Sony introduces compact camera with 50x optical zoom

Sony introduces a Cyber-shot camera equipped with a 50x optical zoom lens. The range is equivalent to 24-1200mm on a full-frame camera. The camera is equipped with a 1/2.3″ sensor with a resolution of 20.4 megapixels.

The camera is the successor to the HX300, which Sony released in 2013. That model also had a 50x optical zoom and a 20.4-megapixel sensor. For the HX350, Sony uses a new Bionz X image processor.

The lens is equipped with optical image stabilization and consists of fifteen lens elements in ten groups. In the wide-angle position, the maximum aperture is f/2.8 and when zoomed in it is f/6.3. Filters with a diameter of 55mm can be screwed onto the lens. According to Sony, the camera is able to focus quickly and moving subjects can also be followed effectively by the autofocus.

There is an electronic viewfinder built into the housing, which uses a 0.2″ LCD with 201,600 sub pixels. The 3″ LCD on the back can be tilted and has 921,600 sub pixels. The camera weighs 652 grams, has manual adjustment options and films in 1080p resolution with a maximum of 60fps. Sony will launch the Cyber-shot HX350 in January for a suggested retail price of 450 euros.