The IT Nerd

If you want a Android based smartphone that has a big screen (as in 5″), has a great camera, and is waterproof to boot, then you need to have a look at the Sony Xperia Z1 which is hitting Canadian carriers in October. Here’s a quick look at what it brings to the table:

• Dust-resistant and waterproof (IP55 & IP58), with acclaimed OmniBalance design featuring durable tempered glass and solid one-piece aluminium frame
• Sony’s “G Lens”: A lens with F2.0 and wide angle 27mm as well as 3x clear image zoom.
• BIONZ for mobile: Image processing engine with the algorithm from Sony’s leading digital compact cameras. It ensures pictures have less noise, fast auto-focus as well as high stable images for video shooting, preventing shots from being blurred.
• 1/2.3-type Exmor RS for mobile CMOS image sensor with 20.7MP: high sensitivity sensor capturing huge amounts of detail for sharp, crisp images, even in low-light conditions.
• Xperia Camera Applications such as Social live which broadcast to Facebook. More applications will be available to download from Sony Select.
• Qualcomm Snapdragon™800 quad-core 2.2 Ghz processor, 3000 mAh battery, 4G LTE
• Memory: RAM 2 GB, Flash memory up to 16 GB, Expansion slot microSD card, up to 64 GB.
• Xperia Z1 will launch on Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean).

You’ll be able to choose from multiple colors including black, white and purple to fit your style. I’ve requested one for review, so watch for that in the near future.

UPDATE: Rogers just dropped me a note to let me know that they will be carrying the Z1 and they will have the color purple exclusively as well as carrying the black version.

UPDATE #2: Telus just let me know that they’ll be carrying the Z1 as well.

I just got a note from my friends at Sony letting me know that the Xperia Z will be hitting Bell exclusively this month. So what’s the big deal about this Android based smartphone? Let me first give you some specs:

• 5” 1080 x 1920p full HD Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2
• 13MP Fast Capture camera with Exmor RS for mobile, HDR video, Superior Auto and Noise Reduction to effortlessly capture razor sharp pictures and videos in any conditions
• 1.5 GHz asynchronous quad-core Snapdragon S4 processor with 2GB RAM
• Battery STAMINA mode improves standby time by at least 4 times
• Available in black, white and purple
• Water and dust resistant (IP55 & IP57) with a durable glass display

It’s the last part that is key. It’s water and dust resistant and the glass display is shatter resistant. So if you are one of those extreme types or you need a smartphone that is tougher than most. Your phone is here. Another key feature is that it also includes Battery STAMINA Mode, which can improve the standby time by four times or more by automatically shutting down battery-draining apps whenever the screen is off and starting them up again when the screen is back on.

If that has you interested to get your hands on one, you can visit Bell.ca/XperiaZ or you can visit your local Sony and Bell stores, The Source locations as well as many select retailers.

Looking for a compact camera with premium features? Sony has released not one, but two cameras for you to choose from.

First is the Cyber-shot RX100 II Camera:

Designed to increase sensitivity in low-light conditions and reduce overall picture noise, the new Exmor R™ 1.0-type, back illuminated CMOS sensor in the RX100 II camera is the world’s largest back-illuminated CMOS sensor ever developed.   It is approximately 40% more effective in dimly lit situations compared to the existing RX100 model.

Additionally, the new RX100 II model is equipped with Wi-Fi capabilities and is also the first ever Sony camera to include NFC, giving the extra convenience of instant, one-touch wireless transfer of content between devices.  Its Smart Remote Control functionality lets users preview images and control shutter release directly from their connected phone.

Additionally, the RX100 II model has expanded Full HD video capabilities with the addition of 24p shooting for cinematically styled movies. Other refinements include a step zoom function that lets users instantly choose any of five popular focal lengths for handy scene framing. Shooters can select 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 70mm or 100mm focal lengths using the camera’s control ring, giving them an intuitive and fast alternative to zooming in and out.

Next up is the Special Edition Cyber-shot RX1R Camera:

The new Cyber-shot RX1R full-frame compact camera is designed to satisfy even the most critical photographer’s desire for sharper, more detailed pictures and enhanced resolution.  The model’s ‘R’ suffix denotes a further improvement in the pocket-sized camera’s already spectacular resolution.

In common with many DSLR cameras, the original Cyber-shot RX1 camera features a multi-segment optical low-pass filter (OLPF) in front of the sensor to suppress unwanted moiré and color artifacts.  The enthusiast-oriented RX1R model removes this low-pass filter, guaranteeing flawless image capture and bringing new levels of realism to landscapes and other finely-detailed subjects.

