SAN DIEGO, Feb. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony today announced the latest addition to its high-zoom camera line, the 9.1-megapixel Cyber-shot(R) DSC-H50 digital camera. It is the ideal choice for people looking for high zoom, high-resolution and speed.

This new model utilizes a powerful Carl Zeiss(R) 15x optical zoom lens with Super SteadyShot(R) optical image stabilization to capture action at a distance. One of the main lens elements is manufactured from super low- dispersion glass, which helps it produce more exact point-to-point correspondence between an object and its image. The lens yields sharp, high- contrast images and reduces color fringing, even when shooting in telephoto ranges.

The camera also features a large, 3-inch tilting LCD screen so you can shoot comfortably from nearly any position, at low and high angles. Its scratch-resistant, UV hard-coat finish adds a premium look and feel that mirrors the performance of the model.

Improved Advanced Sports Shooting Mode

Its improved "advanced sports" shooting mode now employs a system to apply higher shutter speeds, up to 1/4000 of a second, more frequently than on previous models. This mode combines high shutter speeds with predictive continuous auto-focusing so you can quickly focus and capture fast-moving subjects with minimal shutter lag -- basically the time it takes for the camera to focus and shoot.

Sophisticated Operation

The camera's versatile, long-distance flash is powerful enough to illuminate subjects more than 55 feet away (when using ISO 3200, wide angle).

Noise reduction is now a user-selectable option, with high, low and standard settings, for greater control over the final look of images. For example, a high setting used for portraits or night scenes can help produce smoothly textured images with reduced noise.

The unit features extensive manual controls, including an exposure bracketing mode that newly includes settings for white balance and color modes. This function records three images, each with a different white balance or color mode applied, to help capture the ambience of the original scene.

Smart Technology to Capture Better Photos Automatically

The camera also incorporates intelligent features that help you take better pictures more easily. They include improved smile shutter and face detection technologies with child or adult priority recognition, as well as, intelligent scene recognition with standard and advanced modes to analyze shooting conditions and select the optimal setting automatically.

Other helpful features include a new D-Range Optimizer (DRO) plus mode that applies a high image correction algorithm to retrieve more picture detail in bright highlights and dark shadows; NightShot(R) technology to help capture photos in virtually no light as well as infrared remote access; five color modes including "real" for less in-camera processing and more faithful color reproduction; in-camera editing features; advanced in-camera image management functions; improved slide show functions with longer music files; and HD component output for viewing photos on a compatible HDTV set.

Pricing and Availability

The H50 model will soon sit at the top of the Cyber-shot high zoom line. It will ship in May for about $400 with a full line of accessory options. All can be purchased online at http://www.sonystyle.com, at Sony Style(R) retail stores, at military base exchanges and at authorized dealers nationwide

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