Shoot gorgeous 1920 x 1080 high-definition video and 12.0 megapixel still images. Boasting 32GB of embedded flash memory, the HDR-CX500V Handycam® camcorder is outfitted with a professional-quality Sony G lens and a new, larger Exmor R™CMOS image sensor for superior low-light performance. This fully-loaded camcorder also features GPS capabilities, Face Detection with Face Touch and Smile Shutter™ technology. Plus, Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilization with Active Mode compensates for greater degrees of camera shake and provides a stunning level of image smoothness while 3-Way Shake-Canceling adds electronic roll stability for even smoother video capture.
1920 x 1080 high definition video recording
1920 x 1080 high definition resolution lets you record your memories in exceptional Sony® Full High Definition quality2.
1/2.88” "Exmor R" CMOS image sensor with ClearVid™ array
A 1/2.88” Exmor R™ CMOS image sensor delivers bright, vivid, spectacularly detailed video footage, as well as 12 megapixel still images. With 6 megapixel (effective) video resolution, the image sensor actually captures video at four times the density of high definition resolution resulting in a sharper and more detailed 1920 x 1080 HD picture. In addition, "Exmor R" technology captures images with high resolution and high sensitivity, while the advanced Sony® BIONZ™ image processor improves camera response time and screens out noise to help ensure that the signal from each pixel is as pure as possible.
Face Detection technology for Video Footage and Digital Still Photos
Made possible by the BIONZ™ image processing engine, Face Detection technology recognizes up to 8 faces anywhere in the frame and by selecting the most prominent, automatically controls focus, exposure, and color to help capture smiling faces brightly and clearly. Face Detection technology also helps make skin tones look natural without affecting other colors in the image. On AVCHD models, the camcorder allocates encoding bits on detected face areas prior to encoding other parts of the picture, making them sharper and clearer. In still picture mode, Face Detection technology sets the flash level to optimize picture clarity.
Professional-quality Sony® G Lens
Designed specifically to complement the "Exmor R" CMOS sensor with ClearVid™ array, the professional-quality Sony® G Lens delivers superior optical performance. Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass reduces chromatic aberration for more accurate color reproduction with less “fringing”, and precision ground optics offer stunning resolving power to bring you sharp, amazingly detailed images.
Highlight Playback
Why spend hours editing your movies when you can let your camcorder do it for you? Highlight Playback uses several criteria - including Face Index, Smile Shutter™ technology, Dual Capture and time range - to identify and compile key scenes into a short, entertaining movie complete with music and transitions.
Dual Record with 8.3MP still image capture
Dual record capability lets you capture 8.3MP still images while shooting high definition video, so you can capture those special moments without having to switch recording modes.
Assignable Dial
An assignable dial on the front of the camcorder can be programmed to control a variety of settings, including focus, exposure, AE (Auto Exposure) Shift, and WB (White Balance) Shift.
Easy Playback Options
Four, easy to use Playback indexing formats allow users to easily find and playback scenes at any time: Film Roll Index - scene indexes at specified display intervals, Face Index uses Face Detection technology to organize your video footage based on the faces detected in each scene, Map Index uses the GPS to easily find a desired scene based on location, and Date Indexing organizes scenes based on the time and date they were recorded.
One Touch Disc Burn
Easily burn a DVD copy of your footage using the supplied PMB (Picture Motion Browser) software9. Simply connect the camcorder to your compatible PC via a USB cable and press the One Touch Disc Burn Button (DVD media sold separately)12.
Dynamic Range Optimizer
The D-Range (Dynamic Range) Optimizer function adjusts the exposure and contrast of an image to counter the effects of high-contrast shooting condition, allowing for a great shot every time. The D-Range Optimizer suppresses “blackout” in dark areas such as shadows and “whiteout” in bright areas such as skies. As a result, the captured image appears as natural as the original scene.
Active Interface Shoe
The Active Interface Shoe lets you mount Intelligent Accessories, such as external lights and microphones, which can help extend the capabilities of your camcorder.
12 megapixel still image capture
12 megapixel still image capture lets you take stunning, high resolution digital photos
Back-illuminated "Exmor R" CMOS sensor
Experience stunning low-light sensitivity with improved image clarity and drastically reduced grain with the newly developed, back-illuminated "Exmor R" sensor. Designed for compact cameras and camcorders, the "Exmor R" sensor relocates the photo diodes above the support circuitry, maximizing the light-gathering area per pixel so you can shoot with better results in lower lighting conditions. Approx. 2x increase in sensitivity compared to Sony's existing front-illuminated CMOS sensors at F2.0.
Smile Shutter™ technology for still and dual capture
Smile Shutter™ technology lets the camcorder automatically take still photos when your subject smiles, even while shooting high definition video. You can also set the sensitivity and choose child, adult, or auto priority.
3.0” wide touch panel Clear Photo Plus LCD™ display3 (230K pixels)
The 3.0” wide3 (16:9) touch panel Clear Photo Plus LCD™ display renders sharp, bright, photo-quality images, letting you compose and share video and still images more easily -- even outdoors. The convenient touch panel allows easy access to menus and additional functionality such as spot focus and spot metering.
12X Optical / 150X Digital Zoom
12X optical zoom helps to bring the action close up from far away. In addition, Digital Zoom Interpolation means that digital zooming (up to 150X) is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zoom.
