Alpha 7 and Alpha 7R : Priced at Rs. 94,990 & Rs. 124,990, Sony launches two High End Professional Cameras

New Delhi, 26th November, 2013: Hotly awaited by professional photographers and enthusiasts, the Alpha 7 and Alpha 7R from Sony set an exciting new benchmark in digital imaging. A game-changing blend of imaging power and portability, both mirrorless models redefine the creative options of full-frame photography in a palm-sized interchangeable lens camera.

The Alpha 7 (24.3 effective megapixels) and Alpha 7R (36.4 effective megapixels) give serious photographers a limitless array of new artistic possibilities. Expanding the range of optics from Sony and Carl Zeiss, six3 new full-frame lenses complement the cameras' superlative image quality - whether you're shooting detail-packed stills or crisp, cinematic Full HD video.

Beautifully styled and easy to hold on lengthy assignments, both cameras are no-compromise photographic tools that put the needs of advanced users first. Front and back dials plus a control wheel and exposure compensation dial allow intuitive adjustments while framing shots through the high-contrast, high resolution XGA OLED Tru-Finder or on the tiltable 3.0-type LCD screen.

The 35mm full-frame Exmor CMOS sensor in both cameras incorporates light concentration and photo diode expansion technologies, while the Alpha 7R also features a new 'gapless' on-chip lens design that eliminates gaps betweenadjacent pixels. These advances increase light collection efficiency, achieving outstanding resolution, sensitivity and low noise while circumventing the challenge of decreased pixel size due to the extremely high pixel count.

Together with the powerful new BIONZ X processor, the full-frame sensor also allows both cameras to shoot pro-quality Full HD video (50p/25p)4 . You'll enjoy rich, beautifully rendered movie footage with sumptuous colours and ultra-low noise, even in low light. Clear Image Zoom has been enhanced for video recording, delivering powerful close-ups without sacrificing pixel count. Pro-style movie features include an audio recording level control and display, plus a 'clean' HDMI output that allows video to be viewed on an external monitor or recorded on another device.

Both cameras showcase new Fast Intelligent AF that ensures speedy, accurate autofocus. The Alpha 7 supplements this with Fast Hybrid AF that combines Fast Intelligent AF with phase detection autofocus. Boosting AF tracking, it lets the Alpha 7 keep fast-moving subjects like athletes and wildlife in sharp focus while supporting continuous shooting at up to 5 frames per second.

Both new camera models are designed to be fully customisable to exactly suit your precise photographic demands, with nine customisable buttons and 46 assignable functions5With both Wi-Fi and NFC, the Alpha 7 andα7R allow effortless one-touch wireless connections with your Xperia™ or NFC-compatible Android smartphone or tablet. The Alpha 7 and Alpha 7R also connect to your iOS devices via Wi-Fi. PlayMemories Camera Appsfurther enhance your photo experience with a growing range of free and paid apps, spanning exciting new creative effects and filters, utilities and more.

New ‘Multiple Exposure' automatically composites sequential exposures, making it easy to create beautiful and dramatic effects with a choice of pre-set artistic themes as well as manual blending modes.

Pre-installed in both camera models, ‘Smart Remote Control' controls6 exposure and shutter release from your smartphone. Great for tripod-mounted group shots and self-portraits, the app also sends photos automatically to your mobile device for on-the-spot sharing 7.

α7 Crafted to meet the demands of advanced amateurs and professional photographers, the α7 offers an exciting entry into the world of full-frame photography. The camera's rigid metal frame is complemented by an external top cover in magnesium alloy that contributes to a weight of just 416g (body only).

The 35mm full-frame Exmor CMOS sensor with a resolution of approximately 24.3 effective megapixels guarantees high sensitivity and exceptional low-noise performance thanks to its high resolving power and large pixel size.

Alpha 7R With a tough magnesium alloy body that's dust- and moisture-resistant, the α7R weighs in at just 407g (body only) as the world's smallest, lightest interchangeable lens camera with a full-frame sensor. Appealing equally to busy photo professionals and advanced amateurs, it also boasts the highest image quality of any α camera to date. The brand-new 36.4-effective megapixel (approximate) full-frame Exmor CMOS sensor deliverslevels of detail unprecedented in any camera of its class. The high resolution sensor of the α7R has no optical low-pass filter, ensuring that its extraordinary resolving power is fully exploited. It's complemented by a new BIONZ X processor – Sony's latest-generation imaging engine that maximises detail and reduces image noise over a wide ISO 100-25600 sensitivity range8.

New full-frame interchangeable E-mount lenses There's a choice of five new full-frame E-mount lenses to realise the sheer imaging power of the Alpha 7 and Alpha 7R. The E-mount full-frame family includes two mid-range zooms by Sony and Carl Zeiss, two bright Sonnar T* primes and a premium-quality G lens telephoto zoom.

There's also a new-generation mount adaptor that gives photographers extra freedom to re-use their precious collection of full-frame A-mount optics with both cameras, including the newly-announced SAL70200G2 70-200mm F2.8 G SSM II telephoto zoom.

A range of new accessories New accessories will also be available for the Alpha 7 and Alpha 7R. The LA-EA4 and LA-E3 mount adaptors for E-mount cameras are compatible with virtually every A-mount lens. The LA-EA4 comes with built-in AF motor and 15-point AF sensor, ensuring speedy, continuous autofocus; while LA-EA3 lets photographers shoot full-frame pictures with A-mount lens. The VG-C1EM grip not only extends shooting stamina via two NP-FW50 batteries, but also provides greater user comfort during vertical shooting.

