San Diego, CA—Sony exhibited a broad range of innovative imaging products at its 2014 CES booth, offering “something for everyone,” from its 4K Handycam FDR-AX100 camcorder and HDR-AS100V action cam to the a5000 CSC and new memory cards.
FDR-AX100. A compact solution for people who want to capture special moments in four times the resolution, clarity and detail of HD, the AX100 is 74% smaller and 66% lighter than the FDR-AX1. Despite its size, the new 4K camcorder houses a 14.2 megapixel back-illuminated 1.0-type Exmor R CMOS sensor far larger than the sensor in conventional consumer camcorders. It captures 4K Ultra HD images (3,840×2,160 pixels) while also allowing bokeh background defocusing effects. In addition, its Bionz X processor employs area-specific noise reduction and detail reproduction technology. The fast processor makes it possible to record 24p and 30p movies at the camera’s full resolution. There’s also the ability to record at 120p for slow-motion playback at one-fifth the speed in a 24p environment in post-processing.
Other features include: a cinematone gamma/color function that adds a warm, rich look to footage; Optical SteadyShot image stabilization to keep footage blur-free when shooting handheld; a wide-angle 29mm Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens with AA (advanced aspherical) and ED lens elements and a maximum 12x optical and 24x (HD)/18x(4K) clear image zoom; a bright, high-contrast 0.39-inch type OLED Tru-Finder with four dual-surface aspherical lenses and a 33º wide-angle view; a 3.5-inch (16:9) WhiteMagic LCD (921k); control over shutter speed and aperture with a choice of selectable clear, 1/4 filter, 1/16 filter or 1/64 ND filters; onboard Wi-Fi for easy connection with any iOS or Android smartphone coupled with Sony’s free PlayMemories Mobile app; and Near Field Communication (NFC) one-touch for simple connection to NFC-enabled Android devices. The Handycam AX100 and accessories will be available in March. $1,999.99.
Flagship HDR-CX900 Full HD Handycam. One of the first Handycam camcorders equipped with a large image sensor for pro-style performance in a compact body, the CX900 employs a 1.0-type, 14.2-effective megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor and a wide-angle 29mm Zeiss Vario Sonnar T* 12x optical zoom lens. Its large Exmor R CMOS sensor engages “direct pixel read out” to produce 20MP, while the wide-aperture lens with a seven-blade iris diaphragm allows the creation of pro-looking videos and photos with smooth, defocused (bokeh) backgrounds.
Other features include: Wi-Fi/NFC; a 3.5-inch LCD (921K); two built-in ND filters which offer three modes to cut light levels entering the camera; Full HD recording at 50 Mbps using the new XAVC S codec, a consumer-friendly format based on the XAVC codec developed for 4K/HD and professional use; 120-fps capture for slow-motion replays; and high-contrast OLED electronic viewfinder with a wide angle view, a comfortably-placed lens ring and manual dial for control of focus, zoom, exposure, gain/ISO and shutter speed. $1,500.
Each of the seven new Handycam models uses the new Bionz X engine for a significant increase in processing speed with a detail reproduction technology and area-specific noise reduction. They are also the first Handycams to offer “clear image zoom,” which uses By Pixel Super Resolution technology to boost detail on video footage captured at up to 60x magnification (HDR-CX330, PJ340, PJ540). It also powers the camcorders’ Balanced Optical SteadyShot feature for 13x more shake stability from wide to tele, Optical SteadyShot with intelligent active mode for 13x more shake stability at wide angle, and an improved zoom ratio.
Sony’s highlighted its “theater” approach as being both bigger and better this year in its new Handycam projector models, with increased brightness to 50 lumens (HDR-PJ810). The compact projector built into the flip-out LCD panel of the projector camcorders is designed to project clear video shot on the camcorder or content from compatible smartphones, tablets or PCs via an external HDMI input. The new models can project up to a 200-inch diagonal image onto any flat surface.
The 2014 line includes three entry-level HD Handycams with the following specs.
