Introducing Sony’s 2011 Camcorders

March 24, 2011

1. Sony HDR-CX130
2. Sony HDR-CX360V
3. Sony HDR-CX560V
4. Sony HDR-CX700V

Sony HDR-CX130

Sony unveiled its first ultra-compact camcorder for 2011. The Sony HDR-CX130 is oozing with style and comes in 3 colors, blue, silver and your traditional black. The HDR-CX130 is welcoming the year with a few improvements from her predecessor, the HDR-CX150. This entry-level Sony HDR – CX130 handy camera now features a 30x zoom, up from 25x, built-in USB connectors, optical image stabilization, and 60p recording.

The Sony HDR CX-130 renders exceptional zoom quality. The zoom balance button sits on the top of the camera which is convenient if you want to hold your camera lower than eye-level. Its optical and digital zoom works together to give you 42x extended zoom to get you closer to your focal point.

Sony HDR-CX360V

The Sony HDR-CX360V is definitely a remarkable addition to Sony’s already inviting range of HD Handycams that were been released in the last few years. This camcorder comes fully built with lovely low light video recording, and 1920 x 1080 full HD 60p/24p recording that provides playback of all those precious moments that you’d like to relish for years to come. Still images are at 7 megapixels. You’re also provided the Sony G Lens for wide-angle shots which includes more in your subject area, and gives you clearer plus more dazzling images.

Sony HDR-CX560V

The key features of the CX560V are remarkable. Even though the camera is a step down from the HDR-CX700V, Sony didn’t skimp on recording and playback capabilities. The camera has complete 1920 x 1080/60p high definition recording and you can use the Optical SteadyShot image stabilization with Active Mode to prevent blurred images and render crystal clear recordings. The camera has the wide-angle G lens, 3.0 inch touch panel LCD, and Sony’s Optical SteadyShot image stabilization. In addition, 14x extended zoom takes you in nearer to the action while maintaining the quality of the captured images.

Sony HDR-CX700V

If you’ve been searching for a high quality camcorder that combines 1920 x 1080 full HD 60p recording with 12MP Still Image capture, a built-in GPS receiver, wide-angle lens technology with 24p real frame rate, 1080/60 progressive image quality, and 96GB of internal flash memory for video storage, then you have found a professional camcorder that can do these things and more.

The HDR-CX700V produces high definition progressive video with detailed images which appear splendid on your supersized HDTV. The 96GB of flash memory translates to over 40 hours of recording time available. The CX700V package incorporates the Dolby Digital 5.1 channel Surround Sound mic to capture audio coming from every direction.

Visit Sony USA for more details.

Good Deals On Sony’s Entry Level Camcorders

October 28, 2010

As the year is coming to a close, and as a prelude to the year end shopping season, camcorder prices are beginning to come down quite drastically. Of best value are the entry level models which can be had for less than $500. And we are talking high definition camcorders.

The entry level Sony HDR-CX150 with “Exmor R” CMOS sensor and bears the professional quality of a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens works very well in low-light conditions. It lists for $549.99 but can be had now for less than $450 at Amazon. It is a light and highly portable camcorder that can be held with one hand. Great for the short trips where you do not intend to shot videos in great length.

For longer family vacations, there is the Sony HDR-XR150 which comes with a 120 gig hard disk which should be able to store around 50 hours of high definition video using the HD LP mode. The BIONZ Image Processor plays a major role in image and video quality as it effectively reduces noise using its built-in Data Noise Reduction feature. This processor also enables a few other technologies like the Face Detection technology for optimizing the face color tones and the Dynamic Range Optimizer which achieves greater shots by adjusting the contrast and exposure automatically. It lists for $899.99 but can be had for considerably less.

The XR150 and CX150 also enjoy Sony’s new Intelligent Auto technologies and SteadyShot with Active mode. Like last year’s entry-level models, they will have the standard 2.7-inch LCD touchscreen (instead of the 3.5-inch screen on Sony’s flagship camcorders) and are constructed with an extremely compact form factor.

Sony Introduces New Camcorder Lineup With Innovative Features

February 2, 2010

New Models Offer Advanced Optics and Simplified Post-Shooting Solutions

Providing consumers with innovative products designed to enhance their on-the-go experiences, Sony is introducing 13 hard disk drive and flash memory-based camcorders with breakthrough technologies in both high definition and standard definition options.

Designed to fit any budget, Sony’s Handycam® camcorder portfolio delivers the most innovative, stylish and high-quality imaging solutions.