The BC-TRW Battery Charger gives visual LED confirmation of recharging status and the FA-CS1M off-camera shoe can be used as an off-camera cable by connecting with a Multi Flash Cable. The PCK-LM16 Screen Protector Semi Hard Sheet protects the LCD screen from scratches and dust while allowing clear view even under bright sunshine. The LCS-ELCA premium leather soft carrying case extends the premium quality experience of handling and using the Alpha 7/Alpha 7R while protecting your camera from scuffs and marks whilst being carried. The new LCS-BBL and LCS-BBM soft carrying cases also ensure the safety of your lenses.

The light, compact new Alpha 7 and Alpha 7R interchangeable lens full-frame digital cameras from Sony will be available across all Sony Center and major electronic stores across India.

Model	MRP	Availability
Alpha 7	Rs. 94,990	End of Dec. 2013
Alpha 7R	Rs. 124,990	End of Dec. 2013

Cyber-shot RX10 premium bridge camera Price, Features, Specifications

Premium performance and portability; Full range shooting from wide angle to telephoto

• The camera is likely to hit Indian market by last week of of December.
• The price of Cyber-shot RX10 will be around Rs 84,990.  
• Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T 24-200mm (35mm equiv.) zoom lens with bright F2.8 maximum aperture at all focal lengths
• Superb quality images with rich detail from 20.2 megapixel 1.0-type back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor
• New BIONZ X processor with approximately 3x faster processing speed[i] and new area-specific noise reduction
• Fast, silent and accurate contrast detection autofocus with Direct Drive SSM
• Full HD (1920 x 1080 - 60p/25p[iii])movies with PASM control and professional-style XLR input for external microphone
• New 1440k dot OLED Tru-Finder plus 3.0-type tilting LCD with WhiteMagic technology
• 4K photo output and support for TRILUMINOS Display
• NFC and Wi-Fi for easy connection with smartphones & tablets

Cyber-shot RX10 premium bridge camera offers DSLR-style creative power without the need to carry interchangeable lenses

True portability doesn’t have to mean compromising the image quality, creative features and handling you’d expect from a bigger, bulkier camera system. An appealing additional ‘bridge-style’ camera for DSLR enthusiasts, the new Cyber-shot RX10 delivers superb picture quality without the need to pack a camera body plus several lenses for your next photo assignment.



The fixed Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 24-200mm (35mm equivalent) F2.8 lens[iv] offers superb levels of clarity and resolving power you’d expect from your interchangeable lens collection. With a versatile zoom range from wide- angle to telephoto, it’s a natural partner for atmospheric portraits, dramatic landscapes, wildlife, street scenes and naturally-lit interiors. The ability to focus at distances as short as 3cm also makes it ideal for detail- packed Macro close-ups of insects, flowers and more.

A bright F2.8 maximum aperture right across the full zoom range gives extra brightness you’d expect from your collection of interchangeable prime lenses. As well as letting you shoot in low light without increasing ISO settings, it also allows easy creation of smooth, circular background defocus (‘bokeh’) effects, enhanced by the 7-blade iris diaphragm. Optical SteadyShot inside assists clearer, blur-free images when you’re shooting handheld – even at longer focal lengths when hand-shake is a challenge for non-stabilised optics.

Comfortable to hold and generously equipped with manual controls, the Cyber-shot RX10 feels instantly familiar to anyone who’s handled a DSLR camera. Inside, the camera’s fixed-lens design achieves superb imaging performance in harmony with the large, sensitive image sensor and evolved BIONZ X processing engine that now offers approximately 3x improvement in processing speed compared to previous BIONZ processors.

As featured on the acclaimed DSC-RX100 II, the 20.2 effective megapixels (approx.) 1.0-type back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor is around four times bigger than your standard compact camera’s imager. Exquisite resolution and texture depiction is boosted further by the evolved BIONZ X engine that employs new detail reproduction, area- specific noise reduction and diffraction-reducing technologies for cleaner, even more beautiful and finely- detailed images.

Autofocus is speedy and responsive, thanks to the new Direct Drive SSM mechanism that works in conjunction with the Exmor R CMOS sensor and powerful BIONZ X processor. Lock-on AF accurately tracks moving subjects, keeping your target accurately focused even if it disappears momentarily from the frame and then reappears. Newly developed Eye AF ensures crisp portraits with the sitter’s eye always in sharp focus, even if they’re not looking directly at you. In addition, there’s now a choice of three selectable sizes for the spot AF frame. This cuts the risk of accidental focus errors with very small subjects, such as macro close-ups of insects.

Impeccable still shooting is matched by equally impressive capabilities for movie enthusiasts. The powerful new BIONZ X processor offers approximately three times the processing speed of Sony’s previous-generation BIONZ engine. Fully utilising the quality of the wide-aperture lens, it reads data from every one of the large sensor’s pixels to create extremely smooth, highly-detailed Full HD video. Movie footage can be captured at selectable 50p (AVCHD progressive) or cinematic 25p frame rates, with full control over P/A/S/M exposure modes. A ‘clear’ HDMI output allows video to be reviewed on an external monitor or recorded to a separate storage device.

An audio level meter and adjustable levels ensure that movies sound as good as they look. There’s a microphone jack and headphone output for accurate level monitoring. Adding the optional XLR-K1M adapter kit takes you into the world of pro-quality sound recording, allowing the addition of an external microphone via the balanced XLR terminal.

With a high resolution of 1440k dots, the new high-contrast OLED Tru-Finder offers crisp edge-to-edge visibility of your subject plus a wide 33° (approx.) viewing angle. For even more compositional freedom, the clear, bright 3.0-type White Magic™ LCD tilts up or down for easy framing with the camera held up high or low down.


Underlining its appeal to dedicated enthusiasts, the camera’s light, rigid magnesium alloy body features dust- and moisture-resistant seams and control seals for extra durability on location.

Intuitive, ergonomic operation is enhanced by plentiful controls that offer DSLR-style flexibility for advanced users. It’s possible to freely switch between two operating modes for the aperture ring. Get positive feedback with an audible ‘click’ as aperture is adjusted manually with the ring. Or switch modes for smooth, continuous adjustment without clicks – ideal if you’re shooting movies or don’t want to disturb your subject. There’s also a total of seven customisable buttons, plus a top-mounted LCD for instant confirmation of exposure and other key settings.

