Along with very attractive 2010 consumer Handycam® range, now Sony offers exceptional HD image quality plus pro-style features and non-linear acquisition at a price that’s accessible to video enthusiasts.

Sharing many features with Sony’s professional camcorder line-up, the Handycam® HDR-AX2000E provides videographers with an extensive palette of creative options. Superlative optical performance and superb ergonomics are teamed with sophisticated manual controls to give fine control over composing richly-detailed, cinematic HD images.

Reflecting the demands of pro-style workflow, it’s the first Handycam® that supports uninterrupted ‘relay’ recording on dual memory card slots. If one memory card is filled during shooting, the camcorder continues recording automatically on a second memory card inserted in the other card slot.

As well as reducing storage space requirements compared with tape, shooting on memory card allows videographers to import HD footage directly into a non-linear editing environment without time-consuming tape transfers.

Slots for Memory Stick PRO Duo and SD/SDHC memory cards (sold separately) are offered to suit users’ personal shooting preferences.

Superb HD picture quality is assured by the 1/3-type Exmor 3CMOS Sensors with ClearVid™ array and powerful Enhanced Image Processor (EIP). Exceptional detailing and dynamic range are complemented by very high sensitivity: you’ll be rewarded by superb results with reduced image noise, even when shooting in low-light conditions.

Complementing the Exmor 3CMOS Sensors are a bright, premium quality G Lens with a powerful 20x optical zoom range that covers focal lengths from 29.5mm wide angle to 590mm (35mm equivalent). There’s also a 1.5x digital extender that boosts zoom range further still for powerful close-ups.

Optical SteadyShot image stabilisation is now enhanced with new Active Mode. This dramatically reduces the effects of camera shake when you’re shooting without a tripod.

For quality-critical productions, new FX Mode captures detail-packed 1920x1080/50i video at a full 24Mbps – the highest bit-rate specified by the AVCHD format.

Creative options are broadened further by 25p progressive mode that captures lush, cinematic HD images. ‘Filmic’ quality of progressive images can be enhanced by adjusting picture profile settings for richly saturated colours.     

Serious videographers can also fine-tune their creative vision with an extensive range of manual functions. Independent zoom, focus and iris rings give precise, intuitive manual control over your composition. In addition, shutter speed and gain are both separately adjustable. Dedicated controls are provided for gain, white balance and shutter speed. There’s also a focus switch for quick, positive mode selection and three switchable ND filters.

In another Handycam® first, the high-quality integrated microphone is complemented by two professional XLR connectors that allow the addition of a stereo pair of external microphones. Internal and external mic signals can be mixed on board for extra control over capturing foreground and background sounds.

There is also an extensive choice of compatible accessories available by Sony. VCL‑HG0872X high-grade wide conversion lens provides an effective focal length of 23.6mm and the SH‑L32W LCD hood gives improved visibility of the 3.2-type LCD in bright shooting conditions. LCS-VCC is a high-capacity soft carry case with plenty of accessory space.

The Handycam® HDR-AX2000E is available from Feburary 2010.