Audio Video News

Sony put a little more "pro" and a little less "sumer" in its latest high-definition camcorder, the HDR-FX7. The new $3,500 model is the first 1080i HDV camcorder to include Sony's three-chip ClearVID CMOS sensor technology, of which Sony claims the primary benefits are high-speed data transfer rates and lower power consumption. The three-chip configuration along with Sony's "Enhanced Imaging Processor" is said to provide higher video resolution, greater light sensitivity with minimal amounts of picture noise, and more accurate color reproduction than previous Sony models.

The HDR-FX7 weighs approximately three pounds and is close to 40 percent smaller as well as 25 percent lighter than Sony's first prosumer HDV camcorder - all of which are good things for anyone who has had to lug a camcorder around on vacation. The new unit can record and playback both 1080i HDV and standard definition DV video using standard miniDV tapes, and the camcorder's HDMI interface allows direct connections to HDMI-equipped displays when you can't wait to see your high-definition memories before you sit down to edit most of them out.

Other features of the camcorder include a high-resolution viewfinder plus a high-resolution 3.5-inch LCD screen that can be tilted and swiveled as needed when you're trying for that artistic Dutch angle shot. To help bring in foraging wildlife and other distant vistas, the camcorder is equipped with a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens with a 20x optical zoom range in 16:9 mode, but Sony says the unit's digital extender function can provide up to a 30x optical zoom "without significant degradation of picture quality." If you are shooting from that far away, you're going to be glad that Sony's Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization is also built-in. To reduce color distortion, the HDR-FX7 uses an extra-low distortion lens glass.

Partly as a result of the three-chip design, the camcorder has a smooth slow record function that allows it to capture a six-second burst of video and play it back in over 24 seconds in slow motion. This feature won't get you a gig with ESPN, but it's pretty darn sweet anyway.

For those of us who want to be able to really mess up the picture, the HDR-FX7 has extensive manual controls for zoom, focus, shutter speed, white balance, iris, and gain. There are independent manual zoom and focus rings, as well.

The HDR-FX7 is expected to be available in October. Of course, Sony will also offer a full line of accessories. For those who can't wait to get their hands on the new camcorder, Sony will begin accepting pre-orders on Friday, September 8 at www.sonystyle.com/handycam.