Sonys HDR-CX300E 16GB HD Handycam PAL Camcorder features 1920 x 1080i HD recording, 7MP still image capture, and an abundance of numerous other features and functions. First and foremost among them would be the multiple storage options. You can choose to record to the 16GB internal flash memory, which can hold up to 6.5 hours of high def footage (HD LP mode), or use optional Sony Memory Stick media, including Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo, and Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo. And, your third ch

Features

Sony's HDR-CX300E 16GB HD Handycam PAL Camcorder features 1920 x 1080i HD

recording, 7MP still image capture, and an abundance of numerous other features and

functions. First and foremost among them would be the multiple storage options. You can

choose to record to the 16GB internal flash memory, which can hold up to 6.5 hours of

high def footage (HD LP mode), or use optional Sony Memory Stick media, including

Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo, and Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo. And,

your third choice? Sony camcorders are now also compatible with SD/SDHC memory

cards.

When it comes to the core of the CX300E you'll find solid components and features that

set it apart from entry-level models. First off, the camcorder has a back-illuminated 1/4"

"Exmor R" CMOS sensor that works with Sony's BINOZ Image Processor. It's designed

to capture HD images with detail especially in low light situations. The wide angle G-

Lens has a focal length of 27.4mm for photos and 29.8mm for video. The lens also has

12x optical zoom for capturing far off subjects and SteadyShot image stabilization with

Active Mode for reduced blur due to hand-shake. The Active Mode enhances the image

stabilization with Sony's 3-Way Shake-Canceling, which compensates for more kinds of

movement. At last, but certainly not least, the CX300E has a 2.7" Clear Photo LCD that

provides a wide screen platform for composition and playback of your images, and the

convenience of touch screen navigation.

The HDR-CX300E also offers up a number of user-friendly functions designed to assist

in operating the camcorder. Among them you'll find 1080p playback which lets you up-

convert your video to 1080p for viewing on your HDTV, via an HDMI cable. Other

popular and useful features include Face Detection with Face Priority, Smile Shutter, and

even a feature called, Golf Shot for analyzing your golf swing, or other fast action

movement. Hitting on a few more assets in the HDR-CX300E's arsenal reveals a

personalized system for customizing the interface for the functions you use most,

automatic Power ON when you open the LCD screen, and easy recall of scenes using the

Film Roll Index or Face Index.

1920 x 1080 High Definition Video Recording

1920 x 1080i high definition resolution lets you record your memories in exceptional

high definition quality. Capable of 1080p playback via HDMI and compatible HDTV

providing stunning clarity and incredibly detailed playback of your memories

16GB Internal Flash Memory

The built-in 16GB embedded flash memory can record and store up to 6.5 hours of high

definition video footage (HD LP mode), or up to 4 hours of standard definition footage

(SD HQ mode)

Media Card Slot

For convenient storage and sharing of your images and videos, the camera accepts

Memory Stick Duo / Memory Stick PRO Duo / Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo media and

SD/SDHC media (optional)

1/4" Back-Illuminated "Exmor R" CMOS Sensor

Experience low-light sensitivity with improved image clarity and drastically reduced

grain with the back-illuminated "Exmor R" sensor. Designed for compact cameras and

camcorders, the "Exmor R" sensor relocates the photo diodes above the support circuitry,

maximizing the light gathering area per pixel so you can shoot with better results in lower

lighting conditions 1 close Please Note:Approximately 2x increase in sensitivity

compared to Sony's previous front-illuminated CMOS sensors at f/2.0

12x Optical / 160x Digital Zoom

12x optical zoom helps to bring the action close up from far away. In addition, Digital

Zoom Interpolation means that digital zooming (up to 160x) is clearer, with less

distortion than previous types of digital zoom

7MP Digital Still Capture

7 megapixel still image capture lets you take stunning, high resolution digital photos

while the Dual record capability lets you capture 3.5MP still images while shooting high

definition video, so you can capture those special moments without having to switch

recording modes

2x Faster Quick AF

With the improved autofocus (AF) system, Quick AF, the focusing speed is twice as fast

compared to previous models. Whether in bright daylight or in a dimly lit environment,

Quick AF ensures fast, accurate, and consistent focus lock, enabling users to shoot in a

wide range of scenes without missing any important moment. Especially when shooting

night scenes where conventional AF might struggle to focus, thanks to the much

improved AF algorithm in Quick AF, users can now capture crisp images, fast

1080p Playback Via HDMI and Compatible HDTV

1080p playback via HDMI and compatible HDTV providing stunning clarity and

incredibly detailed playback of your memories

Face Detection with Face Priority

With Face Priority, your camcorder optimizes focus, color, exposure, and Smile Shutter

technology for the face you prioritize. Just touch the preferred face on the LCD display

and the camcorder will assign it priority, even if it leaves and returns to the frame

Smile Shutter

Smile Shutter technology lets the camcorder automatically take still photos when your

subject smiles, even while shooting high definition video. You can also set the sensitivity

and choose child, adult, or auto priority

Direct Copy to External HDD without a PC

Store your memories in a whole new way with the ability to copy videos from your

camcorder directly to an external hard disk drive (optional), all without a computer. Your

camcorder can also access videos stored on the external hard drive for playback on your

HDTV, allowing you to utilize the camcorder's handy playback features

Intelligent Auto (10 iAUTO Modes)

Intelligent Auto mode goes a step beyond traditional auto modes by analyzing your shot

and then automatically selecting the appropriate settings from 10 distinct scene modes

(90 different combinations possible): Portrait Mode, Smile Shutter, Backlight Control,

Scenery, Night Scenery Mode, High Sensitivity Mode, Macro Mode, Baby Mode, Walk

Detection, Tripod, and Low Light Mode

SteadyShot Image Stabilization with Active Mode

SteadyShot image stabilization with Active Mode represents the next step forward in

