New Xperia devices come with premium smart cameras

SONY recently launched a new mid-range entry in its refreshed X series of smartphones, as well as a smartphone with an advanced camera that claims to be able to capture motion faster than the eye can see.

The launch of the mid-range Xperia XA1, and the high-end Xperia XZs, also marks Sony Mobile’s third exclusive preorder partnership with 11street.

“This is a follow-up to last year’s XA models, the XA1 ( below) features a premium camera designed with the expertise of Sony’s digital camera division. The result is a 23MP camera with a large 1/2.3in Exmor RS mobile sensor, and a bright F2.0 lens,” said Jason Lam ( right), Channel Specialist, Sony Mobile Malaysia.

The camera is said to be fast, able to capture a photo in 0.6 seconds thanks to its fast and accurate Hybrid Autofocus and 24mm wide angle lens.

For selfies, there is the 8MP camera with a 23mm wide-angle lens and the Hand Shutter feature that lets you take photos with a gesture.

To create the illusion of a seamless, never-ending surface, the Xperia XA1 uses a borderless design with an edge-to-edge 720p 5in screen.

At the core of the smartphone is a MediaTek helio P20 octa-core processor, 3GB of RAM, and 32GB of expandable memory, running on the latest Google Android Nougat (Android N) operating system.

The champion product at the event, however, was the Xperia XZs ( above) which uses the new Motion Eye camera system made with the imaging know-how from Sony (alpha) and Cybershot cameras.

The camera features a new 19MP high-resolution memory stacked Exmor RS sensor which provides five times faster image scanning and data transfer. Taking advantage of this technology, the smartphone is able to record videos at 960 frames per second, a super slow-motion option that Sony claims to be a world’s first on a smartphone.

Additionally, the camera will start buffering images as soon as it detects motion, even before the shutter button is pressed, to capture the perfect moment that could have been missed.

On the front side of the camera is a 13MP camera with Exmor RS for mobile, and an F2.0, 22mm wideangle lens.

For the display, the Xperia XZs features a beautiful 5.2in Full HD triluminos display.

It is also water-resistant and has a fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button.

The brains of the Xperia XZs is an MSM8996 Snapdragon 820 quadcore processor, powering the Android N operating system, with 4GB of RAM and 64MB of expandable memory.

Retailing at RM2,899 for the Xperia XZs and RM1,199 for the Xperia XA1, these two smartphones will be available at selected Sony Stores, Sony Mobile Stores, Sony Centres, authorised dealers, as well as through 11street.

Those who pre-order the Xperia XZs will receive an SBH80 stereo bluetooth headset, a UCH12W Quick Charger, and a transparent silicon case with tempered glass protector worth a total of RM697.

Meanwhile, those who pre-order the Xperia XA1 will receive a DK60 charging dock, a transparent silicon case, and tempered glass screen protector worth a total of RM268.

The Xperia XZs will be available in ice blue, warm silver, and black, while the Xperia XA1 will come in white, black, pink and gold.

The Xperia XA1 will also include style cover stands in white and black, along with a range of accessories.