Sony announces new camera accessoires

From the great outdoors to the family great room, Sony is offering shutterbugs and videographers practically everything they need to get the perfect shot, including new underwater housing devices, high-definition (HD) lenses and output cables, tripods and accessory packs for sports and outdoor enthusiasts, as well as a full line of fashionable and functional cases and camera bags.

Sony’s new marine packs for the Cyber-shot W (model MPK-WE for about $200) and T-series digital still cameras (models MPK-THH and MPK-THGB for about $230) will enable eye-popping underwater photography and movie clips of both marine life and life in the pool this summer, down to 132 feet (40m.) The packs are designed to work seamlessly with the DSC-T900, DSC-T90 and other W-series Cyber-shot cameras.

The Sony SPK-WB sports pack for the Cyber-shot DSC-W290 lets snorkelers and swimmers take shots in up to 10 feet (3m) of water and also acts as a scratch-resistant silicon jacket when the waterproof adaptor is removed–all for about $100.

For Handycam camcorder usage in wet conditions, the SPK-HCE sports pack consists of a hard-plastic housing that shields the camera from rain, snow and other moisture. It can also be submerged for underwater video capture of watery worlds up to 17 feet (5m) deep for about $250.

The Sony APK-WB and APK-THAB Aqty packs for Cyber-shot DSC-T90 and W-series cameras protect the cameras from splashes near the pool and offer waterproof protection in up to 5 feet (1.5m) of water. The APK-WB pack will be available for about $75 and the APK-THAB pack for about $70.

Protecting footage and memories and making sure the fun never stops due to a rundown battery is the sole purpose of the additions to the full line of accessory kits that include cases and extra batteries for both Cyber-shot and Handycam models. The Sony ACC-CBK accessory kit includes a battery (NP-BK1) and case (LCS-CSQ), and works with the Cyber-shot S-series models, and with the brand new Webbie HD camera (model MHS-PM1), retailing for about $45.

For the Cyber-shot W series models, the ACC-CMFG accessory kit, which includes an NP-FG1 battery, LCS-CSQ case and convenient Memory stick Duo® reader/writer, is also available for about $60.

The ACC-HDH6 camcorder accessory case protects Handycam models by shielding them from rain or snow and facilitates capturing great footage. The ACC-HDH6 kit, which will be available for about $130, comes with an extra battery, carrying case and HDMI cable, and may save consumers up to $25 when purchased as a kit.

Help protect your Handycam camcorder in your bag, backpack or purse by using the snug-fitting LCS-BBD “bag-in-bag” carrying pouch. The scratch-resistant case provides an added layer of protection for Handycams, and comes in black, red and blue allowing easy access to the camera and a useful built-in strap, and is available now for about $20.

Various cases are available for Sony Cyber-shot cameras as well as Webbie HD cameras.

Sony introduces additions to its line of tripods and lenses – plus a telephoto lens (VCL-DH1757, retailing for about $230) designed exclusively for the brand new Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 camera. The high-grade 1.7x tele-angle conversion lens offers increased detail even at the far edges of an image. Also new for the HX1 is the premium soft carrying case (product LCS-HE, retailing for about $50) that helps protect it from dust and scratches and comes equipped to hang from a belt loop or backpack strap and also has a pouch for a spare battery.

Also new to the existing line is the lens adaptor for the Cyber-shot DSC-H20 (model VAD-HA, retailing for about $30) and the high-grade wide conversion lens (model VCL-HGA07) for Handycam products which allows video capture at angles that are 40 percent wider than the supplied lens and offers certified HD picture quality.

Keeping video steady and allowing for hands-free shooting are two attributes that are central to the Sony tripod line, including the VCT-50AV audio/video tripod with remote control. The remote offers easy access to major camcorder functions. The Guide Frame feature helps to position subjects correctly, while the Slow Zoom feature also holds the camcorder steady while zooming. The VCT-50AV tripod is available now for purchase at about $80.

All of the new products announced compliment and supplement Sony’s existing lines of DI accessories including the indispensible Sony Bluetooth microphone (model ECM-HW2) for recording audio from up to 300 feet away. It is compatible with Sony camcorders with AIS (active interface shoe). The ECM-HW2 also allows for two-way communication through the headphone jack on both the microphone and receiver units.

Effortless geo-tagging is also available through the Sony GPS-CS3KA GPS unit kit, which allows camera and camcorder users to display their current position and tag photos taken in any location worldwide. The unit also has a built-in Memory Stick and SD card slot for simple photo date synchronization with all compatible DI devices, and the supplied Picture Motion Browser (PMB) software offers easy upload of information onto online map album services.

The ECM-HW2 is available now for about $230 and the GPS-CS3KA can also be found for $150 on sonystyle.com and at Sony Style retail stores.