Sony pays homage to slimline smartphones with new 18MP glass camera

Sony’s new glass-encased Cyber-shot DSC-TX200V is the latest device to give a nod to the emerging trend of glass-plated gadgets - a category which already includes the iPhone 4, iPhone 4S and HP Envy 14 Spectre laptop.

From the front, Sony's new glass-encased Cyber-shot DSC-TX200V compact camera looks like a stunt double for the iPhone 4S and the Nokia Lumia 900 smartphones.

The flagship camera is the latest device to give a nod to the emerging trend of glass-plated gadgets -- a category which already includes the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S smartphones, and the glass-topped HP Envy 14 Spectre laptop.

Sony's TX200V features a reinforced glass design on the front and a 3.3' Xtra Fine Tru-Black OLED touch screen on the back.

It packs in an impressive 18.2 MP Exmor R CMOS sensor (the highest-resolution sensor currently found on a point and shoot camera), on-board creative editing settings, and a 5x optical zoom.

The TX200V is also designed to protect your photos from the elements: the camera is waterproof up to 5 meters, dustproof, and freezeproof down to -10 degrees Celsius.

Sony is also releasing the Cyber-shot DSC-WX70 and DSC-WX50 point and shoot cameras. Both cameras feature a 16.2 MP Exmor R CMOS sensor, full HD video, a 5x optical zoom and nine different picture effect modes.

The WX50 is priced at $200 and comes with a 2.7" LCD screen. The WX70 is $30 more expensive and comes with a slightly bigger (3") touchscreen. Both cameras will be available in March. The TX200V will arrive in stores around the same time and will be priced at $500.