New Sony HDR-CX700V / HDR-CX560V / HDR-CX360V camcorders

3D - HDR-TD10 (2011).
Professional models - HXR-NX70 (2011). HXR-MC2000, HXR-MC50 (2010).
Flash Memory / consumer - HDR-CX260V, HDR-CX580V, HDR-CX740VE, HDR-CX760V (2012). HDR-CX360V, HDR-CX560V, HDR-CX700V (2011). HDR-CX110, HDR-CX150, HDR-CX300, HDR-CX350V, HDR-CX550V (2010). HDR-CX100 (2009). HDR-CX12 (2008). HDR-CX7 (2007).
Hard Disk / consumer - HDR-XR260V (2012). HDR-XR150, HDR-XR350V, HDR-XR550V (2010). HDR-XR100, HDR-XR200, HDR-XR500, HDR-XR520 (2009). HDR-SR11, HDR-SR12 (2008). HDR-SR5, HDR-SR7 (2007).
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Stephan
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New Sony HDR-CX700V / HDR-CX560V / HDR-CX360V camcorders

Post by Stephan »

Sony announced 3 new camcorders at CES, that build upon and replace previous AVCHD models: European versions on sony.co.uk: Link: Sony CES 2011 Press release.



Common features to all 3 of them (US versions):
  • 1920x1080 Full HD 60p/24p Recording
  • AVCHD recording format for HD, up to 28Mbps (60p) or 24Mbps (24p 60i)
  • Memory card slot (Memory Stick PRO Duo™ and SD / SDHC / SDXC)
  • Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilization w/ Active Mode
  • 5.1ch Surround mic
  • Mic/headphone jack
  • "Active Interface" hot shoe
  • Geotagging with built-in GPS receiver & NAVTEQ maps
  • "Intelligent Auto" modes
  • Tracking Focus follows selected subjects
  • Audio Level Display
  • Built-in Flash for stills
  • Direct Copy to external HDD without PC
  • HDMI mini out (optional adapter)
  • Built-in USB cable
HDR-CX360V:
  • 1/4" (4.5mm) "Exmor R" CMOS sensor
  • 12x optical zoom
  • 29.8mm - 357.6mm focal length (35mm equivalent)
  • 30mm filter diameter
  • 3.0” 230K pixels LCD
  • 32GB embedded Flash Memory
Sony HDR-CX360V AVCHD camcorder
Sony HDR-CX360V AVCHD camcorder
HDR-CX360V-600.jpg (61.61 KiB) Viewed 39239 times
Both HDR-CX560V and HDR-CX700V:
  • 1/2.88" (6.2mm) "Exmor R" CMOS sensor
  • 10x optical zoom
  • 26.3mm - 263mm wider-angle focal length (35mm equivalent)
  • 37mm filter diameter
  • 3.0” 921K pixels LCD
  • Assignable Dial (Iris/Shutter/Exposure/WB/Focus)
  • Cinematone presets
HDR-CX560V:
  • 64GB embedded Flash Memory
Sony HDR-CX560V AVCHD camcorder
Sony HDR-CX560V AVCHD camcorder
HDR-CX560V-600.jpg (62 KiB) Viewed 39239 times
HDR-CX700V:
  • 96GB embedded Flash Memory
  • Advanced controls with expanded focus, zebra, and peaking
  • Color Viewfinder (0.27” 201K pixels)
Sony HDR-CX700V AVCHD camcorder
Sony HDR-CX700V AVCHD camcorder
HDR-CX700V-600.jpg (69.08 KiB) Viewed 39239 times
Question - does anybody know if the built-in memory card slot is usable for video recording, or is it only for stills?
Last edited by Stephan on 01 May 2011 10:54, edited 3 times in total.
Reason: added links to European models
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Re: New Sony HDR-CX700V / HDR-CX560V / HDR-CX360V camcorders

Post by Doughie »

Aha!! Finally Sony implements progressive-scan recording, at 24fps and 60fps on this class of cameras.

Very good, am checking the various specs out now.
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Re: New Sony HDR-CX700V / HDR-CX560V / HDR-CX360V camcorders

Post by Stephan »

24p / 60p... yes, on all new Sony consumer camcorders this year - no exception, apparently.

And what will happen to us in PAL countries? Will Sony be providing 25p and 50p - OMG who wants that?!? Ridiculous, I call that a quasi-autistic state of corporate denial.

The HDR-CX700V seems nice, I might get one to replace my dying HDR-HC3. But the idea of still being imposed crippled frame rates for my web videos just kills me.
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Re: New Sony HDR-CX700V / HDR-CX560V / HDR-CX360V camcorders

Post by acgold7 »

Seems like a nice evolution of the small cam. Won't be dumping my xr520v's any time soon, but the cx700 looks like a good alternative for a first time buyer who really cares about good video.

The 60p and 24p progressive modes aren't for me but I could see why some people like them.

Next purchase might be an MC2000 to replace my HD1000, but I'm concerned about its small chip. You'd think it would have the same chip as their flagship handycam but no.
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Re: New Sony HDR-CX700V / HDR-CX560V / HDR-CX360V camcorders

Post by Stephan »

acgold7 wrote:the cx700 looks like a good alternative for a first time buyer who really cares about good video.
Well, carrying camcorders the size of my HDR-FX7 is sometimes a trying experience - it's just too bulky for me when travelling, and the way things go, I won't be getting stronger or more resistant over time.

It's not just having the best camcorder (the larger being ordinarily superior), it's also about being able to take it wherever I go, and capture those images that will ultimately be memorable. I can hike in the mountain with my HDR-HC3, I just can't with my HDR-FX7 - beyond my physical capacity.

