2.3 Megapixel ClearVid™ CMOS Sensor (with Exmor™ Technology) and BIONZ™ Image Processor:
Sony's newly designed CMOS image sensor with delivers bright, vivid, and spectacularly detailed 2.3 megapixel (effective) video footage, as well as 4 megapixel still images -- all with prolonged battery life. Exmor™ technology captures images with high resolution and high sensitivity. In addition, the advanced Sony BIONZ™ image processor improves camera response time and screens out noise so the signal from each pixel is as pure as possible.
BIONZ™ Image Processor:
The advanced Sony BIONZ™ Image Processor uses hardware-based Large Scale Integrated (LSI) circuitry that improves camera response time, screens out noise before RAW data conversion, handles Dynamic Range Optimization processing, and prolongs battery life.
Exmor™ Imaging Sensor:
Exmor™ technology captures video and still photo images with high resolution, high sensitivity, and exceptional detail. Advanced on-sensor A/D conversion yields rich tonal reproduction with high signal-to-noise ratio.
15X Optical / 180X Digital Zoom:
The optical zoom helps to bring the action close up from far away. In addition, Digital Zoom Interpolation means that extreme digital zooming is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zoom.
Professional Quality Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar® T* Lens:
Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar® T* lenses use highly advanced optics to deliver vivid image brilliance, true-to-life color saturation, and perfect renditions of subtle tones. The additional T* coating further reduces unwanted glare and flare for increased contrast and color.
DVD Format Video Recording:
The DVD recording format in MPEG2 (SD) delivers digital picture and sound quality comparable to that of MiniDV, but on DVD. Playback of these DVDs couldn't be simpler (depending upon the playback device used). After finalizing the disc in the camcorder, the disc can play back in most DVD Players (SD), computers, Blu-ray Disc™ players, and even PlayStation® 3 video game consoles.
DVD-R/-RW/+RW and +R DL (Dual Layer) Compatible3:
Compatibility with a variety of DVD formats3 allows the ease-of-use and simplicity found in DVD media. With DVD+RW media there is no need to finalize the disc (minimum recording required); simply remove the finalized disc and insert the media into a compatible DVD or Blu-ray Disc™ Player.
Face Detection for Video Footage and Digital Still Photos:
Made possible by the BIONZ™ image processing engine, Face Detection technology recognizes up to 8 faces anywhere in the frame and automatically controls focus, exposure, and color to help capture smiling faces brightly and clearly. Face Detection also helps make skin tones look natural without affecting other colors in the image.
Hybrid Recording to DVD or Memory Stick® Media:
Hybrid recording technology delivers a new level of flexibility for transferring your video footage and digital photos from the camcorder to compatible viewing devices. Record to DVD media, or choose instead to record to removable Memory Stick Duo™ media or Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media. You can even select from various dubbing functions to easily copy video or still images from Memory Stick media to DVD -- without using a PC. Images recorded or transferred to DVD can then be played directly most DVD Players (SD), computers, Blu-ray Disc™ players, and even PlayStation® 3 video game consoles to share your memories with friends and family.
Quick On-2:
Missing an important scene can be frustrating, especially if the reason is because your camcorder is turned off. With the Quick On feature, the touch of a single button places that camcorder in Sleep mode. Another push instantly wakes the camcorder, so you'll always be ready to capture special moments.
Built-in zoom microphone with 5.1 ch recording:
Featuring Dolby® Ditigal 5.1 Creator, the built-in zoom microphone focuses audio recording on your subjects in sync with the camera's zoom lens, helping memories ring true with clear dialogue and crisp, discrete sounds.
2.7" Wide1 (16:9) Hybrid Touch Panel Clear Photo LCD Plus™ Display (211K Pixels):
The 2.7" Wide1 (16:9) LCD screen provides exceptional viewing clarity with improved resolution (211K pixels). The display rotates up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles, as well as provides sharp, detailed images for monitoring or playback. The widescreen format makes shooting in 16:9 mode and composing shots even easier.
