The new camcorders use Sony’s 1/3-inch 3
ClearVid CMOS Sensor™ system enhanced by Exmor™ technology. With a
45-degree rotated pixel layout, the 3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor
system offers sufficient pixel surface area
while maintaining high resolution. The Exmor technology features a
unique column-parallel analog-to-digital conversion technique and dual
noise canceling, resulting in high-quality digital signals with
extremely low noise, similar to the imaging technology used in the
PMW-EX1 camera. The two new technologies combine to allow the new
camcorders to perform significantly better in low-light environments
with sensitivity of 1.5 lux. *
This imaging technology is complemented by Sony’s Enhanced Imaging
Processor™ (EIP) system to achieve high resolution, high sensitivity,
wide dynamic range, and excellent color reproduction.
Users can attach different lenses for extra flexibility, and both models
have a universal standard 1/3-inch bayonet mount mechanism for easier
lens changes.
Each camcorder comes standard with a 12x high-quality, multi-purpose
Carl Zeiss lens for HD video, with a Vario-Sonnar™ T* coating to reduce
reflections. A specially designed 8x wide-angle lens is also available
as an option.
These new lenses give the camcorders the same functionality as Sony’s
popular fixed-lens camcorders like the HVR-Z1 and HVR-V1, thanks to
built-in features such as auto-focus, optical stabilizer, and automatic
back-focus adjustment.
Using a special adaptor, users can also
attach the α lens series designed for Sony’s
consumer digital SLR still cameras.
The camcorders offer 1080, 24p and 30p native progressive recording.
The 3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor system and EIP technology create true 1080p
images, which can then be recorded as progressive signals by the HVR-Z7
and HVR-S270E camcorders in the HDV format. The progressive HDV streams
can be output from an i.LINK® interface and used for progressive editing
with compatible NLE software.
The HVR-Z7 and HVR-S270E can switch between 1080p, 1080i in the HDV
format, DVCAM™, and DV recording, and both can down-convert material
from HD to SD, and output the video signals through its i.LINK interface
and other SD output connectors. The HVR-Z7 has an HDMI output. The
HVR-S270E is available with HD-SDI or SD-SDI connectivity, and also
supports embedded audio and timecode.
The HVR-Z7 and HVR-S270E use Sony’s XtraFine™ LCD and XtraFine
electronic viewfinder for high-resolution and high-contrast images with
remarkable color reproduction. The HVR-S270E features a new LCD/EVF
configuration named “Dual Finder,” where the LCD located on the EVF
enables multiple styles of operation.
The new camcorders offer the option of hybrid recording when using a
supplied memory-recording unit, which attaches directly to the back of
the HVR-Z7 or the side of the HVR-S270E and eliminates the need for
cables. The unit automatically synchronizes with the recording action of
the camcorder and a special shoe connector inputs and outputs an HDV/DV
stream and supplies power to the unit.
This unit captures the HDV1080i, DVCAM, or DV stream output from the
camcorder and can record HDV/DVCAM/DV files to a standard CompactFlash®
solid-state memory card, while users are simultaneously recording to
tape.
It will be compatible with Sony’s Professional 306x CompactFlash card as
well as standard CompactFlash cards (2GB minimum capacity, 133x minimum
speed). The recording times on an 8 and 16 GB CompactFlash card in HDV,
DVCAM and DV format are approximately 36 and 72 minutes**, respectively.
The HVR-Z7 can deliver more than 60 minutes of recording time on miniDV
videotapes, and approximate recording times of 63 minutes with Sony’s
DigitalMaster™ cassettes (PHDVM-63DM). The HVR-S270E also accepts
standard-size cassettes to provide more than 4.5 hours of continuous
recording, with approximate recording times of 4 hours, 36 minutes** on
Sony PHDV-276DM videotapes.