Additionally, to compensate for this removal of the OLPF, the camera’s processing functions have been optimized to maintain image sharpness without compromising lens/sensor performance.

The new Cyber-shot RX100 II and RX1R models will both be available mid next month for about $799 and $2,999, respectively.  The cameras and a range of compatible accessories can be purchased at Sony retail stores (http://store.sony.ca/RXSeries) and other authorized dealers nationwide.

There’s a bunch of news from Sony today involving their cameras and lenses. So let’s not waste any time and detail what they’ve announced.

First, Sony has three new Cyber-shot Cameras:

Sony Canada is expanding the range and versatility of its Cyber-shot compact camera line with the introduction of three new “Exmor R” CMOS sensor equipped models – the WX300, HX300 and TX30 cameras.   

Each of the new models features a unique, innovative design and a range of improved imaging technologies that make is easier than ever to capture the decisive action in all types of shooting environments ranging from low-light to outdoor scenes, underwater adventures and  everything in between.  

The HX300 camera will be available this March for about $550 The WX300 and TX30 cameras will be available in April for about $380 and $400 respectively. Next on the list is the Sony SLT-A58 camera which is DSLR style camera:

The new α58 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 camera to shoot sharply focused images at up to eight frames per second (in Tele-Zoom High Speed Shooting Mode), ensuring that every important detail of any precious moment is fully captured. 

At the heart of the new α58 camera is a brand new, highly advanced 20.1 (approx.) effective megapixel Exmor APS HDCMOSsensor teamed with an improved BIONZ image processing engine, which individually adjusts levels of noise reduction and sharpness in different imaging areas.  This powerful combination of sensor and processor gives the camera an extra-wide sensitivity range ofISO100 to 16000, and ensures that it can produce exceptionally detailed, low-noise still images and full HD videos in all types of lighting conditions. 

There’s one other feature I should mention:

To improve the framing, focusing and image playback experience, the α58 camera features a bright new OLED Tru-Finder electronic viewfinder.  Using the EVF, shooters can instantly see the result of adjusting exposure compensation, aperture, ISO, white balance, Picture Effect and other parameters while they are composing – not afterwards.  It’s a great teaching and learning tool, and a huge help for framing and creating that “perfect shot” with full confidence. 

Expect to pay $600 with a 18-55mm zoom lens (model SAL18552) when they hit stores this April. Next up is the α NEX-3N digital camera. I’ll let Sony tell you what the big deal about this camera is:

Sony’s new α NEX-3N digital camera delivers professional quality photos and Full HD videos in an ultra-compact body weighing in at just under 7.5 ounces, making it the world’s smallest and lightest interchangeable lens camera with an APS-C size sensor.

Nice. If you want a camera that has an interchangeable lens, but don’t want a DLSR, this is the camera for you. With the motorized 16-50mm zoom lens (model SELP1650) it goes for about $500 when it hits the streets in April. Finally, there are new lenses to talk about:

New models include the 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II and Carl Zeiss Planar T 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM lenses, designed to complement the impressive imaging capabilities of Sony’s full-frame α99 SLT (Translucent Mirror) camera.  Additionally, the DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II lens is a light, compact 3x zoom that’s an ideal partner for all A-mount cameras with APS-C size sensors.

Not to mention new accessories:

The new HVL-F20M external flash, a new space-saving on-camera flash compatible with all Multi Interface Shoe mounted cameras (includes relevant A-mount, E-mount and Cyber-shot models) is ideal for brightening up portraits, interiors and dimly-lit scenes.  Despite its compact size, the new flash is packed with several pro-style features including wireless control, simple bounce operation and Auto White Balance compensation for more accurate, natural-looking white balance.  The flash can also be turned on and off easily either by raising or lowering the flash head. 

The new RM-VPR1 wired remote commander features convenient controls for zoom (with relevant models) and video recording start/stop, and includes a shutter lock function that’s ideal for long-exposure ‘bulb’ shooting with α cameras.

The new SAL70400G2 telephoto zoom lens will be available this May for about $2350.  The SAL50F14Z prime lens and SAL18552 zoom lens will be available this May for about $1650 and $250 respectively. Finally, the HVL-F20M compact flash will be available this May for about $200, and the RM-VPR1 wired remote commander will be available this May for about $90.

Wow! That’s a lot of news from Sony!