Memory Stick PRO Duo™ Media Slot:
Capture still images directly onto Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media (sold separately) for easy transfer to PCs for emailing, printing, or sharing with other compatible Memory Stick® devices (sold separately).
BRAVIA® Sync™ (CEC) Technology:
HDMI™ connectivity provides a simple, high-quality video and audio connection, with the ability to transmit HD video and 5.1 channel audio directly from the camcorder to compatible HDTVs via a single cable. With BRAVIA® Sync™ (CEC) technology, the HDMI connection also delivers the ability to control both the camcorder and HDTV using a single BRAVIA TV remote.
Dynamic Range Optimizer-2:
Powered by the exclusive Sony BIONZ™ high-speed processing engine, D-Range Optimization preserves image data in bright highlights, such as suppressing "whiteout" in skies. When shooting in backlit settings, D-Range Optimization reveals more detail in shadows, preventing "blackout." As a result, the captured image appears as natural as the original scene.
Dual Record-2:
While recording video in High Definition you have the ability to capture still images directly to Memory Stick Duo™ media (sold separately).
x.v. Color™ Technology:
x.v.Color can capture or display nearly twice as many (1.8x) viewable colors than possible with the traditional RGB color standard. This provides a more accurate and vivid color range, for a more natural, lifelike overall experience
SteadyShot® Optical Image Stabilization System:
The Super SteadyShot® Optical Image Stabilization System from Sony reduces blur caused by camera shake and vibration, so your images stay crisp and clear. This optical stabilization system achieves an even higher level of smoothness without the image degradation that can occur with some digital stabilization systems.
InfoLITHIUM® Battery with AccuPower™ Meter System:
Unlike NiCad (Nickel Cadmium) batteries, Sony's rechargeable Lithium Ion batteries are not subjected to a life shortening "Memory Effect," so you're free to charge the battery at any time. Additionally, Sony's exclusive AccuPower™ meter displays the battery time remaining in minutes, in either the viewfinder or on the LCD screen.
Manual Focus:
Manually adjust the focus of the camcorder using the touch panel. Manual focusing also allows the user to control the focus in difficult situations where either the environment or the subject does not allow the camcorder's auto focus to perform optimally, such as when shooting through a window or in a crowded environment.
Super NightShot® Infrared System:
With the Super NightShot Infrared System, you can capture video in total darkness (0 lux) up to 10 feet away.
Stamina® Battery Power Management System:
When using the Sony InfoLITHIUM® Battery, the Stamina® Battery Power Management System helps the camcorder prolong battery life for extra long continuous recording times from a single charge.
Scene Selection Modes:
Scene Selection modes make recording easy even when filming in challenging situations. Choose from Auto, Twilight, Twilight Portrait (Still only), Candle, Sunrise & Sunset, Fireworks, Landscape, Portrait, Spotlight, Sports, Beach and Snow
Picture Effects:
Get creative when recording or playing back your videos with Sony's Picture Effect Modes. Effects available in Monotone, Sepia and Pastel
Fader Effects-2:
Enhance your personal videos by adding professional looking fader effects. Choose from Black and White.
Visual Index Screen:
Shows thumbnail images of video clips and still images when playing back on your camcorder or DVD player, making your selection easier.
Battery Information:
At the touch of a button, battery information is displayed on the LCD screen when charging and when the camcorder is turned off. When using the LCD screen or viewfinder, the display will show how much the battery is charged -- in 10% increments -- and the recordable time left.
Easy Handycam® Button:
Using a camcorder can be intimidating for some people. With a press of the Easy Handycam Button, most of the advanced features of the camcorder are "locked out," letting you focus only the buttons essential for recording.
