Sony HDR-CX100 AVCHD HD Camcorder with Smile Shutter & 10x Optical Zoom (Black)

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Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 6 x 7.6 x 4.1 inches ; 2.4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B001PY41YQ
• Item model number: HDRCX100/B
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #83 in Camera & Photo (See Bestsellers in Camera & Photo)

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  Camera & Photo > Camcorders

• Date first available at Amazon.com: February 8, 2009

Product Description

Manufacturer's Description

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 up to 4.0-megapixel still image capture. Packed with a healthy feature set including a 1/5-inch ClearVid CMOS image sensor, BIONZ image processor, Face Detection, Smile Shutter technology and 8 GB of embedded flash memory, its most differentiating characteristic is its ultra-compact design.

HDR-CX100 Handycam Highlights

1920x1080 high definition video recording
1920x1080 high definition resolution lets you record your memories in exceptional Sony Full High Definition quality.

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

8 GB embedded memory
8 GB 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).

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.

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.

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.

2.7-inch wide touch panel
2.7-inch wide (16:9) 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.

1/5-inch Exmor CMOS Sensor with ClearVid array
A 1/5-inch 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.

Power On by opening LCD display
Power on your camcorder by simply opening the LCD display.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Dual Record with 2.3-megapixel still image capture
Dual Record capability lets you capture 2.3-megapixel still images while shooting high definition video, so you can capture those special moments without having to switch recording modes.

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.

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).

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.

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).

What's in the Box
HDR-CX100 AVCHD High-Def Flash Camcorder, AC adaptor, rechargeable battery pack, component A/V cable, A/V connecting cable, application software, USB cable and owners manual.

Product Description

The Sony HDR-CX100 is a high definition Memory Stick Duo media Handycam camcorder that offers 1920x1080 Full HD video recording and 4.0 megapixel still image capture in an ultra-compact, affordable package. While the HDR-CX100 packs a healthy feature set, including a 1/5" Exmor CMOS sensor, BIONZ image processor, Face Detection and Smile Shutter technology, and 8GB of embedded flash memory, its most differentiating characteristic is its ultra-compact design. The small size and light weight of the HDR-CX100 allow for easy portability, and the choice of silver, black, and red color variations give consumers the opportunity to pick the color that best suits their tastes. The HDR-CX100 appeals to consumers who are interested in HD quality video and who desire a compact, portable design.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

112 of 118 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly HD camcorder in pocket size! Buy, Buy Buy!, June 9, 2009

A Kid's Review

Excellent EXMOR Sensor and image processing engine, the BEST as for today! Small size. Full HD. Fast start. Even with "Limited" features has a lots of them. Camera instantly detected in PC-XP Pro and Mac-OS/X. I do not care about 4MP still shots, so won't even bother to talk about it.

Native MTS camcorder format is not supported by many players. It needs to be converted to H.264 usable by BlueRay players ...
I was reading reviews before buying this camcorder, and was just amazed how much ridiculous stuff people were saying. Some have no clue what to do with this (or Canon...) HiDef camcorders! Speaking about this CX100 - there is nothing to be scared about. Nor about Canon's or others Sony, Canon Panasonic's ... all using slightly different flavors/methods of recording AVCHD. Sony happen to mark their movies with MTS extension. I have ~6 years old Pentium 4 2.8HT/2 GB RAM/XFX with NVidia7600GT card/DirectX 9.x. (Window Media Player +Xvid plugin) playback is not perfect, a little choppy but acceptable. Please note, that if you computer preview is smudgy and choppy, this is NOT a CAMERA fault! Same video is played perfectly fine on Blue Ray player when converted to H.264. I also have new unibody 2008 Mac Book pro OS X - laptop detects camera right away and launching iMovie08, offering video transfer. If you have older, non Intel Processor Mac - forget about this camera - and ALL OTHER's AVCHD/H.264 camcorders - most likely they will not be working for you. So, please, do not write negative reviews, do not confuse people, OK?

I do not use Component and AV cables (they still in the box). If you do, you are downgrading HiDef video to patetic Analog quality. I refuse call it a "Standard Definition". HDTV is new STANDARD! And that other thing is, Analog. :) So, I use just a HDTV cable to direct view on HDTV, and USB cable to move files to Harddrive.

