Sony HDR-XR500V

The Sony HDR-XR500V is a compact model preserves video in 1920x1080 high definition, plus still photos at a full 12.1 megapixel. Hybrid storage technology of the Sony XR500V lets you use a Memory Stick Pro Duo, or the built-in 120GB hard disk drive for storage.

The Sony HDR-XR500V features a larger 1/2.88-inch ClearVid CMOS image sensor with Exmor R technology, which boosts video/ still resolution and gives you sharper images and higher sensitivity. The sensor of the Sony XR500V is back-illuminated, which gives is greater low-light sensitivity for shooting under dark conditions.

In addition to a built-in hard drive, the Sony XR500V also record content to optional Memory Stick PRO Duo media.

A high-speed BIONZ imaging processor handles massive amounts of high resolution data from the Exmor R CMOS sensor for quick response and extraordinary picture quality.

The Sony XR500V also features a GPS receiver that displays your current location and helps you remember where your video was shot. HDD Smart Protection works to preserve your video even if the camcorder is dropped or damaged. The professional quality Sony HDR-XR500V G-lens (12x optical/ 150x digital zoom) has extra-low dispersion glass for accurate color. Other features includes 3.2-inch touch LCD display, Optical Steady Shot image stabilization, Dolby 5.1 channel recording with a built-in zoom microphone, and a separate .27-inch adjustable color viewfinder for shooting with the LCD closed.

The Sony HDR-XR500V model also has an improved Optical Steady Shot feature with Active Mode, which allows a moveable lens element to shift with a greater range of motion during camera shake. This results in dramatically smoother video footage and photos.

Making it easy to retrace your steps by shooting location, the Sony HDR-XR500V feature a built-in GPS antenna and NAVTEQ digital maps for video and photo geo-tagging. Geo-tagged content is marked by a push pin at each shot location and can be played back on the camcorder map index display or enjoyed on the PC using the included Picture Motion Browser software. The feature also highlights your current map location and automatically adjusts the camcorder clock to the proper time zone.