Sony's Memory Stick AVCHD Camcorder - HDR-CX7

April 25, 2007 – Sony continues their attempt to dominate the consumer HD camcorder today with the release of the HDR-CX7 ($1200 MSRP), their first to record exclusively to a removable flash media, Memory Stick PRO Duo. Also announced today were the HDR-SR5 and HDR-SR7, two new HDD high definition models. This brings the total number of sub-$2000 Sony HD camcorders to seven, over three times as many as Panasonic or Canon currently offers. Five of the seven utilize the new AVCHD codec.

It is Panasonic and their HDC-SD1 camcorder ($1299 MSRP) that Sony clearly has in its sights. While the companies co-developed the AVCHD codec that finally brought HD to non-tape formats like DVD and HDD, Panasonic was the first to offer a flash memory HD camcorder. Using widely available SDHC cards, the Panasonic HDC-SD1 has received some success, and was even adopted by Panasonic Broadcast as a niche professional camcorder (the AG-HSC1U). Sony’s new HDR-CX7 uses their own proprietary card format, Memory Stick PRO Duo, which will likely bring additional dollars into the company.

The Sony HDR-CX7 does not ship with a Memory Stick, and the end cost slightly favors the Panasonic HDC-SD1. The SD1 includes a 4GB SDHC card (40 minutes of highest quality video), but the total package is about $100 more than the HDR-CX7. Sony currently retails a 4GB Memory Stick PRO Duo card for $129 (for approximately 30 minutes of highest quality video). An 8GB version card is also available for $299.

On paper, the HDR-CX7 has some compelling features that may push it above Panasonic’s offering. The CX7 comes equipped with a 1/2.9” ClearVID CMOS sensor, with 3,200,000 gross pixels (2,280,000 effective pixels). This is the same chip found in the Sony HDR-UX7 and HDR-HC7, and allows for stills up to 6.1MP.

Unlike the Panasonic HDC-SD1, the CX7 includes an active accessory shoe, though it is a Sony proprietary fit shoe. The HDC-SD1 has no shoe, but there are U-shaped accessory brackets available for the AG-HSC1U that attaches to the tripod hole. The Sony HDR-CX7 also offers the ability to record in standard definition, while the Panasonic does not. This feature gives consumers the option for a lower data load when capacity on a card is nearly full.

Sony is also touting the inclusion of x.v.Color on all three of today’s announcements. This re-branded xvYCC color standard offers a wider range of color space than sRGB, but currently has almost no playback support on televisions.

Other features on the Sony HDR-DX1 include a 10x optical / 20x digital zoom, a 2.7” touch screen LCD (211,000 pixels), and Smooth Slow Record, which allows for 3 seconds of overcranking at a 4x slower playback speed. A built-in flash aids in the max 2848 x 2136 stills. There is no viewfinder.

The CArl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens has an aperture range of f/1.8 - f/2.9 and a focal distance of 5.4 - 54mm (35mm equivalent: 40-400mm in 16:9 video and still mode). Also featured is optical image stabilization.

Ports on the HDR-CX7 include component and composite out, USB 2.0, and HDMI (not included). The camcorder falls short of the Panasonic HDC-SD1 in one key area. Unlike the other Sony camcorders ending in the number “7” (HDR-HC7, HDR-UX7, and HDR-SR7), the CX7 does not include either microphone or headphone jacks. Audio is restricted to the built-in 5.1 channel Dolby Digital mic, located on top of the body towards the lens.

The Sony HDR-CX7 is the smallest and lightest AVCHD camcorder to date, undercutting the Panasonic HDC-SD1 by 30 grams and a few millimeters. The CX7 retails for $1200 (MSRP) without a Memory Stick PRO duo card. It is scheduled to ship in June. Pre-orders are now being accepted.