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PRESS RELEASE
Sony’s Newest Handycam Delivers 4K Clarity and Detail in a Compact Package
6 Jan, 2015 03:00 CET
New FDR-AX33 is First 4K Camcorder to Feature Balanced Optical SteadyShot™ Stabilization
TORONTO, Ontario – January 5, 2015 – Sony Electronics, a worldwide leader in digital imaging, has today introduced its most compact 4K1 Handycam® camcorder to date, the new FDR-AX33 model.
About 30% smaller and 20% lighter than the current FDR-AX100 4K Camcorder introduced at CES 2014, the new FDR-AX33 features impressive Balanced Optical SteadyShot™ (B.O.SS) image stabilization and 4K 100Mbps high-bitrate recording, bringing new levels of performance to the consumer camcorder market.
“As the popularity of 4K continues to skyrocket, consumers are constantly searching for new and different ways to enjoy the platform,” said Todd Toyoda, Director of Digital Imaging at Sony Canada. “Our new AX33 Handycam brings the wonders of 4K personal content creation to a wider audience than ever before, delivering crystal clear 4K video from the palm of your hand. It’s the ultimate choice for families looking to capture and preserve all their precious memories in the highest possible quality.”
Sony has also introduced a lineup of new HD camcorders with upgraded specifications including SteadyShot image stabilization, XAVC S high-bitrate recording and more.
FDR-AX33 4K Handycam
The new FDR-AX33 model is Sony’s first 4K camcorder to feature the acclaimed Balanced Optical SteadyShot (B.O.SS) image stabilization technology which ensures that 4K video output is smooth, stable and blur-free at focal lengths ranging from wide-angle to extended telescopic zoom. This is particularly useful during 4K shooting, where stabilization is often a challenge due to the immense amount of data in each frame. 4K video can be recorded by the camera in the advanced XAVC S video format at an extremely high bit rate of 100 Mbps2, allowing each frame to be packed with extraordinary detail and with minimal distortion thanks to high speed sensor readout.
For the more advanced videographers, the new 4K camcorder includes a customizable manual ring and manual button that can be assigned to key functions like zoom, focus and exposure adjustments, etc. The camera is equipped with a high-performance electronic viewfinder approximately three times the resolution of previous models and a beautiful 3.0” Wide Xtra Fine LCD WhiteMagic™ display that performs admirably in all shooting environments, including bright sunlight.
Post shooting, 4K video content shot with the FDR-AX33 camcorder can be played back directly on a compatible 4K television through the supplied HDMI cable, or in super-sampled Full HD if connected to an HDTV. The camcorder can also ‘trim’ 4K images from video frames, enlarging a chosen portion of the frame to fill the screen with Full HD quality. In this mode, the trimming size can be changed with the zoom lever or on-screen icon3.
Also, with support of 4K still image capture, users can extract and save 8.3 MP still images from 4K movie footage without impacting the impressive 4K video quality.
Additional HD Handycams for Capturing Memories
There are also several exciting new introductions for Sony’s Full HD camcorder line-up including the HDR-PJ670, HDR-PJ440, HDR-CX440 and HDR-CX405 models, bringing stunning HD video recording and image stabilization technologies to a variety of Handycam customers.
The entire 2015 Handycam lineup features XAVC S 50Mbps high-bitrate recording4 and either Balanced Optical Steady Shot or Optical SteadyShot with Intelligent Active mode, ensuring video footage is highly detailed and blur-free.
With a widest angle of 26.8mm, the lens lets users capture large groups of subjects with ease. A built-in projector on select models allows for instant video playback of saved video on large surfaces, and an HDMI input allows the projector to play content from smartphones, tablets and other compatible devices.
Innovative New Features to Extend Shooting Enjoyment
Standard on all 2015 Handycam models, Highlight Movie Maker7 automatically creates great-looking short movie clips accompanied by transition effects and background music with no editing needed. Handycam picks and assembles your best shots like smile and tagged points to create short, social media friendly mp4 format videos to share with friends and family. Through use of PlayMemories Home™ software, shooters can customize the length of their highlight video to match the length of pre-installed or personally selected background music.
Also offered across most models in the range, Multi Camera Control utilizes Wi-Fi to allow a ‘master’ Handycam to control a variety of Sony’s Wi-Fi connected cameras including key functions like Start/Stop recording, zoom and other standard settings. When the ‘master’ Handycam is paired with Sony Action Cam or QX ‘Lens Style’ cameras5, it can control up to 5 devices simultaneously. Footage from all of the connected cameras can be easily combined post-shooting through use of PlayMemories Home.
