Sony has unveiled six new high definition camcorders in their HDR series.
Three models — the HDR-SR10, HDR-SR11, and HDR-SR12 (pictured) — are hard-disc based camcorders, while the other two — HDR-UX10 and HDR-UX20 — rely on standard DVDs for recording. The HDR-SC9 uses the hDV recording format and mini DV tapes.
They all utilise the AVCHD system for compressing full 1080p resolution footage, at the expense of a certain level of image quality.
In addition, Sony has taken a feature now found on many digital still cameras and added face detection technology. Up to eight faces can be identified, with the camcorder then automatically adjusting focus, exposure, and colour control.
Unlike other Handycam models with face detection, these camcorders allocate more pixels to the detected face during the AVCHD encoding process for the best possible picture when people are the subjects.
Other tech found on these cameras include ClearVid CMOS sensors with Exmor-derived technology, for minimising picture noise, a Bionz processing engine and dynamic range optimisation.
All camcorders record in Dolby Digital 5.1-channel surround sound, and offer integrated zoom microphones.
The SR10 offers a 40GB hard drive, with the SR11 at 60GB, and SR12 with 120GB. They all give the option of recording onto Memory Stick PRO Duo media cards.
The UX camcorders offer up to an hour of HD recording onto a standard double layer DVD in 1440 LP mode, while the UX20 can also record onto its 8GB of internal memory or onto a media card.
The SR12, SR11, SR10, UX20 and UX10 models will all ship in March for about $1,400, $1,200, $1,000, $1,000 and $800, respectively. The HDR-HC9 camcorder will ship in February for about $1,100. More details to follow.
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