Sony Handicam DCR-SX15E, DCR-SR15E and Bloggie Touch HD camcorders outed

Sony has outed a trio of new consumer-level camcorders, the Handicam DCR-SX15E and DCR-SR15E, and the Bloggie Touch.  The two new Handicams record HD video to Memory Stick or SD card (SX15E) or an 80GB hard-drive (SR15E), while the Bloggie Touch has 8GB of onboard flash.

The two Handicams have a 2.7-inch LCD, SteadyShot, Face Detection and a video light, together with a 50x optical zoom.  Sony will happily sell you a hard-drive dock which allows you to offload your content without needing to plug in a PC.  Both will land in October 2010, price to be announced.

As for the Bloggie Touch, that has a 3-inch touchscreen and an integrated USB plug.  It can record full HD video and 12.8-megapixel stills, and will go on sale from November 2010, price TBA.

Press Release:

Capture the moment with new high-zoom Handycam® models Light, easy to carry Handycam® DCR-SX15E and DCR-SR15E 01 September 2010

• Crisp, clear Standard Definition video shooting on removable flash memory (DCR-SX15E) or HDD (DCR-SR15E)

• Powerful 50x optical zoom

• 6.7cm (2.7") Clear Photo LCD

• SteadyShot, Face Detection and video light

• Direct Copy to external hard drive and DVDirect Express compatibility for easy back-ups

Legendary Handycam® video quality is made brilliantly accessible with two great value new Standard Definition camcorders from Sony.

Light, compact and easy to use, the Handycam® DCR-SX15E shoots crisp, clear video and stereo sound onto removable flash memory. Just slip in a Memory Stick™ or SD card (not supplied) and capture the moment for easy transfer to your PC after shooting.

If you're looking for extra-long record times, Handycam® DCR-SR15E stores up to 61 hours of Standard Definition video on its 80GB built-in hard disk drive. With no need to carry spare tapes or discs, there's plenty of space for a long weekend of non-stop shooting.

Whether you choose flash memory or HDD, both models are packed with smart features for sharing and enjoying your footage.

The high-power 50x optical zoom lens by Sony pulls distant subjects nearer for frame-filling close-ups. SteadyShot image stabilisation keeps things crisp and clear, reducing the effects of camera shake when you're shooting handheld. If you're shooting portraits of friends and family, Face Detection automatically fine-tunes exposure for more natural looking faces.

Menus and settings are adjusted via a thumb-operated joystick next to the flip-out 6.7cm (2.7") Clear Photo LCD. A conveniently-placed button switches on the built-in video light to illuminate indoor get-togethers, parties or night-time scenes. For extra convenience there's also an Auto mode that switches the video light on when natural light levels are low.

After shooting, Direct Copy enables easy, PC-free transfers of video footage direct to an external hard disk drive (optional USB adapter is required). Compatibility with the optional VRD-P1 DVDirect Express by simplifies PC-free burning of video footage onto blank DVD discs for storing, sharing and archiving.

The compact new Handycam® DCR-SX15E and DCR-SR15E Standard Definition camcorders from Sony are available from the beginning of October 2010.

Model Name

DCR-SR15E

DCR-SX15E

Image Sensor

2.3mm (1/8 Type)

CCD

2.3mm (1/8 Type)

CCD

Gross Resolution (Pixels)

800K approx.

800K approx.

Still Image Resolution (Pixels)

410K approx.

410K approx.

Lens

Sony Lens

Sony Lens

Optical Zoom

50x

50x

Image Stabilisation

SteadyShot

SteadyShot

HDD/Internal Memory

80GB HDD

-

External Recording Media

Memory Stick PRO Duo (Mark 2,High Speed), Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo,

SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card (Class2 or higher is recommended)

Audio system

Stereo, built-in zoom mic

Stereo, built-in zoom mic

LCD Panel Size

6.7cm / 230k pixels

6.7cm / 230k pixels

LCD Type

Clear Photo LCD

Clear Photo LCD

Face Detection

Yes

Yes

Direct Copy

Yes

Yes

Built-in Video Light

Yes

Yes

Accessory Shoe

-

-

Interface

A/V

USB

A/V

USB

Supplied Battery

NP-FV

Press Release:

Have fun shooting Full HD video and 360 Videos with new-generation Bloggie™ Touch by Sony 'All-in-one' web sharing solution with camera, software and Personal Space online service
01 September 2010

• Beautifully styled snap camera shoots Full HD 1920x1080 video and 360 Videos plus 12.8 megapixel stills

• Large, easy to use 7.6cm (3") touch-screen and new interface

• Built-in USB and Bloggie™ software for easy uploads

• Quick, secure, private sharing of videos and photos with new Personal Space by Sony*

* Personal Space service has already launched in the UK, with France and Germany scheduled to follow in October 2010.

