Sony Expands HDV with Two New Camcorders HDR-HC5 and HDR-HC7

Sony HDR-HC7

January 7, 2007 – Today at CES, Sony announced two new HDV camcorders, the HDR-HC5 ($1099) and HDR-HC7 ($1399), which hearken back to the popular features of the HC1, including headphone and mic jacks on the HC7, while adding new advances in CMOS technology. The new models make up part of the seven total HD models in their consumer line, easily making Sony the dominant player the market.

 

Since the introduction of the HDR-HC1 in 2005, Sony has been at the forefront of consumer HD camcorders. The HC1 continues to be a sought after model, particularly after the follow-up model, the HDR-HC3, dropped the full-sized zoom/focus ring control, shutter speed control, mic jack, and headphone jack. The new 2007 models seem to seek a balance between those looking for Sony’s trademark ease of use and those looking for advanced controls. Neither model approaches the HC1 in the latter capacity, whose feature set has been transferred to the much more expensive HDR-FX7.

 

Sony’s entire high definition product line, which includes HDV and AVCHD camcorders, HDTVs, Blu-Ray, Play Station 3, and more has been dubbed with the marketing buzz-term “Full HD 1080.” Their immense presence in the HD camcorder market is the result of an early start with the HDR-HC1 and a well-timed partnership with Panasonic to create the AVCHD standard, an MPEG-4/H.264 video codec that allows high definition video to be recorded to DVD, HDD, and memory cards. Sony wasted no time in exploiting the new format, releasing two AVCHD camcorders last year (the HDR-SR1 and HDR-UX1) and two more (the HDR-UX5 and HDR-UX7) this year. With two HD formats, HDV and AVCHD, Sony can effectively tap every segment of the market and push them towards upgrading to HD.

 

Both the HDR-HC5 and the HDR-HC7 capture 1080i HD video, with outputs for component, composite, HDMI, DV, and USB, and both feature a LANC remote inputs, MemoryStick Duo slots, and a hot accessory shoe (in the proprietary Sony size, smaller than standard shoes). None of the Sony camcorders announced at CES will offer analog input. For that sole feature, users may be drawn to the DCR-HC96, a 2006 camcorder scheduled to be carried over into the new year. Both the HDR-HC5 and HDR-HC7 make use of the new H. series Stamina batteries, which specs indicate should last for up to 6 hours of shooting.

 

The HDR-HC5 features last year’s 1/3” ClearVID CMOS sensor (2MP gross pixels), which is capable of taking 4MP stills in still mode and 2.3MP stills in Dual Record mode (simultaneous still and video capture). The ClearVID CMOS also allows for 240 frames of video to be captured and played back at a 4x reduced speed for slow motion. This is the same chip found in most of the high-end consumer camcorders from 2006, including the HDR-HC3, DCR-DVD505, DCR-SR100, HDR-SR1, HDR-UX1, and others.  

 

Sony HDR-HC5

The HDR-HC7 offers the same step-up feature set found in the top models in the AVCHD, HDD, and DVD product lines: the new 1/2.9” ClearVID CMOS sensor (3.2 MP gross pixels) and optical image stabilization. Combined, these features may make a powerful enticement for shooters interested in any of the recording mediums. The larger ClearVID CMOS allows for stills up 6.1MP and Dual Record stills of 4.6MP.

 

The other major upgrades to the HDR-HC7 include a mic and headphone jack and an assignable dial, similar to the one found on the HDR-HC3. The dial is capable of controlling exposure, AE shift, white balance shift, and focus. While this is not quite up to par with the full-size focus/zoom ring of the HDR-HC1, the increased functionality should prove some consolation.

 

Both the HDR-HC5 and HDR-HC7 will also offer a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens,  Super NightShot (which includes the infrared light), a built-in flash for stills, and an Easy button for simplified operation.

 

Though HDV is the older technology, the HC5 is not the lowest price option for Sony HD camcorders. That distinction is taken by the HDR-UX5, selling for $999, two hundred dollars less than the HC5. Despite the higher price, the HC5 and HC7 will be equipped with a 2.7” LCD (211K resolution), while the UX5 and UX7 have 3.5” LCDs (also a 211K resolution). All four offer widescreen color electronic EVFs (123K resolution).

 

The HDR-HC5 retails for $1099 and the HDR-HC7 retails for $1399. Both are scheduled for a February 2007 release.