Sony Gulf launches world's most compact AVCHD Handycam CX7K

With only a Memory Stick™ slot inside and no tapes, discs or hard-disk drive, the compact, stylish Handycam CX7K nestles comfortably in the palm of your hand, weighing just 450g.

'We are proud to introduce a new member to our High Definition Handycam camcorder range, the one and only camcorder that records high-definition videos on one of the smallest media available, the Memory Stick™. Our customers can now rely on the Memory Stick media to playback videos directly from the Handycam CX7K to VAIO notebooks and PlayStation 3 without transferring movies to the hard disk of the devices,' said Mr. Taiju Ishikawa, Marketing Manager of the Digital Imaging Marketing Division at Sony Gulf FZE.

High quality recording and easy sharing with Memory Stick

The HDR-CX7K records High Definition 1080i video files and 6.1 Mega pixels still pictures onto convenient, reliable Memory Stick™ removable media. Depending on the chosen picture quality mode, up to 2 hours 55 minutes of continuous shooting is possible (with optional 8GB Memory Stick PRO Duo, LP record mode).

The shooting capacity of the CX7K is enabled by AVCHD compression technology that allows long recording durations with excellent HD picture quality. As well as offering high compression efficiency, variable Bit Rate recording adjusts data rates while shooting, balancing optimal picture quality with maximum storage efficiency for higher picture quality.

The CX7K connects directly to any BRAVIA HD-ready television via the HDMI cable for fantastic results in your living room or to a Sony VAIO PC or PlayStation 3 console with a direct Memory Stick slot.

Superb HD picture quality

The new CX7K uses the AVCHD format to capture dazzling HD images with superb detailing, resolution, contrast and supremely life-like colour. The ClearVid CMOS sensor with Enhanced Imaging Processor offers excellent dynamic range and reduced smear compared with conventional CCD sensors. Exceptional sensitivity with a minimum illumination of only 2 lux (Auto Slow Shutter 'ON') allows successful shooting in twilight or dimly-lit interiors.

Based on the new xvYCC international standard, x.v.Colour technology assures life-like colour reproduction. Compared to conventional camcorders, x.v.Colour approximately doubles the range of colours that can be reproduced, very close to what human eye can recognise. This ensures vivid, expressive tonal reproduction with greater detailing and clarity when viewed on the growing range of xvYCC compliant Sony products.

High-quality still images up to 6.1 Mega pixels can also be captured. In Dual Rec mode, 4.6 Mega pixel still images can be shot without interrupting video shooting.

The Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens features a 10x optical zoom range to bring distant images closer with superb clarity. Super SteadyShot optical image stabilisation ensures sharp, clear images during still shooting, plus improved picture stability when shooting video in slow shutter mode.

There's also an on-board microphone allowing Dolby Digital® 5.1ch surround sound recording- an essential part of the total HD entertainment experience with a home theatre system.

Easy navigation and convenient access

The CX7K features a simple-to-use GUI to shoot, review, change settings and even edit images. Specific sections of the video footage can be split and deleted with the divide function. A favourite play-list can also be created for quick and easy access to the popular videos.

Besides the conventional visual index and date index search, users can also search with the new film roll index function by displaying thumbnails of scene captures at specific intervals or the new face index function that displays faces detected by the face detection engine.

To avoid the hassle of handling a PC, the Handycam CX7K has an easy one-touch 'Disc Burn' function in the bundled Handycam Station that transfers videos directly to an AVCHD or DVD disc. Alternatively, one can use the Easy PC Back-up function that backups new videos in the PC's hard disk automatically. With the Picture Motion Browser software installed, user can extract still images up to 3 mega pixels from video content, edit videos and save them in an AVCHD or a DVD disc.