“Our new camcorder lineup is one-of-a-kind and truly offers something for everyone who wants to capture important moments,” said Andy Bubala, director of the camcorder business at Sony Electronics. “For consumers looking for compact designs along with best-in-class features, this lineup creates a new standard.”

ADVANCED OPTICS

Offering a refined level of optical performance, Sony continues to introduce technology that sets Handycam camcorders apart from the competition.

Sony is now expanding its back-illuminated “Exmor R” CMOS sensor to all HD models. The sensor, which offers higher sensitivity and reduced image noise to provide stunning low light performance in twilight or candlelit scenes, now employs a new algorithm to realize 2x faster “Quick AF” compared to previous Handycam camcorders.

Some of the new camcorders in the lineup also include a wide angle G lens that captures approximately 2x larger shooting area than previous models, enabling users to make sure nobody is left out of the picture indoors or to capture more of the scenery outdoors. The lens fuses advanced optics with low dispersion aspheric glass elements for accurate color reproduction and sharp, detailed images while a six-blade aperture produces circular “bokeh” defocus effects for creative shooting possibilities.

Sony also improves Optical Steady Shot™ image stabilization with Active Mode by expanding the 3-Way Shake Canceling feature across the full zoom range, from wide to telephoto end. This reduces the effects of hand shake in three directions – vertical and horizontal shake corrected by optical image stabilization and the third, by way of electronic image stabilization, corrects lateral-roll shake. This advanced stabilization system results in dramatically smoother video footage.

INTELLIGENT FEATURES

Sony is leveraging its high-speed BIONZ® imaging processor to create new features like Golf Shot and Intelligent Auto (iAuto). Only found in Handycam camcorders, the Golf Shot function makes it easier than ever to check your swing, frame by frame, as the camcorder renders two seconds of motion into a sequence of up to 22 still images. Just press the record button and the entire sequence is grabbed at an incredible 240 frames per second. Results can be viewed as a slow motion video or a multi-frame composite image.

The iAuto feature eliminates the guesswork from selecting optimal camcorder settings for different environments by detecting the camcorder’s surroundings and continually optimizing settings in real-time for up to 90 unique scenes.

The following smart features will also be expanded to more models in the lineup:

* Face Touch: select a person to be prioritized (for focus, color, exposure and Smile Shutter™ technology) just by touching a detected face on the screen and the camcorder will remember them — even if they leave the scene — for the entire recording session. Smile Shutter technology, another function of Face Detection mode, captures candid smiling photos simultaneously while video is being recorded.

* Embedded GPS: track destinations on a map with built-in GPS antenna and NAVTEQ® digital maps for video and photo geo-tagging. Geo-tagged content is marked by a virtual push pin at each shot location and can be viewed on the camcorder map index display on the LCD. It also indicates current map location and automatically adjusts the clock to the proper time zone (map detail will vary).

* Highlight Playback: let the camcorder quickly generate a video slideshow by adding theme transitions and background music to your footage.

* 60p Output: automatically up-converts content to 60 progressive frames per second when connected via HDMI cable (sold separately) to a compatible high-definition television.

* New User Interface: adds scroll search for all menu items, as well as a customizable shortcut menu.

HIGH-DEFINITION LINEUP

As the leader in the high-definition camcorder category, Sony offers superior technology in its HD models, even at entry level. Now all new HD Handycam models will feature the “Exmor R” CMOS sensor, iAuto, Face Touch, Highlight Playback, 60p output, and the new user interface, in addition to capturing content in full1920 x 1080 high-definition video recording at up to 24Mbps, the highest bit-rate offered by the AVCHD format.

Sony will offer attractive entry-level HD camcorder options in both hard drive (HDR-XR150) and flash memory (HDR-CX150 and HDR-CX110) formats. The HDR-XR150 features a 120GB hard drive for up to 50 hours of HD video (LP mode), while the HDR-CX150 has 16GB of embedded flash memory for up to six hours of HD video (LP mode), and the HDR-CX110 allows for customizable capacity with the purchase of a memory card.

These camcorders are packed with features including:

* Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® 25X optical zoom lens

* 3.1-megapixel still photos

* Steady Shot® image stabilization with Active Mode

* 2.7” (measured diagonally) Clear Photo LCD™ screen (230K resolution)

The HDR-XR150, HDR-CX150, and HDR-CX110 will be available in late January for about $700, $550, and $500, respectively. The HDR-CX150 will be offered in black and red and the HDR-CX110 will come in black, blue, and red.

