Fact: Writing up Sony's camcorder line at CES is the worst part of my year, every year. Luckily, Sony provided this handy chart of their 18 camcorders so you could decipher it all.
My refusal to break up Sony's camcorder lineup into tiny, digestible bits is part laziness and part conscientious objection. I mean, there are 18 freaking models of camcorders here. And while I can appreciate the $1500 Sony HDR-XR520V featuring 1080p capture and 240GB of built-in storage (holding as many 12MP stills as you can shoot), how could anyone walking in to their neighborhood Best Buy possibly sort through these products on the shelf? Just give us four great camcorders, Sony. There's no need for nearly twenty slightly differentiated ones.
2009 CES Product List
Camcorders
Sony HDR-XR520V 240GB High-Definition Hard Disk Drive Handycam® Camcorder
Available in March for about $1500
*1920x1080 high-definition video recording and 12-megapixel still image capture
*Large capacity 240GB hard drive holds up to 101 hours of HD video (LP mode)
*New back-illuminated Exmor R™ CMOS sensor improves sensitivity in low light conditions
*Photo and video geo-tagging using built-in GPS receiver and NAVTEQ® digital maps
*Improved Optical Steady Shot with Active Mode stabilization for smooth video and photos
*Smile Shutter™ automatically takes photos when subject smiles, even while shooting HD video
*Face detection technology recognizes up to eight faces and automatically corrects focus, exposure and color controlSony HDR-XR500V 120GB High-Definition Hard Disk Drive Handycam® Camcorder
Available in March for about $1300
*1920x1080 high-definition video recording and 12-megapixel still image capture
*Large capacity 120GB hard drive holds up to 46 hours of HD video (LP mode)
*New back-illuminated Exmor R™ CMOS sensor improves sensitivity in low light conditions
*Photo and video geo-tagging using built-in GPS receiver and NAVTEQ® digital maps
*Improved Optical Steady Shot with Active Mode stabilization for smooth video and photos
*Smile Shutter™ automatically takes photos when subject smiles, even while shooting HD video
*Face detection technology recognizes up to eight faces and automatically corrects focus, exposure and color controlSony HDR-XR200V 120GB High-Definition Hard Disk Drive Handycam® Camcorder
Available in March for about $1000
*1920x1080 high-definition video recording and 4-megapixel still image capture
*Large capacity 120GB hard drive holds up to 46 hours of HD video (LP mode)
*Photo and video geo-tagging using built-in GPS receiver and NAVTEG® digital maps
*Improved Optical Steady Shot with Active Mode stabilization for smooth video and photos
*Smile Shutter™ automatically takes photos when subject smiles, even while shooting HD video
*Face detection technology recognizes up to eight faces and automatically corrects focus, exposure and color control
*15x optical Carl Zeiss® Vaio-Sonnar® T* zoom lensSony HDR-XR100 80GB High-Definition Hard Disk Drive Handycam® Camcorder
Available in March for about $750
*1920x1080 high-definition video recording and 4-megapixel still image capture
*Large capacity 80GB hard drive holds up to 30 hours of HD video (LP mode)
*Improved Optical Steady Shot with Active Mode stabilization for smooth video and photos
*Smile Shutter™ automatically takes photos when subject smiles, even while shooting HD video
*Face detection technology recognizes up to eight faces and automatically corrects focus, exposure and color control
*10x optical Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® zoom lens
*Records in Dolby® Digital 5.1 surround sound with built-in zoom microphone for clear recording of subjectsSony DCR-SR87 80GB Hard Disk Drive Handycam® Camcorder
Available in February for about $500
*Hybrid movie recording on Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media and built-in 80GB hard drive, which can hold up to 84 hours of video (LP mode)
*1-megapixel CCD imager for excellent video and 1-megapixel photos
*25x optical Carl Zeiss® Vaio-Tessar® zoom lens with Steady Shot® stabilization for smooth video and photos
*Direct connection with DVDirect® Express DVD writer (sold separately) for easy memory archival and playback
*Records in Dolby® Digital 5.1 surround sound with built-in zoom microphone for clear recording of subjects
*2.7-inch wide, touch panel LCD screenSony DCR-SR67 80GB Hard Disk Drive Handycam® Camcorder
Available in February for about $450
*Hybrid movie recording on Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media and built-in 80GB hard drive, which can hold up to 84 hours of video (LP mode)
*60x optical Carl Zeiss® Vaio-Tessar® zoom lens with Steady Shot® stabilization for smooth video and photos
*Direct connection with DVDirect® Express DVD writer (sold separately) for easy memory archival and playback
*Records in Dolby® Digital 5.1 surround sound with built-in zoom microphone for clear recording of subjects
*2.7-inch wide, touch panel LCD screenSony DCR-SR47 60GB Hard Disk Drive Handycam® Camcorder
Available in February for about $400
*Hybrid movie recording on Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media and built-in 60GB hard drive, which can hold up to 41 hours of video (LP mode)
*60x optical Carl Zeiss® Vaio-Tessar® zoom lens with Steady Shot® stabilization for smooth video and photos
*Direct connection with DVDirect® Express DVD writer (sold separately) for easy memory archival and playback
*2.7-inch wide, touch panel LCD screen
*Available in three colors including red, blue and silverSony HDR-CX100 High-Definition Flash Memory Handycam® Camcorder