So for my next camcorder as a serial buyer, I'm thinking of downsizing a bit, and this new HDR-CX700V seems to be the best Sony currently has to offer in smaller sizes.

Or maybe I'll take a look at the new convertible Canon XA10.
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Re: New Sony HDR-CX700V / HDR-CX560V / HDR-CX360V camcorders

Post by Doughie »

To me, the CX560V appeals as a almost-matching 2nd cam for 2-cam video shoots (my other cam being XR520). Guts of the 560 and the CX700 seem essentially the same, barring the viewfinder on the 700. I am consistently impressed with the image i can get out of my XR520 and I think the CX560 will be at least as good. (by the way it's just made an appearance on B&H website at US$1099)

I've done 2-cam shoots with my XR520 and a Canon HFS10 and the images look really quite different and it's a big pain trying to get them matching in post well enough to cut between the 2 cams without it being too jarring.

Also, i like Sony's new extra wideangle of around 26mm (35mm equivalent focal length). It makes the use of a wideangle attachment lens much much less necessary which is a good thing. Yes the telephoto end is compromised of course, but how often do you sit there and need a longer tele shot in a consumer camcorder? rarely, in comparison to wideangle focla lengths for most people.
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Re: New Sony HDR-CX700V / HDR-CX560V / HDR-CX360V camcorders

Post by Stephan »

Doughie wrote:Guts of the 560 and the CX700 seem essentially the same, barring the viewfinder on the 700.
The HDR-CX700V has zebras for exposure assistance. Such a shame to pay extra for just a software feature, but they are so handy.
Doughie wrote:I've done 2-cam shoots with my XR520 and a Canon HFS10 and the images look really quite different and it's a big pain trying to get them matching in post well enough to cut between the 2 cams without it being too jarring.
How different are they? I know it's difficult to find words for these things, but how would you compare the 'Sony look' to the 'Canon look'?

Also, I edited my first post and added links to the European versions. Confirmation: the HDR-CX700VE shoots 1920x1080/50p, 25p, 50i. This really gets me baffled.

Why 50p Sony, why? What did design engineers have in mind?
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Re: New Sony HDR-CX700V / HDR-CX560V / HDR-CX360V camcorders

Post by acgold7 »

Stephan, I'm confused. Why not 50p? Isn't 50 the PAL equivalent of NTSC's 60? Isn't that what the newest PAL HDTVs support, as NTSC HDTVs do 60p? Is there any PAL broadcast equipment that supports frame rates that aren't a multiple of 25? This is just my ignorance.
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Re: New Sony HDR-CX700V / HDR-CX560V / HDR-CX360V camcorders

Post by Stephan »

HDTVs that we can buy here support both 60Hz and 50Hz. I remember my PS3, before it received some firmware upgrade along the way, was playing all HD video @ 60Hz. Before 24p-capable HDTVs were available, movie blu-rays were played 30p by the players, even here. And 50p, like 60p, isn't supported by any distribution media or broadcast channel I believe, so all strategies are equally valid.

Okay, there's this issue of landline power frequency, that causes flicker on improperly synchronized camcorders, and might become a stronger issue as incandescent lights are phased out in favor of low-power fluorescent bulbs. But why should we be paying 5000 EUR / USD and upwards for professional cams in order to have 50Hz/60Hz dual compatibility, when Canon was able to change available frame rates on its 5D Mark II with a simple firmware update? And consumer cams have flicker-reduction features, as I remember.

Why bother? Because the video I shoot, I want to be able to use it both for blu-rays and for the Web, and 50Hz video looks so terrible on the Web, it's a bit pointless to buy anything too good or too expensive, even for the purpose of getting better optics, better MTF, or better colors.
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Re: New Sony HDR-CX700V / HDR-CX560V / HDR-CX360V camcorders

Post by Doughie »

Stephan wrote:How different are they? I know it's difficult to find words for these things, but how would you compare the 'Sony look' to the 'Canon look'?
Well i can only speak for the HFS10 vs XR520, but they are v different.
Canon is generally (default settings) less sharp, less contrasty, and distinctly cooler tone. SKin colors are a bit odd IMO, almost brown-ish. The sony's skin tones are quite dramatically differnt, and IMO more realistic. EVeryone (even the Canon owner himself) prefers the Sony's 'take' on how things should look, so even though we custom white-balance in the on-stage lighting, on same white object at same time, the images need matching in post. Also the XR520 is far less noisy when light levels are low.

So i'd like an extra cam like 550V or 560V or 700V to match my XR520 (i'd imagine they'd be very close) for shoots like that.
However hard we try it's tough to get Canon AVCHD skintones to look similar to Sony' s AVCHD skintones.
mind you i am not that experienced with color correction, so it may just be poor post- technique. A professional colorist i am sure could do an awesome job but as we all know, the better your original footage, the less you have to tweak it in post and that sure saves a lot of time.

ps. and yes, very odd that 50p and 25p left out of these new Sony cams. Have they forgotten that a large percentage of the countries in the world are "PAL" countries?! 25p is a must-do and if you're gonna have 60p then 50p should be there too. I don't see a technical reason to leave those frame-rates out. The ONLY thing i can think of is Sony's internal decision to deliberately omit certain features to stop these cams treading on toes of other Sony cams higher up the range. this could be it.... trying to get the Europeans to spend more money on more expensive sony cams that shoot 25p and 50p? Just a guess on that. But yes, a big shame.
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