Sony Handycam NEX-VG20
Posted: September 10th, 2011 | Author: M.Aaron Silverman | Filed under: Digital Camera News, Digital Camera Review, Technoid Computer News | Tags: Camcorder, Digital Video, Handycam, NEX-VG20, Sony | Comments Off
Sony has finally taken the wraps off their latest Handycam, the NEX-VG20, a consumer HD interchangeable lens camcorder that follows the world’s first consumer-oriented HD camcorder with an interchangeable lens system, the NEX-VG10. The new kid on the block – NEX-VG20 – features the same E-mount system that offers users the choice of seven different lenses. Sony claims the VG20 offers a number of improvements over the previous model, including comprehensive manual controls, improved imaging quality, upgraded sound, and ergonomic refinements such as enhanced grips and a second record button.
Product Highlights
- APS-Size 16.1 Mp Exmor CMOS Sensor
- Sony E-Mount for NEX Lenses
- 1920 x 1080 Recording Up to 60p
- 24 Mb/s AVCHD to Memory Stick Duo / SD
- 3.0″ Touchscreen LCD
- Quad-Capsule Microphone & 5.1 Sound
- Cinematone Gamma / Color
- Direct Copy
2nd Gen Features Higher Res CMOS
This second gen Handycam, features an even higher-resolution CMOS chip and new 24p & 60p recording modes at 1920 x 1080 resolution. Like its predecessor, the NEX-VG10, the VG20 has an APS-sized sensor and an E-mount for attaching Sony’s growing family of compatible lenses, and so the camcorder enables the shallow depth of field for which DSLR video cameras are so highly prized. But the NEX-VG20 also succeeds where DSLRs fall short. Physically a camcorder, it’s specifically designed for shooting motion video with ease and comfort.Several ergonomic refinements let videographers shoot HD video and stills in even greater comfort. The camcorder’s handgrip has been redesigned for excellent stability. Allowing manual adjustment of exposure, iris and other settings, the control dial can now be accessed even when the LCD panel is closed.
“Whether you’re shooting video or stills, this camcorder’s large sensor rivals the expressive picture quality of a DSLR camera,” said Andy Bubala, director of camcorders at Sony Electronics. “We’ve also made several enhancements to deliver the type of camcorder that video enthusiasts will love.”
The big sell on the VG20 is that it has guttss of a Sony NEX camera, but the body of a traditional, familiar camcorder. It also has a set of manual controls tailored to the professional videographer: shutter speed, aperture, white balance, and gain. The arrival of the VG20 comes at the same time Sony unveiled 4 new E-Mount lenses that can work with the camcorder. Sony expects to increase its E-Mount lens count to 10 lenses by 2012. Third-party lens adapters can also be used with the VG20.
With a resolution of 16.1 effective megapixels, the camcorder’s Exmor™ APS HD CMOS sensor assures outstanding video image quality, with extremely low noise in low light. It also captures pristine 16 megapixel still photos, with RAW format support for all the post-processing flexibility that’s familiar to DSLR users. The sensor also allows the creation of background defocus (‘bokeh’) effects with a user’s E-mount lenses. Full HD video shooting in the AVCHD™ format is now complemented by a choice of 24p and 60p (progressive) frame rate options. Footage shot at 24p can be enhanced with Cinema Tone Gamma™ and Cinema Tone Color™ for an even richer, more cinematic look.
With the same Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor found in Sony’s NEX-5N and NEX-C3 DSLR cameras, the VG20 offers an effective resolution of 16.1 megapixels to capture 16 megapixel stills in RAW format and Full HD video in AVCHD format in 24p and 60p (up to the sensor’s 16.1 Mp size, of course) and 5.1 surround-sound recording with audio level control. Like the VG10, the NEX-VG20 records AVCHD files (up to 24 Mb/s) to either Memory Stick or SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, and it adds Direct Copy of these files to hard drives. For a more cinematic look, footage shot at 24p can also be enhanced with Cinema Tone Gamma and Cinema Tone Color. With the use of E-mount lenses, the sensor also allows for the creation of background defocus – or “bokeh” – effects.
The VG20 has the same large CMOS image sensor as last year’s VG10, but the pixel count has been upped to 16.1 megapixels – up from 14.2 megapixels on theVG10.
Unlike it’s baby brother DSLR, VG20 sports a swiveling LCD screen, to show you what’s in the frame as you shoot from any angle – the 3.0″ Xtra Fine LCD now swivels 270°. It’s also now a touchscreen, for direct control over menu functions. When the LCD panel is closed, the assignable control dial is now accessible to the operator.
Overall, the NEX-VG20 is a sweet generational improvement on the VG10, Sony has added a some nice strong new features. While the VG10 only offered one frame rate for recording video (30p), the VG20 offers three: 24p, 60p, and 60i (but no 30p). According to Sony, the VG20 also has a faster autofocus system than its predecessor, as well as a focus assist function. Audio features have also been improved, as the VG20 added5.1-channel surround sound recording as well as full audio level control.
