documentary photographer | Google+ | Twitter | Blog | Tumblr

Leica M9-P (my article on Camera Labs) | Leica D-Lux 5 | 50mm Summilux

That's not all.
Those two cameras are compatible with the Party Shot.

http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/servle ... Id=1006745

The combo would be a lot of fun.
Camera shy people beware!

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Alpha100+18-200, DSC HX-1, Epson 3880
Alpha900+VG CZ 16-35f2.8, 24-70f2.8,Sony 70-200G2.8 SSM 70-300G SSM, 100f2.8 macro, 135mmSTF, 1.4,2XTC
HVL-F58AMX4 HVL-F56AM Minolta 3600HS-D, AF50mm1.7 AF28-105xi3.5-4.5 Gitzo1541T Cullman Mag25 Ballhead,Kata 3n1-30 backpak

Or a direct link to the Party Shot minisite:

http://www.sony.ca/html/uf/microsite/iptds1_minisite/

Never new about that till just now, that's fun!

- Bjorn -

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Street and documentary photographer | Google+ | Twitter | Blog | Tumblr

Leica M9-P (my article on Camera Labs) | Leica D-Lux 5 | 50mm Summilux

@grahamnp

I'm skeptical as there is that "*simulated image" disclaimer in the photo.

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PhilipGoh.com

I love it... I love gadgets that can impress.