CES 2009

The Sony Handycam HDR-XR520V introduces the back-illuminated CMOS sensor

(Credit: Sony Electronics)

In what's probably the most interesting camcorder announcement of 2009, Sony proffers the Handycam HDR-XR500 series, a pair of hard-disk-based AVCHD camcorders which integrate the dual firsts of built-in GPS and a new Exmor-R back-illuminated CMOS sensor.

Though the sensor isn't new, this is the first time we're seeing it in products. The technology, which flips the layers so that the photosites are above the electronics where they can get more light, may prove an effective way to improve low-light performance, the continuing weak aspect of consumer camcorders. Sony claims an 8dB increase in sensitivity, for a 50 percent reduction in noise. Annoyingly, Sony continues to overstate the resolution of its sensors. This one's 6 megapixels, though you'll see the company claiming 12mp--its interpolated resolution--all over its marketing materials.

As if that weren't enough, the XR500's also incorporate a built-in GPS for geotagging video and photos, another first for consumer camcorders. While I'm a big fan of adding geotagging to imaging equipment, video isn't quite ready for geotagging; unlike photos, there's no metadata standard for storing the information with the file. As a result, Sony has to store it in a sidecar file with data that most applications won't know how to parse.

The new 15X zoom lens on the camcorder also offers increased optical stabilization coverage area for better compensation while walking, in an optional Active Mode. It's optional because the larger coverage area results in some resolution degradation around the edges of the images. It also incorporates Sony's latest Smile Shutter and face detection technologies.

The two models differ only by hard drive size, and of course, price. The HDR-XR520V has a 240GB drive and will run $1,500; the 120GB HDR-XR500V will cost $1,300. Both will be available in March.

The XR200V offers some interesting enhancements over the SR10D it replaces.

(Credit: Sony Electronics)

The annual evolutionary step from the Handycam HDR-S10 and HDR-S10D to the HDR-XR100 and HDR-XR200V is a bigger step for one than the other. While both camcorders are based on the same 1/5-inch 2.3-megapixel ClearVid CMOS sensors as their predecessors and have the same 10x and 15x zoom lenses, respectively, the XR200V at least offers a couple of enhancements that might be worth the extra cost over the now-cheaper older models.

Most notably, the XR200V adds GPS for geotagging like its higher end siblings, the XR500V and XR520V. Keep in mind though that video isn't quite ready for geotagging; unlike photos, there's no metadata standard for storing the information with the file. As a result, Sony has to store it in a sidecar file with data that most applications won't know how to parse.

Both models are about 20 percent smaller than last year's models and incorporate the optical stabilizer coverage area enhancements for better compensation while walking, Active Mode, that are found in the XR500 series. It's optional because the larger coverage area results in some resolution degradation around the edges of the images. They also incorporate Sony's latest Smile Shutter and face detection technologies.

The XR200V uses the same 120GB capacity hard disk as the SR10D it replaces; it's slated to ship in February for about $1,000. The SR100 doubles the storage over the SR10 for 80GB. It'll be out in March for about $750.

Panasonic"s new prosumer camcorders incorporate a trio of 3MOS sensors.

(Credit: Panasonic)

Extending the 3-chip prosumer AVCHD camcorder line it launched last June, Panasonic's hard disk-based HDC-HS300/HS250 and SD-based HDC-TM300 incorporate higher resolution 1/4.1-inch sensors and updated lenses over the older models.

Though Panasonic overstates resolution--"World's highest pixel count of 9,150,000 pixels (3,050,000 pixels x 3)"--the real 3-megapixels for the predownsampled HD video finally breaks the resolution barrier; normally, 3-chip systems use lower-than-HD resolution sensors, which don't seem to produce terribly sharp HD video. So it'll be quite interesting to see how these stack up. According to Panasonic, it uses faster f1.6 lenses as well, but it didn't provide details .

The HS250 drops the manual focus and EVF for a more compact design.

(Credit: Panasonic)

The HDC-HS300 shares the same higher-end features as the HS100--manual focus ring, EVF, and microphone input--while the HS250 trades those for a more compact design. Both have a 120GB hard disk. As the name indicates, the TM300 is analogous to the HS300, but records to SD cards or the built-in 32GB memory. They all include the optical image stabilization and Intelligent Automatic features of the older versions. In an interesting design move, Panasonic added an accessory shoe to the TM300, but put it in the side rather than the top--a more practical location given how far your hand covers the top.

They'll all be available in April. The HS300 will cost $1,399, the HS250, $999.95, and the TM300, $1,299.95.