High Definition Handycam® Camcorder

Model number: HDR-CX100

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

Series highlights: 1920x1080 HD video recording, 4.0 MP still image capture, 8GB embedded memory, Face Detection technology, Smile Shutter™ technology, 2.7" touch panel, 10x Optical/120x Digital Zoom.

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Position 1 Overview
Position 2 Features
Position 3 Specifications
Position 5 Reviews
Position 6 Accessories

Full HD Recording

Preserve your memories in stunning, incredibly detailed 1920x1080 Full HD resolution. You can even share your videos and photos with family and friends on your compatible HDTV.
- Watch Video
Full HD 1080, 1920x1080 recording.
8GB Embedded Memory

8GB of embedded memory can record and store up to 3 hours of high definition video footage (HD LP mode), or up to almost 6 hours of standard definition footage (SD LP mode).
Face Detection and Smile Shutter™ Technologies

Featuring Face Detection technology and Smile Shutter™ technology, capturing smiles and faces is easier than ever. Smile Shutter captures a smile the moment it happens and takes still photos when your subject smiles, even when shooting video. Face Detection automatically detects faces and then controls focus, exposure and color while analyzing and enhancing for more natural skin tone in both video and still images.
- Learn More About Face Detection
- Learn More About Smile Shutter
ClearVid™ CMOS

Using technology similar to that on high-end SLR cameras, the advanced ClearVid CMOS image sensor delivers bright and vivid video footage and razor-sharp still images—all with prolonged battery life.

ClearVid CMOS Exmor
Easy On by Opening LCD

Using technology similar to that on high-end SLR cameras, the advanced ClearVid CMOS image sensor delivers bright and vivid video footage and razor-sharp still images—all with prolonged battery life.
D-Range Optimizer

Powered by the BIONZ™ high-speed processing engine, D-Range Optimization brings out impeccable details and ensures more natural-looking video in almost any lighting condition.

Bionz
Picture Motion Browser (PMB) Software

Sony Picture Motion Browser software offers a simple, intuitive way to transfer, sort, and view your video and still images. In addition, multiple output options let your burn your memories to DVD, AVCHD, and Blu-ray Disc™ media, as well as take advantage of one click upload to a number of popular video and photo sharing sites.

Learn More About HD Viewing

Product Reviews

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( Rated 4.5 out of 5 Stars AVERAGE RATING | 2 REVIEWS Ratings Snapshot)

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2 of 2 (100%) customers would recommend this product to a friend

Rated 5.000000 out of 5 Stars

exceptional

Pros: easy to use professional results

Cons: could have come with a bundles package

Reviewer: airbabe (Dallas TX)

Date: May 16, 2009

I've had this product for 1-3 months

34of 36 people found this helpful

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I purchased this camera to record my sons wedding in St.Louis Mo in April.. I also bought the light attatchment for evening use... I was so pleased with the results of this camera. I felt as if I were watching TV. I couldnt believe how clear and bright the movie was. The clearity was unbelieveable. I would reccomend this to anyone it was so easy to use.l

Rated 4.000000 out of 5 Stars Ratings Snapshot

Ratings Snapshot

Reliability

80%

Performance

80%

Value

60%

Design

60%

Good HD Camcorder for the Price

Pros: Great in low-light video, take great HD videos, very light, sleek design

Cons: Confusing and hard to navigate menus, not MAC friendly, too small for my hands

Reviewer: gerryml (LOL, FL)

Date: Jul 4, 2009

I've had this product for less than a month

34of 41 people found this helpful

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I just got this a few days ago and like to share my initial experience with it. I saw this camera in a sony store in my area and liked the looks and some features specially it's lightness and great video quality in low-light area that I decided to get one. The camcorder did not disappoint on those items. The videos were very sharp specially in HDHQ and higher options. The menu is a bit confusing and a little hard to navigate through. I still get lost around it finding features I need to change. I have big hands that it started to get strained after an hour of handling it. But this should be no problem with the average person with not so long fingers. Battery life is fantastic! Memory is a bit small but external memory is available - but a lil expensive. I am also a MAC user and I knew the PMB software that came with it is not compatible. But I did not expect the camera to be not very MAC friendly when it comes to downloading data. I also saw very little support for it - disappointed on that one. I'm sure there are better (expensive) camcorders out there (ie Canon or Sony) that will peform better. But this one is just good for the money I paid for.

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Shoot HD quality video with the HDR-CX100 Handycam® camcorder. This compact and lightweight Memory Stick Duo™ media camcorder offers 1920x1080 Full HD video recording and 4.0 megapixel still image capture. Packed with a healthy feature set including a 1/5-inch Exmor CMOS sensor, BIONZ™ image processor, Face Detection, Smile Shutter™ technology and 8GB of embedded flash memory, its most differentiating characteristic is its ultra-compact design.

1920x1080 high definition video recording:

1920 x1080 high definition resolution lets you record your memories in exceptional Sony® Full High Definition quality².

