Sony HDR-SR7
Last update: Review by CNET (added on 20/07/07)
The Sony HDR-SR7 is a 6MP High-Definiton camcorder features 60GB Hard Drive, Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens 10x optical zoom, 3.2-megapixel ClearVid CMOS sensor, and 2.7-inch widescreen touch-panel LCD display. The camcorder measures 12 x 14 x 10 inches and weighs 4 pounds.
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REVIEWS
CNET reviews the Sony HDR-SR7 and writes;
“The good: Excellent video and performance; satisfying photo quality; a decent set of manual controls for the target audience; bundled dock. The bad: No wind filter; no USB port on camcorder, just on bundled dock; annoying touch screen interface; cables not ubiquitous yet for mini-HDMI connector. The bottom line: The hard-drive-based analog of the HDR-HC7, the Sony Handycam HDR-SR7 finally delivers a cutting-edge HD video experience, complete with great video and compatibility frustrations.”
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CNET.AU reviews the Sony HDR-SR7 and writes;
“Footage we shot on the SR7 — in passable to good light — was impressively crisp and had excellent colour response. To be fair we expected this, as the SR7 shares its 10x zoom lens and interpolated 6.2-megapixel sensor with the HC7 we tested earlier this year. Low light performance was noticeably grainy, although still acceptable, and consequently lacked the same jump-out-of-the-screen-look-at-me sharpness. The SR7 was about the right size — for our hands anyway — to ensure handheld footage didn’t suffer a case of the jitterbug.”
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USER MANUALS
- Download Sony HDR-SR7 Instruction Manual (PDF – 7.8 MB)
- Download Sony Handycam® Handbook (PDF)
SAMPLE CLIPS
Sample clips of at 1440×1080i with AVCHD and converted to MPEG-2 at 720×480, then to YouTube size.
Sample of SONY HDR-SR7 at 1440×1080i with AVCHD and converted to MPEG-2 at 720×480, then to YouTube size
PRESS RELEASE
Sony is bolstering its lead in the high-definition camcorder arena with the introduction of AVCHDâ„¢ technology-based models.
The new Handycam HDR-CX7 model is the world’s smallest and lightest AVCHD high-definition camcorder. It can record nearly three hours of full HD 1080 video on an 8-GB Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media card (LP mode). Weighing just 15 ounces with the supplied battery, it provides ultra-portability as well as a virtually crash-proof recording system, instant archiving to Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media (sold separately), and effortless connection to a PC via USB for editing and back-up.
The new HDR-SR7 AVCHD high-definition camcorder can record more than 22 hours of full HD 1080 video on its built-in 60GB hard disk drive, while the HDR-SR5 model’s 40GB hard drive can hold more than 15 hours of footage (LP modes). In addition to long recording times, these two models offer compactness and Sony’s HDD Smart Protection™ system to safeguard against data loss as well as easy connection to PCs via USB.
“Camcorder users are quickly embracing non-linear camcorder formats, such as hard disk drive and flash media, because they make it easy for anyone to view and access footage quickly,†said Linda Vuolo, director of camcorder marketing at Sony Electronics. “Our models offer the added advantages of superior high-definition picture quality. With the widest range of consumer high-def models, we can satisfy the needs of virtually everyone.â€
Advanced Browse and Search Functions
The new camcorders debut enhanced functions for easy browsing and searching on their high-resolution, 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD Plusâ„¢ screens. You can swiftly find scenes via the new film roll button to view footage as a film roll index, which displays multiple scenes as thumbnails within a single movie file. Sony also integrated new face index technology so you can also access specific scenes by familiar faces.
For more advanced searching on a compatible PC, you can use the camcorders’ bundled Picture Motion Browser™ software to access the highlight index. It incorporates a search engine for voices and colors as well as faces so you can quickly get to the scenes you want to watch.
Picture Quality Like No Other
The new models incorporate Sony’s ClearVid™ CMOS sensor technology for stunning detail and clarity. Combined with the Enhanced Imaging Processor™ technology, these models deliver the advantages of high resolution, high sensitivity with low noise, and virtually smear-free pictures.
The HDR-CX7 and HDR-SR7 models utilize Sony’s 3-megapixel sensor for full HD 1080 video and 6-megapixel digital still photos. They are also equipped with Super SteadyShot® optical image stabilization to produce smooth video results, as well as virtually blur-free photos. The HDR-SR5 model integrates a 2-megapixel sensor for full HD 1080 video and produces a 4-megapixel photo.
Additionally, all models benefit from Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar® T* optics for increased contrast and true-to-life color saturation.
With Sony’s x.v.Color™ technology, based on the new international xvYCC color standard, the new camcorders reproduce a much wider data range of colors than the conventional sRGB standard. When connected to a compatible HDTV via the camcorders’ HDMI™ outputs, home videos sparkle with vivid, natural-looking results.
The new models support the AVCHD camcorder recording format based on the MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 codec for video compression and Dolby® digital audio. In addition to high-quality video, they provide an exceptional audio experience with built-in Dolby Digital 5.1-channel surround sound recording.
A Full World of Editing and Playback Solutions
These new high-definition camcorders allow for quick data transfer from the camcorder to a compatible PC for editing, back-up and playback. Although bundled with software for simple editing, these camcorders are also compatible with the new Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum Edition 7.0e software update, as well as Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum Edition software for more advanced editors that will be available in July.
The models’ supplied Handycam Stations include a One Touch Disc Burn button for easy DVD creation using a PC and the bundled software. These stations now feature HD component output for instant connection to a compatible HDTV set when the camcorders are cradled.
High-definition content recorded on standard DVDs can be played back on compatible Blu-ray Disc™ devices, PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system and standard DVD drives on compatible PCs with the models’ bundled software. The next-generation Sony DVDirect® recorder will also be compatible with these camcorders for HD video transfer to standard, 5-1/4-inch DVDs. The HDR-CX7 unit’s Memory Stick PRO Duo or Memory Stick PRO HG™ media cards, featuring high data transfer rates, can also be played back directly on compatible PCs and PS3 by system software update scheduled in summer 2007.
The HDR-SR5, HDR-CX7 and HDR-SR7 camcorders will ship in June for about $1,100, $1,200 and $1,400, respectively, with an array of optional accessories.
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