Multi-Language Menu:
Change the menu display from English to English (Simplified), Canadian French, Latin American Spanish, or Brazilian Portuguese
Imaging Device: 1/5" ClearVid CMOS sensor (with Exmor technology)
Processor: BIONZ image processor
Pixel Gross: 2300K
Recording Media: 3" (8cm) DVD (DVD-R/DVD-RW/DVD+RW/DVD+R DL), Memory Stick Duo Media, Memory Stick PRO Duo Media
Video Actual: 1120K Pixels (4:3), 1490K Pixels (16:9)
Recording and Playback Times: Single Layer - HQ: 20 min., SP: 30 min., LP 60 min. Dual Layer - HQ: 35 min., SP: 55 min., LP: 110 min. When using 8GB Memory Stick PRO Duo Media (sold separately): Standard Definition: HQ = up to 115 min., SP = up to 170 min., LP = up to 325 min.
Video Resolution: 720 x 480
Still Actual: 1990K Pixels (4:3), 1490K Pixels (16:9)
Still Picture Resolution: 4 megapixel
Lens Type: Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T
35mm Equivalent 49 - 735mm (4:3 Camera Mode), 40 - 600mm (16:9 Camera Mode)
Aperture: F1.8 - 2.6
Exposure: Full range auto / Manual
Filter Diameter: 30mm
Focal Distance: 3.1 - 46.5mm
Focus: Full range auto / Manual (Touch Panel)
Shutter Speed: Auto, 1/30 - 1/250 (Scene Selection Mode)
Optical Zoom: 15x
Minimum Illumination: 5 lux (Auto Slow Shutter ON, 1/30 Shutter Speed)
Digital Zoom: 180x
Video Signal System: NTSC color, EIA standards
Format(s) Supported: SD (MPEG2)
Audio Format: Dolby Digital 5.1
Microphone: Built-in Zoom Microphone
LCD Screen: 2.7" wide (16:9) touch panel Clear Photo LCD Plus display (211k pixels)
Viewfinder Color Wide 16:9 (123K Pixels)
Memory Stick slot: Memory Stick PRO Duo Media
Manual / Auto Lens Cover: Auto
S/S & Zoom button on LCD: Yes
LANC Terminal: Accesible via A/V Remote Terminal
Audio/Video Remote Terminal: Video/S Video/Audio/LANC
USB Port(s): Hi-speed (2.0 compliant)
Analog Audio/Video Output(s): Included (via A/V Remote Terminal)
S-Video Output(s): Included in A/V Remote
Active Interface Shoe: Yes
Memory Stick PRO Media Compatibility: Tested to support up to 8GB media capacity; does not support high speed transfer function; does not support Access Control security function
Hybrid: Yes
Quick On: Yes
Easy Operation: Yes
Multiple Language Display: Yes
Slide Show Mode: Yes
SteadyShot Image: Stabilization O.I.S.
Scene Mode(s): Auto, Twilight, Candle (move only), Sunrise & Sunset, Fireworks (move only), Landscape, Portrait, Spotlight, Sports (movie only), Beach, Snow
Low Light Capability S-NS
Picture Effect(s) Monotone, Sepia, Pastel
Digital Picture Effect(s): Old Movie
White Balance: Auto, Outdoor, Indoor, One-push (touch panel)
Fader Effect(s): Black, White
Face Index: Yes
Film Roll Index: Yes
Photo Capture from Movie: Yes
Still Image Mode(s): JPEG
Power Consumption: 2.9W /3.3W (VF/LCD)
Battery Type: InfoLITHIUM with AccuPower Meter System (NP-FH40)
Power Requirements: 7.2V (battery pack); 8.4V (AC Adaptor)
Operating System Compatibility: Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional, XP Home, XP Professional, Windows Vista
Supplied Software: Picture Motion Browser Ver.3.0.00
Dimensions (Approx.): 2 1/4 x 3 5/8 x 5 1/8 inch (55.0 x 89.0 x 130.0mm)
Weight (Approx.): 15 oz (450g) with Battery
Warranty Sony 1 year parts & 90 days labour warranty