Includes Sony® PMB (Picture Motion Browser) software
Sony Picture Motion Browser software offers a simple, intuitive way to transfer, sort, and view your video and still images on your compatible PC9 . In addition, multiple output options let you burn your memories to DVD, AVCHD DVD2 , and Blu-ray Disc™ media (sold separately), as well as take advantage of one click upload to a number of popular video and photo sharing sites (compatible PC and internet connection required) 9.
Built-in Intelligent Flash
For added clarity and detail when taking pictures in low-light situations, the built-in flash improves pictures and reduces shadows.
Hybrid Recording to embedded Flash memory or Memory Stick Duo™ media
Hybrid recording technology delivers a new level of flexibility of capturing and transferring your video footage and digital photos from the camcorder to compatible viewing devices. Record to 32GB1 embedded Flash memory or choose instead to record to removable Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media (sold separately). You can even select from various dubbing functions to easily copy video or still images from the embedded Flash memory to the Memory Stick® media -- without using a PC.
Record and zoom controls on LCD touch screen
The HDR-CX500V features an additional set of record and zoom buttons on the LCD touch screen, giving you more control and flexibility when holding the camcorder, especially in overhead or low angle shots.
BRAVIA® Sync technology
BRAVIA® Sync technology5 offers greater ease of use in controlling compatible Sony products connected via an HDMI™ connection5. HDMI connectivity provides a simple; high-quality video and audio connection, with the ability to transmit HD video and up to 5.1 channel audio directly from the camcorder to compatible HDTVs via a single HDMI cable, sold separately. With BRAVIA Sync technology, the HDMI connection also delivers the ability to control both the camcorder and HDTV using a single BRAVIA® TV remote5 and displays the camcorder’s playback menu on screen for easier navigation.
HDMI™ connection
The High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI™) is a compact audio/video connector interface for transmitting uncompressed digital streams. HDMI connects digital audio/video sources such as a compatible camcorder, Blu-ray Disc™ player, a personal computer, a video game console, or an AV receiver to a compatible digital audio device and/or video monitor such as a digital television (DTV). HDMI began to appear in 2006 on consumer HDTVs, camcorders and high-end digital still cameras.
32GB1 Flash memory
The built-in 32GB1 embedded Flash Memory can record and store up to 24 hours of high definition video footage (HD LP mode), or up to 42 hours of standard definition footage (SD LP mode).
Geotagging with built-in GPS receiver
A built-in GPS receiver7 makes the HDR-CX500V an ideal choice for travelers. The receiver gives you the ability to view your current location on the LCD map display, as well as "tag" your shooting locations. Tagged videos and still images can be reviewed and played back using the Map Index function on the camcorder or once downloaded to your PC using the supplied PMB (Picture Motion Browser) software9. Additionally, the receiver automatically adjusts your camcorder's clock to the proper time zone.
Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilization with Active Mode and 3-Way Shake Canceling
Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilization with Active Mode represents the next step forward in Sony® image stabilization technology. Active Mode improves on existing Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilization by allowing the camera lens to shift over a greater range of motion. This allows the HDR-CX500V to compensate for greater degrees of camera shake and deliver a stunning level of image smoothness. Taking it a step further, 3-Way Shake-Canceling improves on the highly effective Vertical and Horizontal optical image stabilization by adding electronic roll stability for even smoother video capture.
Power On by opening LCD display
Power on your camcorder by simply opening the LCD display.
Dolby® Digital 5.1ch recording with Built-in Zoom Mic
Dolby® Digital 5.1 channel recording captures active sounds coming from all directions, so you can experience your home movies the way you experienced them while recording. The Built-In Zoom Mic focuses audio recording on your subjects in sync with the camera’s zoom lens.
Smooth Slow Record
The Smooth Slow Record mode increases the record rate from 60 frames per second (fps) to 240 fps, allowing you to capture 3 seconds of fast motion and play the video back in 12 seconds. This is a great tool for analyzing a golf swing or a viewing a bird in flight. In addition, you can record an audio track to narrate the video footage.
x.v. Color™ technology for superior color
x.v. Color™ technology enables the HDR-CX500V to capture nearly twice (1.8x) as many viewable colors as the standard RGB color range, resulting in more natural, life-like images6. You can even experience this expanded color range on the big screen when you connect your camcorder to x.v. Color capable displays, including a wide range of Sony® BRAVIA® HDTVs.
Burn Direct to DVDirect® express DVD burner (sold separately)
The HDR-CX500V supports a direct connection to the VRD-P1 DVDirect® DVD burner (sold separately). The camcorder down converts HD to SD automatically when connected to the P1, which allows you to burn DVDs directly from your camcorder without the need for a PC. And because the VRD-P1 is powered by your camcorder, you don't need an additional AC power cable.
BIONZ™ Image Processor
The BIONZ™ Image Processor works in conjunction with the "Exmor R" CMOS sensor with ClearVid™ array for pristine imaging. The BIONZ image processor provides Data Noise Reduction, Faster Image processing, and Data compression to preserve videos and images. In addition, the BIONZ™ image processor enables Face Detection technology and Sony’s Dynamic Range Optimizer for both video and still image capture. The higher processing speed also allows Dual Recording to capture still images while recording video.
Auto Lens Cover
An Auto Lens Cover protects the lens when the camcorder is powered off.
USB 2.0 interface
A USB 2.0 interface provides an easy way to connect your camcorder to a compatible PC for fast transfer of video and still images for editing.
