14 DAY TRIAL // Apart from the new A-200 DSLR, Sony has also announced at CES 2008 a plethora of camcorders, including both HD and standard resolution models that record on HDDs, DVDs, miniDV tapes and media cards.
Let's start with the high definition models, since they present more interest compared to the older standard definition ones.
The new 2008 HD lineup comprises six models: three HDD camcorders (HDR-SR12, HDR-SR11 and HDR-SR10), two DVD recording units (HDR-UX20 and HDR-UX10) and one miniDV recording solution (HDR-HC9).
The first five are based on the AVCHD (Advanced Video Codec High Definition) technology that implies the MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 video codec. In terms of resolution, all of them can go up to 1920 x 1080.
These AVCHD camcorders incorporate face detection technology for both video and photos. The technology can identify up to eight faces in the camcorder?s LCD frame, and automatically adjusts focus, exposure, color control for natural-looking skin tones, and when photos are taken, flash control.
In terms of imaging sensors, these models are based on ClearVid CMOS solutions with Exmor-derived technology. According to Sony, this technology utilizes column analog/digital conversion on the sensor itself to minimize picture noise.
The SR12 and SR11 camcorders mark the introduction of Sony?s 5.7-megapixel ClearVid CMOS sensors with 10.2-megapixel photo capture. In dual rec mode for simultaneous video and photo capture, these 10-mega models can take 7.6-megapixel photos up to the capacity of the media card in contrast to five, 3-megapixel photos on the other models with 2.4-megapixel ClearVid CMOS sensors.
These two units can also pull 2.1-megapixel photos from video footage while in playback mode, and 3-megapixel photos from footage using the bundled Picture Motion Browser software on a compatible PC.
Focus and image quality can be checked with much greater accuracy on the 10-mega models with their 3.2-inch, Xtra Fine (16:9) wide LCD screens with a wide viewing angle (160 degrees) and ultra-sharp resolution (921K).
The 120GB SR12, 60GB SR11, and 40GB SR10 camcorders provide extremely long continuous recording times (1920 mode) of nearly 15, seven and five hours, respectively. They also feature hybrid movie recording on optional Memory Stick PRO Duo media cards, as well as their built-in hard drives. Recording times on the media card will vary depending on capacity, but nearly two hours of video (1920 mode) can be stored on Sony?s new 16GB media card. Both movies and photos can be transferred from the hard drive to media card in the camcorders without having to use a PC.
The UX10 camcorder also features hybrid movie recording on the media card and up to an hour of continuous recording (1440 LP mode) on a DVD +R double-layer disc.
Hybrid plus recording on the UX20 camcorder has the added bonus of recording to three separate media, including 8 GB of internal memory, which can hold almost an hour of video (1920 HD mode). Movies can be transferred from the internal memory and media card to the disc, while photos can be transferred from internal memory to the media card. Its dubbing button gains quick access to the menu to dub movies by scene or by date as well as dub separate video files incrementally to either DVD or media card.
The AVCHD also feature Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* optics, Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization, Dolby Digital 5.1-channel surround sound and built-in zoom microphones that zooms the audio along with the video for clear recordings of subjects. They are also compatible with Sony?s ECM-HW1 Bluetooth microphone for recording sound wirelessly at distances up to 100 feet.
The only HDV camcorder, the new HDR-HC9 uses miniDV tapes to record resolutions up to 1440 x 1080 and features Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* optics, a 3.2-megapixel ClearVid CMOS sensor, and 6.1-megapixel photo capture.
Specifically aimed at more demanding videographers, this model offers extensive manual controls , including "focus to infinity;" spot meter and focus to change exposure and focus at the same point at the same time, center mark to use as a guide frame in the LCD screen or viewfinder; and peaking to facilitate better focusing by outlining objects with a color line. White balance, shutter speed and focus can also be adjusted manually.
The SR12, SR11, SR10, UX20 and UX10 models will all ship in March for about $1,400, $1,200, $1,000, $1,000 and $800, respectively. The HDR-HC9 camcorder will ship in February for about $1,100.
The standard definition Handycam include four HDD models (60GB DCR-SR220 and DCR-SR85, 40GB DCR-SR65 and 30GB DCR-SR450), two mini DV Handycams (DCR-HC62 and DCR-HC52) and two hybrid movie recording units (DVD910, DVD710 and DVD610).
The 60GB DCR-SR220 and DCR-SR85 camcorders deliver continuous recording times (LP mode) of up to 41 hours, while the 40GB DCR-SR65 and 30GB DCR-SR45 models provide up to 27 and 20 hours, respectively.
The SR220 model features 15x Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* optics, 4-megapixel digital still capture, and a 2.3-megapixel ClearVid CMOS sensor.
The SR85 and SR65 models have 1-megapixel CCD imagers for video and 1-megapixel photos, along with 25x Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar zoom lenses. The SR45 unit features a newly-developed 1/8-inch, 680K-pixel CCD imager to produce widescreen (16:9) video, and a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 40x optical zoom lens.
All models integrate Sony?s HDD Smart Protection system, which combines physical shock absorbers, G-sensor shock protection and video stream buffering to safeguard against data loss.
These models also work with the Sony?s VRD-MC5 DVDirect recorder, which now supports video transfer from Memory Stick media cards.
The SR220 camcorder will ship in March for about $850. The SR85, SR65 and SR45 units will ship in February for about $700, $600 and $500, respectively.
The new DCR-HC62 camcorder integrates a 25x optical Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar zoom lens and a 1-megapixel CCD imager. For easy framing and viewing of footage, the model is equipped with a 2.7-inch wide (16:9) LCD touch panel screen. It has a Memory Stick PRO Duo media for easy management of photos, as well as a USB port for transferring video to a compatible PC and other devices.
Meanwhile, the DCR-HC52 model packs in a powerful 40x optical Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar zoom, a 680K-pixel CCD imager and a 2.5-inch LCD touch panel screen.
The new DCR-HC62 and DCR-HC52 models will be available at retail in February for about $300 and $250.
The hybrid and hybrid-plus movie recording standard definition models include the DVD910, DVD810 the DVD710 and the DVD610, all of which are able to record on both DVDs and Memory Stick PRO Duo media cards.
The DCR- DVD910 camcorder boasts a15x Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* optics and 2.3-megapixel ClearVid CMOS sensor technology. Almost 11 hours of video can be stored on Sony?s new 16GB media card (sold separately), and close to two hours of recording (LP mode) on an optional 2.66GB, double-layer DVD.
The DCR-DVD810 and DCR-DVD710 units have 1-megapixel CCD imagers and 25x Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar zoom lenses, along with the DCR-DVD610 model featuring a newly-developed 680K-pixel CCD imager for widescreen video and a powerful 40x Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar zoom lens.
The DVD810 camcorder stands out in the line with its hybrid-plus movie recording, which conveniently allows for recording onto any of three separate media, including 8GB of internal memory.
The DVD910 camcorder will be available in March for about $650. The DVD810, DVD710 and DVD610 models will ship in February for about $480, $400 and $350, respectively.