This camcorder when connected via USB cable is detected as external drive, not a camera. No big deal to me, even more convenient. I prefer to be able to save original files by Copying them to folder I created on my harddrive. When camera is connected to computer, make sure - do not delete movies from camcorder this way. Movies "List/Previews" still will be displayed in camera LCD preview. Completely delete files in build in memory only using in-camera controls. And format removable MemStick only in camcorder, not in computer. I believe, this is typical to all camcorders.

If you already have HDTV - LCD or Plasma, you can view footage directly from camera connecting via HDTV cable. It is looking really good on my Samsung LCD, as good as any non-studio recorded HD content. But this is only a temporary solution. You'll need to empty memory to take more video's, right? I wanted to get the best video from this camcorder and it is all about conversion of MTS to H.264. There are different solutions for Mac and Windows users. Keep reading.
.......................................
PC users:
- You can use supplied by Sony PMB Software to burn your original HiDef files to REGULAR, not a Blue Ray DVD-R!!!! This is awesome for someone who already has Blue Ray player anf HDTV! I repeat, they can be burned on regular DVD burner, to normal DVD-R, and then played in the Blue Ray player in full glory, with no quality loss, which can occur in conversions to other formats. I made disk like that, and tried it out - and I can assure you - it is real HD video! No motion blur, no hiccups, all is PERFECT! Looks like BlueRay players have much better hardware to handle HD content. You can AVCHD DVD directly from camera, or from movies you copied to the comp harddrive. For each movie event I create separate folder, and later PMB need to 'analyze' each folder befor disk burn.(By the way, when PMB burning disk, you will see that MTS format is converted to H.264). It is in a Manual too.
- One more way: You can install XVID (free) plugin and you can perfectly play original uncorverted MTS files via Windows Media Player!!!!
- Another way: you can get DIVX 7 Pro for mere $[...] ([...]) and convert to MKV, or DIVX PLUS HD format, which can be easily played on PC and Mac computers. DIVX player is free, is that Pro version, which has converter is not free...
- If you have slightly outdated Core 2 Duo comp - make sure you get more memory (4GB+, and better video card with HD support, like Nvidia 9000 series DDR3 /Direct X 10/Open GL2.x)
- Allegedly Windows 7 should have better HiDef support and most of the codexes... will see.
.....................................
Mac Users:
- Sony providing PMB software for PC user only. Get over it. But actually, Mac user have even better solution, not free though...
- You can get Mac version of DIVX player also for $[...] and convert MTS to something more user friendly.
- Or, (My choice) you can shell out $[...]+tax for Elgato Turbo.264 HD USB/hardware based encoder/accelerator ([...]), and convert MTS to h.264, then store them on external haddrive
- Quick Time Pro 7 can be used for playing H.264 movies! Again, they can be burned on regular DVD-R for BlueRay players. You also, can connect your Mac via MiniDisplay Port /HDMI adaptopr ([...]) to any HDTV or projector for bigger trill.
- PS: MacConnection catalog now is listing this CX100, so you see - it is OK, it is safe to get Sony HDR CX100! :)
....................................
Finally, if you don't have any stinkin' computer, or all what you got is one of those anemic 'netbooks' and you still want Canon, or Sony H.264 camcorder - No problem. At Costco, for $[...] you can get standalone Sony DVDirect MC5 DVD recorder (not a Blue Ray disk recorder, regular DVD's) and connect it by USB cable. You can make AVCHD disks readable by Blue Ray players. Never tried myself, just repeating what Manual says :). Canon also has similar device, but it looks like it is making only analog, not HD DVD's. So, all you will need is: Camcorder/MC5 recorder/Stack of DVD-Rs (which cost on average ~$[...] each)/new BlueRay Player/720p, or 1080p LCD or Plasma HDTV. That's it!

MY OBSERVATIONS and recommendations after first week of playing around.
1. ALWAYS record in highest possible resolution [HD FH].
2. Set color to X.V. COLOR!!! (if you have Sony Blue Ray player/and HDTV supporting that (Sony, Panasonic...) you can have advantage of enhanced colors). But it may be better turn it OFF in really sunny day. Colors might be way saturated (red/blue/yellow) almost fluorescent. And even with x.v.color off - believe me, camera will produce very nice video! And use of x.v. color could be very beneficial for cloudy days, or for dimmer lighting.
3. Make sure that you have image stabilization (STEADYSHOT) tuned ON!
4. ...all other settings I have on Auto. You choose yours.
5. There is bunch of useful presets like Beach, Landscape, Soft Portrait ... I have to check it out yet.
6. Camera is very light, so you'd better hold it steady, or attach it to something. I have small tabletop tripod (~$[...]) and I have it attached to the bottom - it works for me like an extra handle.
7. Even when camera is on a tripod - pan (sweep left/right) as slowly and smoothly as you can. Many people have to learn this, because some report excessive blur - it not worse than much more expensive camcorders. It is YOU - you need to learn how to "drive" your new toy. Eventually, it will come to you, no worries.
8. Get a Polarizer, or UV filter - to see through the glare of glass or water. This is VERY nice thing to have on a bright sunny day!
9. Tripods? I have Slik Compact XL, light and good for travel. Works for me. But much better is Manfrotto 190XDB I saw for $[...] at bestbuy... Very solid built, and smooth panning.

