With the advent of big-pixel, huge-sensor DSLRs that shot beautiful high definition video, the world welcomed a new era complete with the kind of bokeh, optical effects, and color reproduction that were far and away beyond the capabilities of the dedicated video recorders of the day—and they still took amazing pictures on top of it.
Not content to see cameras usurp camcorders’ roles, Sony recently used its Handycam line’s 25th anniversary to announce their latest creation: a purpose-built camcorder that can use interchangeable lenses. Coupled with an “extra-large” HD CMOS sensor, they hope to bring the kind of creativity and freedom you see in the latest DSLRs to the camcorder realm for the rest of the masses to play with.
The camcorder, dubbed the NEX-VG10, uses an E-series mount used on lenses “optimized for video shooting with silent operation and AF.” There’s also an adapter to let you use your existing Sony alpha-compatible A-mount lenses. Sony claims the Exmor APS sensor is around 20 times larger than conventional camcorder sensors, and captures 1080p video at 24Mbps in video mode. The cam can also take standard shots, bursting up to 7 frames per second, and boasts features like auto-HDR (oh boy, I can’t wait) and anti-motion-blur algorithms. Four microphones integrate to capture directional sound, and offer dedicated inputs if you’d rather use your own. A 3″ swivel display rounds out the hardware package. An available battery option claims up to 315 minutes of HD video recording, which surpasses the 4 hours of footage they expect you to be able to fit onto the 32GB Memory Stick Pro Duo or SD card the camcorder accepts.
The NEX-VG10 is expected to be available for purchase in September 2010, and carries a $2000 price tag for the pleasure of owning one.
Articles RSS