GeekSugar

The Latest Sony Alpha Cameras Boost Photos to Pro Levels

Kelly Schwarze — Thu, 17 May 2012 07:11:00 PDT

We may talk a lot about iPhoneography in these parts, but there's no substitute for an "old-fashioned" camera in all its double-digit megapixels, HD video, and interchangeable lens glory. The latest in Sony's camera offerings comes from the brand's Alpha line: the NEX-F3, suited for a more casual photographer, and the SLT-A37, a DSLR kit for those who want to get a little more serious with their hobby.

Available in June, the NEX-F3 ($600 with an 18-55mm zoom lens kit) packs 16.1 MP, 60i/24p HD video capture, and a full-size mirrorless APS-C image sensor into its pocket-sized frame, giving photos SLR-quality results without the intimidation of a bulky SLR body. Beyond its technical prowess, the NEX-F3 has sweet features that any level of camera enthusiast will love: the 180° tilt LCD screen shows a mirror image when flipped vertically, a must for framing self-portraits, and the new Auto Portrait Framing feature crops an image of a subject within perfect rule-of-thirds parameters.

For the photographer who needs extra power, the 16.1 MP SLT-A37 ($600 with an 18-55mm zoom lens kit; available in June) captures 7 frames per second with a 15-point auto focus system intended to keep fast-moving subjects crystal clear. The camera has an ISO range up to 16000, helping you the make most of a low-light scenario. What we may love most about the A37 is the little extras: it includes Auto Portrait Framing as well as an electronic viewfinder, ensuring that every bit of what you see in a frame is captured in the image.

Tour close-ups of the camera in our gallery, and share your favorite interchangeable-lens camera in the comments!

Getting Some Hands-On Time With the Sony Cyber-Shot TX20 in Sedona, AZ

Kristy Korcz — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 03:20:40 PDT

There's nothing like an outdoor adventure to get you in the Springtime mood. Add in some sweet camera gear, and I'm all over it. I got to experience both during Sony's recent Sedona Outdoor Excursion, when the company sent me off to explore the red rocks of Northern Arizona, all in an effort to get to know its lineup of new Cyber-Shot, Bloggie, camcorders, and NEX cameras.

While you couldn't capture a bad photo of Sedona (it's so beautiful!), this rugged 16.2MP pocket-friendly shock-, water-, freeze-, and dust-proof Sony Cyber-Shot TX20 ($329) was one of my favorites to use on the trip, and stayed in my bag the whole time. Coming in five different hues (PopSugar pink was my obvious choice), this camera packs quite a punch in such a small package. Great in both bright-light and low-light situations, the TX20 comes with seven different picture effects - HDR Painting, Richtone Monochrome, Miniature, Toy Camera, Pop Color, Partial Color, and Soft High-Key - to heighten the mood and add some extra personality to your shots. It's kind of like adding an Instagram or Hipstamatic filter to your pics as you take them. Not only is the picture quality fabulous, but the video isn't too shabby either. The microphone isn't as sensitive as ones you'd find in say, the NEX models, since the TX20 can be used underwater; an expensive mic in a waterproof camera wouldn't hold up well anyway.

The TX20 will hit in May for $329, and is the perfect camera for light packers traveling to far-off locales, and budding photogs that want a portable and reliable camera to tote around for day-to-day image capture. Check out some of my unedited sample images in the gallery, some of which were captured using the cool TX20 picture effects.

Dual-Screen Sony Tablet P Available March 4 For $400

Kristy Korcz — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 12:22:49 PST

If two screens are better than one, the Sony Tablet P will be your go-to tablet. Announced earlier today at this year's Mobile World Congress, the dual-screened Sony Tablet P will go on sale March 4 for $400 exclusively through AT&T. Previously known as the S2, the Tablet P comes with two 5.5-inch displays that can be used together or for separate functions, like using the top half to read your emails while using the bottom as a keyboard.

There are some pros and cons to the unique design of the Tablet P. Unlike other tablets, the Tablet P can be folded in half to make it incredibly portable, slipping into the smallest of handbags or clutches. The downside might be the apps. The Tablet P will launch with a number of apps optimized for the dual-screen view, but there's no telling just yet how it will perform with the wide range of apps available in the Android Marketplace. Other key specs include 4G LTE speeds, two cameras (5MP rear-facing, 0.3MP forward-facing), 4GB of on-board storage (expandable up to 32GB), 1GB of RAM, and up to seven hours of battery life, all packed into a body that weighs just under a pound.

As expected, a two-year contract is required for the $400 price tag. Data plans will set you back $35 a month for 3GB, and $50 for 5GB, unless you choose to prepay for your data every month, which will get you a $5 discount on 3GB and an option for 250MB for $15.

What do you think of the Sony Tablet P? Will you be buying?

A Few of Wil Wheaton's Favorite Things

Kristy Korcz — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 06:30:58 PST

Everybody's favorite geek Wil Wheaton stopped by the SGNL by Sony studio to try out the Sony Personal 3D Viewer and chat about sci-fi with host Anthony Carboni. Growing up on the futuristic set of Star Trek: The Next Generation, it's no surprise that Wil picked up an affinity for shiny tech and geeky gadgets. He used to hang out in the art department where all of the PADDs, Tricorders, and isolinear chips were conceptualized and created. So lucky! Of course, Wil has both sci-fi movie tech and real-life gadgets he calls his favorites. Find out what they are below!