High-resolution still images can be displayed directly on a 4K television that offers four times the detail of Full HD. Support for TRILUMINOS Colour delivers a stunning palette of rich, natural colours when viewing movies and photos captured with the Cyber-shot RX10 on a compatible BRAVIA television with TRILUMINOS Display.

On-board Wi-Fi allows easy one-touch connection with your Xperia™ or NFC-compatible Android smartphone or tablet. Share photos wirelessly on your mobile device, or view them on your HD TV and other home networked devices. Installing PlayMemories Mobile Version 3.0 even lets you use your phone as a handy remote to fire the camera’s shutter. There’s a range of compatible accessories from Sony to expand your creative options even further. The LCJ-RXE is a premium jacket case that protects the camera from dust and knocks. Attach the ECM-XYST1M Stereo Microphone via the camera’s Multi Interface Shoe™ for crisp dialogue and ambient sounds while you’re shooting HD video. Or illuminate up your subject with the powerful HVL-F43M flash or battery-powered HVL-LEIR1 Video IR light.

The compact, all-in-one Cyber-shot RX10 digital camera from Sony is available from pre-order now from www.sony.co.uk on goes on general sale in Europe from mid-November.

Key specifications

		DSC-RX10
Image sensor	Type	1.0-type (13.2mm x 8.8mm), Exmor R CMOS sensor
	Number of pixels (effective)	Approx. 20.2 megapixels
Lens	Type	Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T*
	F-number (Maximum Aperture)	F2.8 constant
	Focal Length (35mm format equivalent)	8.8-73.3mm (24-200mm)
	Optical Zoom	8.3x
Record system (still image)	Recording format	JPEG, RAW (Sony ARW 2.3 format)
Record system (movie)	Recording format	AVCHD format Ver.2.0 compliant/MP4
Media		Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo, Memory Stick XC-HG Duo, SD memory card, SDHC memory card (UHS-I compliant), SDXC memory card (UHS-I compliant)
ISO sensitivity		Still images: Auto(ISO125-12800, selectable with upper / lower limit), 125/160/200/250/320/400/500/640/800/1000/1250/1600/2000/2500/3200/4000/5000/6400/8000/10000/12800 (Extendable to ISO80/100), Multi-Frame NR: Auto (ISO125-25600), 200/400/800/1600/3200/6400/12800/25600 Movies: Auto:(ISO125Level-ISO6400Level, selectable with upper / lower limit), 125/160/200/250/320/400/500/640/800/1000/1250/1600/2000/2500/3200/4000/5000/6400/8000/10000/12800
ND Filter		Auto / On (3 steps) / Off
Viewfinder	Type	0.39-type electronic viewfinder (OLED)
	Number of dots	1,440,000dots
	Field coverage	100%
	Magnification	Approx. 0.70x (with 50mm lens at infinity, -1m-1) diopter
LCD screen	Type	7.5cm (3.0-type) type TFT / Xtra Fine
	No. of dots	1,228,800 dots
	Adjustable angle	Up by approx. 84 degrees, Down by approx. 43 degrees
Wi-Fi	View on smartphone	Yes
	Send to computer	Yes
	View on TV	Yes
NFC		Yes (NFC Forum Type 3 Tag compatible, One-touch remote, One-touch sharing)
Audio	Microphones	Yes (3.5mm Stereo mini jack)
	Speaker	mono
	Headphones	Yes
Dimensions (excluding protrusions)		129.0 x 88.1 x 102.2mm
Weight		Approx. 755g (body only) Approx. 813g (with battery and Memory Stick PRO Duo included)

Sony's PlayStation 4 (PS4), Price, Features and Specifications

With official launch of PlayStation 4 (PS4) for US and Canadian markets on 15th November, 2013, Sony Computer Entertainment has taken next-generation home video-game console war to next level. The PS4 system is retailing now in the United States for USD $399.99 and in Canada for CAD $399.99. In addition, one can buy PlayStation Camera and DUALSHOCK 4 wireless controllers for $59.99 each. As successor to PlayStation 3, it will fight for its space in eighth generation of video game consoles with Nintendo's Wii U and Microsoft's Xbox One.

In India, PlayStation 4 (PS4) is all set for its official launch in mid December. Snapdeal has listed PS4 for pre-order with a price tag of Rs 40,000 ($632) and release date of December. For PS4 official price in India, Sony had decided to wait for sometime, because of the volatile Rupee. In all probability its Indian price will be in the range from Rs 35,000- Rs 38,000. At present, PS4 console is budlled with 20 first and third party games. As per Sony, by India launch in mid December, or by year end, console will have over 30 games .

Leaving behind the complexities of earlier PlayStation 3 architecture, present PlayStation 4 features a simpler but 10 times more powerful AMD processor which employs Single-chip, custom design 8 cores CPU "Jaguar", with next-generation Radeon™ based graphics engine. New adoptataion in processor, is likely to create a larger pool of game developers and support system. In PS4, with "share" button on the new wireless controller and live streeming of in-game play video from friends, emphasis is clearly on social gamming.

Sony started its development programme on eighth-generation video game console way back in 2008. After months of delays due to production issues, when PlayStation 3 was finally launched around two years back, the sale of Microsoft's Xbox 360 was already approaching 10 million units and PS3 found it self late by one year in the sale game. This time Sony was better positioned to avoid repeating the same mistake with PS3's successor

The Most Powerful System
There has never been a games system as advanced as PlayStation 4. Stunning graphics performance, unparalleled customised memory and processors with 10 times the power of PlayStation 3 have given the most innovative minds in the games industry free rein when it comes to creating experiences that are bigger, bolder, more immersive. And more than you ever imagined.

