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Sony Introduces World's First Consumer HD Camcorder with Interchangeable Lenses

By Vincent Chang - on 14 Jul 2010, 3:26pm

Sony Introduces World's First Consumer HD Camcorder with Interchangeable Lenses

(Asia Pacific, 14 July 2010) – Sony Electronics Asia Pacific today announced the world’s first consumer HD camcorder with an interchangeable lens system, the Handycam NEX-VG10[1]. The camcorder marries the best of DSLR and camcorder technology, enabling users to capture images and videos with beautiful background defocus effects and shallow depth of field – visual effects that were previously difficult to achieve using conventional camcorders.

“Consumers today seek innovative tools that help them express their creativity with ease, without compromising on quality,” says Mr. Yosuke Aoki, General Manager, Digital Imaging Marketing Division, Sony Electronics Asia Pacific. “The new Handycam NEX-VG10 offers new imaging possibilities with the camcorder’s interchangeable lens system, giving users full creative expression in a lightweight and highly portable device.”

Merging the best in camcorder and DSLR technology

Featuring a 14.2-megapixel “Exmor” APS HD CMOS image sensor, the Handycam NEX-VG10 produces videos and photos with beautiful ‘bokeh’ and shallow depth of field. Such effects were previously challenging to achieve using conventional camcorders with smaller sized sensors. The APS-C CMOS image sensor in the new Handycam NEX-VG10 results in a shallower depth of field, which enables the users to choose the subject focus within the frame, and separate the subject from its background. This results in a beautiful background defocus effect that is difficult to create using conventional camcorders.

The Handycam NEX-VG10 is a breakthrough in digital imaging technology as it is the world’s first interchangeable lens HD camcorder. Users are exposed to a whole new realm in videography as the camcorder provides the option to use a wide variety of lenses to achieve a myriad of visual results, including fisheye, telephoto and wide-angle shots. When used with the bundled E-mount 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS zoom lens, NEX-VG10 features 11x optical zoom, as well as optical image stabilization with Active Mode that is able to correct strong camera shakes. Additional features with the 18-200mm lens are silent auto focus and iris control, which complement video recording. Users can also mount various A-mount lenses, including award winning G Lenses and high performance Carl Zeiss lenses, via an optional lens adaptor, expanding imaging possibilities – be it for stills or video.

Features and body design optimised for video

Reflecting the demands of serious videographers, sound quality in NEX-VG10 matches its phenomenal imaging performance. The Quad Capsule Spatial Array Stereo Microphone uses advanced processing algorithms to combine signals from four separate omnidirectional microphone capsules. The result is exceptionally clear stereo audio with a highly directional response: this allows videographers to capture more sound from the subject they are shooting, and less of distracting sounds around them. There is also a jack for adding an optional external stereo mic, plus a headphone jack for audio monitoring.

Understanding that users seek greater control over footage captured for their intended expression, the Handycam NEX-VG10 allows advanced videographers and photographers the option to manually control various settings on the camcorder. For example, users can manually tweak aperture settings and shutter speed using the intuitive, easy-to-access jog dial and hot keys to achieve the desired visual mood and tone in both movies and photos.

The body of the Handycam NEX-VG10 is also designed to provide users with a more stable grip for shoots, especially when shooting subjects at high or low angles. Coupled with the 3-inch swivel Xtra Fine LCD screen featuring TruBlack technology and a pivoting EVF, the camcorder provides users with an ergonomic filming experience while framing subjects in desired perspectives. The camcorder records in AVCHD format, allowing users to record in high quality Full HD with 1920 x 1080 resolution at the maximum bitrate of 24Mbps and capture moments with vivid detail.

Extended recording times

The Handycam NEX-VG10 also allows for extended recording without time limit, unlike many digital still cameras and DSLR’s. This is essential for users recording time lapse videos or long footage. The recording time is only limited by the size of the memory card used and the camcorder’s battery life. The Handycam NEX-VG10 is equipped with the NP-FV70 battery which supports approximately 155 minutes of continuous recording, while an optional NP-FV100 battery can record more than five hours of continuous video. The camcorder also supports two types of memory cards – Memory Stick and SD cards – allowing videographers more options in terms of storage capacity. With the Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo, users can transfer their movies and photos up to 4 times faster than when using the Memory Stick PRO Duo Mark2.

Customers who purchase the Handycam NEX-VG10 will also be entitled to a free download of Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 10, which lets them make post-production edits on their videos, such as video compositing, colour correction and soundtrack creation.

The Handycam NEX-VG10 will be available in Asia Pacific from August 2010.

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