Product info

Sony’s HDR-CX300 16GB HD Handycam Camcorder features 1920 x 1080/60i HD recording, 7MP still image capture, and an abundance of numerous other features and functions. First and foremost among them would be the multiple storage options. You can choose to record to the 16GB internal flash memory, which can hold up to 6.5 hours of high def footage (HD LP mode), or use optional Sony Memory Stick media, including Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo, and Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo. And, your third choice? Sony camcorders are now also compatible with SD/SDHC memory cards.

When it comes to the core of the CX300 you’ll find solid components and features that set it apart from entry-level models. First off, the camcorder has a back-illuminated 1/4" "Exmor R" CMOS sensor that works with Sony’s BINOZ Image Processor. It’s designed to capture HD images with detail especially in low light situations. The wide angle G-Lens has a focal length of 27.4mm for photos and 29.8mm for video. The lens also has 12x optical zoom for capturing far off subjects and SteadyShot image stabilization with Active Mode for reduced blur due to hand-shake. The Active Mode enhances the image stabilization with Sony’s 3-Way Shake-Canceling, which compensates for more kinds of movement. At last, but certainly not least, the CX300 has a 2.7" Clear Photo LCD that provides a wide screen platform for composition and playback of your images, and the convenience of touch screen navigation.

The HDR-CX300 also offers up a number of user-friendly functions designed to assist in operating the camcorder. Among them you’ll find 1080/60p playback which lets you up-convert your video to 1080/60p for viewing on your HDTV, via an HDMI cable. Other popular and useful features include Direct Copy, Face Detection with Face Priority, Smile Shutter, and even a feature called, Golf Shot for analyzing your golf swing, or other fast action movement. Hitting on a few more assets in the HDR-CX300’s arsenal reveals a personalized system for customizing the interface for the functions you use most, automatic Power ON when you open the LCD screen, and easy recall of scenes using the Film Roll Index or Face Index.

Technical Specifications

1920 x 1080 High Definition Video Recording

1920 x 1080i high definition resolution lets you record your memories in exceptional high definition quality. Capable of 1080/60p playback via HDMI and compatible HDTV providing stunning clarity and incredibly detailed playback of your memories

16GB Internal Flash Memory

The built-in 16GB embedded flash memory can record and store up to 6.5 hours of high definition video footage (HD LP mode), or up to 4 hours of standard definition footage (SD HQ mode)

Media Card Slot

For convenient storage and sharing of your images and videos, the camera accepts Memory Stick Duo / Memory Stick PRO Duo / Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo media and SD/SDHC media (optional)

1/4\" Back-Illuminated \"Exmor R\" CMOS Sensor

Experience low-light sensitivity with improved image clarity and drastically reduced grain with the 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 1

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Please Note:

Approximately 2x increase in sensitivity compared to Sony\'s previous front-illuminated CMOS sensors at f/2.0

12x Optical / 160x 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 160x) is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zoom

7MP Digital Still Capture

7 megapixel still image capture lets you take stunning, high resolution digital photos while the Dual record capability lets you capture 3.5MP still images while shooting high definition video, so you can capture those special moments without having to switch recording modes

2x Faster Quick AF

With the improved autofocus (AF) system, Quick AF, the focusing speed is twice as fast compared to previous models. Whether in bright daylight or in a dimly lit environment, Quick AF ensures fast, accurate, and consistent focus lock, enabling users to shoot in a wide range of scenes without missing any important moment. Especially when shooting night scenes where conventional AF might struggle to focus, thanks to the much improved AF algorithm in Quick AF, users can now capture crisp images, fast

1080/60p Playback Via HDMI and Compatible HDTV

1080/60p playback via HDMI and compatible HDTV providing stunning clarity and incredibly detailed playback of your memories

Face Detection with Face Priority

With Face Priority, your camcorder optimizes focus, color, exposure, and Smile Shutter technology for the face you prioritize. Just touch the preferred face on the LCD display and the camcorder will assign it priority, even if it leaves and returns to the frame

Smile Shutter

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

Direct Copy to External HDD without a PC

Store your memories in a whole new way with the ability to copy videos from your camcorder directly to an external hard disk drive (optional), all without a computer. Your camcorder can also access videos stored on the external hard drive for playback on your HDTV, allowing you to utilize the camcorder\'s handy playback features

Intelligent Auto (10 iAUTO modes)

Intelligent Auto mode goes a step beyond traditional auto modes by analyzing your shot and then automatically selecting the appropriate settings from 10 distinct scene modes (90 different combinations possible): Portrait Mode, Smile Shutter, Backlight Control, Scenery, Night Scenery Mode, High Sensitivity Mode, Macro Mode, Baby Mode, Walk Detection, Tripod, and Low Light Mode

