Now, you can capture videos in ultra high definition

Jan 6, 2015 12:49 GMT  ·  By

Since there is so little content available in 4K quality, it's about time the means to record such video finally started to proliferate among normal people. Little wonder, then, that Sony has upgraded two of its most popular video camcorder lines accordingly.

The 4K resolution is an interesting case where both “jumping the gun” and “lagging behind the times” apply perfectly.

On the one hand, there are plenty of (admittedly large and expensive) television sets and monitors (though the latter come in smaller sizes as well) which support 4K resolution. Which is to say, they have screens of 3840 x 2160 pixels.

On the other hand, films and TV broadcasts can't easily be found in that quality, if at all, meaning that upscaling technologies integrated into Smart TVs are the only way to make sure the money you paid for the resolution doesn't go to waste.

Ultimately, it's an issue of content: there are means to watch 4K films and games, but little content to be seen because there are too few devices that can record it.

True, professional equipment with 4K support exists, but it is so expensive and large, bulky really, that the common man will never acquire it. Not like, say, action cameras and hand cameras.

Sony adds 4K support to both its Handycam and Action Cam shooters

Action Cams are little things which you attach to a helmet, a skateboard or any other thing you expect to wear or bring along with you on a race or sports activity.

Hand cameras, like Sony Handycam, are small, tube-shaped devices with a side screen which you use to record things with a single hand.

Both are very useful and convenient to have along on a trip through the mountains or across the country, or any other journey for that matter.

In Sony's new product collection you'll find the Action Cam FDR-X100V and FDR-AS100V, while the lone 4K Handycam is called Handycam FDR-AX433.

The Action cams can shoot 4K in 30 fps and have Advanced SteadySAhot technology, stereo microphones, manual settings and the option to control the frame through a mobile app.

The Handycam uses Balanced Optical SteadShot and has a 26.8mm lens, plus 50 Mbps high-bitrate recording and the ability to livestream via Ustream.

There's a second new Handycam at Sony's booth in Las Vegas, Nevada, called HDR-PJ670, but that one doesn't have 4K shooting.

Availability and pricing

The prices of the Action Cam X100V and AS100V are $500 / €420 and $400 / €336, while the Handycam AX433 is priced at $1,100 / €923. All of them will start selling at some point in March 2015.

Sony 4K cameras (4 Images)

Sony 4K Action Cam
Sony 4K Action Cam at CES 2015Sony Handycam AX433
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