Sony HDR-CX100 preview

The new High-Definition Sony HDR-CX100 is about the size of two king-sized Butterfinger bars stacked on top of each other. The Sony HDR-CX100 looks just as appetizing with its red, silver and black color schemes, and boasts full 1920 x 1080 High-Definition video recording.

As a sacrifice to the smallness gods, the Sony HDR-CX100 is saddled with a feeble serving of external controls. We'd imagine Manual Controls are just as scarce, given this pint-sized camcorder's intended audience, consisting of fashionable beginners and soccer moms.

Series highlights: 1920x1080 HD video recording, 4.0 MP still image capture, 8GB embedded memory, Face Detection technology, Smile Shutter™ technology, 2.7" touch panel, 10X Optical/120X Digital Zoom

1920x1080 high definition video recording:

1920 x1080 high definition resolution lets you record your memories in exceptional Sony® Full High Definition quality².

4 megapixel still image capture:

4 megapixel still image capture lets you take high resolution digital photos.

8GB embedded memory:

8GB¹ of embedded memory can record and store up to 3 hours of high definition video footage (HD LP mode), or up to almost 6 hours of standard definition footage (SD LP mode).

Ultra-compact, lightweight design:

The ultra-compact, lightweight HDR-CX100 is designed for maximum portability. Measuring just 2 1/4 x 2 3/8 x 4 1/2 inches and weighing just 11 ounces, the HDR-CX100 makes an ideal travel companion.

Face Detection technology 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 by selecting the most prominent, automatically controls focus, exposure, and color to help capture smiling faces brightly and clearly. Face Detection technology also helps make skin tones look natural without affecting other colors in the image. On AVCHD models, the camcorder allocates encoding bits on detected face areas prior to encoding other parts of the picture, making them sharper and clearer. In still picture mode, Face Detection technology sets the flash level to optimize picture clarity.

Smile Shutter™ technology for still and dual capture:

Smile Shutter™ technology lets the camcorder automatically take still photos when your subject smiles, even while shooting high definition video. You can also set the sensitivity and choose child, adult, or auto priority.

2.7” wide touch panel

Clear Photo LCD Plus™ display: 2.7” wide (16:9) touch panel Clear Photo LCD Plus™ display provides excellent 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 convenient touch panel allows easy access to menus and additional functionality such as spot focus and spot metering.

1/5” Exmor™ CMOS Sensor with ClearVid™ array

A 1/5” Exmor™ CMOS Sensor with ClearVid™ array delivers bright, vivid, and exceptionally detailed 2.3 megapixel (effective) video footage, as well as 4 megapixel still images. Exmor™ technology captures images with high resolution and high sensitivity, while 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.

Power On by opening LCD display:

Power on your camcorder by simply opening the LCD display.

10X Optical / 120X Digital Zoom:

10X optical zoom helps to bring the action close up from far away. In addition, Digital Zoom Interpolation means that digital zooming (up to 120X) is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zoom.

Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® lens with SteadyShot™ image stabilization:

The HDR-CX100 features a professional-quality Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® lens designed specifically for compact camcorders. Precision ground optics help maintain the sharpness and contrast of larger lenses, and SteadyShot™ image stabilization helps reduce blur caused by camera shake.

Built-in zoom microphone:

The built-in zoom microphone focuses audio recording on your subjects with the camera's zoom lens, helping memories ring true with clear dialogue and crisp, discrete sounds.

Smooth Slow Record:

The Smooth Slow Record mode increases the record rate from 60 frames per second (fps) to 240 fps, allowing you to capture 3 seconds of fast motion and play the video back in 12 seconds. This is a great tool for analyzing a golf swing or a viewing a bird in flight. In addition, you record an audio track to narrate the video footage.

Available in silver, black, or red:

The HDR-CX100 is available in your choice of silver, black, or red.

Dual Record with 2.3MP still image capture:

Dual record capability lets you capture 2.3MP still images while shooting high definition video, so you can capture those special moments without having to switch recording modes.

x.v. Color™ technology for superior color:

x.v. Color™ technology enables the HDR-CX100 to capture nearly twice (1.8x) as many viewable colors as the standard RGB color range, resulting in more natural, life-like images. You can even experience this expanded color range on the big screen when you connect your camcorder to x.v. Color capable displays, including a wide range of Sony® BRAVIA® HDTVs.

HDMI™ connection output:

The High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is a compact audio/video connector interface for transmitting uncompressed digital streams. HDMI connects digital audio/video sources such as a compatible camcorder, Blu-ray Disc™ player, a personal computer, a video game console, or an AV receiver to a compatible digital audio device and/or video monitor such as a digital television (DTV). HDMI began to appear in 2006 on consumer HDTV, camcorders and high-end digital still cameras.

USB 2.0 interface:

A USB 2.0 interface provides an easy way to connect your camcorder to a compatible PC for fast transfer of video and still images for editing.

Includes Sony® PMB (Picture Motion Browser) software:

Sony Picture Motion Browser software offers a simple, intuitive way to transfer, sort, and view your video and still images on your compatible PC. In addition, multiple output options let you burn your memories to DVD, AVCHD, and Blu-ray Disc™ media (sold separately), as well as take advantage of one click upload to a number of popular video and photo sharing sites (compatible PC and internet connection required).

Check the preview here, and the product detail page at Sony website or buy other Sony HD camcorders.

Via Sony, infosyncworld.