HDR-CX240. Full HD 60p; 9.2 megapixels; Exmor R CMOS sensor; SteadyShot image stabilization; 29.8mm wide-angle Zeiss Vario-Sonnar lens with 54x Clear Image Zoom; picture effects; AVCHD + MP4 recording; and 2.7-inch LCD. $230.
HDR-CX330. Wi-Fi/NFC; Optical SteadyShot with intelligent active mode; a wide-angle 26.8mm Sony G lens; and 60x Clear Image Zoom. $330.
HDR-PJ275. A built-in projector (13lm); external device input, 29.8mm wide-angle Zeiss Vario-Sonnar lens; Wi-Fi/NFC; and 8GB flash memory. $400.
Two mid-range HD Handycam models include the following.
HDR-PJ340. A built-in projector (13lm); external device input; Wi-Fi/NFC; 16GB of flash memory; 60x Clear Image Zoom; a wide-angle 26.8mm Sony G lens; and Optical SteadyShot image stabilization with intelligent active mode. $480.
HDR-PJ540. New sound features with a 5.1 channel mike; a built-in projector (25lm) and external device input; 32GB of flash memory; a 3.0-inch touch-screen LCD (460K); Balanced Optical SteadyShot; and Wi-Fi/NFC.$700
HDR-PJ810. This high-end HD Handycam features: Wi-Fi/NFC; 24.5MP still shot; manual control (iris/shutter/exposure/white balance); a wide-angle 26.8mm Sony G lens with a hood; advanced controls with expanded focus, zebra and peaking; a touch-screen 3.0-inch LCD with WhiteMagic (921K); a color EVF; and a built-in projector (50lm) with external device input and keystone adjustment. $1,100
HDR-AS100V Action Cam
Sony’s wearable HDR-AS100V action cam adds Full HD video in the XAVC S format at 50Mbps to its point-of-view video capabilities, along with 24p high-speed shooting modes and a high-quality still camera—combined in a splashproof body that lets the device be used without an underwater housing. This model also supports 1080/24p video and high-speed 720/120p or 720/240p shooting with sound captured by its built-in stereo mike for slow motion footage. And in photo mode, it shoots 13.5MP images while interval still recording mode offers 2MP (1,920×1,080) time-lapse photography.
Other features include: Wi-Fi/NFC; SteadyShot image stabilization that more than doubles the camera’s stability versus its predecessor; an ultrawide Zeiss Tessar lens with a 170º viewing angle (120° with SteadyShot on); an 18MP Exmor R CMOS sensor; a choice of color settings; the ability to record video with time code; several recording modes with MP4 and XAVC S, as well as the ability to capture images upside-down when the camera is inversely mounted; Memory Stick Micro and microSD/SDHC/SDXC card slot; an external mike jack; and an HDMI output. In another first, consumers can wirelessly control up to five AS100V units using the wearable wristwatch-style live-view remote (model RM-LVR1) offered in a bundle with the camera. $299.99; HDR-AS100VR with live view remote, $399.99.
Sony a5000 Compact System Camera with Wi-Fi
Weighing less than 8 ounces, the a5000 is a compact interchangeable-lens model that features a large 20.1MP APS-C-size sensor paired with a new-generation Bionz X processor, to deliver crisp photos, Full HD videos in all types of shooting conditions, and high sensitivity to ISO 16,000.
Other features include: Wi-Fi capabilities for a one-touch connection with Xperia or NFC-compatible Android devices for instant image transfer and sharing; a smart remote control that links the camera with a smartphone/tablet with a tap to view shots and fire the shutter; a comfortable new grip; a tiltable LCD that flips up to 180º; a lever for fingertip adjustment of the camera’s optical zoom; photo creativity mode with background defocus; and picture effects. The Sony α5000 will be available in March 2014 in silver, black and white. It’s bundled with a compact 16–50mm motorized zoom kit lens for $600.
In addition, Sony also introduced the ultra-compact Cyber-shot DSC-W830 with an 8x Carl Zeiss lens and 20MP CCD sensor. It features: 720p HD video capture; Optical SteadyShot image stabilization; a beauty effects mode; picture effects; and 360 sweep panorama mode. It will retail in February in black, silver and pink. $120. sony.com