“Whether you’re shooting video or stills, this camcorder’s large sensor rivals the expressive picture quality of a DSLR camera,” said Andy Bubala, director of camcorders at Sony Electronics. “We’ve also made several enhancements to deliver the type of camcorder that video enthusiasts will love.”
The unit’s 3-inch (7.5 cm) Xtra Fine LCD display features TruBlack technology for improved contrast and can be rotated up to 270 degrees for high or low angle shooting, The VG20′s Quad Capsule Spatial Array Microphone now supports stereo and 5.1 channel surround sound and the unit also features a new audio level control. The unit is compatible with SD memory cards and Sony’s Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX series in capacities up to 32 GB.
The new LCD on the NEX-VG20 features a touchscreen interface and a 270-degree swivel design, which is just one of a number of slight design changes Sony made for the new camcorder. There’s also a few extra buttons, some rearrangement of dials, and a new remote control capability. The camcorder has the same electronic viewfinder, dual hot and cold accessory shoes, and external mic jack as the VG10.
Sony has also redesigned the camcorder’s handgrip to improve the balance of the unit and make low and high angle shooting more comfortable. The control panel that allows for manual adjustment of exposure, iris and other settings can now be accessed when the LCD panel is closed, while the new button layout features “hard” function keys, direct access to each shooting mode and a second record button that have all been located so they can be operated without the user taking their eyes away from the electronic viewfinder.
The NEX-VG20 can be purchased without a kit lens (body only) for $1599, which is something that was not an option with the VG10. The camcorder can also be packaged with an 18-200mm lens with optical steady shot capability for a totalMSRP of $2199. This is the same lens that came packaged with the NEX-VG10. TheNEX-VG20 is expected to be available for retail in November 2011.
The VG20 comes with the SEL 18200 F3.5-6.3 E-mount lens that offers 11x optical zoom, built-in Optical SteadyShot image stabilization and also features smooth, quiet autofocus operation during movie and still shooting. While Sony says the seven E-mount lenses available should cover virtually any shooting situation, the optional LA-EA2 lens mount adapter provides compatibility with A-mount lenses. Sony says it also plans to develop a third party “eco-system” to allow the camcorder to be used with lenses from other brands.
The new camcorder is compatible with Sony’s Memory Stick PRO-HG™ Duo HX series as well as Sony’s full line of SD memory cards. Available in capacities up to 32 GB, both media enable necessary transfer speeds for stable and optimal performance of Sony hardware features such as full HD movie shooting.
At a Glance:
- Interchangeable Lenses
- The NEX-VG20 is compatible with Sony’s E-mount series of smaller, lighter lenses which are optimized for video shooting with silent-operation auto-focus – as well as Sony/Minolta A-mount lenses (via optional A-mount adapter) to open up a world of creative options
- Exmor APS HD CMOS Sensor
- This is the same sensor format that Sony builds into the standard-size α DSLRs. With approximately 19.5x the surface area of conventional camcorder sensors, the Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor makes getting cinematic video with a shallow depth of field a breeze
- Long-Lasting Battery
- The NEX-VG20 uses a V-Series battery, and with the supplied NP-FV70 you get continuous recording time up to 145 minutes
- Wide 3.0″ Touchscreen LCD
- The camcorder’s 3.0″ widescreen Xtra Fine touchscreen LCD (921,000 dots) features TruBlack technology and swivels 270°
- Quad-Capsule Microphone
- Integrated into the handle of the NEX-VG20, the Quad Capsule Spatial Array Stereo Microphone captures stereo audio, with left and right elements oriented 90° from each other. The camera also captures 5.1-channel surround, and features advanced signal processing and audio level control
- Manual Controls
- For the ultimate in visual creativity, the NEX-VG20 features manual control not just focus but also iris, shutter speed, gain, and white balance
- Optical SteadyShot with Active Mode
- Optical SteadyShot image stabilization with Active Mode compensates for greater degrees of camera shake to deliver stunningly smooth video
- Up to 24 Mb/s AVCHD Video
- The NEX-VG10 can capture video in full 1920 x 1080 high definition at up to 24 Mb/s for amazing clarity and detail, in 24p, 60i, and 60p progressive frame rate modes
- HDMI Output for HD Viewing
- Enjoy HD movies and stunning still images on a compatible HDTV or HDMI-enabled field monitor via the camera’s HDMI output (mini-HDMI-to-HDMI cable not included). The VG20 continues to show live video on its LCD screen even as video is output via HDMI
- Media Card Slot
- For cost-effective, convenient storage and sharing of your images, the camera accepts Memory Stick PRO Duo and SD/SDHC/SDXC media (Class 4 or higher recommended). (Memory card is required. All are sold separately.)
