14 DAY TRIAL // Without a doubt, Sony brought a huge number of new and interesting camcorders at CES 2011, each targeting a specific market nice (a 3D Full HD camcorder, pocket 3D and standard camcorders, camcorders with built-in projectors, etc.), so it should come as no surprise that a Handycam camcorder that targets advanced amateurs has also made its way to the market, namely the HDR-CX700V model.
According to Sony, the HDR-CX700V is a “consumer camcorder with hallmark Handycam features,” including an “Exmor-R” CMOS sensor and Wide Angle G Lens w/ 10x optical and 14x Extended Zoom with Nightshot and an Optical SteadyShot system with Active Mode.
Furthermore, the newly developed 16:9 ratio imager enables the new HDR-CX700V camcorder to record full 1920x1080 high-definition videos at up to 24Mbps, while also being able to deliver good-quality 12-megapixel still images, all of which are stored within its built-in 96GB flash memory.
The camera is controlled via a 3-inch WIDE Xtra Fine touch panel LCD w/TruBlack technology, but an Electronic View Finder has also been included, along with a built-in GPS receiver w/ NAVTEQ maps for geo-tagging the recorded content.
Plus, for advanced creative control, the camcorder offers access to CinemaTone presets, as well as advanced functions such as Expanded Focus, Zebra and Peaking settings.
Additional features worth mentioning include the built-in USB cable and software for easy web upload and quick charge, as well as the included microphone with a 5.1ch surround system, Clear Phase stereo speakers with S-Master technology, wind noise reduction, and mic/HP jack, that enable the camera to both record and play very good quality audio, in just about all environment conditions.
Given the specific market segment in targets, it should come as no surprise that the HDR-CX700V will be quite an expensive product, as it will become available in March for about $1,300, which is not exactly a sum most mainstream consumers will afford to pay.