Meet the new Handycam range

Capture those once-in-a-lifetime family memories with the new Handycam range of Full HD camcorders from Sony.

Enhanced picture quality and wider shooting options are teamed with exciting possibilities to share and enjoy your videos. Your movies look smoother and more professional than ever thanks to Sony’s innovative Balanced Optical SteadyShot technology. Projector brightness is boosted on many models, and a new projector input lets you beam the screen of your smartphone, tablet or PC onto a wall or any nearby surface.

Making its Handycam debut, an optional Wi-Fi adapter simplifies cable-free transfers of video clips and still photos – and even lets you control the camcorder remotely with your smartphone.

Better-quality images and sound

Sony’s unique Exmor R CMOS sensor inside every new Full HD Handycam assures beautifully clear, detailed video footage and sparkling stills. You’ll get results to be proud of – even in tricky low-light conditions where other camcorders and smartphone cameras struggle.

Unique to Sony, Balanced Optical SteadyShot now features across even more Handycam models. This powerful image stabiliser cuts handheld image wobbles for smoother, steadier footage in virtually any shooting situation. ‘Floating’ optics and sensor inside the camcorder compensate more effectively for hand tremors – providing up to 13x better image stabilisation that’s effective at all zoom settings, from wide angle to dramatic close-ups.

Shooting possibilities are broadened further with enhanced wide angle performance right across the range. All models – including entry-level HD Handycam now offer a wide angle lens with less than 30mm minimum focal length. Squeeze more into landscapes, parties and big family groups: you’ll have no worries getting everyone – and everything – into the picture.

Common to all models, compatibility with new “TRILUMINOS Colour” lets you enjoy those most precious memories, reproduced with rich and natural colours. You’ll experience an expanded palette of vivid, ultra-realistic colours when videos and still images are played back on any BRAVIA TV with support for “TRILUMINOS Display”.

Your camcorder’s audio is also upgraded this season. Sony’s Advanced Sound System (on selected models) offers several quality enhancements to ensure superior soundtracks – whether you’re in a packed arena with your favourite band or capturing a baby’s first gentle gurgles. The high-quality external microphone on select models ensures that audio is captured with pinpoint accuracy.

Wider Dynamic Range ensures great clarity with loud and quiet sounds alike. Audio record levels can be tweaked for best results without distortion – even at extreme volumes where your smartphone or camera’s microphone just can’t cope with the overload. And for the best possible movie soundtracks, there’s a choice of optional microphones by Sony to record sparkling sound in any situation.

More great ways to share and save the memories

Projector power has been boosted for brighter movie shows that everyone in the room can enjoy. Light output of the range-leading Handycam PJ780V is now upped by over 50%, while resolution has been upgraded for even clearer, sharper projected images.

In addition, most projector models now offer an HDMI input. Just hook up the output of your smartphone, tablet or PC then use Handycam to project movies, slideshows, web pages or games onto a nearby wall or white surface.

In a Handycam first, all new camcorders now offer the option of recording HD video in either AVCHD or MP4 formats. AVCHD offers the best possible picture quality for enjoying on your Full HD TV or burning to Blu-ray Disc for archiving. Alternatively, shoot crisply-detailed clips using the popular, bandwidth-saving MP4 format: it’s perfect for online sharing and easy uploads to favourite social media web sites from your PC.

New accessories for Handycam

All new Handycam models feature the ‘Multi Terminal’ interface that allows intelligent communication between camcorder and shooting accessories.

New camcorders above the HDR-PJ/CX400 series feature the ‘Multi Interface Shoe’ that accommodates accessories including flash and microphones while drawing power from the camera. Developed as a common shoe for imaging products by Sony including digital still cameras, video cameras and interchangeable lens cameras, the Multi Interface Shoe is also compatible with accessories by Sony conforming to the ISO standard.