Power To Perform
The PlayStation 4 system was designed from the ground up to ensure that game creators can unleash their imaginations to develop the very best games and deliver new play experiences never before possible. With ultra-fast customized processors and 8GB of high-performance unified system memory, the PS4 system is the home to games with rich, high-fidelity graphics and deeply immersive experiences that shatter expectations.

Personalized, Curated Content
The PS4 system has the ability to learn about your preferences. It will learn your likes and dislikes, allowing you to discover content pre-loaded and ready to go on your console in your favorite game genres or by your favorite creators. Players also can look over game-related information shared by friends, view friends’ gameplay with ease, or obtain information about recommended content, including games, TV shows and movies.

Play as You Download
Increase your play time with the ability to play games while they’re downloading titles. When a player purchases a game that is enabled with this feature, the PS4 system downloads a portion of the game, so play can start, while the rest is downloaded in the background during actual gameplay.

Remote Play
Remote Play on the PS4 system fully unlocks the PlayStation Vita system’s potential, making it the ultimate companion device. With the PS Vita system, gamers will be able to play a range of PS4 titles on the beautiful 5-inch display over Wi- Fi access points in a local area network.

PlayStation  App
The “PlayStation  App” will enable iPhone, iPad, and Android™ based smartphones and tablets to become second screens for the PS4 system. Once installed on these devices, players can view in game items, purchase PS4 games and download them directly to the console at home, or remotely watch the gameplay of other gamers playing on their devices.

DUALSHOCK 4 Complete Control
The DUALSHOCK 4 wireless controller features familiar controls while incorporating new ways to interact with games and other players. Improved dual analog sticks and trigger buttons offer an even greater sense of control, while the capacitive touch pad opens up endless potential for new gameplay possibilities. Experience the evolution of play with the DUALSHOCK 4 wireless controller.
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PlayStation 4 (PS4 )- Specifications
Main processor	Single-chip custom processor CPU: low power x86-64 AMD "Jaguar", 8 cores GPU: 1.84 TFLOPS, AMD next-generation Radeon™ based graphics engine
Memory	GDDR5 8GB
Storage size	500GB Hard disk drive.
BD/DVD Drive (Read Only)	BD x 6 CAV DVD x 8 CAV
Input / Output	Super-Speed USBx (USB 3.0) port x 2 AUX port x 1
Networking	Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T) x 1 IEEE 802.11 b/g/n Bluetooth 2.1 (EDR)
AV Output	HDMI out port DIGITAL OUTPUT (OPTICAL) port
DUALSHOCK 4 - Wireless Controller....Salient features
Broadcast Instantly SHARE Button	Why not share triumphs and accomplishments with friends via popular social networks at the touch of a button?
Hear Every Detail Built-in Mono Speaker and Headset Jack	Make the details stand out. Enjoy high-fidelity sound effects through the controller and chat with online friends via a headset.
Feel the Action Enhanced Vibration	Not only will you see and hear everything in even deeper detail, you'll feel it too with more intense vibration motors
Precision Design New Shape	Take control in even more comfort thanks to a new design, while improved analog sticks and buttons mean greater precision.
New Ideas Touch Pad	Guide, gesture or draw with the Touch Pad. Located on the front of the controller, it'll free the way you play.
Personalised Play Light Bar	Four colour LEDs offer a simple way to identify players and quickly see useful game information, such as a character taking major damage.
PlayStation Camera Take Centre Stage	Play, challenge and share your epic gaming moments with PlayStation Camera. Multiplayer is enhanced through immediate, crystal clear audio and picture-in-picture video sharing. Connect personally with your friends in new ways, whether you're in the room or on the other side of the world.
DUALSHOCK 4 - Specifications
External Dimensions	Approx. 162mm x 52mm x 98mm (width x height x depth) (tentative, excludes largest projection)
Weight	Approx. 210g (tentative)
Key Switches	PS button, Share button, OPTIONS button Directional buttons(Up/Down/Left/Right) Action buttons(Triangle/Circle/Cross/Square) R1/L1/R2/L2, Right stick, Left stick, Touch Pad button
Touch Pad	2 Point Touch Pad, Click Mechanism, Capacitive type
Motion Sensor	Six-axis motion sensing systems(three axis gyroscope, three axis accelerometer)
Other Features	Light Bar, Vibration, Built-in Mono Speaker
Ports	USB (Micro B), Extension Port, Stereo Headset Jack
Wireless Communication	Bluetooth  Ver 2.1 + EDR
Battery	Type: Buit-in Lithium-ion rechargeable battery Voltage: DC3.7V(tentative) Capacity: 1000mAh(tentative)
Camera - Specifications
External Dimensions	Approx. 186mm x 27mm x 27mm (width x height x depth) (tentative)
Weight	Approx. 183g (tentative)
Video Pixel	(Maximum) 1280 x 800 pixel x 2
Video Frame Rate	280x800 pixel @ 60fps 640x400 pixel @ 120fps 320x192 pixel @ 240fps
Video Format	RAW YUV (uncompressed)
Lens	Dual Lenses, F value/F2.0 fixed focus
Capture Range	30cm~∞
Field-of-View	85°
Microphone	4 Channel Microphone Array
Connection Type	PS4™ dedicated connector (AUX connector)
Cable Length	Approx. 2m (tentative)

Click here for  PlayStation Knowledge Center

Photographer of the Year - 2014 Sony World Photography Awards - open for entries :

I bear my scares with dignity, because I got them standing for something I believe in, says Ylva Schwenke (15).
Credit: © Andrea Gjestvang/Moment, Norway, L'Iris d'Or, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards

The 2014 Sony World Photography Awards, organised by the World Photography Organisation, opens for entries today. Professional, amateur, youth and student photographers from across the world can enter their best work for free at www.worldphoto.org. Photographers will compete for a range of cash prizes and the latest digital imaging equipment from Sony. Overall winners will be announced in London on 30 April 2014.

