Sony’s new cameras, the HDR-UX1 and HDR-SR1, are both capable of recording hi-def video at 1080i resolution. Each uses Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound.
According to the company, the decision to bring hi-def recording to the consumer market was a response to the proliferation of online video sharing.
"With the explosive growth of Internet blogs and vlogs, people are capturing more video and sharing their recordings in new ways," Sony Electronics director Linda Vuolo said. "Our new hard disk drive camcorders' simple connection to a PC will be beneficial for people who upload and share their videos online."
The HDR-UX1, which Sony expects to release in September, will retail for an estimated price of $1,400. The camera records to mini-DVDs, which hold an hour of content per side.
The HDR-SR1 will retail for an estimated price of $1,500. Sony expects to release the camera, which records to a built-in 30 GB hard disk, in October. The company bills the camera, which holds up to 10 hours of footage, as ideal for dealing with situations where dealing with removable media isn’t practical.
Both cameras use Sony and Panasonic's new AVCHD recording format based on MPEG-4/H.264 video codecs and feature and HDMI output for simple connection to most hi-def TVs.
According to technology site DigitalTrends.com, the cameras, which have manual focus rings, will likely appeal to professional videographers as well as consumers.
“Our HD camcorder line offers people greater functionality and more choice to make high-def video creation fun and easy,” Vuolo said.
Other features available on both cameras include a 3.5-inch swing-out LCD display, a 4 mega pixel still image function, a dual mode that enables users to capture video and take 2.3 mega pixel stills and a Smooth Slow Record mode to shoot video in slow motion.