Sony Handycam HDR-PJ760v and HDR-PJ710V with Projector and Balanced Optical Steady Shot

[CES 2012] Sony introduced its first Handycam camcorder with a built-in projector last year at CES. The projector attached to the swing out LCD allows projection on flat surfaces without the need to transfer the movie to a computer or watch it on the tiny LCD screen, that’s great when you want to travel light and have fun with your friends and family while on vacation.

The new Sony Handycam HDR-PJ760v and HDR-PJ710V come with an enhanced projector that can project up to up to a 100-inch wide image at a distance of 5 meters (the previous version offered a 60-inch image at 3 meters). According to the manufacturer, the focus and brightness (15 lumen) have been improved as well and the user interface is friendlier than the first version.  An optional portable 360 degree sound speaker is also available for purchase (photo below).
The most significant feature addition of these two high-end camcorders is the Balanced Optical SteadyShot , which is also offered in the Sony Handycam HDR-CX760V. The camcorder is encased in a second body equipped with a motor that compensates the motion in real time and maintains the inner body still. According to Sony, the technology delivers up to thirteen times more stability than the standard Optical SteadyShot provided in the rest of the lineup.

Other new features offered this year for the high-end category include a more powerful back-illuminated EXMOR R CMOS sensor with good low light performance that captures 24.1 megapixels still images and 1920×1080 Full HD 24 fps video, a 10X optical Zoom with a 17X Extended Zoom, a 26mm wide angle Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar lens, a built-in GPS for geotagging with enhanced maps and enhanced audio recording delivered by the Wind Noise Reduction (WNR) and Closer Voice features.

The Sony Handycam HDR-PJ760V gets 96GB of internal flash memory while the Sony Handycam HDR-PJ710V gets only 32 GB of internal flash memory. Please note:  according to the limited information I had at the time of publishing, it is the only difference I have noticed between the two units. Both models will be available in March for about $1600 and $1300, respectively.

For a detailed overview of the new features across the whole Handycam lineup, check out our article.

Sony Handycam HDR-PJ760V feature highlights:

• Project up to 100-inch (diag) videos with built-in projector
• 120 hours of recording with 96GB Flash Memory
• Back-illuminated “Exmor R” CMOS sensor (good low-light performance)
• 1920×1080 Full HD 24p Recording 24.1-megapixel still image capture
• 26mm wide angle Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar lens
• Balanced Optical SteadyShot image stabilization to reduce shakiness even when zooming – 10x Optical/17x Extended Zoom
• Manual Control (Iris/Shutter/Exposure/White Balance),
• CinemaTone presets, and advanced controls with expanded focus, zebra, and peaking
• 3.0” Xtra Fine LCD display (921K) TruBlack technology and Color EVF (0.27” 201K) video monitoring
• Tracking Focus follows selected subjects while Face Detection offers voice enhancement and noise reduction
• 5.1ch Surround mic, S-Master digital amplifier, and Clear Phase stereo speakers for surround sound

Sony Handycam HDR-PJ710V feature highlights:

• Project up to 100-inch (diag) videos with built-in projector
• 40 hours of recording with 32GB Flash Memory
• Back-illuminated “Exmor R” CMOS sensor (good low-light performance)
• 1920×1080 Full HD 24p Recording 24.1-megapixel still image capture
• 26mm wide angle Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar lens
• Balanced Optical SteadyShot image stabilization to reduce shakiness even when zooming – 10x Optical/17x Extended Zoom
• Manual Control (Iris/Shutter/Exposure/White Balance),
• CinemaTone presets, and advanced controls with expanded focus, zebra, and peaking
• 3.0” Xtra Fine LCD display (921K) TruBlack technology and Color EVF (0.27” 201K) video monitoring
• Tracking Focus follows selected subjects while Face Detection offers voice enhancement and noise reduction
• 5.1ch Surround mic, S-Master digital amplifier, and Clear Phase stereo speakers for surround sound

Eliane Fiolet
Categories: Photo-Video
Tags: CES