In order to keep its business alive and restructure internal operations, Olympus may partner with Sony.

Olympus has endured some very public legal and financial woes lately. The company has found itself in serious debt after years of shady business practices from executives and board members, and buyout rumors have surfaced. Now it appears that instead of selling its camera business, Olympus is negotiating to partner with Sony.

Japanese site Diamond Online reports that the two will coordinate to “enhance the synergy of business and technology” [mind the Japanese translation]. According to sources, Olympus is an attractive asset for Sony because it controls 70-percent of the world’s endoscope business—a sector that has been incredibly profitable for Olympus. And in turn, Sony’s strides in image sensor technology will benefit the troubled company (Sony supplies image sensors to Olympus as is).

The partnership should be finalized in April.

Apparently, Sony is a more attractive partner to Olympus than some of the other interested parties, which were rumored to include Fujifilm (which Reuters says isn’t out of the bidding yet), Ricoh, Panasonic, and Canon. Some of these companies wanted to execute more control over Olympus, while Sony is satisfied with what the site calls a “loose alliance.” After nearly being delisted on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Olympus is forced to restructure the pieces of its company to please authorities, and gutting its board and partnering with a well-known image technology company (not to mention a major company in general in Sony) signal a transformation.

As sad as it is that Olympus will be forced into these corporate ties, it’s a necessary move. The company needs a hero, especially in the wake of news that it will be sued for more than $2.6 million in damages by a group of shareholders. And if a “loose alliance” is really in the cards, it means very little could change from a consumer perspective.

Sony has announced the NEX-F3 entry-level 16MP mirrorless camera and lightweight 18-200mm F3.5-5.6 OSS stabilized superzoom lens with for the E-mount. The NEX-F3 gains a built-in flash, along with the updated 16MP sensor from its NEX-5N big brother. Its big party trick is undoubtedly its LCD, whose image automatically mirrors when it's flipped up for taking self-portraits. Meanwhile, the E18-200mm F3.5-5.6 LE OSS is a more compact, lighter 11x superzoom lens for the NEX system. Starting in June, the NEX-F3 will have an MSRP of around $600, while the SEL18200LE will sell for around $850 from July.

Click here for our hands-on preview of the NEX-F3, including real-world samples

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Sony NEX-F3 hands-on preview
Press Release
NEX-F3 Specifications
NEX-F3 Additional Images
E-mount 18-200mm Additional Images
Press Release:

Sony’s New α NEX-F3 Camera Packs DSLR-Size Sensor and Advanced Feature Set into Small, Stylish Body


Lightweight Model Features 16.1 Megapixel APS-C Sensor, 180° Tiltable LCD, Built-in Flash, Auto Portrait Framing and more

SAN DIEGO, May 16, 2012 – Sony’s α NEX-F3 digital camera delivers professional quality photos with a compact, pocket-sized body, allowing consumers to explore the creative world of high-quality, interchangeable lens photography in a refreshingly fun and entertaining way.

The new NEX-F3 camera features the same space-saving mirrorless design as other models in Sony’s E-mount family as well as an advanced, 16.1 effective megapixel Exmor™ APS HD CMOS sensor, identical in size to sensors found in traditional DSLR cameras. The large sensor takes in more light during image capture, resulting in flawless, low-noise photographs and crisply detailed Full HD videos (60i/24p). Photographers can also easily create images with beautiful defocus effects, where the subject is focused sharply against a smoothly blurred background.

“Sony continues to redefine digital photography with our E-mount series, packing a large APS-C size sensor into a small, lightweight camera body to produce professional-quality images with ease,” said Mike Kahn, director of the Alpha business at Sony.

“Featuring a diverse set of imaging technologies and offered at a great price, the new NEX-F3 model reinforces our commitment to this rapidly growing compact system camera market."

The NEX-F3 camera adds a whole new perspective to self-portraits with a 180° Tiltable LCD screen, a first for Sony’s E-mount camera line. By simply holding the camera at arm’s length and flipping the LCD screen vertically, users can adjust the on-screen preview image and properly frame photos.

Additionally, the new model features a useful built-in flash to broaden shooting options indoors or in low light situations. Already introduced on Sony’s acclaimed NEX-7 camera, this pop-up flash handily brightens portraits and other shots without the need to carry an additional flash accessory.

