I remember the days when Sony Handycam camcorders were cool but nothing extraordinary. With the announcement of the HD Handycam HDR-CX500V and HDR-CX520V models today, Sony seems to have reached the extraordinary level. Both models have backlit CMOS sensors increasing the recording effectiveness in dark environments, 12 megapixel photo capture and 1080i widescreen video in H.264 format. One thing we’ll probably see become commonplace in the next couple of years are camcorders with embedded GPS sensors, and both new Handycam’s have them. Not only will they geotag photos but also video to give both media forms a bit of geo-context when viewed later.
Most of the other improved visual features are also common to both models: three-way image visualization, a six blade aperture and, interestingly, a touch-based face detection system that orders photos based on when the subject is touched.
As for the differences between the two HD Handycam models: they sit with storage and price. The HDR-CX500V will store 32 GB of flash memory and costs $1, 100, while the HDR-CX520X will grab 25 hours of 1080i footage and costs $1, 300. Both models are shipping in September.