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| Imaging | |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 16.1 Mp |
| Sensor | Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor |
| File Formats | Video: AVCHD (MPEG-4 AVC – H.264) up to 24 Mb/s in 24p, 60i, and 60p Stills: Up to 16.1 Mp in JPEG, RAW |
| Display | |
|---|---|
| LCD Monitor | 3.0″ Wide Xtra Fine touchscreen LCD (921,000 dots) with TruBlack technology |
| Tilting Angle Adjustment | 270° |
| Viewfinder | 0.43″ 1152K-dot Xtra Fine EVF |
| Recording | |
|---|---|
| Signal System | 60 Hz |
| Recording Media | Memory Stick PRO Duo; SD/SDHC/SDXC Card |
| Video Format | AVCHD |
| Recording Rate | 1920 x 1080 @ 24p, 60i, 60p Up to 24 Mb/s |
| Audio Format | Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC |
| Built-in Mic | Yes, quad-capsule stereo mic |
| Interface | |
|---|---|
| Input | Microphone jack |
| Output | HDMI (Mini) USB (Mini B) Headphone |
| Accessory Shoe | Alpha, cold |
| Memory Card Slot | 1x Memory Stick PRO Duo / SD card slot |
Sony‘s Handycan NEX-VG20 will be available this November for about US$2,199 with the SEL 18200 F3.5-6.3 E-mount lens included, or for $1,500 for the body-only version.
Soy Press Release for: Handycam NEX-VG20
SONY’S NEWEST HANDYCAM CAMCORDER BROADENS THE CREATIVE POSSIBILITIES FOR SHOOTERS
SAN DIEGO, Aug. 24, 2011 – The new Handycam® NEX-VG20 camcorder from Sony allows videographers to explore the artistic potential of the growing range of E-Mount lenses for shooting cinematic Full HD video and high-resolution still photos. The new camcorder offers several enhancements over Sony’s acclaimed NEX-VG10 – the world’s first consumer HD camcorder with interchangeable lenses – including comprehensive manual controls, improved imaging quality and upgraded sound. Significantly refined ergonomics include enhanced grips for balance and low-angle shooting, and a second record button, among many others.
“Whether you’re shooting video or stills, this camcorder’s large sensor rivals the expressive picture quality of a DSLR camera,” said Andy Bubala, director of camcorders at Sony Electronics. “We’ve also made several enhancements to deliver the type of camcorder that video enthusiasts will love.”
With a resolution of 16.1 effective megapixels, the camcorder’s Exmor™ APS HD CMOS sensor assures outstanding video image quality, with extremely low noise in low light. It also captures pristine 16 megapixel still photos, with RAW format support for all the post-processing flexibility that’s familiar to DSLR users. The sensor also allows the creation of background defocus (‘bokeh’) effects with a user’s E-mount lenses.
Full HD video shooting in the AVCHD™ format is now complemented by a choice of 24p and 60p (progressive) frame rate options. Footage shot at 24p can be enhanced with Cinema Tone Gamma™ and Cinema Tone Color™ for an even richer, more cinematic look.
Dialogue and other sounds are captured by the precision Quad Capsule Spatial Array Microphone that now supports stereo and 5.1 channel surround. The camcorder also offers a new audio level control.
Several ergonomic refinements let videographers shoot HD video and stills in even greater comfort. The camcorder’s handgrip has been redesigned for excellent stability. Allowing manual adjustment of exposure, iris and other settings, the control dial can now be accessed even when the LCD panel is closed.
The button layout now features “hard” function keys, direct access to each shooting mode (Iris, Shutter speed, Program AE), a second REC button for low-angle shots and expanded focus button – all located for intuitive operation so users don’t have to take their eyes away from the electronic viewfinder.
Shooters can frame and review footage on the three-inch (7.5cm) Xtra Fine LCD™ display that features TruBlack™ technology for clear, high contrast images. The screen can rotate up to a 270-degree range for easy framing in any position, even with the camera held low. A touch-panel simplifies fingertip operation of shooting functions.
The NEX-VG20H camcorder comes with the SEL18200 F3.5-6.3 E-mount lens. With a wide 11x optical zoom range and built-in Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilization, this versatile lens offers smooth, quiet autofocus operation during movie and still shooting.
A choice of seven E-mount lenses can cover virtually any shooting situation. The optional LA-EA2 lens mount adaptor provides even wider compatibility with the established family of A-mount optics. Sony is also planning to develop a third-party “eco-system” to allow consumers to use the camcorder with other brands’ lens assets.
The new camcorder is compatible with Sony’s Memory Stick PRO-HG™ Duo HX series as well as Sony’s full line of SD memory cards. Available in capacities up to 32 GB, both media enable necessary transfer speeds for stable and optimal performance of Sony hardware features such as full HD movie shooting.
The Handycam NEX-VG20H Full HD E-mount system camcorder will be available with a retail price of about $2,199. A body-only version, the NEX-VG20, will be available for $1,599.
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