SONY HDR-CX300E 16GB HD HANDYCAM PAL CAMCORDER

Sony's HDR-CX300E 16GB HD Handycam PAL Camcorder features 1920 x 1080i HD recording, 7MP still image capture, and an abundance of numerous other features and functions. First and foremost among them would be the multiple storage options. You can choose to record to the 16GB internal flash memory, which can hold up to 6.5 hours of high def footage (HD LP mode), or use optional Sony Memory Stick media, including Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo, and Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo. And, your third choice? Sony camcorders are now also compatible with SD/SDHC memory cards.

When it comes to the core of the CX300E you'll find solid components and features that set it apart from entry-level models. First off, the camcorder has a back-illuminated 1/4" "Exmor R" CMOS sensor that works with Sony's BINOZ Image Processor. It's designed to capture HD images with detail especially in low light situations. The wide angle G-Lens has a focal length of 27.4mm for photos and 29.8mm for video. The lens also has 12x optical zoom for capturing far off subjects and SteadyShot image stabilization with Active Mode for reduced blur due to hand-shake. The Active Mode enhances the image stabilization with Sony's 3-Way Shake-Canceling, which compensates for more kinds of movement. At last, but certainly not least, the CX300E has a 2.7" Clear Photo LCD that provides a wide screen platform for composition and playback of your images, and the convenience of touch screen navigation.

The HDR-CX300E also offers up a number of user-friendly functions designed to assist in operating the camcorder. Among them you'll find 1080p playback which lets you up-convert your video to 1080p for viewing on your HDTV, via an HDMI cable. Other popular and useful features include Face Detection with Face Priority, Smile Shutter, and even a feature called, Golf Shot for analyzing your golf swing, or other fast action movement. Hitting on a few more assets in the HDR-CX300E's arsenal reveals a personalized system for customizing the interface for the functions you use most, automatic Power ON when you open the LCD screen, and easy recall of scenes using the Film Roll Index or Face Index.

1920 x 1080 High Definition Video Recording

1920 x 1080i high definition resolution lets you record your memories in exceptional high definition quality. Capable of 1080p playback via HDMI and compatible HDTV providing stunning clarity and incredibly detailed playback of your memories

16GB Internal Flash Memory

The built-in 16GB embedded flash memory can record and store up to 6.5 hours of high definition video footage (HD LP mode), or up to 4 hours of standard definition footage (SD HQ mode)

Media Card Slot

For convenient storage and sharing of your images and videos, the camera accepts Memory Stick Duo / Memory Stick PRO Duo / Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo media and SD/SDHC media (optional)

1/4" Back-Illuminated "Exmor R" CMOS Sensor

Experience low-light sensitivity with improved image clarity and drastically reduced grain with the back-illuminated "Exmor R" sensor. Designed for compact cameras and camcorders, the "Exmor R" sensor relocates the photo diodes above the support circuitry, maximizing the light gathering area per pixel so you can shoot with better results in lower lighting conditions 1 close Please Note:Approximately 2x increase in sensitivity compared to Sony's previous front-illuminated CMOS sensors at f/2.0

12x Optical / 160x Digital Zoom

12x optical zoom helps to bring the action close up from far away. In addition, Digital Zoom Interpolation means that digital zooming (up to 160x) is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zoom

7MP Digital Still Capture

7 megapixel still image capture lets you take stunning, high resolution digital photos while the Dual record capability lets you capture 3.5MP still images while shooting high definition video, so you can capture those special moments without having to switch recording modes

2x Faster Quick AF

With the improved autofocus (AF) system, Quick AF, the focusing speed is twice as fast compared to previous models. Whether in bright daylight or in a dimly lit environment, Quick AF ensures fast, accurate, and consistent focus lock, enabling users to shoot in a wide range of scenes without missing any important moment. Especially when shooting night scenes where conventional AF might struggle to focus, thanks to the much improved AF algorithm in Quick AF, users can now capture crisp images, fast

1080p Playback Via HDMI and Compatible HDTV

1080p playback via HDMI and compatible HDTV providing stunning clarity and incredibly detailed playback of your memories

Face Detection with Face Priority

With Face Priority, your camcorder optimizes focus, color, exposure, and Smile Shutter technology for the face you prioritize. Just touch the preferred face on the LCD display and the camcorder will assign it priority, even if it leaves and returns to the frame

Smile Shutter

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

Direct Copy to External HDD without a PC

Store your memories in a whole new way with the ability to copy videos from your camcorder directly to an external hard disk drive (optional), all without a computer. Your camcorder can also access videos stored on the external hard drive for playback on your HDTV, allowing you to utilize the camcorder's handy playback features

Intelligent Auto (10 iAUTO Modes)

Intelligent Auto mode goes a step beyond traditional auto modes by analyzing your shot and then automatically selecting the appropriate settings from 10 distinct scene modes (90 different combinations possible): Portrait Mode, Smile Shutter, Backlight Control, Scenery, Night Scenery Mode, High Sensitivity Mode, Macro Mode, Baby Mode, Walk Detection, Tripod, and Low Light Mode

SteadyShot Image Stabilization with Active Mode

SteadyShot image stabilization with Active Mode represents the next step forward in Sony image stabilization technology. Active Mode improves on existing SteadyShot image stabilization by allowing the camera to compensate for greater degrees of camera shake and deliver a stunning level of image smoothness

