Introduction

Sony has today announced the ultra-slim Cyber-shot DSC-T7. This camera is the latest in the T line of ultra-compact digital cameras, the unique feature of this amazing little digital camera is that it is only 14.8 mm / 0.6 in 'thin' (9.8 mm / 0.4 in at the thinnest part). It feels about half the thickness of the recently announced DSC-T33 and is approximately the same size from the front. Sony has achieved this by placing the LCD monitor to the side of the lens assembly (yes, this camera still has a three times optical zoom folded lens). Unlike the recent T models the DSC-T7 has has sliding cover / power switch just like the original DSC-T1.
SONY CYBER-SHOT DSC-T7
LAS VEGAS, March 8, 2005 - Sony's new, incredibly thin Cyber-shot® DSC-T7 digital camera makes you the center of attention wherever you go.
Thanks to a highly efficient design, the Cyber-shot T7 is just over a third-of-an inch, making it Sony's thinnest, fully-featured model yet. Though small in stature, the camera packs a powerful punch. It has a 2.5-inch 'hybrid' LCD screen, covering about two-thirds of the back of the camera, which is perfectly sized for framing, displaying and sharing pictures.
Through Sony's distinctive miniaturization and high-density packaging technology, the camera incorporates virtually all the benefits of other T series models despite its amazing thinness. It features 5.1 effective megapixel resolution and an enhanced power management system for extended shooting time. Folded within the sleek body also lies a Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® lens with 3x Optical Zoom.
Unbelievable Imaging
One of the camera's most distinctive features is an anti-reflection Clear Photo LCD ?, which enhances viewing quality by preventing reflected light from interfering with the displayed image. The LCD offers a number of improvements, including higher contrast, brightness and resolution. Whether you're entertaining at home or out snowboarding, the LCD allows you to spot your subject easily, whatever the lighting conditions.
"This ultra-compact camera represents a milestone in ingenious design," said Hiro Takahashi, vice president for digital imaging products at Sony Electronics. "Thin is the theme, but this camera is absolutely bursting with great picture quality and style. The Cyber-shot T7 is a must-have camera for the fashion-forward crowd."
Simplicity Itself
Slide the front lens cover down and in just under one second, the camera is ready to capture images.
The ten Scene Selection modes mean you don't have to worry about capturing the perfect shot, because the camera will help you do it. Simply select a mode, such as twilight, fireworks, beach or snow, and the camera will make all the necessary adjustments. A magnifying glass mode allows macro shooting up to 1cm from the object. A high-speed burst mode with great response is also available for quick shooting.
Speed and Battery Life
Sony's Real Imaging Processor? circuitry in the Cyber-shot T7 is lighting fast, so it can shoot full-resolution images at approximately one-second intervals. Even with its diminutive size and huge LCD on, the camera's InfoLithium? battery gets about 180 shots per charge so you can snap away to your heart's content without fear of running down the power.
With optional Memory Stick PRO Duo? media cards, the camera can also capture and play back high-resolution motion video on a removable, transferable card. The MPEG-VX fine mode helps to record MPEG video with 640x480 pixel resolution at 30 frames per second, up to the capacity of the memory card being used. And when connected to a PictBridge?-compatible printer, such as Sony's PictureStation® DPP-FP50 digital photo printer, printing a specific image is a breeze.
The Cyber-shot DSC-T7 camera is supplied with a 32 MB Memory Stick Duo? media card, a NP-FE1 InfoLithium battery, connector block and external battery charger. It will be available in May for about $500.
Main features
1/2.4" 5.1 Megapixel Effective Super HAD? CCD
Super HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCDs provide excellent image quality by allowing more light to pass to each pixel, increasing sensitivity and reducing noise.
Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® Lens
The Vario-Tessar® lens is specially produced for compact cameras and provides rapid auto focus with appealing zoom range. Utilizing a highly transmissive optical grade prism, the lens is housed entirely inside the camera body, and does not need to extend for use.
