Sony's Smallest Progressive Scan Camera Unveiled At Photonics West 2002

PARK RIDGE, N.J., Jan. 28, 2002 – Sony Electronics Inc. introduced the XC-HR50 video camera—the company's smallest progressive scan camera to date—at Photonics West 2002 in San Jose, California, January 22-24. An ultra-compact, black and white 1/3-type Interline Transfer (IT) CCD camera capable of capturing high-quality, full-frame images at 60 frames per second, the XC-HR50 camera has been specifically designed for demanding applications, such as semiconductor production and high-speed assembly line inspection.

"The XC-HR50 camera was developed to meet the needs of our many industrial inspection customers who require a very small camera equipped with an extremely fast progressive scan feature," said Jim Sandy, vice president of the visual imaging products unit at Sony Electronics' Broadcast and Professional Company. "At 60 frames per second, the XC-HR50 video camera's full frame capture is twice as fast as its predecessor, the XC-55 video camera. And when this new camera is set to partial scan mode it can capture 200 partial frames per second— performance that is unparalleled by cameras of comparable size."

The XC-HR50 camera measures 29 x 29 x 30 mm and weighs just 50 grams, making it easy to install in space-restricted areas. For high picture detail, the camera features 659 x 494 effective pixels with a horizontal resolution of 500 TV lines and a 58 dB signal-to-noise ratio. The camera offers a minimum illumination of 1 lux at F1.4. It also features an electronic shutter function to compensate for high scene illumination and for very low blur when capturing fast-moving objects. For maximum versatility, the XC-HR50 video camera is equipped with a C lens mount.

Sony will begin shipping the XC-HR50 video camera in March for a suggested list price of $695.

Sony Electronics' Broadcast and Professional Company provides advanced products and systems for a variety of professional markets, including broadcasting, production, corporate, industrial, government, security, medical and educational institutions. Sony offers products and systems designed to facilitate the transition to digital technologies in the emerging broadband network era. Sony products, systems and services include those for broadcast acquisition, production, storage, data management, system integration, digital imaging, digital printing, large and small venue display, and projection applications.

For more information regarding the nearest Sony authorized dealer or service location, call 1-800-686-SONY. For product information, readers can visit www.sony.com/videocameras.