Since its launch in 2007, over 555,000 images from 230 countries have been submitted to the Sony World Photography Awards. Seeking the very best in international contemporary photography, the awards have established themselves as one of the world’s leading photography competitions. The most recent winner of the L’Iris d’Or/ Photographer of the Year title is Norwegian photographer Andrea Gjestvang for a powerful series of portraits of children and youths who survived the July 2011 massacre on the island of Utøya, outside Oslo.

The winner of the 2014 L’Iris d’Or/Photographer of the Year title will be presented with $25,000 (USD) and the Open Photographer of the Year will receive $5,000 (USD). All category winners will receive the latest digital imaging equipment from Sony and the Student Focus winner will receive new, cutting edge Sony equipment for their university. Winning and shortlisted photographs will also be published in the 2014 edition of the Sony World Photography Awards book and exhibited at Somerset House, London.

The 2014 Sony World Photography Awards include the following competitions:

• Professional – 15 categories judged on a series of work
• Open – 10 categories judged on a single image
• Youth – three categories for photographers under 20
• Student Focus – for higher education photography students aged 18-30

The Open and Youth competition will close for entries at 23.59 GMT on Monday 6 January 2014 with the exception of the Professional competition which will close at 23.59 GMT on Thursday 9 January 2014. A list of categories can be found in the notes to editors.

The brief for the Student Focus competition is to shoot a single image for the front page of a newspaper. The image can be sensationalist or low-key but it must make the viewer want to learn more and draw attention to an issue that has meaning for the photographer. Entries to the Student Focus competition close on 6 December 2013.

The key dates for the 2014 awards are:

• 6 December – Student Focus competition closes
• 6 January – Open and Youth competition close
• 9 January – Professional competition closes
• 4 February – shortlist for Professional, Open and Youth competitions revealed
• 18 February – Student Focus shortlist announced
• 18 March – Open and Youth winners revealed
• 31 March – Outstanding Contribution to Photography recipient announced
• 30 April – L’Iris d’Or/Photographer of the Year plus Professional category winners and Open, Youth and Student Focus Photographers of the Year revealed at gala awards ceremony held in London
• 1 May – end May – 2014 Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition at Somerset House, London

Further details about the Sony World Photography Awards and the World Photography Organisation can be found at www.worldphoto.org
For all press enquiries please contact:
Jill Cotton at World Photography Organisation
+44 (0) 20 7886 3049/ + 44 (0)7557 261 537 / jill@worldphoto.org

• 2014 Sony World Photography Awards – full list of categories

PROFESSIONAL COMPETITION

● Architecture
● Arts & Culture
● Campaign
● Conceptual
● Contemporary Issues
● Current Affairs
● Fashion & Beauty
● Landscape
● Lifestyle
● Nature & Wildlife
● People
● Portraiture
● Sport
● Still Life
● Travel

OPEN COMPETITION

● Architecture
● Arts & Culture
● Enhanced
● Low-light
● Nature & Wildlife
● Panoramic
● People
● Smile
● Split second
● Travel

YOUTH COMPETITION
● Environment
● Portrait
● Culture

• All competitions are free to enter and all images submitted must have been shot in 2013. Photographers may enter either the Professional or Open competition; it is not possible to enter both. Full conditions of entry are available at www.worldphoto.org

• Images from the 2013 Sony World Photography Awards are available via the World Photography Organisation press centre. Please register at press.worldphoto.org/register

For more information please contact

David Edwards.

e: david.edwards@eu.sony.com

Sony Xperia Tablet Z : Priced at Rs 46,990, Sony unveils the most expensive and the slimmest Premium Tablet in India

NEW DELHI: Sony on Wednesday unveiled Xperia Tablet Z  for Indian buyers.
Priced at Rs 46,990, it is being claimed as the most expensive and the  slimmest Premium Tablet. Despite its price being on the higher end, the company believes that its thin size, water and rust proof design and other premium specifications with the best of Sony technology, entertainment, design and connectivity, will help it compete with other Android tablets and Apple's iPad.

Earlier, on February 25^th 2013, at Mobile World Congress, BARCELONA , Sony Mobile, had announced that Xperia Tablet Z – the slimmest* 10” tablet available – will be  launched globally in May 2013.

Key features for Xperia Tablet Z

•     10.1” HD 1920x1200p WUXGA Display with Mobile BRAVIA (Best Resolution Audio Visual Integrated Architecture) Engine 2
•     S-Force Front Surround 3D
•     The world's thinnest design at 6.9 mm and lightweight at 495g for 10.1” water resistant tablet
•     Dust and water resistant (IP55 & IP57) with a durable glass front display
•     Snapdragon S4 Pro processor with 1.5GHz asynchronous quad CPUs and 2GB RAM
•     Xperia Tablet Z is load with Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) and is upgradable to 4.2 after launch    for the latest Android user experience.
•     Internal storage of 16GB with a memory card slot expandable up to 64GB
•     One-touch connectivity with Near Field Communication (NFC)
•     A unique OmniBalance design with subtly rounded edges and smooth reflective surfaces
•     8 MP rear camera featuring “Exmor R for mobile” and Superior Auto plus 2MP HD front camera
•     Battery STAMINA mode further improves the standby time.
•     The tablet packs in a 6000 mAh battery.
•     Connectivity options onboard include Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0 and 3G.
•      IR sensor, which would allow users to control their television with it

Premium Tablet Design

Xperia Tablet Z is the most premium, high performance 10.1” LTE Android tablet available. Built from quality materials and featuring the same stunning OmniBalance design as its smartphone sibling, Xperia Tablet Z is also incredibly slim and lightweight at 6.9mm and 495g. Available in black or white and in LTE and WiFi versions, it is the first tablet to run on Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ S4 Pro asynchronous quad core processor and has the highest levels of water resistance (IP55 & IP57) ever delivered in a tablet, making it immune to accidental spills and splashes.**

”Xperia Tablet Z sets new standards in entertainment by matching premium specifications and Sony technology with cross-device connectivity and a consistent user-experience,” said Kaz Tajima, Corporate Vice President, Head of UX Creative Design and Planning, at Sony Mobile Communications. “Xperia Tablet Z reinforces our intention to be a leading player in the premium Android device market, by building on the principles established by Xperia Z and perfectly optimising them for the tablet form factor.”

