Sony Unveils Its New Products at IFA 2015

TORONTO – September 2, 2015 – At the IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin, Germany, to begin on Friday, September 4, Sony Corporation (“Sony”) will unveil its new lineup of products that represent the very best of its creativity and technological ingenuity. Underpinning the development and design of these products is Sony’s philosophy of “inspiring and fulfilling your curiosity and moving you emotionally,” which will be on full display at IFA 2015.

In advance of IFA’s official opening, Sony held a press conference on September 2ndat 11:00am EDT. There, Sony Corporation President and CEO Kazuo Hirai introduced Sony’s newest products in the realms of High-Resolution Audio (“Hi-Res”) and mobile. He also championed the new experiences that can be had with Sony’s other exceptional offerings, including its digital imaging products and TVs.

“I believe there is still great potential for innovation within consumer electronics,” said Kazuo Hirai, President and CEO, Sony Corporation. “At Sony we’ll continue to make advances that make your life better and to provide you with wow experiences.”

Main Products Being Showcased      

Hi-Res Audio Lineup

A new range of headphones called h.ear™ (pronounced “hear”) will spice up the user’s world with the incredible Hi-Res audio they deliver and their eye-catching colours. The headphones all feature simple, understatedly elegant designs and will be offered in select, vibrant colour schemes to match. Together, they allow the user to enjoy superior Hi-Res sound while making a memorable fashion statement.

The h.ear series features both over-the-head style and in-ear style headphones. The “h.ear on” (over-the-head) models are accented with a sleek form factor and virtually unnoticeable seams between the headband and housing units, culminating in a much simpler design than conventional headphones, one which fits over the user’s ears beautifully. Meanwhile, the “h.ear in NC” models are the world’s first*1in-ear Hi-Res*2headphones equipped with digital noise cancelling functionality, an advancement that means that the user can enjoy incredibly rich, unobstructed listening experiences on-the-go like never before. With Sony’s new lineup of colour coordinated Hi-Res audio products, superior sound never looked so stylish.

*1: As of the time of publication. According to Sony research.

*2: As defined by the Japan Audio Society (JAS).

Digital Imaging

Sony’s latest digital imaging offerings include the previously announced RX100 IV and RX10 II, two powerful additions to Sony’s Cyber-shot™ digital still camera range that bring once professional-only features to ordinary users. Both of these feature super slow motion (up to 40x) video capture functionality*1(at a frame rate of 1000fps, 500fps or 250fps; and in 50p or 25p playback format)*2, making that decisive moment easier to immortalize on film than ever before. Both models are also equipped with the Exmor RS, the world’s first*31.0 type stacked CMOS image sensor with advanced signal processing and an attached DRAM memory chip. The Exmor RS makes possible an ultra-fast Anti-Distortion Shutter with a maximum speed of 1/32000s, high resolution 4K video capture*4, and more.

Sony’s other previously announced camera is the α7R II, the latest in its α7 series of interchangeable lens cameras. The company’s new flagship full-frame mirrorless camera, the α7R II takes the three dimensions of resolution (42.4 effective megapixels), sensitivity (expandable up to ISO 102400*5), and AF response speed to new heights. This is all made possible by the Exmor R™, the world’s first*6back-illuminated full-frame CMOS image sensor that is featured in the α7R II. The sensor also boasts 399 focal-plane phase detection AF points – the world’s widest AF coverage on a full-frame sensor*6– thus enabling the camera’s incredibly responsive Fast Hybrid AF. Finally, the α7R II is equipped with built-in 5-axis image stabilization and is capable of recording 4K video on internal memory with full pixel readout*7(no pixel binning), making the camera a compact one that is nevertheless feature-rich for any kind of photography, from still to video.

*1: Sound cannot be recorded when shooting slow motion. An SDXC memory card of Class 10 or higher is required.

*2: In PAL. PAL / NTSC is switchable in the menu system.

*3: For digital still cameras (according to Sony research as of June 26, 2015).

*4: An SDXC memory card with a Class 10 or higher speed rating is required for XAVC S recording, and UHS Speed Class 3 is required for recording at 100Mbps. The RX100 IV can shoot 4K video continuously for up to 5 minutes.