The new NEX-F3 camera also includes the new Auto Portrait Framing feature for creating top-quality portraits quickly and easily. This innovative feature identifies a subject’s position in a composed image, and follows the “rule of thirds” to trim the scene appropriately around the subject’s face, creating a beautifully composed portrait. The cropped portrait is then boosted to full resolution using Sony’s unique By Pixel Super Resolution technology, which uses pattern matching to maintain superb image detail, tones and textures in the photo. Both the original and cropped image files are saved for review.

By Pixel Super Resolution Technology is also used for the “Clear Image Zoom” feature, which digitally doubles the effective magnification of any lens attached to the camera. Ideal for travel and everyday shooting, it’s a great way to boost maximum focal length without carrying extra hardware.

Other convenient essentials added to the new NEX-F3 camera include the Superior Auto mode, which intelligently recognizes a wide range of scenes and subjects and adjusts settings automatically. Battery stamina has been boosted to an industry-leading 470 shots (approx.) on a single charge – an approximate 18% improvement over its predecessor, the NEX-C3 model.

The camera is compatible with the FDA-EV1S viewfinder accessory (sold separately), which offers a high-contrast, high-resolution OLED viewfinder display and a wide viewing angle. The NEX-F3 model also features a high-quality, premium-feel grip for more comfortable handling and can be charged via either USB or a standard AC outlet.

New Lightweight 18-200mm Telephoto Zoom Lens for Sony α NEX


An ideal travel partner for the NEX-F3 camera, the new SEL18200LE E18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS LE telezoom lens offers a powerful 11x zoom range and superb resolution in an easy-to-carry package. Smaller and 12% lighter than the SEL18200 lens, the new E-mount model features Optical SteadyShot to compensate for the effects of hand-shake. It also features Direct Manual Focus to give users precise control over focus settings, resulting in crisp, beautiful images.

Pricing and Availability

The new NEX-F3 compact digital camera will be available this June in silver, black and white with an 18-55mm kit zoom lens (model SEL1855) for about $600. The new SEL18200LE telezoom lens will be available this July in black for about $850.

The camera kit, new lens and a variety of compatible accessories including the LCS-EJC3 carrying case, STP-XSG1 shoulder strap and STP-WS2 wrist strap will be available at Sony retail stores (www.store.sony.com) and other authorized dealers nationwide.

Sony NEX-F3 specifications

Body type
Body type Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor
Max resolution 4912 x 3264
Other resolutions 4912 x 2760, 3568 x 2368, 3568 x 2000, 2448 x 1624, 2448 x 1376
Image ratio w:h 3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels 16.1 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors 16.7 megapixels
Sensor size APS-C (23.4 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor type CMOS
Processor Bionz
Color space sRGB, AdobeRGB
Color filter array Primary color filter
Image
ISO Auto, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 16000
White balance presets 6
Custom white balance Yes (2500-9900k )
Image stabilization No
Uncompressed format RAW
JPEG quality levels Fine, Standard
File format
JPEG
RAW (ARW2.2 Format)
RAW+JPEG
Optics & Focus
Autofocus
Contrast Detect (sensor)
Multi-area
Selective single-point
Single
Continuous
Live View
Digital zoom No
Manual focus Yes
Number of focus points 25
Lens mount Sony E Mount
Focal length multiplier 1.5×
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD Tilting
Screen size 3"
Screen dots 920,000
Touch screen No
Screen type TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Live view Yes
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional)
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed 30 sec
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 sec
Exposure modes
Auto Advanced
Auto
Program
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual
Memory Recall
Tele Zoom Hi Speed
3D Sweep Panorama
Sweep Panorama
Anti Motion Blur
Picture Effect
Scene selection
Scene modes
Portrait
Landscape
Macro
Sports Action
Sunset
Night Portrait
Night Scene
Hand-held Twilight
(6 shot layering)
Built-in flash Yes (Pop-up)
External flash Yes (Accessory Port)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Continuous drive Yes (2.5 or 5.5 fps)
Self-timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Metering modes
Multi
Center-weighted
Spot
Exposure compensation ±2 EV (at 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV steps)
AE Bracketing (3 frames at 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV steps)
WB Bracketing No
Videography features
Format
MPEG-4
AVCHD
Microphone Stereo
Speaker Mono
Resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Videography notes 1080 @ 60 fps Interlaced, 24 fps Progressive
Storage
Storage types SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage included None
Connectivity
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMI Yes (Mini Type C)
Wireless EyeFi
Physical
Environmentally sealed No
Battery Battery Pack
Battery description Lithium-Ion NP-FW50 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 470
Weight (inc. batteries) 225 g (0.50 lb / 7.94 oz)
Dimensions 117 x 67 x 42 mm (4.61 x 2.64 x 1.65")
Other features
Orientation sensor Yes
Timelapse recording No
GPS None