Sony will also offer the HDR-XR350V, with a 160GB hard drive; HDR-CX350V, with 32GB of flash memory; and HDR-CX300, with 16GB of flash memory. These HD camcorders have the following step-up features:

* Wide angle G lens (29.8mm for video and 27.4mm for still images)

* Optical Steady Shot™ image stabilization with Active Mode from Wide to Telephoto

* Golf Shot

* 12X optical zoom

* 7-megapixel still photos

* Embedded GPS (except HDR-CX300)

Representing Sony’s top-of-the-line camcorders, Sony will offer the HDR-XR550V, with a 240GB hard drive for up to 101 hours of HD video (LP mode); and the HDR-CX550V, with 64 GB of embedded flash memory for up to 26 hours of HD video (LP mode). These camcorders add the following features:

* Wide angle G lens (29.8mm for video and 26.3mm for still images)

* 12-megapixel still photos

* Assignable dial for manual control (Iris/Shutter/Exposure/WB/Focus)

* Color Electronic View Finder

* 3.5” (measured diagonally) LCD display with TruBlack™ technology (921K resolution)

* Dedicated microphone/headphone inputs

The HDR-XR550V, HDR-CX550V, HDR-XR350V, HDR-CX350V and HDR-CX300 will be available in late February for about $1400, $1300, $1000, $900, and $800, respectively. All of these camcorders and their accessories will be available at Sony Style® retail stores, online through www.sonystyle.com and at authorized dealers nationwide.

STANDARD DEFINITION MODELS

Sony is updating its standard-definition lineup with five new models offering up to 120GB of capacity, including two hard disk drive models (120GB DCR-SR88 and 80GB DCR-SR68) and three flash memory models (16GB DCR-SX83, 16GB DCR-SX63 and 4GB DCR-SX44). The high-performance DCR-SX83 features an “Exmor R” CMOS sensor, Face Touch, Steady Shot® image stabilization with Active Mode, iAuto, and 3-megapixel still photo capability. The other models feature:

* 60x optical zoom
* Face Detection with Smile Shutter technology
* On-board video light
* 2.7” (measured diagonally) LCD touch panel wide screen (230K resolution)

The DCR-SR88, DCR-SX83, DCR-SR68, DCR-SX63 and DCR-SX44 camcorders will be available in late January and cost about $400, $400, $350, $300 and $270, respectively. The DCR-SR68 and DCR-SX44 models will be offered in blue, red, and silver. These camcorders and their accessories will be available at Sony Style® retail stores, online through www.sonystyle.com and at authorized dealers nationwide.

BETTER STORAGE AND Post-Shooting OPTIONS

In addition to the hard disk drive or built-in flash memory, all of Sony’s new camcorders can record video and still images directly to Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media, Secure Digital (SD), or SDHC media card (all sold separately).

Also featured on all HD and SD models, the Direct Copy feature lets you copy footage directly from Handycam camcorders to any brand of external hard disk drive (USB2.0; under2TB, FAT32) via a USB cable (VMC-UAM1; sold separately), when connected to AC power, for PC-free back-up and archiving. Video stored on the external HDD can be played back through the camcorder for viewing on a compatible HD television. The Handycam camcorders are also compatible with Sony’s VRD-MC10 and VRD-MC6 Multi-Function DVD Recorder, as well as the VRD-P1 DVDirect® Express DVD writer, offering quick and easy ways to transfer home videos directly to DVD without a computer

Each HD model in the Handycam camcorder lineup has the ability to down-convert from AVCHD™ to MPEG2. Just touch a button and burn your memories onto affordable DVD media for archiving, sharing, or enjoying HD video on your Blu-ray Disc™ player or MPEG2 footage on a DVD player.

Handycam camcorders are compatible with both PC and Mac® computers. Mac users can transfer AVCHD content and edit video clips in HD quality using iMovie® software (sold separately). For PC users, the included Picture Motion Browser (“PMB”) software allows viewing, editing, organizing and uploading images to many major video and photo sharing Web sites.

This spring, Sony will launch a new content-sharing service and a new integration with Facebook®. The new Sony service will allow users to easily share their photos and videos privately with friends and family, while the Facebook integration will complement the existing sharing capability with such sites as YouTube™ and Picasa™ Web Albums. These features will be available as a downloadable update to the “PMB” software application bundled with Handycam camcorders.

Source : Sony Electronics Press Release