Compatible with 2013 Multi Interface Shoe Handycam models, the ADP-WL1M is a compact Wi-Fi adapter module that brings wireless connectivity to Handycam for the first time. Allowing easy wireless transfers of MP4 movie files and photos directly to a smartphone or tablet, it also enables cable-free backups of movie files and photos to your PC. You can even use your smartphone as a handy wireless remote to control Record Start/Stop, zoom and other functions on Handycam.

The HVL-LEIR1 is a handy battery-powered video light that’s compatible with all new Multi Interface Shoe camcorder models. Running on AA batteries, it doubles as an infrared source for exciting ‘no-lights’ footage with Handycam models that support NightShot or Super NightShot.

Also Multi Interface Shoe compatible, the ECM-XYST1M Stereo Microphone supports high quality sound recording. Its wide frequency response assures crisp dialogue and ambient sounds.

The RDP-CA2 is a portable ‘360 degrees’ speaker that connects directly to compatible camcorder models featuring a Multi Terminal. It’s a great way for everyone in the room to enjoy a clear, rich soundtrack while viewing movies on Handycam projector models.

There’s also a choice of three new Remote Control Tripods, all compatible with Multi Terminal Handycam models. The compact VCT-VPR1 is joined by the sturdy VCT-VPR10 and the range-topping VCT-VPR100.

Key features: this season’s new Handycam models at a glance

Handycam PJ780VE – Exmor R CMOS; Full HD 25p/50p; Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar lens with 17x extended zoom / 10x optical zoom / 26mm wide angle; Balanced Optical Steady Shot; 35 lumen projector and stereo speakers; HDMI external projector input; Advanced Sound Processor; High-quality external microphone; Electronic Viewfinder; Manual Dial; Multi Interface Shoe; AVCHD/MP4 recording; Wi-Fi compatible

Handycam PJ650VE - Exmor R CMOS; Full HD 25p/50p; Sony G Lens with 20x extended zoom / 12x optical zoom / 26.8mm wide angle; Balanced Optical Steady Shot; 20 lumen projector and stereo speakers; HDMI external projector input; Advanced Sound Processor; Electronic Viewfinder; Manual Dial; Multi Interface Shoe; AVCHD/MP4 recording; Wi-Fi compatible

Handycam PJ420VE - Exmor R CMOS; Full HD 25p/50p; Sony G Lens with 55x extended zoom / 30x optical zoom / 26.8mm wide angle; Balanced Optical Steady Shot; 13 lumen projector and stereo speakers; HDMI external projector input; Advanced Sound Processor; Multi Interface Shoe; AVCHD/MP4 recording; Wi-Fi compatible

Handycam PJ320E - Exmor R CMOS; Full HD 50p; Sony G Lens with 55x extended zoom / 30x optical zoom / 26.8mm wide angle; Optical Steady Shot Active Mode; 13 lumen projector and stereo speakers; HDMI external projector input; Multi Interface Shoe; AVCHD/MP4 recording

Handycam CX410VE - Exmor R CMOS; Full HD 25p/50p; Sony G Lens with 55x extended zoom / 30x optical zoom / 26.8mm wide angle; Balanced Optical Steady Shot; Multi Interface Shoe; AVCHD/MP4 recording; Wi-Fi compatible

Handycam CX320E - Exmor R CMOS; Full HD 50p; Sony G Lens with 55x extended zoom / 30x optical zoom / 26.8mm wide angle; Optical Steady Shot Active Mode; Multi Interface Shoe; AVCHD/MP4 recording; Wi-Fi compatible

Handycam CX280E - Exmor R CMOS; Full HD 50p; Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens with 50x extended zoom / 27x optical zoom / 29.8mm wide angle; Optical Steady Shot; AVCHD/MP4 recording

Handycam CX220E - Exmor R CMOS; Full HD 50p; Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens with 32x extended zoom / 27x optical zoom / 29.8mm wide angle; Electronic Steady Shot; AVCHD/MP4 recording

The new range of Handycam HD camcorders by Sony are available in Europe from February 2013.