Personalized "My Menu" System

New user friendly interface uses touch screen technology to allow users to scroll through menus quickly and easily and even create a personalized "My Menu" to bring together the functions they use most. Users can spend more time recording memories and less time in menus

Face Index Function

Face Index makes it easy to find and play back the right video scene. Using Face Detection technology, Face Index indexes your video footage according to the faces detected in each scene. When it's time to play back video, simply search for what you want by selecting from among the detected faces displayed in the index

Film Roll Index

Like chapters in a book, Film Roll Index helps you easily find desired scenes in video footage. When using this feature, the camcorder previews the beginning of scenes and can create scene indexes set at specified display intervals (3, 6, or 12 seconds and 1 or 5 minutes)

Dual Record with Still Image Capture

Dual record capability lets you capture 3.5MP still images while shooting high definition video, so you can capture those special moments without having to switch recording modes

Built-In Intelligent Flash

For added clarity and detail when taking pictures in low-light situations, the built-in flash improves pictures and reduces shadows

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 (optional), as well as take advantage of one click upload to a number of popular video and photo sharing sites

Dynamic Range Optimizer

The D-Range (Dynamic Range) Optimizer function adjusts the exposure and contrast of an image to counter the effects of high-contrast shooting condition, allowing for a great shot. The D-Range Optimizer suppresses "blackout" in dark areas such as shadows and "whiteout" in bright areas such as skies. As a result, the captured image appears as natural as the original scene

x.v. Color Technology

x.v. Color technology enables the HDR-CX300E 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

BIONZ Image Processor

The BIONZ Image Processor works in conjunction with the Exmor CMOS sensor with ClearVid array for pristine imaging. The BIONZ Image Processor provides Data Noise Reduction, Fast Image processing, and Data compression to preserve videos and images. In addition, the BIONZ Image Processor enables Face Detection technology and Sony's Dynamic Range Optimizer for both video and still image capture. The higher processing speed also allows Dual Recording to capture still images while recording video

BRAVIA Sync Technology

BRAVIA Sync technology offers great ease of use in controlling compatible Sony products connected via an HDMI (CEC) connection. HDMI connectivity provides a simple, high-quality video and audio connection, with the ability to transmit HD video and up to 5.1 channel audio directly from the camcorder to compatible HDTVs via a single HDMI cable (not included). With BRAVIA Sync (CEC) technology, the HDMI connection also delivers the ability to control both the camcorder and HDTV using a single BRAVIA TV remote and displays the camcorder's playback menu on screen for easier navigation

Additional Creative Control and Workflow Features

Power on your camcorder by simply opening the camera's LCD display

USB 2.0 provides an easy connection between your camcorder and PC for fast transfer of video and stills

Record and zoom controls on LCD for more control and flexibility, especially for overhead or low angle shots

Dolby Digital stereo recording with built-in zoom mic focuses on subject for clear dialogue and crisp, discrete sounds

One Touch Disc Burn for easy copy of footage using the PMB software and the One Touch Disc Burn Button and a compatible PC

Specifications

Optics

Sensor                                                  1/4" CMOS

Lens                                                     2.9-34.8mm

f/1.8-3.4

Zoom                                                   Optical: 12x

Digital: 160x

Filter Size                                             30mm

Recording

System                                                 PAL

Recording Media                                  Internal Flash Memory 16GB Video/Image

SD/SDHC, Memory Stick PRO, Memory Stick PRO Duo  

Recording Time                                    Internal Flash Memory

HD: FX: 85 minutes

HD: HQ: 230 minutes

HD: LP: 395 minutes

SD: HQ: 235 minutes

Video Format                                       High Definition

MPEG AVC/H.264

1,920 x 1,080i

Still Image Resolution                            JPEG: 7 Megapixel,

Audio Format                                       2-Channel Stereo

Display

Display Type                                        LCD

Screen Size                                          2.7"

Touchscreen                                         Yes

Features

Image Stabilization                                Optical

Lux                                                      11 (1/60 Shutter Speed)

3 (LOW LUX)

Built-in Mic                                          Yes

Built-in Speaker                                    Yes

Accessory Shoe                                   Hot

Tripod Mount                                       1/4"

Input/Output Connectors

Outputs                                                1x USB 2.0

1x Mini HDMI

1x A/V

1x HDMI

1x Component Video (out)

Analog A/V out: Included via A/V Remote Terminal

Component Video out: Supplied via A/V Remote Jack

S-Video: Via optional A/V Remote Jack

Microphone Input                                 No

Headphone Jack                                   No

General

System Requirements                            Windows System

XP (SP3), Vista (SP2), 7

PMB Ver.5.0 does not support Mac OS

PMB Ver.5.0 does not support XP SP3, Vista SP2, and Windows 7 64-bit editions and Starter (Edition)

Battery                                                 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery

Pack Power Adapter                            Not Specified By Manufacturer

Dimensions (WxHxD)                           2.05 x 2.52 x 4.92" / 52 x 64 x 125mm

Weight                                                 12 oz / 340.2g

This is a "PAL" product and CANNOT be used in the USA. It is designed for use with video products built to PAL TV standards.