Audio Video News

It's 26 percent more compact, packed with easy-to-use features, and more affordable than its predecessor. Oh, yeah, and it lets you record high-definition home videos.

Sony says the new handy gadget, the HDR-HC3 HDV 1080i Handycam camcorder, is designed to make high-definition video recording available to both "first-time camcorder users and those new to high-def recording." (We assume that Sony won't mind if more advanced camcorder users decide to buy one, as well.)

Ease-of-operation and convenience features include:

a user-assignable dial that can be set to the most regularly-used options (also known as the "no-brainer" dial),

an Easy Handycam button that locks out advanced features on the camcorder leaving only buttons essential for recording on the menu (the "honey, don't worry your pretty little head" function),

a 2.7-inch touch panel high-contrast SwivelScreen LCD (big enough and bright enough for Grandpa to use),

Super Steadyshot image stabilization (especially helpful when the camera operator has had one beer too many at the family reunion),

a built-in microphone,

and an intelligent built-in flash.

Hard-core performance-related features include:

• one of them newfangled HDMI outputs,
• a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens,
• Sony's new ClearVid CMOS Sensor technology and Enhanced Imaging Processor,
• and a smooth slow-motion record function that plays back three seconds of video in 12 seconds. (Now you can analyze Johnny's T-ball swing ad infinitum...)

The HDR-HC3 can shoot four-megapixel still images or can be used in dual record mode that allows for the capture of 2.3-megapixel 16:9 stills in high-definition mode or 1.7-megapixel 4:3 stills in standard-definition mode.

Sony expects the new HDV camcorder to be available in April for about $1,700.