Integrated Sony Technology

Xperia Tablet Z includes the very best of Sony technology. With a 10.1” HD WUXGA Display, powered by Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2, it delivers enhanced colour reproduction for a brilliant TV-like viewing experience. It also draws upon Sony’s camera expertise with an 8MP rear camera featuring “Exmor R for mobile” as well as a 2MP HD front-facing camera for capturing the best images in any condition. Sony’s S-Force Front Surround 3D, guarantees soul-shaking audio performance alongside Sony’s Clear Audio+ mode and the innovative use of two in-built speakers with four ‘speaker halls’ on the left and right corners delivers amazing sound no matter how it is held. Xperia Tablet Z also includes Battery STAMINA mode, Sony’s unique battery management technology that can significantly improve standby time. The WiFi variant also offers up to 64GB of storage with an optional mircoSD card.

Seamless One-touch Connectivity

Xperia Tablet Z includes more connectivity options than any other tablet. It also includes Sony’s One-Touch functions that let users transfer content seamlessly from HD tablet to TV, tablet to speaker or phone to tablet just by touching them together. One-touch functions are a key component of Sony’s device range this year and no other consumer electronics company is bringing as many NFC-enabled products to market. The tablet’s Universal IR Remote allows users to control the TV and other Sony devices - as well as products from other manufacturers - directly from the tablet placing the device at the heart of the home. TV SideView is a new application that gives users an entirely new way to interact with the TV.***

Sony’s media applications

Sony’s signature media applications - “WALKMAN”, Movies and Album - allow users to enjoy, control and view content regardless of their device. The Sony Entertainment Network can also be accessed from these applications and includes Music Unlimited with more than 18 million songs and Facebook social integration as well as Video Unlimited with access to over 100,000 movies and TV series.****



Xperia Tablet Z Accessories

Xperia Tablet Z comes with a number of accessories including a charging cradle, an LCD Screen Protector and Leather Carrying Cover that comes in Black, White or Red. These will be available from Sony stores or registered retailers.

According to Sony's officials, company is not going after the numbers with Xperia Tablet Z. "It is a premium product and we hope to attract customers who value great design and unique features like water resistance," he said. "We also feel that people who like their Xperia Z phone will love this tablet."

ICD-SX1000 and ICD-SX733 : Hear every detail: sound your best with the new digital voice recorders from Sony

• ICD-SX1000 and ICD-SX733 recorders for live musicians and business professionals
• High-resolution 96.1kHz/24-bit recording and S-Master Full Digital Amplifier for concert hall quality (ICD-SX1000)
• Capture sounds near or far with 3 directional S-Microphone System and switchable zoom/stereo

From rehearsal room to boardroom – two new digital voice recorders by Sony ensure that each note and every word are heard with CD quality.

Slipping easily into a pocket or bag, the slim, light ICD-SX1000 and ICD-SX733 are perfect recording partners when inspiration strikes.

Both models feature a new 3 way S-Microphone System that picks up music, meetings and memos with pinpoint precision. ‘Stereo’ mode ensures smoothly-balanced, hi-fi quality recording of instruments and voices – great for band rehearsals and song-writing sessions. Or switch to ‘Zoom’ and focus precisely on interview subjects located on the other side of the room.

The range-topping ICD-SX1000 is capable of high-resolution recordings at 96.1kHz/24-bit, capturing solo instruments, ensembles or voices with exceptional clarity.

The SX1000 also adds Sony’s S-Master Full Digital Amplifier that reproduces the subtlest nuance of every performance. Originally developed by Sony for hi-fi and home cinema products, S-Master technology has been optimised for mobile devices, reducing digital distortion for smoothly detailed studio-quality sound.

A choice of eight Scene Select modes on both recorders ensures optimum clarity, whatever you’re recording. Pick ‘Music’ for a wide, balanced frequency response with every instrument heard clearly. Select ‘Voice Memo’, ‘Meeting’ or ‘Interview’ for clearly-intelligible speech without annoying low-frequency booms, pops and rumbles.

A generous 16GB of on-board storage (ICD-SX1000) gives space for almost a week’s worth of non-stop recording (159 hours at MP3 192 kbps). Need more time? Slipping in an optional microSD or Memory Stick Micro (M2) card expands recording time further to ensure you’re never lost for words. The inbuilt lithium battery offers plenty of stamina for those lengthy jamming sessions, recording non-stop for up to 19 hours between charges (Linear PCM 44.1kHz, 16 bit).

Both recorders also double as handy music players, replaying files in MP3, AAC, WMA and WAV formats. Just load up with your favourite tracks and enjoy through the supplied stereo earphones or on-board speaker.

Sound Organiser PC software comes as standard and simplifies transferring, editing, managing or burning your files to CD.

The new ICD-SX1000 and ICD-SX733 digital voice recorders by Sony are available in Europe from May 2013.

