Sony Unveils Worlds Smallest HD Camcorder

High definition video cameras are now starting to get as compact as their SD cousins, with the launch of what Sony claims to be the world’s lightest and most compact HD camcorder.

Fitting in the palm of your hand, the new Handycam (HDRCX7K) records to Memory Stick media (a first for Sony) adding to its existing range of recording formats of tape, disc and hard disk drive.

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“Moving to Memory Stick as the recording format means we were able to achieve this world-leading compact size, while impressive battery power, high definition recording and convenient image and video storage are all included. The combination makes this tiny model a stand-out option for anyone in the market for a truly handheld camcorder,” said Sony’s Di Shepherd.
 
Memory Sticks will be available in sizes from 1GB to 8GB, and footage stored on the Memory Stick can be transferred to the Playstation 3’s hard drive to watch back. The camcorder will come with a 4GB Memory Stick.

Weighing in at 450 grams with dimensions of 6.9cm x 6.7cm x 13.1cm (including attached battery, Sony says the camcorder can shoot continuous video for six hours. The included 4GB Memory Stick Pro Duo will allow you to record almost 1.5 hours of full HD 1080i footage, the company says.

The camcorder uses x.v.Colour technology, features a CMOS sensor, optical image stabilisation, slow-mo and dual recording modes which allow you to shoot video and 4.6 megapixel photos at the same time. A smart addition to the

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camcorder is ‘Face Index’ – which uses face detection technology to help search for ‘people pictures’. Scenes containing faces appear as thumbnail images that can be selected on the touchscreen. There is also a ‘Film Roll Index’ that automatically breaks footage down into chapters to access via thumbnails.

Also unveiled by Sony is its new line up of AVCHD hard disk drive camcorders which offer 40GB ($1899), 60GB ($2349) and 100GB ($2499) of storage for your footage.

RRP:
HDRCX7K $2,099
Memory Stick PRO Duo $59.95 – $319.95

See: www.sony.com.au