Sony Has Two New HD Flash Memory Camcorders – HDR-CX500 and HDR-CX520

July was once a busy time of year for new camcorders, but today Sony announced just two models to add to its HD lineup. The new HDR-CX500V and HDR-CX520V are flash memory camcorders, offering 32GB and 64GB of internal memory, respectively. There are a number of improvements over the older HDR-CX12, including the lens, stabilization, menu interface changes, and an upconverted output to 1080P. (View Photo Gallery)

The CX500 and CX520 both feature a 1/2.8-inch CMOS sensor with a gross pixel count of six megapixels The sensors use Sony's latest Exmor Rtechnology, which employs a back-illuminated design to more efficiently capture light. The design, which debuted earlier this year on other camcorders, reverses the order of the photodiodes and wiring on the chip. "This allows more light to move more efficiently, not blocked by the metal wiring, and increases sensitivity. Most notably in low light, there's a great improvement over previous models," stated Phil Bouchillion, team product manager for camcorders.

The other significant hardware upgrade is the stabilization. In addition to the standard corrections along the X and Y axes from the optical image stabilization (OIS), Sony has added an electronic image stabilization (EIS) to correct for roll. What is roll? Bend your hand at the wrist back and forth – that's roll. The new camcorders offer two user-defined levels of correction, Standard and Active. The EIS will only switch on in the Active mode.

Most recent developments in image stabilization have been a move away from EIS, because it reduces the number of effective pixels. We asked Sony if the electronic stabilization would compromise image quality. The company responded that there is a trade-off with EIS, but "it's a 6-megapixel sensor, so despite some loss there is plenty to convert to a 1920 x 1080 resolution."

The Sony HDR-CX500 and HDR-CX520 have identical bodies. From the back, the relocated control dial can be seen.

The lenses on both the CX500 and CX520 have improved, upgrading from a 2-blade aperture to a 6-blade aperture, which Sony indicates makes for a more pleasing image, particularly in out-of-focus areas.

In addition to hardware advances, Sony has revamped the software interface. The so-called "Home" menu design, standard issue on many Sony camcorders in the last few years, is gone. Sony claims it is simpler to use than before, though a hands-on demonstration was not yet available.

The CX500 and CX520 also offer a Highlight Playback function. The camcorders can analyze footage and create a highlight reel, automating shot transitions and adding a background soundtrack.

The face recognition has been upgraded, as well. You can now touch a face on the LCD screen and the camcorder will remember it, even if it walks out of the frame and re-enters. That face will be given priority for focus, exposure, color correction, and Sony's Smile Shutter.

Both new camcorders include built-in GPS. Using Navteq software, video clips are geo-tagged for easy sorting and mapping. The clock also adjusts automatically to the current timezone.

Finally, the CX500 and CX520 offer upconversion from 1080i (the native recording resolution) to 1080P when outputted through an HDMI cable to a compatible HDTV.  The camcorders can also downconvert from AVCHD to MPEG-2 when paired with the DVDirect Express VRD-MC6 standalone DVD burner. Previously, a computer was required as intermediary to downconvert from AVCHD to standard definition. The VRD-MC6 was also announced today, retailing for $229.

The HDR-CX500, with 32GB internal memory, retails for $1099. The HDR-CX520, with 64GB, retails $1299. Both are available in September, along with the new VRD-MC6 DVD burner.

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