Ultra-compact, lightweight design:

The ultra-compact, lightweight HDR-CX100 is designed for maximum portability. Measuring just 2 1/4 x 2 3/8 x 4 1/2 inches and weighing just 11 ounces, the HDR-CX100 makes an ideal travel companion.

2.7” wide touch panel³

Clear Photo LCD Plus™ display: 2.7” wide (16:9)³ touch panel Clear Photo LCD Plus™ display provides excellent viewing clarity with improved resolution (211K pixels). The display rotates up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles, as well as provides sharp, detailed images for monitoring or playback. The convenient touch panel allows easy access to menus and additional functionality such as spot focus and spot metering.

10X Optical / 120X Digital Zoom:

10X optical zoom helps to bring the action close up from far away. In addition, Digital Zoom Interpolation means that digital zooming (up to 120X) is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zoom.

Smooth Slow Record:

The Smooth Slow Record mode increases the record rate from 60 frames per second (fps) to 240 fps, allowing you to capture 3 seconds of fast motion and play the video back in 12 seconds. This is a great tool for analyzing a golf swing or a viewing a bird in flight. In addition, you record an audio track to narrate the video footage.

x.v. Color™ technology for superior color:

x.v. Color™ technology enables the HDR-CX100 to capture nearly twice (1.8x) as many viewable colors as the standard RGB color range, resulting in more natural, life-like images. You can even experience this expanded color range on the big screen when you connect your camcorder to x.v. Color capable displays, including a wide range of Sony® BRAVIA® HDTVs.

Includes Sony® PMB (Picture Motion Browser) software:

Sony Picture Motion Browser software offers a simple, intuitive way to transfer, sort, and view your video and still images on your compatible PC. In addition, multiple output options let you burn your memories to DVD, AVCHD, and Blu-ray Disc™ media (sold separately), as well as take advantage of one click upload to a number of popular video and photo sharing sites (compatible PC and internet connection required)⁹.

8GB embedded memory:

8GB¹ of embedded memory can record and store up to 3 hours of high definition video footage (HD LP mode), or up to almost 6 hours of standard definition footage (SD LP mode).

Smile Shutter™ technology for still and dual capture:

Smile Shutter™ technology lets the camcorder automatically take still photos when your subject smiles, even while shooting high definition video. You can also set the sensitivity and choose child, adult, or auto priority.

Power On by opening LCD display:

Power on your camcorder by simply opening the LCD display.

Built-in zoom microphone:

The built-in zoom microphone focuses audio recording on your subjects with the camera's zoom lens, helping memories ring true with clear dialogue and crisp, discrete sounds.

Dual Record with 2.3MP still image capture:

Dual record capability lets you capture 2.3MP still images while shooting high definition video, so you can capture those special moments without having to switch recording modes.

USB 2.0 interface:

A USB 2.0 interface provides an easy way to connect your camcorder to a compatible PC for fast transfer of video and still images for editing.

4 megapixel still image capture:

4 megapixel still image capture lets you take high resolution digital photos.

Face Detection technology for Video Footage and Digital Still Photos:

Made possible by the BIONZ™ image processing engine, Face Detection technology recognizes up to 8 faces anywhere in the frame and by selecting the most prominent, automatically controls focus, exposure, and color to help capture smiling faces brightly and clearly. Face Detection technology also helps make skin tones look natural without affecting other colors in the image. On AVCHD models, the camcorder allocates encoding bits on detected face areas prior to encoding other parts of the picture, making them sharper and clearer. In still picture mode, Face Detection technology sets the flash level to optimize picture clarity.

1/5” Exmor™ CMOS Sensor with ClearVid™ array

A 1/5” Exmor™ CMOS Sensor with ClearVid™ array delivers bright, vivid, and exceptionally detailed 2.3 megapixel (effective) video footage, as well as 4 megapixel still images. Exmor™ technology captures images with high resolution and high sensitivity, while the advanced Sony® BIONZ™ image processor improves camera response time and screens out noise so the signal from each pixel is as pure as possible.

Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® lens with SteadyShot™ image stabilization:

The HDR-CX100 features a professional-quality Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® lens designed specifically for compact camcorders. Precision ground optics help maintain the sharpness and contrast of larger lenses, and SteadyShot™ image stabilization helps reduce blur caused by camera shake.

Available in silver, black, or red:

The HDR-CX100 is available in your choice of silver, black, or red.

HDMI™ connection output:

The High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is a compact audio/video connector interface for transmitting uncompressed digital streams. HDMI connects digital audio/video sources such as a compatible camcorder, Blu-ray Disc™ player, a personal computer, a video game console, or an AV receiver to a compatible digital audio device and/or video monitor such as a digital television (DTV). HDMI began to appear in 2006 on consumer HDTV, camcorders and high-end digital still cameras.