Sony Introduces Speedy α37 Camera with Full-time Continuous AF Powered by Translucent Mirror Technology


New Model Features High-Quality 16.1MP APS-C Image Sensor, up to 7 fps Shooting, High- Resolution Electronic Viewfinder and more

SAN DIEGO, May 16, 2012 – Lightweight, easy to use and packed with a variety of useful features, the new Sony SLT-A37 camera is an ideal choice for consumers eager to explore the world of interchangeable lens DSLR photography.

The new α37 camera is the latest to feature Sony’s acclaimed Translucent Mirror Technology, which delivers a potent combination of fast shooting, non-stop phase detection autofocus and continuous live image preview during still and full HD video (60i/24p) shooting. This innovative technology also allows the new α37 camera to grab split-second action with a burst of sharply focused images. Shots can be captured at up to seven frames per second in Tele-Zoom High Speed Shooting Mode, where the central portion of the sensor’s image is magnified by approximately 1.4x.

The camera has a precision 3-cross 15-point AF system with tracking autofocus that keeps faces and fast-moving subjects in sharp focus. From action-packed sports to spontaneous family portraits, it will ensure that all the drama and beauty of that special moment is captured.

“Delivering lightning-fast shooting speeds and autofocus plus advanced full HD video capture, our innovative Translucent Mirror Technology continues to serve as the backbone of our A-mount line of cameras,” said Mike Kahn, director of the Alpha business at Sony. “Featuring this unique technology plus a host of exciting new features and an attractive price tag, our new α37 camera brings a whole new meaning to the term ‘entry level DSLR’.”
Framing and focusing is easy with the camera’s high-resolution Tru-Finder™ electronic viewfinder. With a high 1440k dot resolution, excellent contrast and 100% field of view, it matches or exceeds the abilities of many optical viewfinders. Adjustments to exposure and other creative picture settings can be previewed in real time, either via the Tru-Finder™ EVF or the tilt-angle 6.7 cm (2.7") Clear Photo™ LCD screen, making it easy to create shots with a customized, professional finish.

Additionally, the Sony α37 camera helps inexperienced photographers create top-quality portraits with ease. The new Auto Portrait Framing mode identifies the subject’s position in a composed image and follows the “rule of thirds” to trim the scene and create a beautifully framed portrait. The cropped photo is then boosted to full resolution using Sony’s unique By Pixel Super Resolution technology, which uses pattern matching to maintain superb image detail, tones and textures in the photo. Both the original and cropped image files are saved for review.

By Pixel Super Resolution Technology is also used for the “Clear Image Zoom” feature, which digitally doubles the effective magnification of any lens attached to the camera. Ideal for travel and everyday shooting, it’s a great way to boost maximum focal length without carrying extra hardware.

The 16.1 effective megapixel Exmor® APS HD CMOS sensor inside the α37 camera captures finely detailed, low noise stills and Full HD video. It’s teamed with the latest BIONZ® image processor that extends sensitivity to an ISO 100-16000 range, broadening options for low-light shooting without flash. Shared with all α A-mount cameras, SteadyShot INSIDE™ stabilization cuts the effects of camera shake by up to 4.0 stops for clearer handheld images with any A-mount lens.

The new α37 camera also features Superior Auto Mode, which intelligently recognizes a wide range of scenes and subjects and adjusts settings automatically.

New A-Mount 18-135mm Telephoto Zoom Lens and Accessories


A versatile match for the α37 and other Sony A-mount camera bodies, the new SAL18135 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 telephoto zoom offers a generous 8x (approx.) zoom range in a compact, go-anywhere lens that’s great for travel, street photography and everyday shooting. The lens features a SAM design that assures smooth, rapid, whisper-quiet autofocus operation and Direct Manual Focus for accurate fine-tuning of focus. This sharp telephoto zoom lens will also be offered as a kit lens with the α37 and other Sony A-mount camera bodies.

Compatible accessories include the new PCK-LM11 semi-hard screen protector sheet, exclusively designed for a perfect fit with the LCD screen on the α37 camera, as well as the HVL-F43AM flash, LCS-BP2 backpack and a variety of other exciting products that complete the Alpha ecosystem.

