Press Release Sony Launches Its First 3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor High Definition Camcorder For the ultimate high-definition shooting experience, Sony s high-end HDV camcorder HDR-FX7/E offers 3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor technology, 20x optical zoom and an array of manual controls Hong Kong, October 10, 2006 Two years after the launch of the world s first high-end HDV Handycam camcorder HDR-FX1/E, Sony Corporation of Hong Kong Limited today announced the successor model HDR-FX7/E, which is Sony s first HDV camcorder featuring 3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor technology. Sony s commitment to high definition recording and high picture quality to consumers is once again demonstrated in this high-end model HDR-FX7/E, meeting the needs of prosumers for shooting their high-definition movies in a wide range of situations. Sony s Proprietary 3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor Imaging Technology Sony s newly developed 3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor imaging technology comprises 3 independent ClearVid CMOS sensors and each handling one of the colour elements Red, Green, and Blue (RGB) improving colour reproduction of video recordings. On top of this, exploiting a unique pixel layout, Sony s 3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor enables signal processing for high resolutions of up to 1,920 x 1,080 pixels. At the same time, the photo-detector surface is larger to capture richer details in greater sensitivity. Sony s 3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor imaging technology combines its unique image processing technology Enhanced Imaging Processor, which enables rapid processing of vast amount of pixel data, resulting in higher video resolution, greater light sensitivity and more accurate colour reproduction Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* Lens with 20x Optical Zoom and Extra-low Dispersion Glass Equipped with 20x optical zoom 1, the HDR-FX7/E enables close-up shooting of subjects such as birds on trees. The optical zoom takes advantage of the lens performance, ensuring that image quality does not suffer even at a zoom ratio of 20x. In addition, the built-in optical image stabilizer, Super Steadyshot allows the user to shoot stable video with minimal shaking, even during telephotography and other types of shooting which are susceptible to handshake. The Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens has a multi-layer film coating that delivers excellent colour reproduction. The lens itself is made from extra-low dispersion glass that reduces chromatic aberration caused by light refraction, and produces video with extremely low colour fringing. 1 37.4-748 mm: 35 mm conversion. 1
HDV Format to Record HD Video on Mini DV Tapes The HDR-FX7/E uses the full high definition format, "HDV1080i 2 " to record detailed HD video on existing Mini DV tapes. This video format has 1,080 effective scanning lines, which is more than twice the number 3 in conventional standard definition DV format, and about 4.5 times 4 more for video data quantity in high-definition 1080i recording (1,440 x 1,080). The HDV1080i format also supports recording and playback in conventional DV format. It can also play back tapes recorded by DV-format video cameras. Wealth of Manual Functions & Connections The zoom and focus rings of the HDR-FX7/E are independent, allowing users to compose their shots as desired, while the exposure/iris dial is laid out directly behind the zoom ring, making camera operation extremely smooth. It also has the ability to manually adjust functions such as shutter speed, white balance and gain to fine-tune the settings in accordance with the shooting conditions. For better organization of the buttons and terminals, the Memory Stick Duo slot, USB port, HDMI output terminal and headphone jack are positioned on the left side while the i.link (HDV/DV) terminal, analog component terminal, multi-a/v terminal, and DC input terminal are on the right side to provide a user-friendly experience. The microphone is built into the front to capture highly realistic sound from the source. The HDR-FX7/E will be available from end of October 2006. About Hong Kong Marketing Company Hong Kong Marketing Company (HKMC), a division of Sony Corporation of Hong Kong Limited, provides sales, marketing and after sales services for Sony s consumer electronics products as well as broadcast and professional products in Hong Kong and Macau. For more information on Sony s products and services, please visit its web site on www.sony.com.hk. ### 2 Created by Canon Inc., Sharp Corporation, Sony Corporation, and Victor Company of Japan on September 30, 2003. 3 For the current mainstream 1080i HD standard. 4 When comparing 1080i (effective pixels: 1440, effective scanning lines: 1080) to NTSC format (effective pixels: 480, effective scanning lines: 720); when comparing with PAL format (effective pixels: 576, effective scanning lines: 720), 1080i has about 3.75 times more video data. 2