*5: Expanded ISO range available only for shooting still images.

*6: For 35mm full-frame interchangeable lens cameras (according to Sony research as of June 26, 2015).

*7: When shooting in 4K in Super 35mm mode.

4K BRAVIA®

Sony will also be showcasing its elegant range of 4K BRAVIA TVs that have been previously announced, including the 65"/55" X900C series that has turned heads as the slimmest*1LCD TVs in the world – measuring approximately 4.9 mm at their thinnest point (the 75" X910C series comes in at approximately 15 mm). Each of these series represents a giant leap forward in clarity, colour, and contrast thanks to the incorporation of the 4K Processor X1™. Each series also runs on Android TV, allowing for unparalleled access to a multitude of content, intuitive operation, and unrivaled integration and cross-functionality with smartphones.

Sony is working with streaming video providers such as Amazon Video to bring customers movies and TV shows in HDR (High Dynamic Range), a premium technology which generates deeper blacks, brighter peaks, and richer colour tones.

*1: For LCD TVs 20 inches or larger. As of the time of publication.

Game and Network Services

Sony Computer Entertainment’s “Project Morpheus” virtual reality (VR) system takes PlayStation®4 (PS4™) to the next level of immersion and demonstrates the future of gaming. Simply by putting on the VR headset, the player becomes enveloped in a fully realized 360-degree virtual world, as if he has stepped inside the very game itself. The player’s head orientation and movement are accurately tracked, so that as the player’s head rotates, the image of the virtual world rotates naturally and intuitively in real-time. Equipped with a 5.7" 1920 x RGB x 1080 resolution OLED display and the ability to render images at 120fps, Project Morpheus produces amazingly smooth visuals and achieves a sense of presence that pushes the boundaries of play. It is slated for release in the first half of 2016.

Life Space UX

Furthermore, Sony will exhibit products from its Life Space UX line that animates and creates entirely new ways of interfacing with physical spaces. The 10cm cubic Portable Ultra Short Throw Projector throws a 20" to 50" image, despite its compact size, and can be set up anywhere, such as on a table or against a wall. And the Symphonic Light Speaker is a light-illuminating speaker that fills every corner of the room with crystal clear sound. Both products feature newly revamped designs and are slated for release next spring.

The Life Space UX line – with these new products along with the already available 4K Ultra Short Throw Projector and LED Bulb Speaker – aims to fundamentally change the way users interact with their living spaces. It grants users greater freedom in the ways they choose to use their surrounding environments, thereby proposing rich new modes of living through more meaningful, truly interactive spaces.

Seed Acceleration Program

Sony's Seed Acceleration Program is an internal start-up incubation system that seeks to fast-track and launch promising new business ideas that go beyond existing organizational boundaries. This program has spawned such startup projects as the “MESH”　smart DIY kit, “FES Watch,” “Qrio Smart Lock,” “HUIS REMOTE CONTROLLER,” and “wena wrist.” These products will be exhibited together for the very first time at IFA 2015.

*All product names listed here are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Corporation and its affiliate companies.

For further information please contact:

Ved Khan
Public Relations Specialist
Sony of Canada Ltd.
ved_khan@sony.ca
416-495-3703

Kristen Schaffrath (on behalf of Sony of Canada Ltd.)
NATIONAL Public Relations
kschaffrath@national.ca
416-848-1704

About Sony of Canada

Sony of Canada is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of Tokyo, Japan, one of the most comprehensive entertainment company in the world, with a portfolio that encompasses music, motion pictures, mobile, gaming and financial services. Through headquarters in both Toronto, Ontario, Sony of Canada is a leader in electronics for the consumer and professional markets.

By focusing on engineering and a passion to inspire, Sony is creating world-leading products that innovate and inspire generations, such as the iconic PlayStation, the award-winning Alpha Interchangeable Lens Cameras and revolutionary high-resolution audio products. Sony is also a leading manufacturer of end-to-end solutions from 4K professional broadcast and A/V equipment to the marketing leading 4K Ultra HD TVs.

For more information, visit www.sony.ca.