Pricing and Availability

The new α37 digital camera will be available this June with an 18-55mm kit zoom lens (model SEL1855) for about $600. The new SAL18135 telephoto zoom lens will be available as a stand-alone product this July for about $500, and will be offered as a kit lens with Sony A-mount cameras beginning this August at the below approximate prices:

α37 camera kit with 18-135mm lens: $800
α57 camera kit with 18-135mm lens: $1,000
α65 camera kit with 18-135mm lens: $1,200
α77 camera kit with 18-135mm lens: $1,700
The camera kits, new lens and variety of accessories will be available at Sony retail stores (www.store.sony.com) and other authorized dealers nationwide.

Sony SLT-A37 specifications

Body type
Body type Compact SLR
Sensor
Max resolution 4912 x 3264
Other resolutions 4912 x 2760, 3568 x 2368, 3568 x 2000, 2448 x 1624, 2448 x 1376
Image ratio w:h 3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels 16.1 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors 16.7 megapixels
Sensor size APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor type CMOS
Color space sRGB, Adobe RGB
Color filter array Primary color filters
Image
ISO Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 25600
White balance presets 6
Custom white balance Yes (1)
Image stabilization Sensor-shift
Image stabilization notes SteadyShot Inside
Uncompressed format RAW
JPEG quality levels Fine, Normal
File format
RAW
RAW + JPEG
JPEG Fine
JPEG Standard
Optics & Focus
Autofocus
Phase Detect
Multi-area
Selective single-point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
Live View
Autofocus assist lamp Built-in Flash type
Digital zoom Yes (2x Clear Image Zoom)
Manual focus Yes
Number of focus points 15
Lens mount Sony/Minolta Alpha mount
Focal length multiplier 1.5×
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD Tilting
Screen size 2.6"
Screen dots 230,400
Touch screen No
Live view Yes
Viewfinder type Electronic
Viewfinder coverage 100 %
Viewfinder magnification 1.1×
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed 30 sec
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 sec
Exposure modes
iAuto
Superior Auto
Program
Aperture Priority,
Shutter Priority
Manual
Scene modes
Portrait
Sports Action
Macro
Landscape
Sunset
Night view
Hand-held Twilight (6 shot layering)
Night Portrait
Picture Effect
Built-in flash Yes (Pop-up)
Flash range 12 m
External flash Yes (Hot-shoe, Wireless)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Flash X sync speed 1/160 sec
Drive modes
Single Shot
Continuous (Hi/Lo)
Self-timer (10/2 sec. delay)
Bracketing (Cont., Single, White Balance), Remote Control (with optional RM-DSLR1)
Continuous drive Yes (7 or 5.5 fps)
Self-timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Metering modes
Multi
Center-weighted
Spot
Exposure compensation ±3 EV (at 1/3 EV steps)
AE Bracketing (3 frames at 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV steps)
WB Bracketing Yes (3 frames, H/L selectable)
Videography features
Format
MPEG-4
AVCHD
H.264
Microphone Stereo
Speaker Mono
Resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Videography notes 1080i60 or 24 on NTSC models
Storage
Storage types SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Connectivity
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMI Yes (Mini Type C)
Wireless EyeFi
Remote control Yes (Optional)
Physical
Environmentally sealed No
Battery Battery Pack
Battery description Rechargeable NP-FM500H battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 500
Weight (inc. batteries) 448 g (0.99 lb / 15.80 oz)
Dimensions 124 x 92 x 85 mm (4.88 x 3.62 x 3.35")
Other features
Orientation sensor Yes
GPS None

Sony announces Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 large sensor enthusiast compact
Jun 6, 2012 at 04:01:53 GMT
CAMERA NEWS SONY
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Sony has announced the Cyber-shot DSC-RX100, an enthusiast compact camera based around a 20MP 1" CMOS sensor. It features a 28-100mm equivalent lens with F1.8-4.9 aperture range and image stabilization and is the first Sony compact to capture Raw files. It can shoot 1080p60 and capture 17MP (16:9 crop) stills simultaneously. It features a lens control dial and a 3:2 aspect ratio sensor (the same proportions as most DSLRs). It's also the first Sony compact to feature the company's 'WhiteMagic' LCD technology, promising a brighter or lower-power display. The RX100 will be available from July at a price of around $649.