Many of the new camcorders also feature Live Streaming6 capability through use of Wi-Fi and the USTREAM platform, which is particularly convenient for sharing key moments with distant friends, family and other relatives as they occur.
A summary of Sony’s four new camcorders is included below:
Sony 4K Handycam FDR-AX33
Available in February for about C$1,099
True 4K video recording in the palm of your hand
- 4K (QFHD 3860×2180 @ 30p) video recording capability at high bitrate 100Mbps2 utilizing XAVC S format
- Innovative Balanced Optical SteadyShot image stabilization ensures that video is smooth and blur-free
- Custom manual ring for advanced videographers
- Compatible with Highlight Movie Maker7 to create quick highlight videos for social media sharing
- Multi Camera Control utilized Wi-Fi to control up to 5 devices simultaneously5
- USTREAM live streaming functionality6
Sony HD Handycam HDR-PJ670
Available in February for about C$749
All-in-one Camcorder for all your HD needs
- Full HD (1080 @60p) video recording capability at high bitrate 50Mbps4 utilizing XAVC S format
- Innovative Balanced Optical SteadyShot image stabilization ensures that video is smooth and blur-free
- Built-in projector (25 lm) for on-the-spot HD video playback
- Compatible with Highlight Movie Maker7 to create quick highlight videos for social media sharing
- Multi Camera Control utilized Wi-Fi to control up to 5 devices simultaneously5
- USTREAM live streaming functionality6
Sony HD Handycam HDR-PJ440
Available in February for about $399
Entry level HD camcorder with Optical SteadyShot, built-in projector
- Full HD (1080 @60p) video recording capability at high bitrate 50Mbps4 utilizing XAVC S format
- Optical SteadyShot Intelligent Active model keeps video footage crisp
- Built-in projector (13 lm) for on-the-spot HD video playback
- Compatible with Highlight Movie Maker7 to create quick highlight videos for social media sharing
- Multi Camera Control utilized Wi-Fi to control up to 5 devices simultaneously5
- USTREAM live streaming functionality6
Sony HD Handycam HDR-CX405BKIT
Available in February for about C$299
Entry level HD camcorder for casual family use
- Full HD (1080 @60p) video recording capability at high bitrate 50Mbps4 utilizing XAVC S format
- Optical SteadyShot Intelligent Active model keeps video footage crisp
- Compatible with Highlight Movie Maker7 to create quick highlight videos for social media sharing
- 30x optical ZEISS lens
- The camera kit will include Sony carrying case and class 10 8GB Micro SD Card
The new lineup of Sony Camcorders will be sold at Sony retail stores (www.store.sony.ca) and other authorized dealers nationwide.
14K: QFHD 3860×2180
2SDXC UHS-I U3 or higher is required for 4K 100Mbps recording
3Minimum trimming size is 1920×1080
4SDXC Class 10 or higher is required for HD 50Mbps recording.
5Compatible with FDR-X1000V, HDR-AS200V/AZ1/AS100/AS20/AS30 and ILCE-QX1/DSC-QX30
6Requires a Wi-Fi router or smartphone capable of tether
7Compatible with AVCHD
About Sony of Canada Ltd.
Established in 1955, Sony of Canada Ltd. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation, of Tokyo, Japan, a world leader in audio, video, communications and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. Sony’s market-leading connected devices include BRAVIA® 4K televisions, Sony Mobile Smartphones and Tablets, Digital SLR cameras, Action-Cam and Handycam® Camcorders along with many other innovative products that deliver a true entertainment experience.
Sony is one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world with a portfolio that includes electronics, music, movies, PlayStation gaming and online businesses; the Sony Entertainment Network (SEN) offers the ultimate destination to watch, listen, play and connect across Sony devices through one convenient account. Sony is an innovator in high-definition and 4K professional broadcast and video equipment, highlighted by the XDCAM® HD and CineAlta™ lines of cameras and camcorders, and SXRD™ and Laser light source LCD digital projectors. Sony also offers a full line of professional products for Audio, Medical, Security and Visual Imaging applications.
With headquarters in Toronto, sales offices in Vancouver and Montreal and a Whitby, Ontario distribution centre, Sony Canada employees support a network of more than 313 dealers and a number of Sony retail locations across Canada.