Fact sheet for the HDR-FX7/E 3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor and Enhanced Imaging Processor The 3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor technology is able to process the three primary colors red, green, and blue (RGB) using separate sensors, enabling the creation of colorful video. The HDR- FX7/E also features the signal processing circuit, the Enhanced Imaging Processor, which uses Sony's unique image-processing technology. This processor is able to rapidly process the vast amount of pixel data read from the 3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor and record high definition and colourful video. HD Codec Engine The HDR-FX7/E comes with the HD Codec Engine, which enables high definition video recording using the HDV1080i format. Sony's leading video technologies efficiently compress high definition video into MPEG2 format, while retaining the video's high quality. The camera can record and play back at 25 Mbps the same bit rate as the DV format. The product is also more compact and energy-efficient, making professional level video-processing technology available in a consumer digital video camera. Smooth Slow Recording (6 Seconds) The HDR-FX7/E can record smooth slow motion, each second recording about 4 times the number of fields as during normal shooting. This makes it possible to smoothly record fast motion that the naked eye is not able to capture. The HDR-FX7/E can record 6 seconds of action as 24 seconds of slow-motion video. This new feature is made possible by the high-speed processing using the 3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor and Enhanced Imaging Processor. Dual Recording (Simultaneously Records Video and Still Images) This feature records 1.2-mega pixel still images while filming and also records 1.2-mega pixel still images during playback. Optical Image Stabilizer (Super Steadyshot ) This feature allows users to shoot stable video with very little shaking, even during telephotography and other types of shooting which are susceptible to handshake. This model uses the Active Lens optical system which has a sensor built into the camera body to detect camera shake, and instantly controls the lens according to the shaking, thus reducing the impact of camera shake. Because an optical system is used, the information coming through the lens is not lost, making it possible to shoot stable video while maintaining high image quality. Assign Buttons This feature allows users to assign features they use often to shortcut buttons. The commonly used features can be used quickly, without going through a menu selection. Features that can be assigned: MAKER / D.EXTENDER / FOCUS INF / REC REVIEW / END SEARCH / AUTO INDEX / PEAKING / STEADYSHOT / COLOR BAR / SPOTLIGHT / BACK LIGHT / FADER / DISPLAY / PICT.PROFILE / SHOT TRANS. 3
Independent Focus / Zoom Rings Independent rings can be used for focusing and manual zoom to allow techniques used by professional videographers such as quickly zooming from a subject in the foreground to one in the background, while slowly focusing in at the same time. Zoom can be controlled via a manual ring as well as a zoom lever. Manual Gain / Shutter / White Balance The ability to manually adjust shutter speed, white balance, and gain makes it possible to fine-tune the HDR-FX7/E 's settings in accordance with the shooting conditions. Exposure/Iris Dial The Exposure/Iris Dial is laid out directly behind the zoom ring, making camera operation extremely smooth. Exposure, Iris, AE shift features can also be configured as follows via menu selection. Digital Extender This enlarges the recorded video image approximately 1.5-fold. This feature is available at all zoom positions. When shooting at 20x zoom with the digital extender, it enables shooting of video with about 30 times the impact. ND Filter The camera has two built-in ND filters for adjusting the amount of light entering the lens with a 1/4 or 1/16 filter for outdoor or bright scenarios. 3.5-inch Wide Clear Photo LCD Plus The 3.5-inch Clear Photo LCD Plus on the left side of the camcorder displays big, clear and beautiful images. The wide display, suited to HD video, lets users shoot while checking their video. The display swings out up to 90 o and swivels in a 270 o radius, making it easy to check the video when they are shooting subjects in high or low positions. HDMI The HDMI specification enables image, audio and control signals to be transmitted with one cable, reducing the number of cables and terminals required to transfer data. It is the input/output interface of uncompressed HD digital video and multi-channel audio. It is developed from DVI digital interface, which is used in connecting PCs and displays. The HDMI is now the standard format for HDTV and consumer electronics devices like the DVD player and DVD recorder. ClearVid CMOS Sensor, Handycam, Memory Stick Duo and Super SteadyShot are trademarks of Sony Corporation. All other trade names mentioned in this publication are trademarks of their respective holders. 4
Specification Sheet for the HDR-FX7/E Model Recording Format Storage Media Image Device Sensor Resolution HD Codec Engine LCD Monitor Lens Zoom Shutter Speed Viewfinder Steady Shot Enhanced Imaging Processor Minimum Illumination (With NightShot) Terminals Built-in Memory Stick Slot Other Features Dimensions (W x H x D) Weight # Design and specifications are subject to change without prior notice. HDR-FX7/E HDV1080i and DV Recording Switchable Mini DV tapes 3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor - Gross Pixels: 1.12 Mega Pixels - Effective Pixels For Video: 1.04 Mega Pixels - Effective Pixels For Still Images: 1.04 Mega Pixels Yes 3.5-inch 211k pixels Wide Clear Photo LCD Plus Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* Lens (Filter Diameter: 62 mm) 20x Optical Zoom 1 / 3 1 / 10000 0.54-inch 250K Pixels View Finder Optical Image Stabilizer (Super SteadyShot ) Yes 4 lux - HDMI - USB port - Multi-A/V - i.link (HDV/DV) - DC input - Analog component terminal - Headphone jack - External microphone jack - PictBridge Yes (Memory Stick Duo) - Independent Focus / Zoom Rings - Manual Gain / Shutter / White Balance - Exposure / Iris Dial - Digital Extender - ND Filter ( 1 / 4 & 1 / 16 ) - Dual Recording (Simultaneously Records Video and Still Images) - Smooth Slow Recording (6 Seconds) - Shot Transition - Assign Buttons - Record / Zoom Buttons On Handle - Picture Profile - Zebra Display - Histogram Display - Peaking - Multi Down-Conversion - Playback Zoom - Battery Info - Cold Shoe - Camera Profile 145 x 156 x 322mm 1.64kg (including supplied battery NP-F570) 5