Sony has launched the world's smallest and lightest 30x zoom camera, the Sony Cyber-shot HX50.
It provides superzoom levels of long-distance performance in a compact 108 x 64 x 38mm point and shoot chassis. There are definite elements of the Sony RX100 to its design, though the rest of its specs aren't quite at that level.
That impressive fixed lens is a 24-720mm affair with Sony's Optical SteadyShot image stabilisation technology. The latter offers double the image-steadying performance of last year's Sony Cyber-shot HX200V at full zoom.
The Sony Cyber-shot HX50 also comes with a 20.4-megapixel 1/2.3-inch Exmor R image sensor. It's capable of up to ISO 12,800.
Around back there's a 3-inch 921k LCD display, while on the top of the camera there's a dedicated mode dial as well as a dedicated exposure compensation dial. Given this relatively pro-level feature we're surprised to see that there's no RAW file support here.
The camera can handle 1080p Full HD video, and it also comes with built-in Wi-Fi. Its battery, meanwhile, is good for 400 shots.
The Sony Cyber-shot HX50 will be made available at the beginning of May at a price of around £350.
Are you interested in the Sony Cyber-shot HX50? Do you need that much zoom in a compact camera, or would you prefer a general performance boost? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
