Sony’s digital imaging arm has been quite busy the past few months releasing new cameras and camcorders. Though not all, the list of new devices for this year include the NEX-FS700, a 4K recording professional camera under $10,000, the PMW-100 camcorder, offering true 1080p (1920 x 1280) recording with 50Mbps which meets the National Broadcasting Association’s seal of approval for real HD, and the NEX-F3 which features a 180 degree tilt LCD screen. In amidst of all this, Sony announced the HXR-NX30 camcorder, which we clearly missed. Now after the jump, we’re here to tell you all about this handheld camcorder which comes with 96GB internal memory, built-in projector, and is priced less than $2,500.

The Sony HXR-NX30 is squarely aimed at the pro-consumer crowd, though we’re certain Sony won’t turn away any other segment group from buying their latest. The HXR-NX30 is a compact and portable camcorder, capable of being gripped with just one hand. Sony has achieved this by dropping interchangeable less compatibility for a fixed solution. The camcorder features a 26mm-260mm (35mm equivalent) Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T fixed lens with goodies you’ve come to expect from Sony like their Balanced Optical SteadyShot image stabilization technology, which helps significantly reduce camera shake. Other HXR-NX30 specs include:

• Full 1080p (1920 x 1080) HD
• 1080p at 60p, 30p, and 24p
• 720p at 60i and 720/60p
• 1/2.88-inch Image Sensor with Sony’s Exmor R CMOS Technology
• 96GB of Internal Memory
• Built-in Projector
• Detachable XLR

That’s right, the HXR-NX30 includes a 96GB internal memory card, capable of giving you approximately 40 hours of HD recording. Those who wish to venture beyond the allocated time can take advantages of the camcorders SD and Memory Stick card inputs. Of course, sharing your footage on the camera’s 2.5-inch LCD screen might not be ideal, but who wants to carry around an HDMI port and rely on a free input on a TV? Because of this, Sony has included a built-in projector, capable of playback on up to a 100ft screen and, yes, your wall counts, though it’s not ideal.

As noted, the HXR-NX30U also features a “detachable XLR unit and professional-quality audio, record level control, the option of Linear PCM audio recording, time code, and the ability to reset time code on multiple NXCAMs via infrared remote control,” making it a perfect fit for those who wish to step up their game. Set to be released in June, the HXR-NX30 will commodore less than $2,500 from your bank account.

Discuss:

Did Sony nail this camcorder or is there something missing from the mix that you would like to see?

[showhide]

SONY’S NEW PALM-SIZED NXCAM HD CAMCORDER
TAKES IMAGE STABILIZATION TO A NEW LEVEL

New HXR-NX30U Combines Balanced Optical SteadyShot™ with
Small, Lightweight Form Factor and High-Performance Features

PARK RIDGE, N.J., April 2, 2012 – Sony is giving video professionals freedom from camera shake with the HXR-NX30U high-definition camcorder, a palm-size addition to Sony’s NXCAM line. The new model uses Sony’s breakthrough Balanced Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilization technology to significantly reduce camera shake in challenging shooting applications. The new camcorder also offers convenient features such as a built-in projector, all combined in Sony’s smallest, lightest handheld professional camcorder.

“This high-quality yet easy-to-use camcorder is an extremely versatile field production tool,” said Chiyoko Yannette, marketing manager at Sony Electronics’ Professional Solutions of America group. “It’s perfect for documentary makers, video journalists, educational establishments or corporate users, for shooting in many different situations where other stabilization equipment is not practical such as on-board a vehicle or in a crowd.”

Conventional image stabilization systems typically “float” an individual lens element with a motor drive to compensate for camera shake. Balanced Optical SteadyShot™ combines the entire lens and image sensor assembly into one floating element that moves as a unit to reduce the shaking effect caused by normal motion during shooting.

The new HXR-NX30U records at full 1920 x 1080 HD resolution using a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens (35mm equivalent :26.0mm -260mm) for superb optical quality, sharpness and brightness. The camcorder’s 1/2.88-inch image sensor uses Sony’s Exmor R™ CMOS technology, which significantly enhances low-light performance, speeds image readout, reduces rolling shutter artifacts and enables a range of frame rates – 1080/60p, 1080/30p, 24p, 60i, 720/60p.

Using AVCHD recording, the camera has 96 gigabytes of internal memory (approximately 40 hours of HD content), with a slot that accepts either SD or Memory Stick media cards for additional recording capacity. A built-in video projector lets users play back images of up to 100 inches from a distance of about 16 feet (5m) on any flat surface. This feature is ideal for reviewing footage in the field or on a set, when a monitor is either not available or convenient to use.

The HXR-NX30U also features a detachable XLR unit and professional-quality audio, record level control, the option of Linear PCM audio recording, time code, and the ability to reset time code on multiple NXCAMs via infrared remote control.

The HXR-NX30U is planned to be available in June for a suggested list price of less than $2,500.

[/showhide]