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DSC-RX100 Hands-on Preview
Press Release
Specifications
Additional images
Press Release:

Sony’s New Advanced Cyber-shot RX100 Camera Packs Large Sensor and Bright Lens into Stylish, Pocket-Size Body


New Model Contains World’s First 1.0-inch type 20.2 MP Exmor CMOS Sensor and Ultra-bright F1.8 Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar T* Fixed Lens to Deliver Outstanding Picture Quality

SAN DIEGO, May 16, 2012 – Travelling light no longer means compromising on picture quality with the Cyber-shot® DSC-RX100 camera, Sony’s new flagship compact camera.

Striking the ultimate balance of form and function, the stylish, aluminium-built RX100 camera inherits many advanced imaging features from Sony’s α range of A-mount and E-mount cameras, delivering beautiful still images, crisp full HD videos and a level of manual control and creativity unmatched by any other camera of its size.

“This camera is ideal for travel, portraits or street photography, delivering impressive results in a variety of lighting conditions with an intuitive, customizable control interface,” said Yosuke Tomoda, director of the Cyber-shot business at Sony Electronics. “It’s a perfect step-up model for point and shoot users not interested in larger DSLR or compact system cameras, and also an outstanding choice for enthusiasts who may already own a large DSLR and are looking for a high-quality, pocket-sized ‘all-in-one’ second camera.”

At the heart of the Cyber-shot RX100 is the world’s first 1.0-inch type Exmor® CMOS sensor with a resolution of 20.2 effective megapixels. Specially developed by Sony, the sensor has an area that’s approximately four times larger than the 1/2.3-type sensors in traditional point-and-shoot cameras. The sensor’s larger area takes in more light while capturing content, resulting in beautiful, detail-packed images and Full HD movie clips with very low noise.

The larger sensor is partnered with an exceptionally bright Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar T* fixed lens with 3.6x optical zoom range. In contrast to standard point-and-shoot cameras, it has a wide F1.8 maximum aperture to let in additional light and complement the resolving power of the larger sensor.

Similar to high-performance DSLR optics, the lens features seven- bladed circular aperture. This makes it easy to produce images with subjects in sharp focus against a smoothly-blurred, beautifully defocused background. The lens also features an Advanced Aspherical (AA) lens element that contributes to the camera’s extremely compact dimensions without sacrificing optical zoom performance or resolution.

Newly optimized to complement the 1.0-inch type sensor and lens, the camera’s powerful BIONZ® image processor maximizes shooting response times while helping assure exceptionally clean, natural images. It also extends sensitivity right up to ISO 25600 (using Multi Frame Noise Reduction), allowing for exceptionally clear handheld images in low light conditions. To capture fast-moving subjects, the RX100 camera can also shoot at up to 10 frames per second (in full resolution) and has high-speed autofocus that locks onto a subject in as quickly as 0.13 seconds (depends on scene and lighting conditions).

The new RX100 camera features a high-resolution 3-inch 1,229k dot Xtra Fine LCD™ display and also adds a new feature: WhiteMagic™ technology. This uses additional white pixels to boost screen brightness, allowing users to see subtle details and tones on the screen in all types of shooting environments, including outdoors in bright sunlight.

For making manual adjustments while shooting both still images and movies, the new camera has a smooth control ring around the lens body, which can be used to alter exposure, zoom, creative picture effects and a variety of other customizable functions. Additionally, frequently used functions can be assigned to the Fn (function) button for instant access, and the Memory Recall feature can store up to three groups of customized shooting settings based on user preference.

Similar to a DSLR-style interface, there’s a choice of auto and manual focus modes on the Cyber-shot RX100 camera for enhanced image control. For those that prefer focusing manually, MF Assist magnifies images to simplify fine adjustments, and there’s also a pro-style peaking function that highlights sharply-focused areas of the image on screen.

The RX100 camera offers a generous choice of artistic options to expand creative shooting possibilities. It includes the option for six different creative styles and a variety of popular picture effects including Toy Camera, Partial Color, HDR Painting and several others, most of which can be previewed directly on screen before shooting.

The new Cyber-shot features Auto Portrait Framing – a feature found on Sony’s latest α range of A-mount and E-mount cameras -- making it simple to create sharp, perfectly framed portraits. This unique feature automatically detects faces in a scene, crops the picture accordingly creates a tighter, pro-style composition at full resolution. Both the original and cropped photo are saved for review.

