The same day that Getty Images announced that it had accepted a $2.4 billion buyout by private-equity firm Hellman & Friedman, shareholders filed a class-action lawsuit claiming that the stock agency had not looked after their interests and had accepted an undervalued bid.

The long-rumored deal, worth $34 per share, was confirmed on Feb. 25 and is expected to close in the second or third quarter of this year. The merger has been approved by Getty's board of directors, it was still subject to shareholder approval at press time.

Securities and Exchange Commission filings for the transaction indicate that Getty had left room for better offers. Bids well over $40 per share had been tendered by other parties, but in settling with Hellman & Friedman, Getty had to take into account...

Sony has introduced its 9.1-megapixel Cyber-shot DSC-H50, equipped with a powerful Carl Zeiss 15x optical zoom lens (31-465mm) and Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization to capture action at a distance.

One of the main lens elements is manufactured from low-dispersion glass, helping it produce better correspondence between an object and its image. The lens also yields sharper, high-contrast images and reduces...

Sony has rolled out its smallest high-definition camcorder, the HDR-TG1 Handycam. The camcorder weighs in at 10 ounces and measures 1.3 x 4.7 x 2.5 inches.

The new model incorporates face-detection technology for both video and still images and can identify up to eight faces on its 2.7-inch touch-panel LCD screen. It also automatically adjusts focus, exposure, color control and...

Sony has introduced five new high-definition (HD) camcorder models based on AVCHD technology and featuring 1,920 x 1,080 high-definition recording. The HDR-SR12, HDR-SR11 and HDR-SR10 are hard drive models, while the HDR-UX20 and HDR-UX10 are DVD models. Sony has also debuted the HDR-HC9, a 1,440 x 1,080 HD video that records on mini-DV tape.

Based on the MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 video codec, the HDR-SR and HDR-UX models are compatible with...

Sony has released the 10.2-megapixel DSLR-A350 and 14.2-megapixel DSLR-A300 α (alpha)-series models, equipped with the Quick AF Live View system. The live-view technology allows the photographer to frame photos on the camera's LCD without utilizing autofocusing speed, as in other live-view systems.

The Pentamirror Tilt mechanism directs light to a dedicated live-view image sensor, enabling TTL phase-detection autofocusing during live view. The models also offer...

Sony has introduced the new Cyber-Shot DSC-H3 digital camera. The compact camera has 8-megapixel resolution and includes a high-definition component output for high-resolution slideshow capability. Connecting the camera to any HDTV set with Sony's VMC-MHC1 component cable allows users to see their digital photos in full 1080 HD resolution. The camera's Photo TV HD mode can be accessed when the DSC-H3 is plugged into a Bravia television.

The camera incorporates a Carl Zeiss 10X optical zoom lens, and includes a long-range flash. The camera's face-detection technology identifies up to eight faces...

Sony has debuted two new Cyber-shot T-series cameras, the T200 and T70. New features include an intuitive touch screen that allows users to select a subject to focus on when in shooting mode. While in playback mode, users can view what they want and zoom in to select specific objects. The cameras also feature a new "smile shutter" function, ensuring the capture of smiling faces in the images it captures.

The T200 has an ultra-thin body, 8-megapixel resolution, a 5X Carl Zeiss optical zoom lens and a 3.5-inch-wide LCD touch-panel monitor that allows the user to control the camera's many settings. The T70 features 8-megapixel resolution, a 3-inch wide LCD touch panel...

Sony has unveiled its next installment for its Alpha digital SLR system. The newly released DSLR-A700 digital camera features advanced imaging technology, ultra-responsive operation, dust and moisture resistance, and Super SteadyShot Inside image stabilization. The camera has a 12.2-megapixel Exmor CMOS sensor that performs analog-to-digital signal conversion and dual noise reduction. The lightweight, magnesium alloy camera is compatible with most Minolta Maxxum mount lenses and Sony lenses.

The camera boasts a new autofocus system with a total of 11 wide-area sensors and has a shutter speed of 1/8,000 second due to its high-performance vertical traverse shutter. The user can take advantage of the camera's continuous shooting abilities...

Sony has four new additions to its consumer line of high-definition Handycam camcorders. The new HDR-UX7, HDR-UX5 AVCHD DVD, HDR-HC7 and HDR-HC5 HDV camcorders all feature Sony's ClearVid CMOS sensor technology. All four can process data-rich, high-definition video and come equipped with Sony's Enhanced Imaging Processor circuitry for smooth slow-record and...

Sony has introduced its new DVD and Mini DV tape Handycam camcorders. The new DVD models allow the user to record directly to disc, play back on DVD players and instantly archive video footage. With a -R/-RW/+RW disc usability, all DVD models are newly compatible with 3-inch +R discs that have 2.66GB dual-layer capacity, nearly double the camcorder's...