ICD-SX1000/SX733 digital voice recorders: key features & specifications

	ICD-SX733	ICD-SX1000
Built-in Memory	4GB	16GB
PC Connectivity	Yes
Built-in Microphone	3 Directional Microphone (Zoom/Stereo)
Recording Format	Linear PCM/MP3
Playback Format	MP3/AAC/WMA/WAV
Speaker power output	150mW
Battery Type	Built-In Lithium
Dimensions (w/h/d)	39.6 x 108.6 x 14.9 mm	39.6 x 110.8 x 14.6 mm
Weight (including batteries)	81g	82g
Headphone Jack	Yes
Microphone In	Yes
USB port	Yes (Direct)
Memory Card Slot	M2/ microSD
Max Recording time
MP3 48kbps ( monaural )	159 Hrs 0 Min	636 Hrs 0 Min
MP3 128kbps	59 Hrs 35 Min	238 Hrs 0 Min
MP3 192kbps	39 Hrs 45 Min	159 Hrs 0 Min
MP3 320kbps	23 Hrs 50 Min	95 Hrs 25 Min
LPCM 44.1kHz, 16bit	5Hrs 20 Min	21 Hrs 35 Min
LPCM 96.1kHz, 24bit	-	6 Hrs 35 Min
Recording features
Scene Select	Yes
Manual Recording level adjustment	Yes
Low-cut Filter	Yes
Pre-Recording function	Yes
VOR	Yes
Frequency response
MP3 48kbps (monaural)	40 - 14,000 Hz	40 - 14,000 Hz
MP3 128kbps	40 - 16,000 Hz	40 - 16,000 Hz
MP3 192kbps	40 - 18,000 Hz	40 - 18,000 Hz
MP3 320kbps	40 - 20,000 Hz	40 - 20,000 Hz
LPCM 44.1kHz, 16bit	40 - 20,000 Hz	40 - 20,000 Hz
LPCM 96.1kHz, 24bit	-	40 - 40,000 Hz
Playback features
S-Master Full Digital Amplifier	No	Yes
Intelligent Noise Cut	Yes

Sony confirms prices and on-sale dates for new BRAVIA X9 4K TV

4K Ultra HD TV X9 series BRAVIA from Sony

• Pre-order BRAVIA X9 4K Ultra HD LED TV online from 15th May
• In-store from mid-June
• Confirmed European pricing: €4,500 (55”) / €7,000 (65”)

Treat yourself to the detail and excitement of 4K by Sony with the new BRAVIA X9 4K Ultra HD TV. Available to pre-order online today (15th May), BRAVIA X9 blends stunning pictures, soul-stirring sound and breath-taking styling in a unique sensory experience.

In European stores from mid-June, BRAVIA X9 brings you TV pictures like you’ve never seen before. Offered in living room-friendly 55” and 65” screen sizes, it immerses you in the most natural, real images with four times the detail of Full HD.

Any content in 4K
With more films being produced and distributed in the format, 4K is this year’s biggest entertainment story. BRAVIA X9 upscales all your current content to 4K – including Blu-ray Disc™ films, TV shows and even low-resolution web videos – for a thrilling world of lifelike cinematic viewing.

Whatever you’re watching, the latest 4K X-Reality PRO engine ensures best-ever picture quality, from movies to smartphone clips.

Best picture and sound quality
Unique to Sony, TRILUMINOS Display enriches your viewing with a wider palette of richly realistic colours, from shimmering seascapes and skies to flowers and faces.

Fabulous pictures are teamed with sumptuous sound, powered by cutting-edge Magnetic Fluid Speaker technology for crisp dialogue and music.

BRAVIA X9 even connects wirelessly with your NFC-compatible Xperia smartphone or tablet at a touch. ‘Mirror’ your device wirelessly and enjoy photos, videos, games and apps on the big screen with rich colour and detail. Browse schedules, record shows and explore related content with TV SideView, the intuitive app for your Android or iOS device.

Sensational pictures and sound are complemented by an arresting new twist on ‘Sense of Quartz’ styling that makes a luxurious statement in any living space.

The new BRAVIA X9 4K LED Ultra HD TV is available in a choice of 55” (€4,500) or 65” (€7,000) screen sizes.
               

Sony Xperia™ SP, latest entrant in the best of Sony portfolio

• The latest Xperia™ smartphone comes packed with unique Sony features and precision crafted co-moulded aluminium frame
• Xperia™ SP offers a high quality HD experience with Super-bright 4.6(11.7 cms) 720p HD Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine 2
• One-touch functions with NFC to display content on your TV or to share music and photos between devices
• 8MP fast-capture camera with “Exmor RS™ for mobile”, HDR and Superior Auto for the best photos, even at night or against a strong backlight
• Battery STAMINA Mode for optimum battery life

New Delhi, 10th April, 2013: Sony Xperia™ SP joins its existing members to deliver exceptional viewing experience, with a razor sharp HD screen housed in a beautiful design.

The latest smartphone from Sony offers the best of Sony with stunning premium design and a range of technologies including a high quality screen for the ultimate viewing experience; the latest camera features for impressive pictures and videos; NFC connectivity for One-touch function; Battery STAMINA Mode for extended battery life; and Sony’s signature media apps for enjoying photos, music, movies and games on the go.

Xperia™ SP – High Definition brilliance in a premium design

The Xperia™ SP utilizes expertise from Sony’s BRAVIA® TV engineers to create its stunning 4.6(11.7 cms) HD Reality Display for razor sharp pictures and superior brightness. The latest Mobile BRAVIA® Engine 2 delivers an even better viewing experience by analyzing your content type and adjusting the image automatically, making it one of the most intelligent smartphone screens around. The engine will make the adjustment by adding new real-time contrast optimization to the sharpness enhancement, high-quality colour management and noise reduction.

As well as delivering brilliant experiences, the Xperia™ SP looks beautiful too with a precision-crafted co-moulded aluminium frame, for a seamless look that is both sleek and solid. Adding to the unique design innovation is the colour-changing ‘transparent element’ with customized illuminations which you can personalise to alert you of incoming calls and text messages. And you can even set the illuminations to pulse to the beat of your favourite music.