It's brilliantly easy to grab great-looking Full HD video clips and still photos with new Bloggie™ Touch by Sony. A radical evolution from first-generation Bloggie™ models, the all-new HD snap camera boasts gorgeous new looks with its slim, rounded body and finely brushed aluminium finish. It's also the perfect 'all-in-one' solution for shooting and sharing life's special moments, wherever you are.

Available in a choice of vibrant pink, silver and black finishes, the Bloggie Touch is a stylish partner for day-trips, weekend breaks or fun-filled nights out.

The camera's cool, clean lines are dominated by a big, bright 7.6cm (3") LCD touchscreen that gives a brilliant view of your photos and video clips. A sleek new user interface simplifies intuitive 'touch and flick' enjoyment of your clips and pictures.

Operation is equally straightforward. Just point and shoot to catch the moment: you can even grab still images while video recording continues uninterrupted.

The sensitive Exmor™ CMOS Sensor captures sparkling Full HD videos and crisply-detailed still photos. Picture quality is enhanced further by the bright, high quality lens with F2.8 maximum aperture for clear, low noise images – even when you're shooting indoors or on overcast days.

Bloggie™ Touch features a versatile autofocus lens with wide angle function. There's also a new auto macro mode to focus sharply on objects as close as 10cm away. It's ideal for snapping the menu of that unforgettable restaurant meal or a beautiful flower discovered on holiday.

Bloggie™ Touch also records amazing 360-degree panoramic videos and photos to capture everything that's happening around you – just clip on the supplied lens adaptor. 360 Videos are now twice the resolution of previous-generation Bloggie™, and low-light video quality is also improved thanks to the Exmor™ CMOS sensor. In addition to fun 360 Video, Bloggie Touch features "free-style shooting" which allows you to capture movie both in landscape and portrait.

Despite its slim, compact size, Bloggie Touch allows nearly 4 hours HD movie shooting time (1280 x 720/30p mode) on its 8GB internal memory. (Continuous maximum shooting time: approx. 29 mins).

After shooting, it's never been easier to share your favourite photos and clips on the web. Bloggie™ Touch connects instantly to any PC via its flip-out USB arm that also charges the camera's battery. There are no fiddly cables or software CDs to worry about: hook up Bloggie™ Touch and built-in sharing software launches automatically.

Just drag and drop to upload your favourite moments without fuss to social networks and popular sites like YouTube, Facebook and Flickr. While you're on the move, it's easy to tag content with a new 'Share-it-Later' function for simple uploads when you're next online.

Built-in Bloggie software also allows easy uploads to Personal Space, the brand-new online service by Sony for sharing content safely and securely. Once you've uploaded your pictures and clips from Bloggie™, just email invited members of your own Sharing Group with a link to your Personal Space. It's easier and quicker than sending big file attachments via email. Viewing options are widened further by an HDMI port that connects Bloggie™ Touch to any HD television.

The new Bloggie™ Touch MHS-TS20K mobile HD snap camera by Sony is available from the beginning of November 2010.

Key specifications:

Model name

MHS-TS20K

Image sensor

7.22mm (1/2.5 type) Exmor CMOS

Gross pixels

13.0M (approx.)

Still image recording

12.8M (approx.)

Lens

Sony lens

Digital zoom

4x

Auto Macro

Yes(10cm)

Image Stabilisation

SteadyShot

Recording media

8GB Internal Memory*

Video format

MPEG4 AVC/H.264 (MP4)

Video resolution

1920 x 1080 / 30p (16:9)

1280 x 720 / 60p (16:9)

1280 x 720 / 30p (16:9)

LCD Panel

7.6cm (3.0type)/288k dots

Face Detection

Yes(AF/AE)

Interfaces

HDMI

USB (built-in plug)

USB charge

Yes

Built-in Software

Bloggie Software

Weight

125g (including Battery)

Dimensions

15.2 x 107.0 x 52.0 mm (approx.)

*Actual memory capacity is approx. 7.7GB.