Sony Corporation Founded: May 7, 1946 Headquarters: 1-7-1 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0075, Japan President and CEO: Kazuo Hirai EVP and CFO: Kenichiro Yoshida Major Products Televisions LCD televisions Digital imaging Interchangeable single-lens cameras, compact digital cameras, video cameras Audio / Video Home audio, Blu-ray Disc™ players and recorders, memory-based portable audio devices Semiconductors Image sensors and other semiconductors Electronic components Batteries, recording media, data recording systems Professional solutions Broadcast and professional-use equipment Medical Medical-related equipment Locations of Major Offices and Research Centers (in Japan) : Tokyo, Kanagawa, Miyagi Consolidated net sales ¥7,767.3 billion (fiscal year ended March 2014) Stated capital ¥646.7 billion (as of March 31, 2014) Milestones of some Products & Technologies Television 1960 TV8-301 World's first direct-view portable transistor TV. Comprised of 23 transistors and 19 diodes, this model was developed based on Sony's extensive experience in radio technology. In an age when TVs were assumed to be living room fixtures, this device opened the door to personal television use. Additionally, this model offered three choices for power input. 1962 TV5-303 Developed with the aim of bringing TV entertainment to the automobile environment, this was the world's smallest and lightest monochrome TV, which enjoyed wide popularity under the nickname “micro TV.” The slogan for the device was “Transistors have Changed TV.” 1968 KV-1310 The first in Sony's exclusive line of Trinitron color TVs. This model offered approximately twice the brightness of TVs using conventional shadow-mask tubes. This was a milestone product establishing Sony's superiority in color TVs. 1977 KV-1375 Personal TV nicknamed the “Citation.” In addition to its unique and innovative design, this TV incorporated the Jet Sensor, whereby the user selected channels by gently pressing the control panel buttons. Incorporating newly developed NBM phosphor, which greatly increased the luminous sensitivity of cathode-ray tubes, this TV offered unparalleled picture clarity ultimately resulting in this product becoming a major hit. 1980 KX-27HF1 Advent of the “Profile” series. A monitor with versatile AV output (including video and teletext) was marketed as a single unit. This TV was developed based on a new modular concept, incorporating a TV tuner, stereo amplifier and other components. 1986 KX-21HV1 “Profile Pro” color monitor featuring 560 lines of horizontal resolution and abundant input/output terminals. This model earned the support of those searching for ever-higher television and video picture quality. 1990 KW-3600HD Consumer use 36-inch “HD Trinitron” HDTV-compatible color TV. 1991 KV-29ST1 “Kirara Basso” series of color TVs, featuring the “Super Trinitron” cathode-ray tube. 1997 KW-32HDF9 A new WEGA series HDTV incorporating an FD Trinitron tube and offering highly advanced picture reproduction. 2000 IDT-LF1 First-generation Airboard. The wireless IDT-LF enabled users to view television programming via TV transmissions (radio waves) “bounced” from the base station. 2002 KLV-17HR1 First-generation liquid crystal WEGA. This model was based on WEGA signal processing technology, enabling this TV to convert and reproduce NTSC signals while retaining advanced picture quality. 2005 KDL-46X1000 First model in the new BRAVIA series of widescreen LCD TVs. X-series models (shown) feature "Live Color Creation," utilizing a special backlight system to achieve an incredibly wide color gamut for deeper colors and full HD resolution panels for crisp, detailed images. 2006 KDS-50A2500 Features Sony SXRD technology to reveal the true cinematic beauty of images. A-series rear projection TVs unleash the power and impact of cinema, producing a smooth, cinematic-like visual texture and rich colors. Released September 2005 in the US. 2007 XEL-1 World's first organic light emitting diode (OLED) TV. The 11-inch OLED TV offers a ground-breaking new design and astonishing slimness (measuring approximately 3mm). Features Sony's independently-developed OLED panel which realizes advantages such as high contrast, high peak brightness, color reproduction and rapid response time, all of which combine to deliver unparalleled image quality. 2008 KDL-32JE1 Featuring the industry's highest level of energy efficiency for a 32-inch digital LCD TV. By enhancing the efficiency of backlight emission and optical film light transmission, Sony achieved industry-leading performance in energy efficiency (exceeding Japanese energy conservation standards by 232%), annual power consumption (at 86 kilowatthours/year) and momentary power consumption (89W). 2009 KDL-ZX5 This ultra-thin BRAVIA LCD HDTV features an advanced edge-lit LED backlight 2010 NSX-46GT1 World's first HDTV powered by Google TV. KDL-LX900 Series 3D BRAVIA with Full HDTV. KDL-HX80R Series BRAVIA LED HDTV with 3D, HDD and Blu-ray recorder. 