Sony Handycam NEX-VG10E

Sony released some more information about their previously un-named large chip video camera today on the Sony Style site. It’s called the NEX-VG10E Handycam and it has some pretty cool features and interesting capabilities. Here’s the spec highlights:

• 14.2 effective megapixel ExmorTM APS HD CMOS sensor (19.5 times larger than conventional camcorder) for stunning HD movies with beautiful background defocus
• Accepts E-mount and A-mount interchangeable lenses (using adaptor)
• High quality audio with Quad Capsule Spatial Array Stereo Microphone and external mic input
• 7.5cm (3 inch-type) Xtra Fine LCD and electronic viewfinder

The first thing that makes this camera groundbreaking is the use of a larger chip like the ones in HDSLRs. This gives a cinematic feel to the shots making them appear on-par with video shot with professional cameras priced at over twenty times what cameras in the HDSLR or consumer video class cost.

Approximately 19.5 times bigger than the standard sensor found in other consumer camcorders, the APS-C sized imager also enables an extremely shallow depth of field. This allows videographers to achieve ‘cinematic’ results with beautiful background defocus (bokeh). In addition, the ability to capture DSLR-quality still images gives videographers extra shooting flexibility on assignment with less to carry -Sony Style

Sony has put up one of the best direct video comparisons I have seen to date. It really puts the whole sensor size/depth of field issue into context. Here is a screen grab from the comparison video. To see this video, click the image to go to the camera page on the Sony Style site and scroll down to the heading Bigger Pixels, Better video’s and select the link to the side by side comparison of video shot with a typical small sensor compared to the larger APS-C sensor on the VG10E.

One of the other features to get excited about is the ability to use interchangeable lenses.

Compatible with a choice of high quality E-mount lenses, it’s the first consumer camcorder that offers the same breadth of creative expression enjoyed by DSLR photographers. Alongside the three currently available E-mount lenses, users of the NEX-VG10E can experience a wide variety of A-mount DSLR optics used on α cameras by using the optional LA-EA1 mount adaptor. Picking from a choice of award-winning Sony G lenses, fixed-focal length Carl Zeiss portrait lenses and other models from macro to super-telephoto, videographers will have unprecedented freedom to explore an exciting world in movie creation.

Sony has added a high quality microphone to this camera with the option of using the ECM-CG50 Shotgun Microphone that attaches to the camcorder’s accessory shoe.

The Quad Capsule Spatial Array Stereo Microphone uses advanced processing algorithms to combine signals from four separate omnidirectional microphone capsules. The result is exceptionally clear stereo audio with a highly directional response: this allows videographers to capture more sound from the subject they’re shooting, and fewer distracting sounds around them. There’s also a jack for adding an optional external stereo mic, plus a headphone jack for audio monitoring.

Along with the ability to monitor your audio using the headphone jack, the audio options seem pretty complete to me. I know a lot of people will bitch and moan about no XLR inputs but I personally don’t own any XLR microphones and neither do most HDSLR shooters. There are many really good microphone choices available with 3.5mm connectors as well as XLR adapters.

The adjustable viewfinder is definitely a feature missing from most HDSLRs.

The LCD is supplemented by a high-resolution (1152k dot) electronic viewfinder that assists easy framing and monitoring. The viewfinder helps the operator capture clear images in bright daylight and its angle can be easily adjusted for comfortable operation

Not mentioned in the intro specs but equally important is recording time. There is no 12 minute recording limit like on HDSLRs which prevent the stills cameras from being categorized as video cameras and subjected to higher tariffs.

Unlike many digital still cameras including DSLR that support HD video, there’s virtually no restriction on continuous shooting time.

There’s also the optional NP-FV100 battery that provides power for up to 330 minutes of continuous HD shooting.

All in all a pretty good package and close to what Tom predicted/asked for in an earlier post this year. Release date is slated for Sept 2010 and the price is listed as $1999.

Update: Here’s a video that takes a close look at the physical features of the NEX-VG10E. It’s not in English so either turn the sound off or do like I did and pretend you’re listening to the Swedish Chef.

Sony Handycam NEX-VG10 EXCLUSIVE: the first testvideo from Charles Michel on Vimeo.