Sony HDR-HC7 High Definition Handycam Camcorder

Sony Updated: 2007-06-06

The HDR-HC7 Handycam® camcorder lets you view the world through a professional grade Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar® T* Lens with 10x optical/20x digital zoom and a 1/2.9" ClearVid™ CMOS sensor. In addition to pristine quality video, you can capture 4.6 megapixel still images while the camcorder is recording video with the dual record mode feature. Take command of your pictures as you manually control focus, exposure, shutter speed, auto exposure shift and white balance shift. View everything you shoot on the 2.7" Wide Clear Photo™ LCD plus featuring touch panel SwivelScreen™ technology, so you can swivel from any shooting angle. Super SteadyShot® technology and the Super NightShot® feature will help you capture videos you'll want to share with the world.

3.2 Megapixel (Gross) ClearVid™ CMOS Sensor
1/2.9" ClearVid CMOS Sensor provides stunning detail and clarity with exceptional video (1080 lines of resolution - HD Mode or 530 lines of horizontal resolution - SD Mode) and still image performance (6.1 Megapixel). Unlike traditional CCD Imagers, CMOS Sensors require less power, providing better battery performance.

Switchable HD/DV Format Recording
The HDR-HC7 is capable of recording and playing back both High Definition (HD) and Standard Definition (SD) video recorded on a standard MiniDV cassette.

Real-Time HD Codec Engine
Sony developed a Real Time MPEG Encode/Decode system with reduced energy consumption and compact size to fit inside a personal camcorder. This engine provides efficient MPEG2 compression, and recording and playback of clear HD images at the same bit rate of the DV format, so that High Definition video can be recorded on the same MiniDV cassettes as are used for SD recording.

x.v. Color
x.v.Color can capture or display nearly twice as many (1.8x) viewable colors than currently possible. This provides a more accurate and vivid color range, for a more natural, lifelike overall experience.

10X Optical / 20XDigital Zoom
The optical zoom helps to bring the action close up from far away. In addition, the Digital Zoom Interpolation means that extreme digital zooming is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zoom.

Professional Quality Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar® T* Lens
Carl Zeiss lenses have an advanced optical multi-layer coating that offers less glare and flare with increased contrast. This results in vivid image brilliance, true-to-life color saturation and perfectg renditions of subtle tones. The additional T* coating on the lens further reduces unwanted glare and flare.

2.7" Wide (16:9) Touch Panel Clear Photo™ LCD Plus Display (211K Pixels)
The 2.7" Wide (16:9) LCD screen provides excellent viewing clarity with imporoved resoltuion. The 211K pixel LCD screen rotates up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles providing sharp, detailed images for monitoring or playback, and the widescreen format makes shooting in 16:9 mode and composing shots even easier.

Smooth Slow Record
By increasing the record rate from 60 fields per second (fps) to 240 fps for 3 seconds allowing you to capture 3 seconds of fast motion and play the video back in 12 seconds. This is great for analyzing a golf swing or a viewing a bird in flight. In addition, record an audio track to narrate what is being seen in the video.

Memory Stick Duo™ Media Slot
Capture still images up to 2848x2136 resolution, directly onto Memory Stick Duo™ Media for easy trasfer to PCs for emailing, printing or shairing with other compatible Memory Stick® media compatible devices.

Dual Record
While recording video in High Definition you have the ability to capture a 4.6 Megapixel still image directly to Memory Stick Duo™ media.

Super SteadyShot® (Optical) Image Stabilization System
An advanced form of Sony's SteadyShot Image Stabilization system that controls an even higher range of shake and vibration frequencies. This optical stabilization system achieves an even higher level of smoothness without degradation of vide like som digital stabilization systems.

Cinematic Mode
Perfect for creating your own movie masterpieces, the HDR-HC7 Cinematic mode lends 24 frame film-like effect to your recordings.

i.LINK® Interface (IEEE1394)
A high speed bi-directional digital video/audio communication between two compatible devices equipped with an IEEE1394 interface, including camcorders, digital VCRs, and PCs.

Tele Macro Function
Useful for shooting close up shots, but without having the camcorder casting a shadow on the subject. Images shot in the Tele Macro Mode will have the subject properly focused with the background unfocussed so that the subject stands out.

Active Interface Shoe
Provides a location directly on the camcorder on which to add optional accessories while providing power and two-way communication to those accessories.

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.

Super NightShot® Infrared System
With Sony's NightShot® infrared system, capture video in total darkeness (0 lux) up to 10 feet away. Super NightShot mode automatically adjusts the shutter speed to increase picture brightness and clarity. Color Slow Shutter mode allows you to record in low light situations with full color detail by slowing down the shutter speed.

Scene Selection Modes
Scene Selection modes make recording easy even when filming in challenging situations. Choose from Beach, Candle, Fireworks, Landscape, Portrait, Sports Lesson, Spotlight, and Sunrise & Sunset.

Picture Effects
Get creative when recording or playing back your videos with Sony's Picture Effect Modes. Effects available in Camera mode: Monotone, Mosaic, Negative Art, Pastel, Sepia, Skin Tone and Solarize. Effects available in Playback mode: Monotone, Negative Art, Sepia and Solarize.

Fader Effects-2
Enhance your personal videos by adding professional looking fader effects. Choose from Black, Mosaic, Monotone, and White.

InfoLithium® Battery with AccuPower™ Meter System
Charge the battery at anytime because unlike NiCad (Nickel Cadmium) batteries, Sony's rechargeable Lithium Ion batteries are not subjected to a life shortening "Memory Effect". Sony's exclusive AccuPower™ meter displays the battery time remaining in minutes, in either the viewfinder or on the LCD screen.

Stamina® Battery Power Management System
Using the optional NP-FH1000 InfoLithium® Battery, the HDR-HC7 can continuously record up to 6 hours (viewfinder) or 5 hours (LCD) on a single full charge, providing extra long battery life.

On Screen Zoom and Record Buttons
For additional control of the camcorder, the HDR-HC7 features Zoom and Record buttons on the frame of the LCD screen. This allows the user more flexibility when holding the camcorder, especially in overhead or low angle shots.

Easy Handycam
Using a camcorder can be intimidating for some people, so with a press of the Easy Handycam Button, most of the advanced features of the camcorder are "locked out" leaving only the buttons essential for recording operational.

One Touch Wide Angle Shooting
Easily switch between 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios for shooting, with just the touch of a button.

Manual Focus
Allows the user to manually adjust the focus of the camcorder using the touch panel. Manual focusing also allows the user to control the focus in difficult situations where either the environment or the subject does not allow the camcorder's auto focus to perform optimally, such as when shooting through a window or in a crowded environment.

Multi-Language Menu
Change the menu display from English to English (Simplified), Canadian French, Latin American Spanish or Brazilian Portuguese.