2011 The HX920 Series ‘Bravia’ Internet TVs equipped with ‘X-Reality PRO’ functionality to offer consumers a new style of viewing entertainment. Digital Camera 1981 MAVICA (prototype) Played a key role in coverage of the Los Angeles Olympic Games via contracts with newspaper companies. This model was an early adopter of revolutionary technology featuring a CCD and 2-inch floppy disk while also enabling the user to conveniently switch lenses. 1988 MVC-C1 The first consumer use Mavica. This model was marketed as an electronic still camera for the TV age. Incorporated auto-strobe, fast successive shooting, and timer functions, as well as TV screen display (with the attachment of an optional kit), among a host of other features. This device laid the foundation for the exciting innovation existing in today's digital cameras. 1996 DSC-F1 The first “Cyber-shot.” The lens and flash were capable of 180-degree rotation, and this model featured a 1.8-inch liquid crystal viewscreen in the back of the body. 1997 MVC-FD5 The product that single-handedly boosted the popularity of the Mavica. This model enabled images to be saved on 3.5-inch floppy disks (conventional media for PCs at the time). Since images were already in JPEG format, there was no need for special software to make them PC compatible. 1998 DSC-D700 This camera broke with the tradition of internalized memory to become the first to support Memory Stick external memory.* True SLR with large optical viewfinder. *Equipped with a PC Card slot. Recording on Memory Stick is possible using the provided adapter. 1999 DSC-F505K A model for uncompromising photographers, featuring a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 5x optical zoom lens on a rotating cylinder. 2000 DSC-P1 This “P series” model was created through a unique user-friendly approach, and was the first Memory Stick compatible model. Among other meanings, the letter “P” was meant to connote “Pocket” and “Play.” 2001 DSC-F707 The first model in the Cyber-shot series with an effective pixel count of 5 million. This camera featured NightShot technology enabling users to shoot without flash even at night. 2002 DSC-U10 The palm-size Cyber-shot. It was so small (weighing a mere 87g) that it could be carried in a handbag or worn around the neck with the provided strap. 2003 DSC-T1 This new series offered an increased effective pixel count of 5.1 million and featured a slim design with the thinnest portion measuring only 17.3mm. This camera also featured a larger 2.5-inch liquid crystal display for high visibility and readability. DSC-F828 The world's first of its kind*. This was the top-of-the-line model, boasting an effective pixel count of 8.1 million and featuring Sony's original four-color filter CCD. Combined, these features enabled exceptionally fine, smooth-textured photograph-like quality. * World's first consumer-use CCD digital still camera (*as of November 2003 based on Sony research). 2004 DSC-M1 Incorporated the “Hybrid REC” feature supporting convenient capture of still shots from video footage. Pressing the shutter button only once allows the user to shoot a still image in addition to capturing video five seconds before and three seconds after the shot is taken. 2005 DSC-T7 This slim-type Cyber-shot incorporates newly developed parts and Sony's unique high-density mounting technologies for a slender, 9.8-mm profile. DSC-T9 Offers both Super SteadyShot image stabilization and advanced light sensitivity, and features a new 2.5- inch ClearPhoto plus LCD screen. DSC-R1 Highest image quality in this series, with a large 10.3-megapixel CMOS sensor and wide-angle 24 mm Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* (T-star) lens. 2006 DSLR-A100 The α (Alpha) digital SLR, with an innovative Alpha Mount lens mount system supporting multiple lenses. 2008 DSLR-A900 Digital single-lens reflex camera "α900." The first α to incorporate a 35mm full frame image sensor and 24.6-megapixel resolution. This α realizes a body weight of only 850g. DSC-T77 This 10-megapixel T77 camera is world's thinnest---measuring 13.9mm (at its thinnest point). This Cyber- shot features a 4x optical zoom and optical SteadyShotTM image stabilization. It also features improved intelligent scene recognition technology, Smile Shutter? and face detection technologies enabling amateurs to take shots like the pros. 2009 DSC-HX1 This model becomes first digital still camera to feature sweep 224-degree panorama technology. It is also the company's first Cyber-shot camera to use the G lens and Exmor CMOS sensor technology. This technology allows it to achieve speeds of 10 frames per second in continuous burst mode. DSC-WX1 DSC-TX1 These model are the world's first digital still cameras with back-illuminated "Exmor R" CMOS sensor technology 2010 DSC-TX7 DSC-HX5V World's first compact digital still cameras with Full HD (1080i AVCHD) video capability. NEX-5 World's smallest and lightest interchangeable lens digital camera*.(*As of May 11, 2010) SLT-A55V Interchangeable lens digital camera “α55” featuring the world's first commercialization of translucent mirror technology to achieve cutting-edge auto focus speed for shooting still images and video.