Sony today officially announced 9-megapixel superzoom DSC-HX1 digital camera that features 20x optical zoom. The camera uses 1/2.4-inch Exmor CMOS sensor capable of capturing 10 frames per second at full 9.1-megapixel resolution. The HX1 has new sweep panorama technology that allows users to take 224-degree panorama shots in one easy press-and sweep motion.

The HX1 is the first Cyber-shot camera to include Sony G lens and 1080p movie recording capabilities. The HX1 has two scene modes (hand-held twilight and anti-motion blur) that significantly reduce noise. Using the high-speed shutter Exmor CMOS sensor technology, the new model takes six shots within a fraction of a second. Then using BIONZ imaging processor, it immediately superimposes them into one picture. The camera calculates the position of the objects in each frame and composes the sharpest picture possible, resulting in clearer, sharper images.

The new camera also has intelligent auto mode, which combines Intelligent Scene Recognition, Optical SteadyShot and face detection technologies to recognize scenes and lighting conditions. This results in images with more natural skin tones, reduced red-eye, fewer closed eye shots and less overall blur without compromising image quality.

The Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 camera will ship in April for about $500, however you can pre-order the new camera on Sony’s website starting this month.