Product Profile

Support

Find related product support and help in Sony eSupport

License Agreements

End User License Agreements

Product Warranty

Limited Warranty

Product Specifications

Hardware

Manual / Auto Lens Cover : Manual
Media Card slot : Memory Stick PRO Duo™ Media¹
S/S & Zoom button on LCD : Yes

Video Features

PhotoTV HD : Yes

Convenience

Face Detection : Yes
Image Stabilization : SteadyShot™ image stabilization
Smile Shutter™ technology : Yes
Dynamic Range Optimizer : Yes
Quick On : Power On by LCD
x.v.Color™ : Yes
Removable Flash Media Compatibility : Memory Stick PRO Duo™ Media (Sold Separately)
Dual Record : 3 megapixel
Face Index : Yes
Film Roll Index : Yes
Still Image Mode(s) : 1190K pixels (4:3)
Hybrid : Yes
Fader Effect(s) : Black, White
Exposure : Yes (Touch Panel)
Scene Mode(s) : Auto, Twilight, Candle, Sunrise & Sunset, Fireworks, Landscape, Portrait, Spotlight, Beach, Snow
Dubbing Button : Yes
Photo Capture from Movie : Yes
Easy Operation : Yes
Slide Show Mode : Yes

Display

LCD Screen : 2.7" wide touch panel Clear Photo LCD Plus™ display (211k pixels)

Video

Format : HD: MPEG4 AVC/H.264 (AVCHD) SD: MPEG2
Video Signal : NTSC color, EIA standards

General

Imaging Device : 1/5" Exmor™ CMOS sensor with ClearVid™ array
Processor : BIONZ™ image processor
Pixel Gross : 2360K
Video Actual : 1430K pixels (16:9), 1080K pixels (4:3)
Video Resolution : 1920 x 1080
Still Actual : 1490K pixels (16:9), 1990K pixels (4:3)
Still Picture Resolution : 4 megapixel
Recording Media : 8GB Embedded Flash memory Memory Stick PRO Duo™ Media (Sold Separately)
Recording and Playback Times : When using 16GB Memory Stick PRO Duo™ Media (sold separately): High Definition: FH = up to 115 min., HQ = up to 230 min. SP = up to 280 min., LP = up to 390 min. Standard Definition: HQ = up to 235 min., SP = up to 340 min., LP = up to 715 min.

Audio

Recording Format : Dolby® Digital 2ch
Audio Format : Dolby® Digital 2ch
Microphone : Built-in Zoom Microphone

Convenience Features

Multiple Language Display : Yes
BRAVIA® Sync™ : Yes

Inputs and Outputs

Audio/Video Remote Terminal : Video / S Video / Audio / Component Out / Remote
Analog Audio/Video Output(s) : Included (via A/V Remote Terminal)
Digital Audio/Video Output(s) : HDMI
USB Port(s) : Hi-speed (2.0 compliant)
Component Video (Y/Pb/Pr) Output(s) : Included (via A/V Remote Terminal)
HDMI™ Connection Output(s) : Yes (mini)
S-Video Output(s) : Sold separately (via A/V Remote jack)

Weights and Measurements

Weight (Approx.) : w/o battery: 9oz (280g), w battery: 11oz (330g)
Dimensions (Approx.) : 2 1/4 x 2 3/8 x 4 1/2 inch (55 x 60 x 114mm)

Power

Battery Type : InfoLITHIUM® with AccuPower™ Meter System (NP-FH50)
Power Requirements : 7.2V (battery pack); 8.4V (AC Adaptor)
Power Consumption (in Operation) : 3.5W

Service and Warranty Information

Limited Warranty Term : Limited Warranty --- 1 Year Parts; 90 Days Labor

Optics/Lens

Lens Type : Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar®
35mm Equivalent : 42-497mm (16:9), 52-608mm (4:3)
Aperture : F1.8-2.2
Digital Zoom : 120x
Filter Diameter : 30mm
Focal Distance : 3.2-32mm
Focus : Full range Auto / Manual
Shutter Speed : Auto (Slow Shutter ON), 1/30-1/1000; Auto (Slow Shutter OFF), 1/60-1/1000; Scene Selection, 1/2-1/1000; Smooth Slow Rec, 1/240 - 1/1000
Minimum Illumination : 5 lux (Auto Slow Shutter ON, 1/30 Shutter Speed )
Optical Zoom : 10x
Resolution : 4 megapixel still

Software

Supplied Software : PMB Ver.4.2.00 Supports Windows 2000 Professional Service Pack4 (SP4), Windows XP Service Pack3 (SP3)(32bit) Windows Vista Service Pack1 (SP1)(32bit/64bit). Not supported by Mac OS.

In the Box

Component A/V Cable
USB Cable

AC adaptor (AC-L200)
A/V Connecting Cable

Rechargable Battery Pack (NP-FH50)
Application Software / USB Driver / (CD-ROM)

High Grade Multi-connect A/V Cable

$39.99
REFURBISHED - NP-FH50 InfoLITHIUM® H Series Standard Rechargeable Battery Pack NP-FH50

$29.95
REFURBISHED - NP-FH70 InfoLITHIUM^® H Series Stamina Rechargeable Battery Pack NP-FH70

$49.95
InfoLithium® H Series Battery Pack

$59.99
Rechargeable Camcorder Battery Pack

$99.99
Rechargeable Camcorder Battery Pack

$159.99
InfoLithium® V Series Battery Pack

$59.99