Super Compact Slim Body
The ultra-compact and thin size (9.8mm) of the DSC-T7 makes it the perfect camera to tuck in a pocket or purse for high-quality, high resolution photos almost anywhere.
Real Imaging Processor? Technology
The innovative Real Imaging Processor in the DSC-T7 not only improves picture quality and clarity but also improves camera response time, decreases shutter lag, and improves battery stamina.
3X Optical/2X Digital/6X Total Zoom
3X Optical Zoom helps you frame your shots for better digital pictures. And Sony?s Precision Digital Zoom provides an additional 2X magnification without the jagged edges of other designs, resulting in smoother images.
0 ? 12X Smart Zoom? Feature (Up to 12X at VGA Resolution)
Smart Zoom intelligently uses the full CCD to let you zoom into the portion of interest by cropping the image size?thus avoiding the image degradation of Digital Zooms.
14-Bit DXP A/D Conversion
Sony?s 14-bit Digital EXtended Processor captures the range between highlight and shadow with up to 16,384 values, for extended dynamic contrast and detail.
2.5" Hybrid LCD Monitor
The enormous 2.5? LCD provides a high resolution view while shooting, with transmissive/reflective Hybrid design for extraordinary brightness in direct sunlight and large, easy to read menus. Unique in such a compact camera, this large screen makes it easy to share image playback with friends.
Clear Photo LCD
The DSC-T7 includes Clear Photo LCD technology which provides higher resolution, contrast ratio and brightness. Images in the LCD will have up to a 40% improvement in color reproduction than previous models.
Magnifying Glass Mode
With its extraordinarily close focusing capability (1cm) and oversized LCD, the DSC-T7?s Magnifying Glass mode can display images at over 3X actual size. This powerful capability opens up new possibilities in Macro photography.
5 Area Multi-Point Auto Focus
By evaluating 5 separate focus areas of the frame, Sony?s Multi-Point AF system can intelligently focus on the subject and avoid mistakenly focusing on the background.
AF (Auto Focus) Illuminator
Briefly illuminating the subject, in low or no-light conditions, the AF Illuminator helps establish a positive focus lock.
Multi-Pattern Measuring
Independently light-metering 49 points of the frame, Multi-Pattern Measuring establishes the optimum exposure, even when highlight and shadow isn?t centered in the frame.
Memory Stick Duo? Media
Digital. Powerful. Transportable.? Memory Stick Duo media is compact, portable and rugged?connecting a variety of hardware and software applications.
Scene Selection Mode
With 10 Scene Modes, parameters can be matched to the shooting conditions. Choose from one of the following: Twilight, Twilight, Portrait, Soft Snap, Landscape, Beach, Snow, Fireworks, High Speed Shutter, Candle andMagnifying Glass.
Multi-Burst Mode
Captures 16 consecutive 320 x 240 frames as part of a single 1280 x 960 image which plays back sequentially in the camera or as a single image on your computer. Selectable 1/7.5, 1/15, 1/30 second frame intervals provide convenient motion analysis.
MPEG Movie VX Fine Modes
Captures VGA (640 x 480) high frame rate (up to 30 frames per second) audio/video clips with length limited only by the capacity of the media. Video mail mode captures smaller file sizes suitable for email.
Pre-Flash Metering
With a momentary pre-flash, the camera illuminates the subject and sets exposure through the lens for accurate flash metering. Adjustable flash level and red-eye reduction ensure great flash shots.
Rechargeable InfoLithium® Battery
Supplied NP-FE1 InfoLithium® battery; Provides reliable power for continuous shooting, without ?Memory Effect? of other battery types.
Cyber-shot Station Supplied
Placing the DSC-T7 on the supplied Cyber-shot Station provides a quick and easy connection between the camera and a TV for easy viewing, or a USB supported computer for MPEG video and still image transfer.