Sony image stabilization technology. Active Mode improves on existing SteadyShot

image stabilization by allowing the camera to compensate for greater degrees of camera

shake and deliver a stunning level of image smoothness

Personalized "My Menu" System New user friendly interface uses touch screen technology to allow users to scroll through

menus quickly and easily and even create a personalized "My Menu" to bring together

the functions they use most. Users can spend more time recording memories and less

time in menus

Face Index Function

Face Index makes it easy to find and play back the right video scene. Using Face

Detection technology, Face Index indexes your video footage according to the faces

detected in each scene. When it's time to play back video, simply search for what you

want by selecting from among the detected faces displayed in the index

Film Roll Index

Like chapters in a book, Film Roll Index helps you easily find desired scenes in video

footage. When using this feature, the camcorder previews the beginning of scenes and

can create scene indexes set at specified display intervals (3, 6, or 12 seconds and 1 or 5

minutes)

Dual Record with Still Image Capture

Dual record capability lets you capture 3.5MP still images while shooting high definition

video, so you can capture those special moments without having to switch recording

modes

Built-In Intelligent Flash

For added clarity and detail when taking pictures in low-light situations, the built-in flash

improves pictures and reduces shadows

Sony PMB (Picture Motion Browser) Software

Sony Picture Motion Browser software offers a simple, intuitive way to transfer, sort, and

view your video and still images on your compatible PC. In addition, multiple output

options let you burn your memories to DVD (optional), as well as take advantage of one

click upload to a number of popular video and photo sharing sites

Dynamic Range Optimizer

The D-Range (Dynamic Range) Optimizer function adjusts the exposure and contrast of

an image to counter the effects of high-contrast shooting condition, allowing for a great

shot. The D-Range Optimizer suppresses "blackout" in dark areas such as shadows and

"whiteout" in bright areas such as skies. As a result, the captured image appears as natural

as the original scene

x.v. Color Technology

x.v. Color technology enables the HDR-CX300E to capture nearly twice (1.8x) as many

viewable colors as the standard RGB color range, resulting in more natural, life-like

images. You can even experience this expanded color range on the big screen when you

connect your camcorder to x.v. Color capable displays, including a wide range of Sony

BRAVIA HDTVs

BIONZ Image Processor

The BIONZ Image Processor works in conjunction with the Exmor CMOS sensor with

ClearVid array for pristine imaging. The BIONZ Image Processor provides Data Noise

Reduction, Fast Image processing, and Data compression to preserve videos and images.

In addition, the BIONZ Image Processor enables Face Detection technology and Sony's

Dynamic Range Optimizer for both video and still image capture. The higher processing

speed also allows Dual Recording to capture still images while recording video

BRAVIA Sync Technology

BRAVIA Sync technology offers great ease of use in controlling compatible Sony

products connected via an HDMI (CEC) connection. HDMI connectivity provides a

simple, high-quality video and audio connection, with the ability to transmit HD video

and up to 5.1 channel audio directly from the camcorder to compatible HDTVs via a

single HDMI cable (not included). With BRAVIA Sync (CEC) technology, the HDMI

connection also delivers the ability to control both the camcorder and HDTV using a

single BRAVIA TV remote and displays the camcorder's playback menu on screen for

easier navigation

Additional Creative Control and Workflow Features

Power on your camcorder by simply opening the camera's LCD display

USB 2.0 provides an easy connection between your camcorder and PC for fast transfer of

video and stills

Record and zoom controls on LCD for more control and flexibility, especially for

overhead or low angle shots

Dolby Digital stereo recording with built-in zoom mic focuses on subject for clear

dialogue and crisp, discrete sounds

One Touch Disc Burn for easy copy of footage using the PMB software and the One

Touch Disc Burn Button and a compatible PC

Specifications

Optics

Sensor 1/4" CMOS

Lens 2.9-34.8mm

f/1.8-3.4

Zoom Optical: 12x

Digital: 160x

Filter Size 30mm

Recording

System PAL

Recording Media Internal Flash Memory 16GB Video/Image

SD/SDHC, Memory Stick PRO, Memory Stick PRO Duo

Recording Time Internal Flash Memory

HD: FX: 85 minutes

HD: HQ: 230 minutes

HD: LP: 395 minutes

SD: HQ: 235 minutes

Video Format High Definition

MPEG AVC/H.264

1,920 x 1,080i

Still Image Resolution JPEG: 7 Megapixel,

Audio Format 2-Channel Stereo

Display

Display Type LCD

Screen Size 2.7"

Touchscreen Yes

Features

Image Stabilization Optical

Lux 11 (1/60 Shutter Speed)

3 (LOW LUX)

Built-in Mic Yes

Built-in Speaker Yes

Accessory Shoe Hot

Tripod Mount 1/4"

Input/Output Connectors

Outputs 1x USB 2.0

1x Mini HDMI

1x A/V

1x HDMI

1x Component Video (out)

Analog A/V out: Included via A/V Remote Terminal

Component Video out: Supplied via A/V Remote Jack

S-Video: Via optional A/V Remote Jack

Microphone Input No

Headphone Jack No

General

System Requirements Windows System

XP (SP3), Vista (SP2), 7

PMB Ver.5.0 does not support Mac OS

PMB Ver.5.0 does not support XP SP3, Vista SP2, and Windows 7 64-bit editions and

Starter (Edition)

Battery Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery

Pack Power Adapter Not Specified By Manufacturer

Dimensions (WxHxD) 2.05 x 2.52 x 4.92" / 52 x 64 x 125mm

Weight 12 oz / 340.2g

This is a "PAL" product and CANNOT be used in the USA. It is designed for use with

video products built to PAL TV standards.