Exclusive apps

• Sony Music: Sony is all set to give its consumers an unparalleled & faster entertainment experience by offering 6 months free Unlimited streaming & music download of over 15 lakh songs such as International, Bollywood & Regional songs from Sony Music library
• Sony LIV: Sony will also have a unique video streaming app called Sony Liv. With this app, consumers can enjoy catch-up TV of SAB, Sony Entertainment and Max. Not only this, Xperia™ users will have exclusive access to special moments of KBC & Indian Idol. They can even watch over 77 programs and over 4500 hours of videos of their favorite programs

One-touch functions for easy content sharing

Also featured on Xperia™ SP is Sony’s One-touch functions, allowing you to easily and instantly enjoy music and photos across an array of devices, such as Sony’s SRS-BTV5 speaker and latest range of NFC-enabled BRAVIA TVs, with just a single touch. It’s sharing made easy with no wires, cables, or fiddling with settings necessary.

The newly launched Xperia™ SP will be available in all Sony Centers and leading mobile stores across India.

Also, with a purchase of Xperia™ SP customers will get a free premium case worth Rs. 1,990.

Model	MRP	Availability	Colours
Xperia™ SP	Rs. 25,990	Mid April’13	Black and White

Sony launches flagship Xperia™ Z Smartphone in India At MRP Rs. 38,990/-

New Delhi, 6th March, 2013: Continuing its strong focus on India, Sony India today announces its feature packed flagship Smartphone, the Sony Xperia Z, in India at MRP Rs 38,990/-. The Smartphone, also referred to as the World’s First Superphone by some reviewers, packs the best of Sony technologies into one device. The Sony Xperia Z was launched by newly appointed brand ambassador and long-time Sony fan - Katrina Kaif, in the presence of Mr. Dennis van Schie, Corporate Vice President, Head of Sales & Marketing, Sony Mobile Communications and Mr. Kenichiro Hibi, Managing Director, Sony India.

Sony Xperia Z currently operates on the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean platform, and is packed with a host of exciting features and hi-end technology, including a 5” Full HD 1080p BRAVIA 2 Reality Display, Snapdragon™ S4 Pro quad-core processor, 13 megapixel fast-capture Cyber-Shot camera and 4G LTE. In addition, the Xperia Z features Sony’s legendary Walkman technology for amazing audio playback, a battery stamina mode than can help increase battery back-up up to 50%.

Water and dust resistance is another unique and interesting feature that Sony Xperia Z offers, which are very relevant to customers in India. To amplify wireless connectivity between different devices via use of NFC feature available on Sony Xperia Z; the company has a slew of NFC-enabled devices, including speakers, headphones and TVs. Sony is committed to driving NFC technology forward to enhance the user experience.

According to Mr. Dennis Van Schie, Corporate Vice President, Head of Sales & Marketing, Sony Mobile Communications, “2013 will be a breakthrough year for Sony in the mobile sector. We are delivering on our objective to combine the best of Sony for an outstanding user experience.” Detailing about the Indian market, he said, “India is a high focus and high-growth market for Sony. The smartphone market in India hold very strong mid-term growth potential, with smartphone sales projected to be approximately 33 million units by FY13 in India. Our ultimate objective is to position Xperia amongst the Top 3 Smartphone brands in India”.

According to Mr. Kenichiro Hibi, Managing Director, Sony India, “Sony India has established market leadership in BRAVIA and Cyber-Shot, and we aim to replicate the same success with the Xperia range. The launch of Sony Xperia Z today, is the start of our journey to triple the Xperia sales in India, to Rs. 3,500 crore in FY 13. The company has taken several steps towards this direction, including tripling the Xperia marketing budget to Rs. 300 crore for FY13, more than doubling the sales channel counters to 8,000 and increasing the service touch points to 200 by FY13.”

“In addition to an exciting and extensive print and electronic advertising campaign with Xperia Brand Ambassador - Katrina Kaif, Sony India will also launch outdoor campaign, enhance shop-front display and have roadshows in Malls on a pan India basis. Cinema and digital platforms will also play a key role in the marketing campaign”, Mr. Hibi added.

Talking about her association with Sony, Brand Ambassador, Katrina Kaif, said, “I have personally been a user and fan of Sony products since many years. It’s a natural extension for me to associate with the brand professionally. The Sony Xperia Z has a host of features that are very important to me in a phone, including the Full HD Screen for watching movie playback, a great camera, long battery life, and the unique water and dust resistance feature”.

Sony has collaborated with its group business companies to design unique applications for its customers.

Sony Music: Sony is all set to give its consumers an unparalleled & faster entertainment experience by offering 6 months free Unlimited streaming & music download of over 15 lakh songs such as International, Bollywood & Regional songs from Sony Music library

Sony LIV: Sony will also have a unique video streaming app called Sony Liv. With this app, consumers can enjoy catch-up TV of SAB, Sony Entertainment and Max. Not only this, Xperia users will have exclusive access to special moments of KBC & Indian Idol. They can even watch over 77 programs and over 4500 hours of videos of their favorite programs.

Sony will also offer its customers with the best proposition to fully enjoy this amazing content from Sony Liv & Sony Music. Sony has tied-up with Vodafone to offer 8 GB free data download for the first two months of product purchase.

The Sony Xperia Z comes in white, black and purple colour. It will be available across National retail chain stores, Sony Center brand shops, muliti-brand outlets and distributors across India from 12th March onwards.

In addition to Xperia Z Smartphone, the Xperia Tablet Z will be available by May, ’13 in India. It is world’s slimmest LTE tablet and featuring a vivid 10.1” HD Reality Display, powered by Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2 that is both water-and dust resistant for the best ever viewing experience, it is matched with S-Force Front Surround 3D, and Clear Audio＋. The Xperia Tablet Z has superior camera capability with “Exmor R for mobile”, One-touch function, battery STAMINA mode, and Sony’s media applications for photo, music, and movies on the go. The price has not yet been announced.