Available in March for about $600
*1920x1080 high-definition video recording and 4-megapixel still image capture
*8GB embedded memory plus expandable storage capacity via Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media
*Ultra-compact design in three colors including red, black and silver
*Smile Shutter™ automatically takes photos when subject smiles, even while shooting HD video
*Face detection technology recognizes up to eight faces and automatically corrects focus, exposure and color control
*10x optical Carl Zeiss® Vaio-Tessar® zoom lens with Steady Shot® stabilization for smooth video and photosSony DCR-SX60 16GB Flash Memory Handycam® Camcorder
Available in March for about $370
*Hybrid movie recording on Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media and 16GB embedded memory, which can hold up to 10 hours of video (LP mode)
*60x optical Carl Zeiss® Vaio-Tessar® zoom lens with Steady Shot® stabilization for smooth video and photos
*Direct connection with DVDirect® Express DVD writer (sold separately) for easy memory archival and playback
*2.7-inch wide, touch panel LCD screenSony DCR-SX41 8GB Flash Memory Handycam® Camcorder
Available in March for about $300
*Hybrid movie recording on Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media and 8GB embedded memory, which can hold up to 5 hours of video (LP mode)
*60x optical Carl Zeiss® Vaio-Tessar® zoom lens
*Direct connection with DVDirect® Express DVD writer (sold separately) for easy memory archival and playback
*2.7-inch wide, touch panel LCD screenSony DCR-SX40 4GB Flash Memory Handycam® Camcorder
Available in March for about $270
*Hybrid movie recording on Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media and 4GB embedded memory
*60x optical Carl Zeiss® Vaio-Tessar® zoom lens
*Direct connection with DVDirect® Express DVD writer (sold separately) for easy memory archival and playback
*2.7-inch wide, touch panel LCD screen
*Available in color variations including red, blue and silverSony DCR-DVD850 DVD Handycam® Camcorder
Available in February for about $430
*“Hybrid Plus” recording on three separate media including 16GB of internal memory (more than 10 hours of video in LP mode), Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media and 3-inch DVD disc
*60x optical Carl Zeiss® Vaio-Tessar® zoom lens with Steady Shot® stabilization for smooth video and photos
*2.7-inch wide, touch panel LCD screen
*Records in Dolby® Digital 5.1 surround sound with built-in zoom microphone for clear recording of subjectsSony DCR-DVD650 DVD Handycam® Camcorder
Available in February for about $300
*Hybrid movie recording options on Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media and 3-inch DVD disc
*60x optical Carl Zeiss® Vaio-Tessar® zoom lens
*Steady Shot® stabilization for smooth video and photos
*2.7-inch wide, touch panel LCD screenSony MHS-CM1 Webbie HD MP4 Camera
Available now for about $200
*Captures high-definition MPEG-4 video and 5-megapixel photos for easy transfer to the computer
*Optical 5x zoom lens gets you close to the action without sacrificing picture quality
*Equipped with PMB Portable software for quick content upload to popular video and photo sharing websites
*Slim horizontal body with 2.5-inch LCD screen that swivels up to 270 degrees
*Expandable storage capacity via Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media
*Available in three fashionable colors including eggplant, orange and silverSony MHS-pM1 Webbie HD MP4 Camera
Available in April for about $170
*Captures high-definition MPEG-4 video and 5-megapixel photos for easy transfer to the computer
*Vertical 4-ounce body slips easily into a pocket or purse so it can be taken anywhere
*Equipped with PMB Portable software for quick content upload to popular video and photo sharing websites
*Rotating swivel lens instantly powers device and makes it easy to self-record
* Expandable storage capacity via Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media
*Available in three fashionable colors including eggplant, orange and silverCamcorder Accessories
Sony ECM-HW2 Bluetooth Microphone
Available in February for about $230
* Record audio up to 300 feet away from the camcorder
* Microphone unit and receiver unit are both equipped with a headphone jack for two-way communication between subject and camcorder operator
* Ability to record both subject and camcorder operator voices or subject voice only
* Compatible with all Handycam® camcorders with Active Interface ShoeSony GPS-CS3KA GPS Unit
Available in March for about $150
* Equipped with GPS IC for effortless geo-tagging while capturing videos and photos
* Long battery life provides up to 15 hours on one AA battery
* LCD display shows current position, GPS signal strength, battery life and clock display
* Built-in Memory Stick™ and SD™ card slot for simple photo data synchronization with your digital imaging devices
* Supplied Picture Motion Browser software offers easy upload to online map album servicesSony LCS-CMA case for Webbie HD MHS-CM1
Available now for about $20 in black, orange and purple
* Designed color case to match Webbie HD MHS-CM1 camera
* Sporty design
* Measures 2 3/8 x 5 1/8 x 3 3/8inches
* Includes adjustable velcro strapSony LCS-CSVC case for Webbie HD MHS-PM1
Available now for about $20 in black, pink, blue, silver, orange and purple
Designed color case to match Webbie HD MHS-PM1 camera
Sporty design
Measures 3 1/4 x 4 3/4 x 1 1/8 inches
Includes carabineer
DISCUSSION