New accessories include a spare battery, dedicated carrying case and a battery charger designed to complement to the new camera.

Pricing and Availability

The Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 digital camera will be available this July for about $650. The camera and accessories will be available at Sony retail stores (www.store.sony.com) and other authorized dealers nationwide.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 specifications

Price
MSRP US: $650
Body type
Body type Compact
Body material Aluminum
Sensor
Max resolution 5472 x 3648
Other resolutions 5472 x 3080, 4864 x 3648, 3888 x 2592, 3648 X 3648, 3648 x 2736, 2736 x 1824, 2592 x 1944, 2592 x 1944
Image ratio w:h 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels 20.2 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors 20.9 megapixels
Sensor size CX format (13.2 x 8.8 mm)
Sensor type BSI-CMOS
Color space sRGB, AdobeRGB
Color filter array RGB Primary color
Image
ISO Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 25600
White balance presets 9
Custom white balance Yes (1)
Image stabilization Optical
Image stabilization notes Optical SteadyShot (still), Optical SteadyShot Active Mode (video)
Uncompressed format RAW
File format
RAW (ARW2.3 Format)
RAW+JPEG
JPEG
Image parameters
Contrast: -3 to +3 steps
Saturation: -3 to +3 steps
Sharpness: -3 to +3 steps
Optics & Focus
Focal length (equiv.) 28 – 100 mm
Optical zoom 3.6×
Autofocus
Contrast Detect (sensor)
Multi-area
Center
Selective single-point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
Autofocus assist lamp Yes, built -in LED type
Digital zoom Yes (14x)
Manual focus Yes
Macro focus range 5 cm (1.97")
Number of focus points 25
Lens mount None
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD Fixed
Screen size 3"
Screen dots 1,228,800
Touch screen No
Screen type WhiteMagic TFT LCD
Live view Yes
Viewfinder type None
Photography features
Maximum aperture F1.8 - F5.9
Minimum shutter speed 30 sec
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 sec
Exposure modes
Auto Advanced
Auto
Program AUTO
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual
Memory Recall
Tele Zoom Hi Speed
3D Sweep Panorama
Sweep Panorama
Anti Motion Blur
Picture Effect
Scene selection
Scene modes
Portrait
Anti Motion Blur (6 shot layering)
Sports Action
Pet
Gourmet
Macro
Landscape
Sunset
Night Scene
Hand-held Twilight
Night Portrait
Fireworks
High Sensitivity
Built-in flash Yes (Pop-up)
External flash No
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Drive modes
Single-frame advance
Continuous advance
Continuous adv Priority AE
Speed Priority Continuous
Self-timer
Self Portrait Self-timer
Continuous Self-timer
Continuous drive Yes (2.5, 10 fps)
Self-timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Metering modes
Multi
Center-weighted
Spot
Exposure compensation ±3 EV (at 1/3 EV steps)
AE Bracketing (3 frames at 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV steps)
WB Bracketing No
Videography features
Format
MPEG-4
AVCHD
Microphone Stereo
Speaker Mono
Resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Videography notes 1920 x1080 60p PS: 59.97fps Progressive (appx 28Mbps), 1920 x 1080 60i FX : 59.97fps Interlaced (appx 24Mbps), 1920 x 1080 60i FH : 59.97fps Interlaced (appx 17Mbps), 1440 x 1080 30p :29.97fps Progressive (appx 12Mbps), 640 x 480 30p :29.97fps Progressive (appx 3 Mbps)
Storage
Storage types SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Connectivity
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMI Yes (Mini Type C)
Wireless EyeFi
Remote control No
Physical
Environmentally sealed No
Battery Battery Pack
Battery description Lithium-Ion NP-BX1 battery and charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 330
Weight (inc. batteries) 213 g (0.47 lb / 7.51 oz)
Dimensions 102 x 59 x 36 mm (4.02 x 2.32 x 1.42")
Other features
Orientation sensor Yes
Timelapse recording Yes
GPS None

there is indeed a live HDMI output during recording to the SD card. It is perfect for monitoring purposes though not so much uncompressed ProRes with a Atomos Ninja because you do get a black bar at the bottom with some info in it that cannot be turned off. But the quality of output is superb and it is 1080p. I had the camera linked via Micro HDMI cable to my Zacuto EVF and with the punch in zoom enabled on the Zacuto, detail is very crisp and clear at 1:1. Great for checking focus.