Back-illuminated Exmor in new Sony HD Handycam

It’s the very last word in HD picture quality, smart shooting features and stunning looks. The new flagship of Sony’s HD camcorder line-up, the Handycam® HDR-CX520VE/505VE is packed with latest innovations to help you capture better-looking video and still images, whatever you’re doing. Press release from Sony, July 7th 2009.

Inside the chic, compact body of the CX520VE is a massive 64GB internal memory with space for a generous 25 hours of detail-packed Full HD and 5.1 channel surround sound (at LP mode, 32GB for CX505VE stores 12 hours). Want to keep shooting for even longer on that holiday or weekend away? Just slip in an optional Memory Stick™ and capture even more memories, with no need to worry about packing extra discs or tapes.
The Handycam® CX520VE/505VE is a showcase for the latest in Sony sensor, lens and processing technology. The roles of these three critical components are perfectly balanced for best-ever imaging performance under any shooting conditions.

Key to incredible picture quality is an ultra-high resolution Exmor R™ CMOS Sensor. This Sony-developed sensor features a highly efficient ClearVid array with back-illuminated technology that captures more light than conventional sensor designs. The result: crystal clear, detail-packed Full HD video and still images up to 12 effective megapixel resolution, with superb contrast and vibrant colours.
Thanks to a dramatic 2x increase in sensitivity, you’ll enjoy phenomenal picture quality in low light with dramatically reduced picture noise compared with ordinary CMOS models. You’ll really see the difference in dimly-lit interiors and atmospheric twilight moments.
Realising the full potential of the Exmor R™ sensor is the latest version of Sony’s BIONZ imaging processor. This further reduces picture noise, while ensuring superb image detailing and lifelike colours.
A premium-quality G Lens complements the incredible imaging capabilities of the Exmor R™ CMOS sensor and BIONZ processor. Showcasing Sony’s unique optical design concept, G Lens is precision-engineered to the highest standards.

The advanced optical design features refinements like aspheric glass elements and Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass for crisp, clear images with high contrast and reduced colour fringing. Shared with premium lenses from the Alpha DSLR still camera range is a high-quality 6-blade iris diaphragm, allowing the creation of beautiful circular defocus effects.
Cutting the effects of camera shake by up to 10x compared with standard Optical SteadyShot, Active Mode now gives even clearer, wobble-free images even when you’re walking along. In addition, it’s the world’s first camcorder to reduce camera shake in 3 directions during video shooting (as of July 2009). Camera roll is now corrected as well as up/down and left/right tremor, contributing to an overall improvement in picture stability.
Face Detection is enhanced with ‘Face Touch’, giving priority to your chosen subject. Just touch your favourite face on screen: focus, colour balance, exposure and Smile Shutter are automatically optimised for beautiful results. Autofocus precision and speed is also improved by a new Face Detection algorithm.
While you’re travelling, the GPS receiver inside the CX520VE/505VE logs your location with satellite-linked precision. Map View shows your position on the clear, bright 3” wide Clear Photo LCD plus screen. Back home, supplied Picture Motion Browser software makes it easy to view all your ‘geotagged’ video clips and still images, helping you retrace your travels.
A friendly new on-screen interface features ‘My Menu’ for even simpler operation. Up to six commonly-used functions can be assigned to the main display screen for quick, easy access. Secondary Record and zoom buttons are now represented as on-screen icons, only appearing when the screen is touched for a cleaner, neater appearance.
After shooting, Highlight Playback automatically creates polished ‘mini movies’, blending selected clips and still photos with professional-looking effects and a choice of background music. It’s a fun, easy way to show off your memories in style, with no need for a PC or video editing skills. Up to 8 Highlight Scenarios can be stored in the camcorder, so you can always enjoy your favourite movies anytime you want.
In a Handycam® first, the CX520VE/505VE automatically upconverts interlaced video signals for 50p (progressive) playback on a 1920×10980/50p compatible TV via HDMI connection. You’ll see the difference with incredibly smooth, satisfying, cinematic images.
Supplied Picture Motion Browser software makes it beautifully simple to browse and manage clips on a PC, or upload them with a few clicks to YouTube ™ and other sharing sites. CX520VE/505VE are also certified by Apple for the compatibility with iMovie for Mac users.
‘PC-free’ disc burning
The HDR-CX520VE/505VE is the first HD flash memory camcorder from Sony that’s compatible with the optional VRD-P1 DVDirect Express. This ultra-compact disc burner connects to Handycam® via a single USB cable. Just touch a button and footage is burned at super-speed to DVD for safekeeping and sharing with friends – either as High Definition AVCHD discs or Standard Definition DVD discs.

Joining the VRD-P1 is the brand new VRD-MC6 DVDirect. This sleek, compact DVD burner is a great ‘universal archive’ solution that’s perfect for transferring video clips, digital photos and old videotapes to DVD. Just hook up virtually any camcorder (analogue or digital), camera or VCR. Preview images on the LCD screen, then press a button and everything’s burned to disc – with no PC needed.
Stylish new carry cases
There’s a choice of eye-catching new carry cases to protect your Handycam® against dust and everyday scratches.
Available in four fashion colours (off-white, black, dark red, lime green), the LCS‑AX1 features a semi-hard ‘jewel box’ design with funky, pared-down styling. The LCS-AX2 is a soft carry case that slings comfortably over a shoulder, keeping your Handycam® safe while it’s not being used.
32GB Memory Stick
With Memory Stick™ at the heart of the Handycam you have every advantage. The advanced Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX is the perfect tool for handling HD digital video, with the ideal combination of massive storage capacity and blisteringly fast operation. Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX 16GB is already available and we are pleased to announce that 32GB is coming up. Using the supplied adaptor, the Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX 32GB will transfer 225 minutes of Full HD video to a PC in under 26 minutes, which is 3 times faster than Memory Stick PRO Duo.

The Handycam® HDR-CX520VE/505VE Full HD Memory Stick™ Handycam® is available from August 2009.
For more information on the product, please click on this link : http://content.hmxmedia.com/sony/hdr-cx520v/SonyCX520_2009_07_06_360p_X264.mov
All the features of the Exmor R CMOS sensor will be utilised to the full when the Handycam CX520VE/505VE is used at Sony’s Twilight Football events in September. For more information on Twilight Football, please visit: http://www.sony.co.uk/twilightfootball.
Editor’s note: all the superlatives, ‘incredibles’ and stuff like that are Sony press release original language. Good PR writing dictates that a company should not use this type of language as it sounds like advertising copy and not a product announcement. Hopefully it’s all true and not so much over-adjectived cookery.