Sony is starting 2013 with a bang, in the shape of the new Sony Xperia Z smartphone, a 5-inch 1080p powerhouse that wraps a 13-megapixel camera, quadcore S4 Pro processor, and 4G LTE in a waterproof glass casing. Revealed at CES today, and beginning a global roll-out in Q1, the Xperia Z puts Sony back on top of its game (and leaves us wishing Sony, not LG, was picked for the latest Google Nexus product). Read on for our hands-on first impressions.
When it comes to specs, the Xperia Z ticks all the right boxes. Measuring in at 139 x 71 x 7.9 mm and 146g, it runs Jelly Bean on Qualcomm’s S4 Pro APQ8064+MDM9215 quadcore with Adreno 320 graphics and 2GB of RAM; Sony tells us that it’ll be Android 4.1 at launch, with a 4.2 upgrade “shortly after” that. Connectivity includes LTE and HSPA+, depending on local market, along with WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, MHL-HDMI, aGPS/GPS/GLONASS, and a microSD card slot for up to 32GB cards. Internal storage clocks in at 16GB.
Inside, there’s a 2,330 mAh non-removable battery good for up to 14hrs of UMTS talktime or up to 510hrs of LTE standby. However, Sony also adds a Battery STAMINA Mode option to the settings, which – when enabled – turns off any background data use while the screen is turned off. A whitelist allows select apps to remain active, but Sony says that with STAMINA turned on, runtime is extended up to fourfold. The system learns from your usage style and that of different apps, too, automatically adjusting its runtime estimate according to which apps are in the whitelist.
Sony Xperia Z overview:
As for the cameras, that’s a 13-megapixel sensor on the back and a 2-megapixel version on the front; the main camera uses Sony’s Exmor RS technology for better quality, and the interface features elements pulled from Sony’s CyberShot line. A “Superior Auto” mode adjusts the scene according to lighting, movement, and subject conditions, while a burst mode can continuously capture 10fps at 9-megapixels until your battery (or storage) expires. Sony is particularly proud of its HDR technology, which is used not only in still photos but in video capture too.
Those videos look particularly good on the Xperia Z’s display. The new flagship features the latest iteration of screen processing software from Sony’s HDTV range, Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2, which does real-time processing to make video content more colorful and engaging. It looks fantastic on the 5-inch TFT LCD HD Reality Display, with bright colors and crisp edges that don’t look over-saturated in comparison to some AMOLED panels of the moment. On top is a layer of scratch-resistant, shatterproof glass.
There’s shatterproof glass on the back, too, and glass-like inserts in the subtly curved sides. However, rather than being prone to smashing, the Xperia Z meets IP55 and IP57 dust and water resistance specifications, and can survive being immersed in (clean) water for up to 30 minutes with no issues. Even the power button is special: Sony has milled it precisely from aluminum, after its research found that the average user presses the key 64 times a day.
Sony Xperia Z walkthrough:
As for NFC, Sony will be using that as the “enabler” for a push in distributed media sharing around the home. Alongside the Xperia Z there’s a new Stereo Bluetooth Headset SBH20 and Wireless Headset DR-BTN200M, both of which can be paired via NFC simply by holding the Xperia Z nearby. Sony also has a new five-strong range of Smart TVs for CES, which include NFC in the remote control for easily pairing the phone with the TV and then streaming video over WiFi Direct.
Certain markets and carriers will get the Sony Xperia ZL, a second variant on the Xperia Z. It shares almost all of the specifications as the regular Xperia Z, but in a shorter, slightly thicker housing; it’s also not waterproof.
Sony isn’t talking pricing at this stage, nor confirming exact US availability or which carrier(s) might have picked up the Xperia Z or Xperia ZL. Still, from everything we’ve seen here at CES, this is the most compelling Sony handset in some time.
Sony Xperia Z hands-on:
Sony Xperia Z: Hands-on with the Waterproof 1080p powerhouse is written by Vincent Nguyen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
[CES 2013] Sony has a trio of high definition Handycam camcorders of the flash memory variety to rock CES 2013, and they are the Sony HDR-PJ790V, HDR-PJ650V and HDR-PJ430V, which will retail this coming February for $1,599, $1,099 and $849, respectively. The Sony HDR-PJ790V will be the high end model of the trio, boasting a 24.1-megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor to enable you to get the best start in amateur filmmaking, where it even comes with a 5.1 channel microphone and a built-in projector.
[CES 2013] The whole world might be more interested in the next generation of iPhone or Samsung Galaxy S series smartphone, but this does not mean that the camcorder market should be neglected. Sony, as always, has something new in store for the masses, and this CES, things are no different with the introduction of the Sony HDR-TD30V Handycam camcorder, delivering 3D High-Definition video recording capability on-the-go, where all of your memories are immortalized onto flash memory.
[CES 2013] If you’re in the market for a new compact camera, you’re in luck as Sony has taken the wraps off several new compact camera as part of its Cyber-Shot DSC-W series. There are three new models Sony will be introducing, ranging from the DSC-W710 which is the most affordable of the range at $99, followed by the DSC-W730 at $139, and last but not least would be the DSC-WX80 priced at $199. All models will be available later on in the month, but depending on your needs as a photographer, some models might have an advantage over the others. 
[CES 2013] Just like two peas in a pod, the Sony HDR-CX430V and HDR-CX380 are somewhat similar in most aspects, including their ability to record memories in Full HD 60p quality and 55x Extended Zoom, while featuring a 8.9-megapixel Exmor R CMOS Sensor, a 26.8mm wide angle Sony G Lens, and Optical SteadyShot image stabilization capability.
[CES 2013] If you consider yourself to have butter fingers or if you’re the sort that needs a rugged camera for your outdoor sports activities, Sony has recently taken the wraps off its own rugged Cyber-Shot camera, the DSC-TF1 which you can in the image above, looks like it might be able to hand a fair amount of abuse, although we wouldn’t suggest you put it to the test yourself! Priced at a relatively affordable $199, the Cyber-Shot DSC-TF1 will be available later on in the month for those who might be interested in owning such a device.
[CES 2013] Whenever you think of security footage, the first thing that comes it mind is probably grainy, black and white, low resolution video. However, it looks like Samsung wants to change things. At CES 2013, the company announced two new HDTV CCTV systems – the 8-channel SDH-P4040 and 16-channel SDH-P5080. Both systems offer four outdoor-ready, 720p HD night vision bullet cameras (with night vision up to 85 feet) that output full, uncompressed video without latency. The 16-channel system incorporates an additional four outdoor-ready night vision bullet cameras (600 TVL resolution/night vision up to 75 feet). 
[CES 2013] The Sony Walkman name is synonymous with portable audio devices, with some audiophiles preferring certain Walkman models over more mainstream options like the iPod, but if you’re not really an audiophile and you’re in the market for a portable media player that you can bring with you on your outdoor activities, Sony might have something for you in the form of the Walkman W270, which Sony is marketing as a waterproof device that you can bring to the gym, or even at the pool where you’re lounging at on a hot sunny day with a cold drink in your hand. 
