Sony has announced what it claims to be the world’s smallest compact camera with a 30x optical zoom.
The new pocket-sized Sony HX80 point-and-shoot is a follow up to 2015’s Sony HX90 snapper, which was previously the smallest of its kind.
The fixed-lens HX80 is again reminiscent of Sony’s RX100 series and offers an 18.2-megapixel sensor with 5-axis image stabilisation.
Beyond the 3-inch LCD screen, which tilts 180 degrees, there’s also a pop-up electronic viewfinder and flash. As well as the impressive 30x optical zoom feature, the HX80 is also capable of 60x digital zoom.
The camera will go on sale in April for $350/£319. Other details, such as the dimensions, are yet to be confirmed by Sony. All we know is, it’s smaller than the HX90.
See also: 18 of the best cameras to buy in 2016
The company’s predecessor, the HX90 earned a respectable 7/10 score from TrustedReviews, which identified it as ‘the ideal travelling companion.’
It gained points for its fair image quality in a lightweight package, but was marked down for its poor performance in low-light conditions.
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Whether Sony will be able to improve upon the first iteration remains to be be seen.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
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We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.