SteadyShot Image Stabilization with Active Mode

SteadyShot image stabilization with Active Mode represents the next step forward in Sony image stabilization technology. Active Mode improves on existing SteadyShot image stabilization by allowing the camera to compensate for greater degrees of camera shake and deliver a stunning level of image smoothness

Personalized \"My Menu\" System

New user friendly interface uses touch screen technology to allow users to scroll through menus quickly and easily and even create a personalized \"My Menu\" to bring together the functions they use most. Users can spend more time recording memories and less time in menus

Face Index Function

Face Index makes it easy to find and play back the right video scene. Using Face Detection technology, Face Index indexes your video footage according to the faces detected in each scene. When it\'s time to play back video, simply search for what you want by selecting from among the detected faces displayed in the index

Film Roll Index

Like chapters in a book, Film Roll Index helps you easily find desired scenes in video footage. When using this feature, the camcorder previews the beginning of scenes and can create scene indexes set at specified display intervals (3, 6, or 12 seconds and 1 or 5 minutes)

Dual Record with Still Image Capture

Dual record capability lets you capture 3.5MP still images while shooting high definition video, so you can capture those special moments without having to switch recording modes

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

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

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 PC. In addition, multiple output options let you burn your memories to DVD (optional), as well as take advantage of one click upload to a number of popular video and photo sharing sites

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. 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

x.v. Color Technology

x.v. Color technology enables the HDR-CX300 to capture nearly twice (1.8x) as many viewable colors as the standard RGB color range, resulting in more natural, life-like images. 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

BIONZ Image Processor

The BIONZ Image Processor works in conjunction with the Exmor CMOS sensor with ClearVid array for pristine imaging. The BIONZ Image Processor provides Data Noise Reduction, Fast 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

BRAVIA Sync Technology

BRAVIA Sync technology offers great ease of use in controlling compatible Sony products connected via an HDMI (CEC) connection. 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 (not included). With BRAVIA Sync (CEC) technology, the HDMI connection also delivers the ability to control both the camcorder and HDTV using a single BRAVIA TV remote and displays the camcorder\'s playback menu on screen for easier navigation

Additional Creative Control and Workflow Features

• Power on your camcorder by simply opening the camera\'s LCD display
• USB 2.0 provides an easy connection between your camcorder and PC for fast transfer of video and stills
• Record and zoom controls on LCD for more control and flexibility, especially for overhead or low angle shots
• Dolby Digital stereo recording with built-in zoom mic focuses on subject for clear dialogue and crisp, discrete sounds
• One Touch Disc Burn for easy copy of footage using the PMB software and the One Touch Disc Burn Button and a compatible PC

Optics

Sensor

1/4\" CMOS

Lens

2.9-34.8mm
f/1.8-3.4

Zoom

Optical: 12x
Digital: 160x

Filter Size

30mm

Recording

System

NTSC

Recording Media

Internal Flash Memory 16GB Video/Image
SD/SDHC, Memory Stick PRO, Memory Stick PRO Duo  

Recording Time

Internal Flash Memory
HD: FX: 85 minutes
HD: HQ: 230 minutes
HD: LP: 395 minutes
SD: HQ: 235 minutes

Video Format

High Definition
MPEG AVC/H.264
1920 x 1080i (60 fps)

Still Image Resolution

JPEG: 7 Megapixel

Audio Format

2-Channel Stereo

Display

Display Type

LCD

Screen Size

2.7\"

Touchscreen

Yes

Features

Image Stabilization

Optical

Lux

11 (1/60 Shutter Speed)
3 (LOW LUX)

Built-in Mic

Yes

Built-in Speaker

Yes

Accessory Shoe

Hot

Tripod Mount

1/4\"

Input/Output Connectors

Outputs

1x USB 2.0 
1x Mini HDMI 
1x A/V 
1x HDMI 
1x Component Video (out)  

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Analog A/V out: Included via A/V Remote Terminal
Component Video out: Supplied via A/V Remote Jack
S-Video: Via optional A/V Remote Jack

Microphone Input

No

Headphone Jack

No

General

System Requirements

Windows

• XP (SP3), Vista (SP2), 7

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PMB Ver.5.0 does not support Mac OS
PMB Ver.5.0 does not support XP SP3, Vista SP2, and Windows 7 64-bit editions and Starter (Edition)

Battery

Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Pack

Power Adapter

Not Specified By Manufacturer

Dimensions (WxHxD)

2.05 x 2.52 x 4.92\" / 52 x 64 x 125mm

Weight

12 oz / 340.20g

Box Contents

Sony HDR-CX300 HD Handycam Camcorder (PAL)