RECIPIE to get best video (This is true for ALL camcorders, and digital cameras):
- Try to get as close as possible to object you are filming. I think, best range is 2 - 20 ft. Next best is 20-50 feet
- Do not shoot in the dusk/dark. Film in well lit conditions. Try to have sun, or source of light behind you, not in front of you (unless you are shooting Hawaiian sunset... :) In low light - this camera is about the same as any other one's, if not better. Do not listen to purists about low light "performance".
- Turn OFF that "Digital Zoom"! 10x of OPTICAL zoom is more than enough for most conditions. Beyond that you will get big quality degradation. Try to apply less zoom as possible. Besides, "digital" zoom is using camera sensor, reducing resolution to get higher zoom. NOT good!
- Less zoom will make a big difference (unless camera on a tripod) for Image Stabilization, it will work better. Try, and you will see how is difficult to hold camera still on far zoom range...
- U can use Wide Angle adapter, I got ~$[...] Sony VCL-0630X through Pricegrabber and it is just... OK. At max zoom, corners will be blurred a bit. You can find better one for $[...] (Sony VCL-HGA07).

CONCLUSION: There are better camcorders over there. I really like new Canon HF S100... But it is around ~900! And this cutie, for under 460 --- it can be beat! And even in a "pocket" size - it is real Hi Definition camcorder, just use it to full capacity! Later on, when I become a PRO cameraman, and have tons of money (3500-4000) - I will definitely go for a Scarlet from RED ([...]). But now -- I'm happy with CX100. When I get decent video's I will post it on [...].

... Phew, I'm tired of typing. Just go and get it.
UPDATE: I just saw Pricegrabber's new super deal - 455 at [...]! That's $[...] less than I paid)
You'all have a good time!

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great quality camera for the price!, March 29, 2009

By	M. Yoeun "soap" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This camera is amazing. Once I charged up this puppy and fired it up it looked awesome. I filmed my dog and you could see every strand of hair on his body and the texture of the hair. It also has the smiling sensor technology that is really neat. Put it in video mode and when someone smiles SNAP!....a photo is automatically taken (you can set it on or off). I like that its flash memory as well (hard drives dont survive drops so well). I gotta say Sony put out one sexy stylish camcorder. It looks great in the hand and it definitely got some peoples attention. Once you get this camcorder you'll never want to go back to SD recording. Here are my PROs and CONs:

PROS:
+ Amazing quality video
+ Lets you take a photo while filming
+ Smile detection
+ Ready to film once screen is open
+ Small and compact
+ Very good looking camera comes in three colors
+ Flash memory (bad/good you decide)
+ HDMI support

CONS:
- Not just any HDMI cable will work
- Proprietary memory stick format (memory sticks are expensive)
- Low 10x optical zoom
- 3 hours recording time

Love this camera and highly recommend it.

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT HD QUALITY FOR THE SIZE, March 12, 2009

By	R. Munster "Guy NYC" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Right out of the box this Handycam Rocked my World!
I was looking for a camera that was:
-Small for traveling
-Does not use tapes
-Great HD quality.
The Sony HDR-CX100 was just released. I usually do a lot of research when it comes to technology, but the handycam fit exactly what I was looking for:
-Small
-Card Based Media
-Great HD Quality
I really took a chance on Quality, without testing at local store first..
(impulse buy)
But it worked out great the camera Is AWESOME. I even put it to a test.. I used the Handycam (all set in auto mode) along with the Sony HVR-Z1U 3CCD High Definition Camcorder to record a theatrical performance.. The quality matches perfectly.. cutting between the two cameras is seamless..

The size and superb HD quality, makes this a Must have for any one looking for compact HD handycam.