External hard drives - Wil has several external hard drives and has named them all after fictional space ships or characters from Doctor Who, while his thumb drives are named after video games.
Lightsabers - "I think we all want lightsabers, don't we?"
Doctor Who - Things he wants from Doctor Who: Karen Gillan, Billie Piper, a TARDIS, and a Sonic Screwdriver. In that order.
Automatic toilet paper - A machine that dispenses toilet paper automatically (in the vein of Robocop when he gets ticketed for swearing) would be better than the half-ply toilet paper you usually find in public restrooms. So true!

Be sure to check out the entire Wil Wheaton interview and outtakes!

Ooh La La: Sony Cybershot TX200V Is One Hot Camera

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 06:30:16 PST

No offense, Sony, but if Apple were to build a camera, it might look a little like the Sony Cybershot TX200V ($500). The sleek lines, 3.3-inch OLED touch screen, and glass body of the TX200V resembles an iPhone, but it's obviously packed with extra power in the optical department. An 18.2MP sensor, full HD 1080/60p video capture and recording, and quick focusing in low-light situations ensures that you capture the best images possible, while the airtight construction - making it water- and dust-proof - keep it safe in up to 16 feet of water or the depths of your bag.

While you have the option of three different hues - violet, silver, or red - the color splash is limited to the sides and rear of the camera, making the TX200V a little less conspicuous for candids. Look for the Sony Cybershot TX200V to hit stores on March 23 for $500.

Sony Spices Up C Series Laptops With Two New Lid Colors

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:37:31 PST

It's a new year, new look for Sony's laptop lineup. The company announced two new lid colors coming to its affordable and portable Vaio C Series: Kaleidoscope Pink and Modern Geometric.

Both colors are customizable for the 15.5-inch model, while the bright pink will be an option for customizing the 14-inch screen size as well. If you're not familiar, the Vaio C starts at just $759 with customizable specs, including Intel processors, RAM, updated graphics cards, and hard drive sizes up to 750GB. You can even add a Blu-ray player/burner for an extra $150 if you want to watch your discs on the go. The standard battery lasts up to seven hours, but you can upgrade to a larger lithium ion battery for a whole 10 hours of juice.

Other features coming with the Vaio C series is a full backlit keyboard and HD screen for your movie-viewing pleasure. Get a closer look at a few Vaio C Series laptops in the gallery.

Live Streaming From the Sony Bloggie Is an Interactive Experience

Kristy Korcz — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:51:08 PST

There are a number of events that you might want to live stream - parties and weddings being two of them - but besides using a webcam and a laptop, you've been limited in the number of ways you can pull it off. Sony is making things a little easier with the Bloggie Live ($250) - its popular pocket camcorder with a live twist.

The Bloggie Live shoots video in full 1080p quality for uploading to sites like Facebook and YouTube. But with the addition of WiFi capabilities, you can stream live over a WiFi connection via a live sharing platform called Qik. You can select who sees your video if you don't want to broadcast to the world, and your videos will be saved on your internal 8GB hard drive and on Qik.com for later use. But it's not just you broadcasting out to your viewers - you'll actually be able to see your viewers' comments as you're streaming live on the three-inch LCD touchscreen display.

Additionally, if you aren't in an area with WiFi but want to upload your video right away, you can pull your Bloggie Live videos to a compatible smartphone or tablet that has the Sony PlayMemories Mobile application installed and use the 3G connection from your wireless provider instead. Since the Bloggie works with both PC and Mac, this can be nearly any mobile device.

PlayStation Vita Popping Up on AT&T Next Month

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 10:36:56 PST

AT&T revealed that it will be providing data plans for the PlayStation Vita beginning next month. Prices will start at $15 for 250MB or $25 for 2GB, and will be term-free, meaning you don't have to worry about cancellation fees after you sign up. The Vita itself has been given a street date of Feb. 22, with two models being made available at launch: $250 for WiFi-only, and a $300 3G version. Gaming online from anywhere has never been easier!

Source: AT&T Instagram

Playstation 3D Display Is Magic: Two Players, Two Different Full-Screen Images

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 06:29:48 PST

I'm not gonna lie; this PlayStation 24-inch 3D Display is too rich for my blood at $500, but what it does is practically magic. It allows two gamers to play the same game and see just one full-screen image. Gone are the days of split-screen gaming thanks to Sony's SimulView Technology, since you'll see your character (or car, or whatever) in full-screen mode even when you're playing with one of your pals.

Basically, the display works just like 3D does - it broadcasts two signals, and the included pair of glasses picks up either the left or right signal at one time, so you and a friend can see two totally different images while playing. Although, there are a few downsides; there's only one pair of shutter glasses included with the set (a second pair will set you back $70), and SimulView works with only a handful of games (Killzone 3, MotorStorm Apocalypse and Gran Turismo 5) in dark rooms. Still, you can hook up the PlayStation 3D Display to your laptop, PC, PlayStation 3 (obviously) or cable box, which makes this a great - but pricey - gift for a dorm room, bedroom, man cave, or game-addicts office.

Back-to-School Gaming Deals: Free Xbox With Laptop Purchase

Kelly Schwarze — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 04:41:28 PDT

Good news gaming fans: major tech players Sony and Microsoft are tempting you to buy their products this Fall by throwing gaming units in with the purchase of qualifying computers.

Students who are also Xbox 360 fans can select from a nicely priced ($700 or more) Windows 7 Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, or Toshiba laptop or desktop to qualify for a free Xbox 360 console. Better yet, you don't even have to leave the dorm as you can buy online with a valid .edu email address or buy at a Microsoft store with a student ID.

Gamers not currently in school also benefit from Sony's current deal; purchase a Sony VAIO F Series notebook with a Sony Playstation 3 console for a total of $950. Just remember to leave time for studying between games.