SONY DCR-SR68E

OVERVIEW:

Sony's DCR-SR68E 80GB Handycam PAL Camcorder is an 80GB hard disk drive (HDD) standard definition camcorder that also provides the option of recording to Memory Stick Media or SD/SDHC memory cards. While the HDD on the SR68E can hold up to 61 hours of video (SD LP mode), you can store even more footage using optional memory cards. These media options also enable transfer of video and still images from the hard drive to Memory Stick or SD cards for easy upload to your computer.
A budget-friendly SD cam, the SR68E packs in a number of features and functions. A 2.7" Clear Photo LCD with a touch panel and 270° of rotation helps you to easily compose and play back your shots, while the 1/8" Advanced HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD image sensor captures quality video and still images. Sony's partnership with the legendary Carl Zeiss optics company provides a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens that features SteadyShot image stabilization. The lens is made from precision ground optics for high quality image capture, while the image stabilization provides a reduction in the blur that's caused by motion, more commonly referred to as camera shake. Another core feature is the 60x optical zoom which captures distant subjects with clarity.

Some user-friendly functions that simplify recording with the SR68E include Face Detection, Film Roll Index, and the Face Index functions. While Face Detection automatically adjusts for exposure and focus on up to 8 faces in a frame, Film Roll and Face Index give you alternate ways to find the scenes you desire, faster. Additional convenience functions include an LED video light for low light video capture, automatic Power On when you open the LCD screen, and Direct Copy to an external hard drive (optional) without having to use a PC.

80GB Hard Disk Drive
A built-in 80GB hard disk drive can record and store up to 61 hours of video footage in SD LP mode. In addition, "HDD Smart Protection" gives you peace of mind by preventing any recorded video and images from being lost if the camcorder is accidentally dropped

Hybrid Recording to HDD or Memory Stick Duo Media
Hybrid recording delivers a level of flexibility for capturing and transferring your video footage and digital photos from the camcorder to compatible viewing devices. Record to the 80GB hard disk drive or choose instead to record to removable Memory Stick PRO Duo media or SD/SDHC memory cards (optional). You can even select from various dubbing functions to easily copy video or still images from the HDD to the Memory Stick media - without using a PC

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)

1/8" Advanced HAD CCD Imager
A 1/8" Advanced HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD Imager provides detail and clarity for exceptional video and still image performance

Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar Lens with SteadyShot
The DCR-SR68E features a professional-quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens designed specifically for compact camcorders. Precision ground optics help maintain the sharpness and contrast of larger lenses, and SteadyShot image stabilization helps reduce blur caused by camera shake

60x Optical/2000x Digital Zoom
60x optical zoom helps you capture close-up action while keeping your distance. In addition, Digital Zoom Interpolation means that extreme digital zooming (up to 2000X) is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zooms

2.7" Clear Photo LCD Display
The 2.7" Clear Photo LCD (230K) display provides exceptional viewing clarity with 123K pixels resolution. The display rotates up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles, as well as provides sharp, detailed images for monitoring or playback. The convenient touch panel allows easy access to menus and additional functionality such as spot focus and spot metering

Still Image Capture
The DCR-SR68E doubles as a digital still camera allowing you to store still images to the hard disk drive and Memory Stick or SD/SDHC media, and to edit your images using Sony's Picture Motion Browser software

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

Face Detection
Face Detection technology recognizes up to 8 faces anywhere in the frame and automatically adjusts exposure to help capture faces brightly and clearly

Film Roll and Face Index
With Film Roll Index, the camcorder previews the beginning of scenes and creates scene indexes set at specified display intervals (3, 6, or 12 seconds and 1 or 5 minutes). Face Index indexes your video footage according to the faces detected in each scene. When it's time to review video, simply search for what you want by selecting from among the detected faces displayed in the index

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

Direct Connection with Optional DVD Burner
The DCR-SR68E supports a direct connection with the VRD-P1 DVD burner (optional), which allows you to burn DVDs directly from your camcorder without the need for a PC. And because the VRD-P1 is powered by your camcorder, you don't need an additional AC power cable

Creative Controls and Workflow Features

* LED video light for capturing video in low-light situations
* 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 1/8" CCD
Lens 1.8-108mm
f/1.8-6.0
Zoom Optical: 60x
Digital: 2000x
Filter Size 30mm
Recording
System PAL
Recording Media
1

Memory Stick Media and SD/SDHC memory cards are not included
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Hard Disk Drive Up To 80GB
Memory Stick PRO, Memory Stick PRO Duo
SD/SDHC
Recording Time Hard Disk Drive
Standard Def: HQ: 1220 minutes
Standard Def: SP: 1750 minutes
Standard Def: LP: 3660 minutes
Memory Stick PRO Duo
16GB: HQ: 235 minutes
16GB: SP: 340 minutes
16GB: LP: 715 minutes
Video Format Standard Definition
MPEG2
720 x 480
Audio Format 2-ChannelStereo
Display
Display Type LCD
Screen Size 2.7"
Touchscreen Yes
Add-on Lens
Features
Image Stabilization Optical
Lux 3 (Auto Slow Shutter On, 1/30 Shutter Speed)
Built-in Mic Yes
Built-in Speaker Yes
Built-in Light/Flash Light - Yes
Flash - No
Accessory Shoe None
Tripod Mount 1/4"
Input/Output Connectors
Inputs None
Outputs
2

A/V out via Audio/Video Remote Terminal: Video/S Video/Audio
Analog Audio/Video Output: Included via A/V Remote Terminal
S-Video Outputs: optional via A/V Remote Jack
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1x USB 2.0
1x A/V
Microphone Input No
Headphone Jack No
General
System Requirements
3

PMB Ver.5.0 not supported by Mac OS
Windows XP SP3, Vista SP2, Windows 7 64-bit editions and Starter (Edition) are not supported
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Windows

* XP (SP3), Vista (SP2), 7

Battery Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Pack
Power Adapter Not Specified By Manufacturer
Dimensions (WxHxD) 2.20 x 2.56 x 4.13" / 56 x 65 x 105mm
Weight 11 oz / 311.85g